Maryann Welch, M.Ed., is a mother of three, including one child with complex needs who is autistic. She holds a master's degree in education and has completed several programs, including the Family Leadership Series, FCSN Parent Consultant Training Institute, and the Wrightslaw Advocacy Bootcamp. Maryann is a certified Charting the Life Course Ambassador, Foundations Presenter, and she actively participates in the Massachusetts Community of Practice for Supporting Families.

As the Director of the Northeast Family Leadership Program at Riverside Community Care, funded by the Department of Developmental Services, Maryann offers education, leadership training, and mentoring to families with children and adults who have disabilities. Before her role in the Northeast Family Leadership Program, she served as an elementary teacher in both special and general education environments. Maryann has chaired her local Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC), been a member of a school site council, and led non-profit organizations. Currently, she is the Vice Chair of the Amesbury School Committee, where she is in her sixth year of service, chairs the Finance and Facilities subcommittee, and serves on the Curriculum and Inclusion subcommittee.

Karen is a mother of three and an accomplished disability advocate who is passionate about making a positive impact on society. Her credentials include working as a Special Education Advocate, completing FCSN’s Parent Consultant Training Institute, COPAA’s Special Education Advocacy Training 2.0, and the Southeast Family Leadership Series. She is also a certified Charting the Life Course Ambassador. As a SEPAC Co-Chair, Karen received Girls Inc. Taunton's Love of Life award, which recognizes commitment to service and leadership within the community. 

Karen's philosophy is that there are no strangers, only friends she has yet to meet. She believes that one individual can bring about significant change. Her advocacy work is guided by the belief that everyone deserves equal rights and access to opportunities regardless of their abilities.  

She provides education, leadership training, and mentoring to families with children and adults with disabilities through the Nemasket Group, funded by the Department of Developmental Services.

Haran is passionate about education, empowerment, and advocacy. Before becoming the Regional Coordinator of the Central Family Leadership Program, she worked in higher education for over 15 years developing synergistic leadership programs for university honors students from diverse backgrounds. 

Additionally, she served for seven years on the National Honors Collegiate Council's Education of the Gifted Committee, promoting awareness within higher education about how to identify and educate gifted students with learning differences. She is the Co-Chair of her Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC), completed the FCSN Parent Consultant Training Institute, and a Charting the Life Course Ambassador. She is also a published poet and artist and holds an interdisciplinary master’s degree in Critical Theory.   

As an individual with ADHD and a parent of a child with autism and special healthcare needs, she relishes empowering others in navigating the complexities of advocacy and systems change. She provides education, leadership training, and mentoring to families with children and adults with disabilities through Multicultural Community Services, funded by Department of Developmental Services.