Chicago Workshop Speakers

J.D. Concepcion, ATP

Regional Manager, Stealth Products

J.D. Concepcion, ATP has been in the complex rehab industry since 1994. In that time, he has worked as both a provider and manufacturer of complex rehab products. Currently he is the Stealth Products Regional Manager in the Midwest and Eastern US - providing support across 20 states including the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. His experience includes product development, technical training, complex seating, alternative drive assessment and selection, programming, and fabrication. He enjoys the field of Assistive Technology and creating solutions for those with mobility impairments.

Workshop: Maximizing Function in Joystick Driving

Danny Glasser

CEO, The National Ability Center

Danny Glasser, CEO of the National Ability Center (NAC) , is an avid supporter of charitable organizations that focus on adaptive communities as well as an experienced executive with a background in media and technology. His passion stems from having immediate family members with cognitive and physical disabilities, leading him to become an advocate for accessibility, diversity, and inclusion. His mastery in streamlining operations and pioneering revenue-generating strategies at companies like Videri and Deluxe Entertainment Services serves as a helpful addition to NAC's programming and growth objectives. Along with overseeing the NAC's daily operations and furthering the mission to provide quality outdoor recreation to people of all abilities, Danny serves on a number of board positions for several non-profit organizations, such as Chairman for the Tom Sherak MS Hope Foundation, Advocacy Board Member of Frist Center for Autism and Innovation and Vice-Chairman for Exceptional Minds in Los Angeles.

Workshop: Adaptability Over Disability: Using Outdoor Recreation as a Way of Recovery

Kelly L. Green

Executive Director, Help Hope Live

Kelly has been executive director of Help Hope Live since November 2017. The daughter of a transplant recipient, Kelly not only believes in the mission of Help Hope Live, but she once used the service and it "completely changed her life." She feels honored and proud to lead an organization that provided hope and help to her family during her mother's journey to transplant in 2007. Kelly describes herself as a mother, a daughter of her hero, a battle-tested unifier, and a thought leader. She has more than 20 years' experience working in and leading nonprofit organizations and has dedicated her life to civic engagement. Kelly has proudly served as the CEO of Variety – The Children's Charity; director of Montgomery County, PA Voters Services; and deputy director for the Institute for the Study of Civic Values in Philadelphia. In 2018, Kelly was recognized with Main Line Today's Women on the Move Award for redefining success around Philadelphia, PA's Main Line region and western suburbs. Kelly is a connector, a person who needs to infuse each day with a lesson and inspire others to be the one makes someone else's day just a little brighter. She places value in small acts of kindness. She is a self-proclaimed activist, but most people just see her as someone who believes everyone deserves dignity and respect. She knows firsthand how broken our healthcare system is and is determined to help place medical needs in reach to those in need!

Workshop: Discover How to Pay for Everything You See Today

Jay Gupta, RPh, 340B ACE, MTM Consultant, C-IAYT

Jay Gupta is the Director of Pharmacy & Integrative Health at a health center in New Hampshire. He is also the President of YogaCaps, Inc. and RXRelax. Jay is a pharmacist, medication expert, DePrescription leader and international speaker. He has been recognized by Cardinal Health, by the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA) and by Next Generation Pharmacists/Pharmacy Times for excellence in integrative therapies. His clinical trial in 2020 studied the effects of therapeutic telehealth yoga for healthcare professionals during a pandemic and indicated significant reduction in anxiety, depression, insomnia, and PTSD symptoms.

Workshop: Finding Solutions for Multiple Medication Overload

Cindy Kolbe

Author, Disability Advocate, and Mentor, CindyKolbe.com

Cindy Kolbe has worked as a nonprofit director, group home manager, and literacy instructor. She has been a life-long disability advocate - even before her daughter Beth was paralyzed in an accident at the age of 14. After the accident Cindy and Beth became a team. They shared extraordinary adventures, going from a small town in Ohio to Harvard and eventually around the world. Cindy wrote a 2019 memoir of their story titled Struggling with Serendipity. A second edition of the book launched in December of 2022 with a new title, Just Keep Swimming: A Crash, A Quest, and Waves of Hope. Cindy has published over 50 articles in a variety of media and volunteers for disability and mental health nonprofits. She is an advocate and peer mentor for the Reeve Foundation. Cindy says, "If you never give up - hope wins." She would love to connect with you! Visit her website CindyKolbe.com to sign up for her monthly free newsletter "Just Keep Swimming" to access resources, updates, and giveaways.

Workshop: Just Keep Swimming: How to Boost Your Energy and Motivation

Sonny Mullen

Director of Outreach, Help Hope Live

Sonny Mullen is from the Philadelphia area and spent the first part of her career in New York City working in television. She joined Help Hope Live in 2016, first working in the Finance Department and now proudly serves as the Outreach Manager. In this role she has helped build the Outreach department with the goal of bringing Help Hope Live's mission to a wider audience. Growing up with a younger brother living with GRIN1 Disorder, Sonny has a personal connection to Help Hope Live's mission. She is happy to use her experiences, both at home and with Help Hope Live, to connect and speak with individuals in the disability community all over the country, with the goal of helping them safely fundraise for their medical and related expenses.

Workshop: Discover How to Pay for Everything You See Today

Andre Sam

Disability & Special Needs Project

Andre Sam is a comprehensive Disability & Special Needs Planner with SilverTree Special Needs Planning. Upon earning a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Arizona, Andre began a career in comprehensive disability and special needs planning.  Andre has been in the industry for seven years working with individuals and families with special needs and disabilities. Andre is currently part of a non-profit organization called the Special Needs Education & Advocacy Project.  Through this non-profit organization, Andre gives back by donating his time during evenings and on the weekends sharing his knowledge by providing complimentary educational presentations to organizations and groups who have loved ones that are part of the special needs and disability community. Learn more about the Disability & Special Needs Project.

Joan Steltmann, MBA

CEO, Bounce Children's Foundation

Joan Steltmann is proud to serve Bounce Children's Foundation as CEO where she passionately transforms the lives of chronically ill children and their families. Under her leadership, Bounce has consistently grown at double digit rates and now serves more than 2,200 kids, their siblings, and parents. Achieving the highest level of accreditation from Charity Navigator, Candid (formerly GuideStar), Better Business Bureau, and Great Nonprofits, Bounce also earned the highly coveted Social Innovator from Chicago Innovation led by renowned expert and Kellogg Professor, Tom Kuczmarski. Prior to founding Bounce, Joan served as Executive Director for Starlight Children's Foundation Midwest where she grew funding four-fold in less than five years. She has served as Vice President at Lake Forest Graduate School of Management leading development, governance, alumni relations, and community outreach. Joan launched her career at IBM in sales leadership, business development, digital marketing and strategic planning and was an active leader in the re-invention of the company. Joan has been featured as Executive of the Month by Chicago Business Women magazine and cited in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and the Chicago Tribune. Joan served on the board of directors for National Runaway Safeline, Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce, and the Wish Ball Board for the Make-A-Wish Foundation Illinois. Joan earned an M.B.A. Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University and a B.B.A. (highest honors) Ross School of Business, University of Michigan.

Tracy Williams

Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle Advocate, TracysPlate.com

Ms. Tracy Williams earned her degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Dominican University. She is a five-time recipient of nutrition education grants from the Kids Eat Right campaign of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation. She enjoys being involved in freelance writing, disability advocacy, and food access advocacy. She also loves debunking myths related to nutrition issues for all people no matter how they experience life. She has presented at nonprofit organizations, schools, rotary clubs, garden clubs, libraries, and churches and is building partnerships with disability organizations. She strives to inspire people and help them learn lessons related to healthier lifestyles. Contact Tracy for information on presenting at your organization or writing articles for your publication or website. Connect with her on Facebook, LinkedIn, or her website tracysplate.com.

Workshop: How to Be Healthy on Your Own Terms