Bio: 

Originally from Rochester, NY. My family is my greatest joy. I love walking my doodles and balancing a good murder podcast with a lighthearted romance novel. Proud spreadsheet nerd.

Professional Experience:

Renée has over 25 years of professional experience serving people of all ages with disabilities in various capacities. She has served as a direct support provider and manager in residential and day support settings and as a support coordinator for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Renée currently serves as a project director, at the Partnership for People with Disabilities, through Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).

Partnership Projects:

• Leadership for Empowerment and Abuse Prevention (LEAP) Project Director (current)
• Person Centered Practices Project Director (current)
• Linking Outreach, Trust, Understanding and Safety for People with Disabilities (LOTUS) Project Coordinator (current)
• Co-Director of the Family to Family Network of Virginia (2022-2025)
• Central Virginia Regional Network Coordinator Center for Family Involvement (2018-2025)
• AUCD Sexual Health Special Interest Group member (current)
• Led the planning of the Connect for Success Symposium, an event bringing together professionals from parent-led programs and organizations (2019-2024)
• Member of the Virginia Family Engagement Network (2014-2024)
• PPD Health Content Committee member (current)
• Member of the Arc of Virginia Public Awareness Campaign Advisory Group (past)
• PPD Sunshine Committee (past)
• Parent to Parent USA Communications and Outreach Committee Member (past)
• Leadership Institute planning committee member (past)

Expertise Areas:

• Abuse Prevention
• Healthy Relationships
• Contemplative Practices/Mindfulness
• Relationship Building/Strengthening
• Data Visualization
• Faith inclusion

Research Interests:

Intersectionalities of abuse, disability and other factors of marginalization; healthy relationships education; systemic oppression; abuse prevention; institutional abuse; and trauma-informed contemplative practices.

Education:

• State University of New York at Cortland, B.S.Ed. in Recreation Education; concentration in Therapeutic Recreation.
• Master of Science, Virginia Commonwealth University (2025)

Certifications and Licensure:

• Innovation with LEGO Serious Play (VCU)
• Introduction to Design Thinking (VCU)
• Person Centered Thinking
• Charting the Lifecourse Ambassador

Professional Affiliations:

• Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society
• Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society in Social Sciences

LinkedIn Profile