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.

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.

Jamia Drewery

Employment Consultant

Jamia Drewery is an Employment Consultant with TransCen. With a strong background in mental health education and special education, Jamia brings extensive experience from her previous work with treatment facilities throughout Maryland and MCPS. Her collaborative approach allows her to build meaningful partnerships and support individuals in reaching their full potential.

Jamia’s dedication and commitment to her work have been recognized by MCPS, where she received the “Unleashing Potential” ribbon award. This recognition reflects the hard work, passion, and dedication she brings to her role each day.

Jamia earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Virginia Union University in 2020. Currently in her first year of graduate school at Grand Canyon University, she is pursuing her master’s degree in education with a focus on special education. She is passionate about continuing to grow professionally and expanding her ability to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

Outside of work, Jamia values spending quality time with family and friends, staying engaged with sports, reading, and enjoying her favorite television series. She appreciates opportunities to unwind, connect with loved ones, and maintain a well-rounded life beyond the workplace.

Question: What’s one thing people are surprised to learn about you?
Answer: I was once called a “chameleon” because of my ability to adapt, connect, and blend into almost any situation. I take it as a compliment—it speaks to my flexibility, resilience, and ability to work with all kinds of people.

Jen Fuller

Human Resources Specialist

Jen is extremely excited to join the TransCen team as the Human Resources Specialist. Over the last 18+ years, Jen has worked as a multifaceted manager, specializing in the employee experience.

Her background in administrative management is extensive, working side-by-side with her Team(s) as a manager, mentor, trainer, and administrator. Her love of management and collaborating with the people has turned into a desire to want to work for the people in a human resources capacity.

Jen enjoys hanging out with her husband, kiddos (two boys – 6 & 5), Mom (our boys call her GramGram) and friends. She loves to cook using minimal, naturally sourced clean ingredients – sourdough is next on the list! Listening to music, watching gameshows, drawing silly pictures for her kids and yelling at all Philadelphia sports teams *with love* through the TV are just a few of her favorite things.

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.

Paige Holman

Graphic Design and Social Media Specialist

Paige Holman is a Graphic Design and Social Media Specialist with TransCen, Inc., specializing in digital storytelling and inclusive content creation. Known for her reflective, human-centered approach, Paige brings intentionality and strong guiding principles to her work. Drawing from her own experience navigating 504 and IEP accommodations, she embraces a strengths-based framework that destigmatizes cognitive and developmental diversity while celebrating each person’s unique gifts.

Paige began studying Spanish in college and went on to spend four years living and working in Mexico City, collaborating with U.S.- and Mexico-based nonprofits while deepening her expertise in visual storytelling, social media strategy, and grant writing. Now based in Seattle, she spends her free time immersed in arts projects, cooking dishes from around the world, photographing the everyday, and plotting her next off-the-beaten-path adventure.

Her favorite quote, “If you don’t risk anything, you risk even more” by Erica Jong, reflects her belief that growth rarely happens without a little courage—and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone.

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.

Madison Jennings

Employment Liaison

Madison Jennings is an Employment Liaison at TransCen and she is thrilled to be part of a team where servant leadership is a core value. Madison is a disability rights advocate and community organizer, getting her start in advocacy at the university level by relaunching the Disabled Students Collective at The George Washington University (GW) and serving as its President for 3 years. During her time at GW, she earned her Bachelor’s in Political Science: Public Policy Focus and her Master of Public Policy degree with a focus in disability policy from the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration. Madison is excited to bring her own lived experience as a disabled person, her history working in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space, and her educational background in policy to the role.

Madison is originally from Texas but now resides in Washington, D.C. with her husband and her adorable chinchilla. In her spare time, she enjoys visiting museums and art galleries, playing board games, and listening to both music and podcasts.

Ben Kaufman, LMSW

Special Projects Director

Ben is a Special Projects Director with the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center. He works across Center functions to ensure that all initiatives (training, communities of practice, resource materials, etc.) have the structure, staffing, and partnerships needed to flexibly respond to expressed and anticipated needs of disabled people and the entities that shape their experiences.

With more than a decade of public health experience and a background in community organizing, Ben brings strengths in leadership development, interdisciplinary training on a range of disability and adjacent topics, and capacity building. Known for translating established values into impactful nonprofit programming, Ben listens and cultivates relationships with deep care, embraces boldness, and facilitates collaborative spaces with approachable enthusiasm.

Outside of work, Ben enjoys playing softball, experimenting in the kitchen, and weekend adventures with his family. Also pastries.

Q: What’s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
A: The only way to fully experience the beautiful tapestry of humanity is to be a thread.

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.

Christa Martin

Community Partner Work Incentives Coordinator

Christa Martin, MRC, CRC is the Community Partner Work Incentives Coordinator with TransCen, Inc., specializing in helping Social Security beneficiaries navigate complex systems and achieve competitive, integrated employment as they work toward their full potential. Known for her dynamic energy and “vision-to-fruition”
approach, Christa brings nearly 15 years of experience as a nationally Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, with a focus on ethics and professional development in Vocational Rehabilitation, and she is currently pursuing her certification as a Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC). She also serves as a Subject Matter Expert for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy and as a forensic Vocational Expert for the Social Security Administration’s Office of Hearing Operations.

Outside of work, Christa enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering in her community, and watching freighters pass by—or even catching the northern lights dancing across the sky. One thing people are often surprised to learn is that she once owned a globally followed pigeon loft and was a true pigeon fancier extraordinaire— because fun fact: all pigeons are doves, but not all doves are pigeons!

Sara Murphy

Senior Training Associate

Sara Murphy is a Senior Training Associate with TransCen, Inc. For the past 30 years, Ms. Murphy’s work has focused on community inclusion and employment for people with disabilities. She brings extensive experience in program development, person-centered, community-based services, Customized Employment methods, and system change and service transformation.

As a member of TransCen’s Training and Consultation team, Ms. Murphy provides technical assistance and training at multiple levels, including federal and state agencies, school districts, service providers, and individuals and families. She has participated in numerous federal and state initiatives, including the Workforce Innovation Technical Assistance Center’s (WINTAC) Customized Employment training project; the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability and Employment Policy (ODEP) State Leadership Mentoring Project; and the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities’ Building Full Lives Project.

In addition to these initiatives, Ms. Murphy consulted with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital’s Project SEARCH program, supporting model replication and helping to establish the Project SEARCH Learning Academy. Currently, she is working with California’s Department of Rehabilitation on its Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment Project, where she supports 10 providers in improving competitive integrated employment outcomes for transition-age youth and individuals previously served in site-based work centers. She also serves as a Subject Matter Expert for ODEP’s National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network (NEON) Project, supporting state agencies and providers nationwide with system and service transformation efforts.

Myrah Osmani

Employment Services Director

Myrah Osmani serves as the Employment Services Director for TransCen. She brings a decade of nonprofit experience, specializing in refugee resettlement. Myrah holds a Master of Science in Refugee Studies from London South Bank University and is passionate about direct service and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those she works with. Outside of the office, she stays active as both a group fitness enthusiast and a certified cycle instructor.

Question: If your job had a theme song, what would it be?

Answer: Work by Rihanna

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.

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.

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.

Allison Greinart

Employment Consultant

Allison joined TransCen CEO in October 2024 as an Employment Consultant/Skills Trainer with Project SEARCH. She brings years of dedicated experience supporting individuals with disabilities and is passionate about empowering each person to discover their strengths, build confidence, and pursue meaningful work that enriches their lives.

In her free time, Allison enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending quality time with friends, family, and her two beloved fur babies.

Jenni Hamilton

Employment Consultant

Jenni Hamilton is an Employment Consultant with TransCen/Creative Employment Opportunities (CEO), specializing in job coaching. Known for her reliability, empathy, and ability to build strong relationships, Jenni brings a compassionate, collaborative, and “think-outside-the-box” approach to her work. She has more than 11 years of experience in special education as a paraprofessional, supporting students ages 2.5 to 21, most recently in a transition program for young adults where she helped build independence, employability skills, and community participation.

Jenni is committed to continuous learning and holds certifications in CPI, CPR/AED, and First Aid, along with training in AAC devices. She has experience supporting individuals with a wide range of abilities, with a strong focus on self-advocacy and meaningful participation in daily life.

Outside of work, Jenni enjoys spending time with her husband, two kids, and four “fur babies.” In the summer, you’ll find her at the beach or kayaking, while in the colder months she enjoys thrift shopping and binge-watching crime documentaries and reality TV.

Question: What is your favorite quote and why?

Answer: Borrowed from my 7th grade math teacher, my favorite quote is: “Be right or be wrong, but don’t be a can of corn,” a reminder that effort and trying matter more than staying on the sidelines!

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.

Patricia “Pat” Lindsey

Pat Lindsey is a Business Liaison with TransCen/Creative Employment Opportunities (CEO), specializing in community-based services. Known for her positive energy and welcoming spirit, Pat brings an enthusiastic, and purpose-driven approach to everything she does, building connections and making things happen. With 25+ years in project management—supporting several Fortune 100 companies in the Milwaukee area, Pat knows how to turn ideas into action. She pairs that expertise with more than a decade of volunteer service across Milwaukee, contributing her time and talents to organizations like Above the Clouds, the YMCA Black Achievers Program, and the SDC Foundation. Outside of work, Pat enjoys reading, teaching Sunday School, and ushering – all grounded in a deep spirit of service. She’s always learning, always growing, and always ready to bring a little extra light to the people and communities around her.

Question: If you had a walk-up song, what would it be?

Answer: She’s a Bad Mama Jama by Carl Carlton

Keely Sims

Employment Consultant

Keely joined the TransCen CEO Team in October 2025 as an Employment Consultant. She brings two years of experience supporting adults in a day program setting, where she discovered her passion for helping individuals reach their full potential, develop life skills, and explore new interests. Keely is excited to continue empowering her clients to achieve their personal and employment goals through ongoing learning and growth.

Outside of work, Keely enjoys spending time with family and friends, participating in her book club, and teaching adaptive cooking classes.