Team

Thomasina Byrd

Administrative Associate
Thomasina provides technical and logistical support on special projects for the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center, and a number of other workforce projects at TransCen. Having held positions in the medical, nonprofit, and business fields, Thomasina tailors her skills to meet the needs of others. She has extensive experience as a visionary problem-solver and creative tactician with an innate ability to connect with others. In Thomasina’s spare time, she loves spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoys being near the water, dancing, and drawing. Making organic pain relief products is a new passion of hers.

Andrea Cetera-Jines

Employment Counselor, Ticket to Work

Andrea is an Employment Counselor with TransCen’s Employment Network partnership with the Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work Program. As an Employment Counselor for Ticket to Work, Andrea assists individuals with disabilities who are receiving social security benefits who need assistance with career counseling, including helping them understand how social security benefits may be affected by work. Andrea has many years of experience working on disability employment issues, many of which have been at TransCen. Before working at TransCen, she was a Workforce Consultant with the New Mexico Employment Institute, leading the creation and implementation of the Institute’s mission and vision of successfully creating customized employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities and other barriers to employment. She has also worked extensively with New Mexico state agencies and organizations on the creation and development of jobs for people with a variety of disabilities.

Kevin Davis

Social Media Associate
Kevin Davis is a marketing professional with 11 years of experience living outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is working part-time as a Social Media Associate for the organization and ADA Center. He is an uncle to two active little girls. In his spare time, he loves following the Brewers, and both real and virtual aviation.

Ann Deschamps, Ed.D.

Vice President & Director of the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center

Dr. Deschamps is Vice President of TransCen and the Director the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center. As Director of the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center, Dr. Deschamps is responsible for overseeing all activities of the Center including supervising five staff, conducting and coordinating research, as well as implementation and coordination of the Center’s ADA Trainer Leadership Network (ADA-TLN). In addition, she works with all collaborators and manages joint activities with the other nine ADA Centers, as well as with NIDILRR. In addition, Dr. Deschamps provides training and technical assistance focusing on meaningful work and community inclusion to school systems, vocational rehabilitation professionals, and service providers and is also involved in other TransCen projects focusing on school to work transition, promoting youth leadership, and teaching self-advocacy skills.

She has a long history of consulting with schools systems and others on best practices in transition and employment for youth with disabilities. Her 27 year career has focused on full implementation of the ADA and successful school to work transition for youth with disabilities.

Maynor Guillen

E-Learning and Multimedia Producer

Maynor Guillen is the E-Learning and Multimedia Producer for TransCen, Inc. and the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center. Maynor has served TransCen in various capacities, as an ADA Technical Information Specialist he provided technical information and resources to State and local governments, businesses, organizations, and the general public on all aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Maynor is a true believer in TransCen’s mission, which is: improving the lives of people with disabilities through meaningful work and community inclusion.

He enjoys being outdoors, eating, traveling and spending time with loved ones. He is a tandem captain rider for the Washington Metro Association of Blind Athletes, he supports various organizations by participating in endurance cycling races and events, he has ridden his bike from DC to Pittsburgh.

Nancy Horton

Associate Director, Mid-Atlantic ADA Center

As the Associate Director of the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center, Nancy Horton provides information and guidance to individuals with disabilities, employers, business operators, architects, and others. She also writes and edits a variety of articles, fact sheets, and bulletins on ADA topics, and develops training materials for the Center.

Ms. Horton has worked in the disability field for more than 30 years. Her experience includes conducting site accessibility surveys, architectural plans reviews, and trainings on accessible design, employment issues, and effective communication requirements.

Emily Malsch

Outreach & Contracts Coordinator

Emily is TranCen’s Outreach & Contracts Coordinator responsible for researching and cultivating partnerships; seeking out new funding streams; and organizing, collaborating and managing training and consultation projects and grants. Prior to joining TransCen, Emily was the Talent Sourcing and Engagement Consultant for Disability:IN, Inclusion Works, responsible for developing effective outreach and recruitment strategies that expand its corporate partner’s talent sourcing network. In addition to her role with the Inclusion Works team, Emily supported the organization’s NextGen Leaders Initiative, a mentoring program for students and recent graduates with disabilities, and its Webinar Series for Corporate Partners.  Emily has a background in diversity recruiting, disability employment and return to work support programs, supporting private and public sector programs aimed to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

A native of Montgomery County, and now living in Frederick County, Emily loves to spend time with her family including taking road trips and discovering new places to visit.

Laura Owens, Ph.D., CESP

President

Laura, the President of TransCen, has over 30 years of experience, with a strong background as a national leader in the disability employment field. Laura is currently a Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the Exceptional Education Department where she teaches courses focusing on high school inclusion and transition from school to work. She is also the founder and President of Creative Employment Opportunities, Inc. (CEO), in Milwaukee, which she founded in 1991. Prior to joining TransCen, Laura served as the Executive Director of APSE (the Association of People Supporting Employment First), a national organization focusing on the advancement of integrated employment for citizens with disabilities. She is an internationally known speaker having presented to businesses, organizations, schools, and at conferences in Israel, Ireland, Croatia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Chile, and Portugal.

A woman with seemingly limitless energy, Laura is passionate about her work and loves helping individuals with disabilities obtain and maintain employment. Working with individuals with disabilities is what she enjoys the most – and then she’s eager to support others in learning how to help individuals with disabilities pursue their dreams – from teachers to employment consultants to employers.

Michelle Ridley

Employment Consultant

Donna Roberts

Accounting Manager

As Accounting Manager, Donna applies her extensive accounting, finance, and grants management experience to overseeing the organization’s finances, and managing the budgets and administration of its programs and grants. Donna plays a key role in driving infrastructure and business processes to improve efficiency and meet strategic objectives. Donna has almost 30 years of experience working in the non-profit space in both accounting and human resources roles.

In her spare time, Donna enjoys spending time with her grandsons.

Sean Roy

Chief Innovation and Training Officer

Sean is TransCen’s Chief Innovation and Training Officer. He has worked on the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on VR Practices and Youth as the Knowledge Translation Manager and also on the Youth Employment Solutions (YES) Center as a Quality Control Manager. Prior to joining TransCen, Sean worked at the PACER Center helping to direct transition projects and spearheading the creation of PACER’s National Parent Center on Transition and Employment. Sean is an experienced trainer and presenter and brings strong and varied experience in the areas of youth employment, access to post-secondary education, and family engagement. Sean is also knowledgeable in juvenile corrections and inclusive recreation and has personal experience as the brother of an individual on the autism spectrum.

Sean was born, raised, and continues to reside in Minnesota. He has two boys who keep him acting young and feeling old. In his spare time he enjoys going on road trips with his wife (the true definition of a “better half”), seeing 80’s metal bands with his brother, and sneaking out for non-authentic Mexican food.

Lisa Svidron-Stroup, EdD., CESP, WIP-C™

Training Associate

Lisa has been a leader in the supported employment industry for 20+ years. She has placed a focus on creating entrepreneurship opportunities for students post high school graduation. Lisa has proven to be a strong advocate within supported employment while finding over 100 jobs for individuals with disabilities into competitive employment. Over the past year, Lisa has shifted her focus from training Job Coaches and Employment Professionals to finding creative ways to overcome the workforce shortage in the supported employment industry. Dr. Svidron is a member of PA APSE, APSE EEOC Committee, APSE CESP Development Committee, PAR employment group, RCPA employment workgroup and GPSEA Steering Committee.  Lisa resides in Monroeville, Pennsylvania with her fiancé Brian and three kids; Tyler, Haylee and Tyson. She enjoys fishing, hiking, biking, fitness, reading and traveling.

Braden Walker

Technical Assistance Specialist

Braden works as a Technical Assistance Specialist with TransCen Inc.’s Mid-Atlantic ADA Center. As a person born with a disability and a former advocate with Disability Options Network (a Center for Independent Living in Pennsylvania), he has first-hand experience with the obstacles that people in the disability community face on a day-to-day basis, and how the ADA can be applied to overcome those barriers.

Braden also holds a Bachelor of Arts in illustration. Working with both traditional and digital media, he takes a special interest in visual storytelling, concept art, and a wide array of graphic design.

Ryan Feng

Employment Consultant

Ryan joined our team in March 2024 as an Employment Consultant in our San Francisco office He is a California native with a passion for helping people and causing laughs. He attended Penn State University, majoring in Computer Science and Theatre, and working as a Student Career Counselor. After graduating and working in the tech industry for 5 years, he went on a soul searching journey involving acting in Grey’s Anatomy, performing stand-up comedy from Hollywood to Ireland, traveling the world, and starting a career coaching business. Now Ryan works as an Employment Consultant, supporting individuals with disabilities to reach the careers they dream of! Outside of work, you can catch Ryan traveling, performing comedy, and trying the newest restaurants.

Jeric Lake

Program Director

Jeric has spent his entire career in the non-profit industry, specifically working with youth and families. He started his journey as a skills trainer, working 1 on 1 with youth with special needs. He has since been able to impact thousands of kids through various programs over the years with organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club and the Armed Services YMCA. His most recent experience was in Houston, Texas as a Program Director with Compudopt, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing technology access and education to underserved communities. His passion is inspiring individuals to reach their full potential by helping them develop the tools they need to be successful. This not only includes the youth and families he works with, but his colleagues as well.

Jeric considers himself a lifelong learner. He has a master’s degree in Family and Human Development from Arizona State University with an undergraduate degree in Human Services. Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, Jeric enjoys spending time being active outdoors, playing sports, and spending time with his 2 dogs.

Sara Murphy

Director, WorkLink

Sara is the Director of WorkLink, TransCen’s San Francisco-based employment program for job seekers with disabilities. Sara is also a key contributor to the training and technical team where she works with employers, school districts, parent groups, and service providers. She also provides field support for many of TransCen’s federal and state initiatives. Currently, she is a subject matter expert for ODEP’s Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program, where she provides technical assistance and consultation to state agencies and providers in capacity building in effective practice, system/provider transformation, school-to-work transition and employer engagement. For the past 30 years, Sara’s focus has been on school-to-work transition and employment for individuals with disabilities. She has extensive experience in direct service, policy and program development, and system transformation.

When asked what her passion is and what she can’t stop talking about, Sara will respond: “My work. My work. My work.” She also loves music, traveling to exotic locales, cooking/baking, taking her dog to the beach, and reading the New York Times on Sunday mornings.

Robyn Plant

Employment Consultant

Robyn has over fifteen years of experience serving individuals in the Seattle and San Francisco metro areas. Her favorite aspect of her job is getting to be present when a “someday” becomes a “today.” She feels lucky to play a small part in the process where discovery, sustainable positive change, and hard work culminate to create value and meaning for the individual and their community. It’s a magical moment when confidence becomes commensurate with mastery and one admires their contribution, often saying out loud, “this is awesome.”

Robyn enjoys exploring the city on her bicycle, vegan food, reading, and spending time with her house rabbit.

Aisha Spearman

Employment Consultant

Jennifer Alcorn

Skills Trainer, Project SEARCH

Jennifer Alcorn is the Skills Trainer for Project Search at Waukesha Memorial Physicians’ Hospital. She has three decades of experience supporting people in all aspects of their lives, and has been a strong advocate for community engagement to be something which is accessible for all.

Mary Fitzgerald

Project SEARCH Instructor

Mary has been supporting and helping others in a variety of settings for 25 years in schools, communities, and Children’s Wisconsin. She has a Human Services degree and is a certified DeafBlind Intervener. Mary is married to Jim, A Pastor at Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church. Together with their two cats, they reside in Wauwatosa.

Jennifer Girard

Employment Consultant/Skills Trainer – Project SEARCH

Jennifer joins the team of TransCen/CEO with over 20 years’ of experience working with a variety of populations in the human services field. Most recently, Jennifer was a vocational specialist for the Waukesha County Comprehensive Community Services program. Jennifer is passionate about helping others and strives to make a difference every day. She holds a BA in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and an MS in Recreation Administration from Aurora University. In her free time travel and adventure have always been a passion for her, which is often combined with motorcycles.

Jennifer loves to spend time hiking with her husband and their golden retriever, relaxing on their boat and spending time with their kids.

Victoria Jensen

Employment Consultant/Job Developer, Project SEARCH

Victoria has over 20 years’ experience as a Transition Coordinator and Teacher in the public schools.  Victoria’s Bachelor of Science Degree is in Special Education (PK-12) and Elementary Education.  Her Master’s Degree is in Educational Administration.  Victoria loves connecting individuals to their dream jobs and careers.  When not working, she loves to spend time doing Creative Writing, reading and exploring nature through travel.  Moreover, she loves to spend time with her daughters, husband and son-in-law; her brothers and her extended family.

Dwight Johnson, CESP

Employment Consultant

A native Milwaukeean, Dwight has been an Employment Consultant with Creative Employment Opportunities since 2005.  His passion is working with individuals with high support needs and helping them become more independent on the job.  Dwight’s creativity and dedicated support has led to permanent employment for individuals with significant needs.

Dwight worked for Milwaukee Public Schools as an educational assistant for 30 years, supporting at-risk students and students with disabilities. He has been trained as a trainer for Systematic Instruction by Michael Callahan (Mark Gold and Associates). Dwight is a huge Packers fan, and also enjoys golfing in the summer, and dabbling in the stock market.

Taryn Kroll

Program Director/Project SEARCH Liaison 

Taryn has 20 plus years of experience working with children and adults with disabilities, with the bulk of her experience being within the K-12 school system as a special education teacher and administrator. Her educational background consists of a  Masters of Special Education and additional certifications in Educational Leadership. Taryn aims to apply an inclusive mindset to various communities and organizations, and is fueled by individuals’ rights to have equal opportunities and access. In her free time, Taryn enjoys cooking, relaxing, enjoying a good campfire with family and friends and giving her two dogs lots of love.

Beth Mortl

Beth Mortl is a strong advocate for persons with disabilities as she has an adult son with autism and metabolic disorder that she has navigated through many systems on his behalf.  She has a  degree in Social Sciences from Alverno College and maintains that her education led to her perspective and acceptance of all people and abilities.  Beth also has experience as a Project SEARCH Career Specialist at Children’s Hospital of WI and she fully enjoyed the experience, however, needed to be home with her son for some years.  As a former IRIS Consultant, Beth has extensive training on Civil Rights, Disability Rights and holds self-determination and the right to work and be part of your community as the most important guideline when working with persons with various disabilities. For fun, she likes to cook, go on nature walks and learn alternative healthcare options.

Nora Nielsen

Nora joins the team of TransCen/CEO with over 20 years’ of experience working with a variety of people. She has worked for Milwaukee County and the State of Wisconsin in various positions; such as, Appeals and Grievance Coordinator in the Family Care program. Most recently, Nora was a Financial Employment Planner and Work Experience Coordinator with a non-profit agency in the W-2 program. Nora holds a BA in Business Administration with a minor in Economics from Lakeland College.

In her free time she likes to roam with her husband on their motorcycle and experience the fresh air. She and her husband raised 4 children with one still at home, but with 3 dogs it’s like having children all over again.

Lissa Raebel

Employment Consultant
Lissa Raebel joined TransCen CEO in October of 2022 as a Skills Trainer for Project SEARCH at ProHealth Waukesha Memorial Hospital. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary/Middle Education and a Master of Science in Education degree in Professional Development from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. With fifteen years of experience as a classroom teacher, Lissa has added creative, innovative, and unique perspectives to the Project SEARCH team. When not working, she loves reading, playing board games with her family, hiking outdoors, and roller skating with friends.

Greg Shaw

Employment Consultant

In October of 2020, Gregory Shaw joined Creative Employment Opportunities (CEO) as an Employment Consultant.  Greg has a wealth of experience working with at-risk youth and serving as a facilitator for youth and families interacting with the juvenile justice system.  He has worked as a Quality Assurance Specialist, Case Manager and Teen Program Coordinator.  In his role at CEO, Greg is a facilitator for employment skill training programs and also provides employment exploration, placement and skill instruction.

Greg holds an Associate Degree in Applied Science-Criminal Justice from Bryant Stratton College in Milwaukee.  In his free time he enjoys cooking, fishing and spending time with family.

Rose Hansen Widmann

Employment Consultant

Rose joined our team in March of 2024 as an Employment Consultant in our Milwaukee location. She comes with a unique perspective as both a mom and sister to individuals with disabilities. Rose has spent the better part of the last decade in the Therapeutic Yoga industry as a Certified Instructor with further training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. Over the last five years, Rose worked supporting students grades 3–12 within whose behavioral challenges create a significant barrier to their success, happiness, and well-being at school. She also maintains a small private practice working 1:1 with adults who have special needs. Rose has a particular passion for teaching self-regulation through Mindfulness and is looking forward to applying these skills in her role as an Employment Consultant to support individuals to work towards maximum independence. Rose is an abstract painter and a singer who loves to garden, cook, and be outside hiking in the woods or swimming in the lake as often as possible!