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.

Ashley Cruise

Program Director

Ashley brings extensive experience in childcare, special education, and individualized support to her role as Program Director at TransCen, Inc. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Special Education, and Childhood Education from Marist College. Ashley’s background includes teaching preschool, providing 1-on-1 habilitation services for individuals with special needs, and teaching at a center for students with profound autism. Her commitment to empowering individuals with disabilities is driven by a deep passion for creating meaningful educational and growth opportunities. In addition to her professional experience, Ashley is a former college volleyball player who values teamwork, resilience, and lifelong learning-qualities she brings to her work every day.

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.

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.

Nick Dyal

Employment Consultant

Nick has a deep passion for working with the special needs community. As a former special education paraeducator and caregiver to an adult with autism, he is deeply committed to serving this population. Nick holds a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the University of Maryland. In his free time, he enjoys playing video games such as Elden Ring and League of Legends, as well as spending time outdoors and with loved ones.

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.

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.

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

Sara Murphy

Senior Training Associate, WorkLink

Sara is a key contributor to the Training and Consulting 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.

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.

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.

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.

Aaron Knuckey

Employment Consultant

In March 2025, Aaron Knuckey returned to the Greater Milwaukee area after many years away to join Creative Employment Opportunities as an Employment Consultant. With over a decade of experience supporting others in diverse roles and settings, he is passionate about fostering inclusive communities and the opportunities they create.

Outside of work, Aaron is a published poet and a sought-after cat-sitter.

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.

Anne Paprocki

Project SEARCH Instructor

Anne Paprocki joined TransCen CEO in August of 2024 as a Project SEARCH Instructor at Froedtert Hospital. She earned her Bachelor’s degree at St. Norbert College studying Communications as well as her Master’s in Teaching at Carroll University. Anne has seven years of experience working in the classroom with high school students and enjoys finding creative solutions to help people of all ages achieve their goals. When not working, she enjoys trying new restaurants, playing volleyball, and spending time with family and friends.

Sheryl Raether

Employment Consultant/Skills Instructor – Project SEARCH

Sheryl joined TransCen/CEO in August 2024. She has over 20 years of experience with a diversified background ranging from retail management and sales to education. In all the positions that she has held, teaching and training has always been the core. Sheryl has spent the last 7 years working in a public high school supporting students with disabilities with a strong focus on life ready skills. Her approachable demeanor and ability to problem solve with all levels of learners and team members makes her a welcomed addition to the team. In Sheryl’s free time she enjoys reading, baking delicious desserts, walking, and playing cribbage with her family.

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.