Michael Beloff, CFP®, ChSNC®
Wealth Advisor
Belvedere Wealth Partners
Michael is a wealth advisor with a focus on working with families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Inspired by his son with autism, Michael is a Chartered Special Needs Consultant® with training and continuing education on the particular challenges of caring for a dependent with special needs, including the constant changes in federal and state laws. He serves on a number of volunteer boards, including the Advisory Board of the US Autism Association, Abilis and the Connecticut Council on Developmental Services. He is a graduate of SUNY Albany and Columbia Law School.
Daniel Bergmann
Filmmaker and Advocate for the nonspeaking autism community
Diagnosed with autism as a child, Daniel learned to communicate by spelling at age 12, enabling him to share his experiences and insights. He graduated cum laude from Harvard Extension School in 2021, delivering a commencement address using a text-to-speech computer.
Daniel's work focuses on understanding the support nonspeakers need and how technology can facilitate communication. He has shared his journey via various platforms, including a commentary for CBS Sunday Morning. His story was also featured in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's "Met Stories," where he discussed how childhood visits to the museum led to significant breakthroughs in his life.
Marsha R. Mailick, Ph.D.
Emeritus Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education, and Vaughan Bascom and Elizabeth M. Boggs Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The focus of Dr. Mailick’s research is on the life course trajectory of developmental disabilities. She investigates changes in functional abilities and the health of autistic individuals during adolescence, adulthood, and old age. In addition, she studies how the family environment reciprocally affects the development of individuals diagnosed with autism during these stages of life. Her research includes a two-decade longitudinal study of autism with a focus on adulthood and aging, funded by the NIH and Autism Speaks.
Amy Montimurro
President and CEO
Abilis
Amy has held various leadership roles in her 22 years at Abilis. In 2018, she became CEO of Abilis, a nonprofit in Greenwich, Connecticut, supporting individuals with special needs and their families across their lifespan, driving the organization’s growth and innovation. Under her leadership, Abilis expanded programs such as Project SEARCH, which provides internships for individuals with disabilities, and the Abilis Cafés, which serve as job training sites in local communities. She also spearheaded the development of the Cohen Abilis Advancement Center, funded by the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, to enhance skills and opportunities for those served by the organization.
Amy holds a Master of Social Work from Fordham University and has served as an adjunct professor at its Graduate School of Social Services. She emphasizes a person-centered approach, tailoring services to meet the unique needs and aspirations of everyone. Her work has significantly expanded Abilis's residential services to over 60 homes in Fairfield County, ensuring lifelong support.
Isabelle Piwnicki
Self-Advocate
Isabelle was born in New York City in 1996. After she was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Izzie received intervention and special education services and graduated from White Plains High School. She attended Westchester Community College and graduated from Project Search at New York Presbyterian Hospital in 2020. She also graduated from the Yes She Can job skills development program. In 2021, Izzie joined Sephora, an international beauty retailer, as an Operations Associate in White Plains. In addition, she works as a Merchandise Associate at Girl AGain boutique. Izzie is a current participant in the one-year Volunteer New York Aspiring Leaders program. She also serves as a volunteer at Afya, a nonprofit providing medical supplies to crisis centers around the world and is the recipient of the 2021 Els for Autism Spectrum Award. Izzie loves Broadway, singing and dancing and is the 2022 winner of Dancing Stars of Westchester.
Adam Shapiro
Self-Advocate
Adam is 33 years old. He graduated from Syosset High School on Long Island and then attended New York Institute of Technology’s VIP (Vocational Independence Program) for three years. During his time there, the program moved to the University of Mount St. Vincent and was renamed The Bridge Program.
Adam currently works part-time at Whole Foods Market as in-store shopper for Amazon Prime customers. His inspirations are Oskar Schindler and Walt Disney. Walt Disney inspired him to believe in himself and know that dreams come true! He is passionate about Judaism, goes to temple every week, and is a supporter of Israel.
Michele Shapiro
Director of Employment
AHRC New York City
AHRC is a non-profit which supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Michelle leads programs focused on job training, placement, and support, creating opportunities for meaningful employment and independence. Michele’s person-centered approach ensures that job opportunities align with everyone’s unique skills and goals. Through her leadership, AHRC NYC has built strong partnerships and fostered an inclusive workforce, helping individuals integrate into competitive employment and thrive in their communities. Michele is dedicated to breaking down barriers to employment and promoting diversity in the workplace.
Ken Siri
Self-Direction Broker
Ken helps families navigate and implement personalized support services for individuals with developmental disabilities. As the father of a son with autism, Ken has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities families face and is committed to empowering others in the special needs community. Drawing on his personal and professional experiences, Ken works tirelessly to ensure that individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities have access to the resources they need to thrive. Based in New York City, Ken is a passionate advocate for inclusion, independence, and tailored solutions for every individual.
Justin Terry
Self-Advocate
Justin is 21 years old. He currently attends the University of Mount Saint Vincent, where he is majoring in communication and minoring in computer science. He takes technology workshops at Tech Kids Unlimited, where he has learned many digital skills.
He enjoys drawing, gaming, being outdoors, biking, riding scooters, and numerology/math, as well as photography, watching movies and TV shows, nature, and art. Other hobbies are playing sports, mainly basketball, and reading. He reads comic books and articles online as well as some books. He also enjoys playing with and collecting Hot Wheels/Matchbox toys and being with friends.
Cayle White
Special Needs Consultant
JCC Manhattan Center for Diverse Abilities
Cayle is a special needs benefits consultant, educator, and advocate who provides specialized guidance to families of individuals with developmental disabilities, both at the JCC and privately in New York and New Jersey. Her expertise lies in helping families navigate complex government benefits and services, including those provided by OPWDD (Office for People with Developmental Disabilities), Medicaid, and Social Security. Additionally, Cayle collaborates with future planning experts to assist in the development of housing placements and other essential resources for individuals with special needs. She also helped organize a grassroots advocacy group to support the goals of families using Self-Direction, empowering them to have greater control over their services and supports.
