Join Our Community! Become a Supporter
Board of Directors
2023 - 2024Officers
Maia Keller
President
Maia Keller is a Clinical Research Specialist at the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development. Her last position she was Special Education Teacher Assistant at Lincoln Heights Elementary School in Fuquay Varina, and worked with students in 3rd-5th grade. Her favorite parts of her job were laughing and having fun with her students and coworkers, watching her students grow and meet goals, and attending the Special Olympics. Before becoming a TA in 2013, she spent a year and a half living and working with individuals with I/DD at the L’Arche Boston North community in Massachusetts. Maia graduated from Duke University in 2010 with a B.A. in Sociology and Psychology and graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2018 with a M.S. in Aeronautics. Maia enjoys reading, running, hiking, watching movies and sports, and baking.
Laura Alden
Vice President
Laura Alden is a Wake County art teacher at Heritage High School in Wake Forest. Previously she taught 9th – 12th grade students enrolled in the Occupational Course of Study (OCS) program. Laura has been teaching with WCPSS since 2008, and began her teaching career in New York in 1995. Laura and her husband Ken have two daughters, Sarah and Erin. Laura holds a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts Education from Hofstra University, a Master’s in Special Education from New York University and a Professional Diploma in both School and District Administration from Queens College, City University of NY, and one day hopes to finish her Doctorate in School/District Administration & Educational Leadership. Working with children with special needs became a passion when Sarah was formally diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at approximately a year old. Upon relocating to North Carolina, Laura found her way to The Arc of Wake County by serving on their Board of Directors for two years. Laura is happy to continue her advocacy work with Triangle Disability & Autism Services. Laura enjoys volunteering with her girls’ schools, Sarah’s dance class, Erin’s seasonal sports teams, taking their rescue puppy on long walks, reading historical fiction, and taking road trips with Ken, the girls, and dog in the family minivan.
Nick Keller
Treasurer
Nick Keller is the Controller at United Methodist Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization in Garner. Prior to his career there, he was an auditor at Dixon Hughes Goodman in Raleigh where he worked primarily on healthcare and non-profit clients. Nick obtained undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting from Appalachian State University. He enjoys traveling and weight training and is an avid fan of App State sports and Japanese culture.
Brian Ridout
Director
Brian Ridout is a 25-year veteran of the Life Sciences industry focused on the development and manufacture of novel biological medicines for patients with unmet medical needs. He has worked with innovator and contract companies allowing him to appreciate the requirements of drug development and impact to patients and their families. He has a strong balance of both technical and business acumen allowing him to translate these skills to other parts of his professional and personal life. Brian has a 15-year-old son with autism and is impressed each and every day with the strengths exhibited by his son as well as persistence for growth of his peers and their families. He has a passion for assessing challenges, developing strategies, and collaborating for positive outcomes. In his spare time, Brian enjoys being outside in nature, fishing and spending time with his family.
Directors
Allison Baer
Director
Allison Baer is a National Board-Certified Special Education teacher she has been teaching for 13 years at Lincoln Heights Elementary in Fuquay-Varina. Allison loves spending time with her daughter Brooklyn and her dog Lily. She enjoys dancing, baking, and shopping. She also loves to plan events. Allison has been working with Arts Access which combines things she is passionate about; access for all and the Arts. She enjoys contributing to Triangle Disability & Autism Services through her knowledge of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and her ability to plan an event.
David Cove
Director
David Cove, CFP has been in the financial services industry since 1996 and acquired the CFP® designation in 2006. Before joining A Special Needs Plan David held several leadership positions in the financial planning field including Regional Vice President of a fortune 100 financial services company and Managing Partner of a financial planning firm. He is driven by his desire to impact people’s lives by helping them gain clarity on their goals and remaining alongside them as they work to achieve them. David is married to his wife Caroline, and together have a daughter, Grace. David has personal experience raising a child who has special needs along with the challenges and blessing that come along with that. His personal experience helps him bring a level of understanding and compassion to the planning process. David graduated with distinction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a concentration in finance. In 2008 and 2009 David was recognized as one of “America’s Top Financial Planners” by Consumer Research Council of America. David is driven by a deep desire to help families who are responsible for the lifetime care of a family member with special needs.
Robert Faircloth
Director
Robert Faircloth is an active member in several Triangle Disability & Autism Services community programs: Supported Retirement Program, Every Voice Choir and Triangle Self-Advocacy Network. He joined the Supported Retirement Program & TSAN in September 2016. He joined the Every Voice Choir in August 2015. In his spare time, Robert likes to sing and listen to various Elvis Presley songs and is a very avid bowler. Robert enjoys serving on the Board of Directors and he is looking forward to providing his years of experience within the self-advocacy volunteering community to help strengthen the Boards position to serve the community as a whole.
Michelle Hartman
Director
Michelle Hartman is the Nursing Program Director at Meredith College. Michelle received her BSN and MSN from Virginia Commonwealth University & her DNP from Case Western Reserve University. Michelle has over 25 years of experience as a nurse, primarily working with pediatric patients and their families. She has spent the last 15 years training new nurses in higher education settings. Michelle and her husband, Bobby, are parents to two sons and one daughter; their oldest son has a genetic deletion that includes intellectual and other disabilities. Outside of work and volunteering, you can find Michelle on a variety of sports fields cheering on her family.
Kristina Payton
Director
Kristina Payton serves as an Employee Relations Specialist at Greene Resources, where she utilizes her extensive experience in human resources to foster a supportive workplace environment. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Kristina relocated to North Carolina in 2010 with her youngest daughter. In 2014, she began working as a Job Coach at The Arc of Wake County, now known as Triangle Disability & Autism Services, and continued in this role until 2024. Her dedication to advocating for marginalized communities has been a driving force throughout her career. Outside of her professional life, Kristina has a passion for traveling, cooking, and exploring diverse cuisines. She draws inspiration from culinary experts and often tunes into the Food Network for new recipes and cooking techniques to enrich her culinary adventures.
Sushma Punuru
Director
Sushma Punuru is a seasoned Global Technology Executive in the financial services industry. She has a unique perspective on the intersection of technology, data, and insurance services. As a mother of a child on the autism spectrum, Sushma is deeply committed to advocacy and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities. She envisions a future where individuals of all abilities have access to comprehensive support services, educational opportunities, and pathways to independence and fulfillment. She lives in Cary, NC with her husband and 2 daughters. In her spare time, Sushma enjoys reading, outdoor activities and spending quality time with her family.
Jennifer Thompson
Director
Jennifer Thompson is Senior Director of Compliance at GSK Pharmaceuticals. Jennifer is originally from Long Island, New York but has called Wake Forest, NC home for 11 years. She graduated from Marymount University in Arlington, VA with a Bachelors in Business Administration and went on to Fordham University School of Law in Manhattan, NY. She has legal licenses in both NY and NC. Jennifer has had community service and advocacy at the center of her life since she was a teen after losing her uncle to AIDS. She enjoys supporting Triangle Disability & Autism Services as board member after contributing to its programs over the past few years with colleagues from GSK. When Jennifer is not working, she loves spending time with her husband, Brett, children, Lillian and Brett Jr., and two puppies Barkley and Mellie. She also loves to go hiking, do pilates and listen to live music.
Kristen Widmer, MD
Director
Kristen McCartney Widmer, MD is a board-certified adult neurologist with specialization in movement disorders who has been practicing since 2021. Originally from the Triangle area, Dr. McCartney Widmer’s education and medical journey took her from Phoenix, AZ, to Rochester, NY, but she’s always felt most at home in North Carolina. She cares for patients with neurological and psychiatric disabilities, often working with young adults and their families as they transition from pediatric to adult care. With a focus on patient-centered and family-oriented care, Dr. McCartney Widmer believes in a holistic approach, where sometimes the best—and only—medicine is collaboration and support. She is an active member of the American Academy of Neurology, the North Carolina Neurological Society, and the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Alissa Wu
Director
Alissa Wu is a passionate advocate for disability rights, inclusion, and representation. She was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Throughout her career at Cary Estate Planning, she enjoys the opportunity to spread awareness and education pertaining to the disability community. Her strong commitment to disability advocacy stems from her cousin, Catleeya Asavanant, who is hailed as the first successful artist in Thailand with Down syndrome. Her cousin’s work has been exhibited in art galleries and featured in numerous magazines. Because of her cousin, and many like her, she hopes to do her part in ensuring everyone is granted equal opportunities and visibility, regardless of disability.
Footer
Federal Tax ID 56-1214133