Nikki Powis serves as the Director of Small Business Programs for NDI, where she leads the strategic direction and implementation of multiple initiatives that support entrepreneurs and small business owners with disabilities. In this role, she champions efforts to advance entrepreneurs with disabilities within the small business ecosystem, while helping entrepreneurs with disabilities start, build and grow their businesses. She brings more than 30 years of experience managing programs that expand economic opportunities for diverse populations at the local, regional, state and national

levels.

Elizabeth Jennings, M.A.P.P., serves as the Deputy Director of National Disability Institute (NDI). In this leadership capacity, she oversees operations, provides strategic guidance to multiple teams and champions an organizational culture of belonging and mattering. Elizabeth has worked in support of the disability community for the past 27 years. Highlights of her work include research on the financial status of people with disabilities, training on the interplay of employment and public benefits and contributions to NDI projects that have facilitated employment, increased savings and improved the banking rate of people with disabilities. Elizabeth earned her Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. She is passionate about fostering meaningful dialogues on workplace well-being, cultivating employee resilience and championing interventions that nurture and amplify the unique strengths of individuals.

Kochell Ricklefs brings a well-rounded professional background rooted in

entrepreneurship, public service and financial expertise. This foundational experience has promoted a lasting commitment to hard work, client service and business development. Over the years, Kochell has cultivated extensive experience across multiple sectors, including mortgage lending, financial services, credit union operations, vocational rehabilitation, tax preparation, human resources and small business management. Her breadth of knowledge allows her to approach challenges with a comprehensive and

strategic perspective. She previously served as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the State of Iowa, where she specialized in business counseling. In this role, she guided individuals in developing practical, results-driven strategies to achieve meaningful employment and

entrepreneurial success. Her work focused on empowering clients with the tools, resources and confidence needed to reach their professional goals. Kochell holds a master’s degree in public administration as well as a certification in Human Resources. This strong academic foundation, combined with hands-on experience, enables her to deliver informed decision-making, effective strategic

Ruth Chavez is a Small Business Specialist with extensive experience leading projects that support entrepreneurs and small business owners. In her current role, she leads and supports several initiatives that provide business counseling, training and access to resources for entrepreneurs with disabilities. Ruth has successfully guided many small businesses in areas such as start-up planning, marketing and funding strategies while fostering partnerships with local, state and federal agencies to expand opportunities for small business growth. With more than a decade of expertise in business development, program coordination and inclusive economic initiatives, she has organized large-scale conferences, delivered bilingual trainings and led collaborative projects that remove barriers to accessibility and capital. Ruth previously served as a Bilingual Business Consultant and Training Coordinator with the University of Maryland Small Business Development Center and Hispanic Business Center (Centro Hispano de Negocios), where she supported entrepreneurs statewide with business planning, digital marketing and e-commerce strategies. Her passion lies in creating pathways for small businesses to grow, ensuring equitable opportunities and lasting community impact.

TaKisha Adams is the Digital Marketing Manager at National Disability Institute (NDI), where she channels over 13 years of marketing, community building and program management experience into advancing NDI’s mission of financial capability and economic empowerment for people with disabilities. TaKisha’s career has been shaped by a deep commitment to people-centered work. She has spent over a decade leading community programs, managing high-impact digital initiatives and developing content strategies for wellness and lifestyle brands. Her consulting work has further sharpened her ability to serve clients across program development, community engagement and strategic communications. A 1,000+ hour certified yoga instructor and trained Ayurvedic practitioner, TaKisha brings a uniquely holistic lens to her marketing work. Her academic foundation includes a Master’s in Publishing from The George Washington University and a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Communications from Virginia State University. Outside of work, TaKisha finds joy in time with her son, their dog, practicing yoga, knitting and building community.

Aarti Sahgal is the Founder and CEO of Synergies Work, a national startup hub for entrepreneurs with disabilities, and Synergies SEED Fund, a nonprofit loan fund working toward CDFI certification. As the mother of a son with Down syndrome, Aarti has spent more than two decades challenging low expectations and expanding pathways to entrepreneurship, capital, and economic independence for people with disabilities. Before founding Synergies Work, she spent 14 years in advertising and marketing and earned a master’s degree in business management from a leading business school in Mumbai.

Axel Rives is the founder and CEO of Scanon AI, a privacy-first AI company focused on automatically detecting and redacting sensitive information from images and video. He started his entrepreneurial journey as a teenager and has since built multiple businesses spanning e-commerce, cybersecurity and AI. With Scanon, Axel has experienced the full spectrum of the startup journey, from building and launching an early product and assembling a team, to navigating technical challenges, changing market conditions and making difficult decisions about the company’s direction. His experience has given him a firsthand perspective on the uncertainty, setbacks and unexpected opportunities that come with building a startup.

Cami Turcotte leads Disability:IN’s Supplier Inclusion program, driving engagement and delivering value to Corporate Partners and certified Disability-Owned Business Enterprises (DOBEs). She is responsible for shaping and executing the organization’s global supply chain and supplier inclusion strategy, overseeing initiatives in engagement, communication, change management and learning to create meaningful impact for key stakeholders. Throughout her tenure with Disability:IN, Cami has worked closely with suppliers to foster growth and success as certified DOBEs. She champions the importance of certification and its value—building relationships, supporting business development and providing education—while partnering with corporations to advance their internal supplier inclusion goals. Cami earned her B.S. in Criminology from Florida State University. Based in Jacksonville, FL, she is a proud mom of two teenage boys. Outside of work, she enjoys staying active at the gym, spending time outdoors, attending concerts and keeping up with her pack of dogs.

Coko Eason is a former startup founder with over seven years of experience in tech, accelerators, GTM strategies and venture capital.  She also has an extensive background in event management and uses those skill sets to teach others how to plan, execute, operate, sell and manage any type of business, project or product.

Craig Radford is a nationally recognized business leader, speaker and co-founder and CEO of 360 Direct Access. For over 25 years, he has advanced communication equity through VRS, VRI, and Direct Video Calling. Under his leadership, 360 Direct Access has grown over 600% in three years and partnered with LG Electronics, Comcast, Microsoft and the first U.S. bank to offer direct ASL video access. His hospital-based VRI work fueled the rise of Stratus Video, acquired by AMN Healthcare for $475 million. A serial entrepreneur with three exits, including one nearing $1 billion, Craig has been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, and CNN. Today, he advances AI-driven accessibility and serves as Executive Director of USA Deaf Basketball, inspiring audiences to build future-ready organizations.

Dale Owen is a commercial credit and risk professional with more than 20 years of experience in underwriting, portfolio management and financial analysis.  Since 2015, he has operated Abacus Credit Analytics, providing outsourced underwriting and credit support to CDFIs and community banks across the country.  His background also includes senior credit risk and portfolio analytics roles in corporate banking providing a solid background in C&I and CRE lending.

Dave is a startup leader, digital strategist and mental health advocate, with more than a decade of experience blending data-driven strategy with creativity. As Chief Content Officer at WhiteFlag, he leads strategy across marketing, content, partnerships, product experience and growth. A former content creator with an audience of over one million followers, Dave brings his lived experience with recovery and ADHD to a career centered on mental health advocacy and meaningful social impact.

Dr. Jason William Johnson is an economic development and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in training and coaching. He is an accomplished speaker who provides keynote addresses and performs entrepreneurship-inspired hip-hop music under the moniker Notorious B.I.Z. He was also the co-founder and CEO of Konveau, an app that uses personality compatibility to help people break the ice at networking events. Johnson has been a featured subject-matter expert and contributor for Forbes, is a doctoral candidate in Organizational Leadership and served as an adjunct professor at Illinois Institute of Technology from 2019-2021.

Heather Callahan is the founder of Sufficient Grace Grants & Consulting LLC. She is a master-degreed educator, published author and certified grant writer and funding strategist with more than two decades of experience in education, curriculum development, nonprofit support and philanthropy. Rooted in faith and guided by integrity, Heather is passionate about helping mission- driven organizations secure the resources they need to serve their communities. She is part of a collaborative team of grant professionals who have collectively secured more than $63.6 million in funding for nonprofits, schools and community initiatives nationwide. Heather is also deeply grateful for the support of the NDI Small Business Team, whose guidance and encouragement played a meaningful role in her journey. She often shares that she would not be where she is today without their support.

Jon Mosholder is the owner and CEO of Bumbleberry Farms, a second-generation, Deaf-owned-and-operated specialty honey company based in Pittsburgh, PA. A graduate of RIT/NTID, Jon brings a background in business, finance and marketing to his leadership of the family business. Under his direction, Bumbleberry Farms has expanded its products and strengthened its commitment to creating employment opportunities for people who are Deaf and hard of hearing. He was named a 2024 Pittsburgh Magazine 40 Under 40 honoree.

Jon Mowl is a fourth-generation Deaf entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Play With ASL, a Deaf-owned company that builds gamified American Sign Language learning tools for schools, families and independent learners. He previously worked as a business analyst at the Defense Logistics Agency and in Deaf-owned education publishing, then launched Play With ASL in 2024 to close the practice/tools gap in ASL education. The company has reached more than 60,000 downloads in over 90 countries, completed NSF I-Corps, earned 1EdTech LTI Advantage Complete certification, and took second place and a $10,000 prize in SCORE's national small- business pitch competition, all without venture capital. Jon is also a four-time Deaflympian who won two gold medals in men's basketball and served as Team USA's flag bearer at the 2025 Tokyo Deaflympics.

Jordan Schulz is a certified coach and consultant specializing in disability and trauma (as she finds that disability and trauma often occur together). Her clients are typically working through changes related to new and/or lifelong diagnoses, including neurodivergence and chronic illness. Jordan is also the originator and host of the "Magic Bus," a collaborative networking event. She welcomes all who may be interested in working with her to reach out via her website at www.jordanschulzcoaching.com.

Kathy Long is the Founder and CEO of NixIt AI, the operating system for neurodivergent life. She has ADHD and four neurodivergent kids, so the market research happened at her own kitchen table. Her oldest son is 25 with autism and ADHD as well as sight and vestibular issues. He still needs help with doctors’ appointments, oil changes and paying bills, and every tool built for this population shows up after the fall. So she built NixIt: daily structure over SMS, no app to download, connecting neurodivergent adults, their families and the 65,000 coaches who serve them, all through consent, never surveillance. A second-time founder with a background in revenue operations leadership across Engine, TeamSnap and Farmshare, Kathy launched NixIt's coach platform this fall. Built by neurodivergent people, for neurodivergent people, starting with the one running the company.

Kelley Land is a nationally recognized leader with more than 20 years of experience in disability policy, workforce development, and human services. As a Trainer and Technical Assistance Specialist with National Disability Institute (NDI), she provides national guidance and training on benefits counseling, work incentives, asset development, and inclusive employment. Before joining NDI, Kelley supported the national network of benefits planners through Virginia Commonwealth University’s WIPA National Training Center and led statewide initiatives for the Indiana Benefits Information Network. Her work focuses on translating complex Social Security and Medicaid policies into practical, person-centered strategies that advance employment and financial well-being. Kelley serves on the board with the National Association of Benefits and Work Incentives Specialists (NABWIS). She holds a bachelor's degree in business management and a master's degree in public affairs from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Melody Stein is a co-founder and CEO of pi00a, a Deaf & CODA family-owned frozen pizza company creating premium, globally inspired Neapolitan pizzas. She previously co-founded Mozzeria, a San Francisco Neapolitan pizzeria with an all-Deaf team, alongside her husband, Russell Stein. Building on more than 15 years of pizza-making experience, Melody and her family launched pi00a to bring restaurant-quality pizza to the frozen aisle while creating meaningful employment opportunities for the Deaf community. Melody and her family appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank, where they secured a deal with Lori Greiner.

Molly Sullivan has been assisting people with disabilities to pursue wage and self- employment for over 25 years. She has worked in direct service and program management for both non-profit and government agencies and provided training and technical assistance under numerous innovative projects at the local, state and national levels, including state Medicaid Infrastructure Grants, state Disability Employment Initiatives, Social Security’s WIPA National Training and Data Center and the Rehabilitation Services Administration’s Innovative Rehabilitation Training Program on self-employment, business ownership and telecommuting. Molly has supported the design, development and maintenance of several statewide benefit planning programs, including the development of training and certifications. She earned her M.S. in Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning from Boise State University.

As a program manager on the Verizon Responsible Business team, Oliver Chan serves as the partnership lead for Verizon’s Small Business Digital Ready initiative. In this role, he oversees national and local organizational partnerships aimed at connecting small business owners with essential digital resources. These offerings include accessible online courses, interactive webinars, peer networking, personalized coaching, and grant opportunities designed to help SMBs strengthen their operational capabilities. Oliver earned his bachelor’s degree from Fordham University and holds a master’s degree from New York University.

Paola Blanco is the Program Manager for the Synergies SEED Fund, where she supports entrepreneurs with disabilities through access to capital, financial education, and technical assistance. She helps manage the Seed Fund’s lending operations, coordinates borrower support, and helped develop the Financial Fundamentals for Entrepreneurs course. As an entrepreneur and professional with a disability, Paola brings both lived experience and a practical understanding of the additional barriers disabled founders may face when building and financing a business.

Patricia Graves is the Founder and CEO of Caption First, a Disability:IN certified DOBE, Disabled-Owned Business Enterprise. For 37 years, she has led the team providing captioning and accessibility services for local and global clients. Graves believes words matter. Her team at Caption First delivers live and video captioning, descriptive transcripts and live, machine-based translation so individuals who need captions can follow every moment—supporting full participation in professional meetings and everyday conversations. Her success is measured by consumers’ success: clearer communication, greater access and better outcomes for everyone.

Ricky Bartlett is an actor, voice artist, communications leader and disability advocate whose career bridges entertainment, technology, storytelling and disability visibility. A double-leg amputee, he brings lived experience and professional leadership to conversations about how people with disabilities are represented, employed, heard and empowered. A SAG-AFTRA performer, Bartlett's work spans television, film, voiceover, broadcasting and creative development, including appearances in Murdaugh: Death in the Family and Chicago P.D. He serves on the SAG-AFTRA Diversity & EEO Committee and is a 2026 Voice Arts Award nominee from the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences. Before acting, Bartlett built a career across broadcasting, communications, technology and creative leadership. That experience shapes his perspective on including people with disabilities- not simply as a matter of accessibility or representation, but as one of opportunity, participation and economic independence. Through his work and advocacy, Bartlett challenges audiences to move beyond narratives that define disability solely through adversity or inspiration. His message centers on agency: the ability to work, create, earn, lead, take risks and determine the direction of one's own future.

Tiffany Ruffa is the founder of HRBloom Co. and Deaf HR Professionals (DHRP), and a self-described #HRGeek with more than 15 years in the field. About 53% of deaf adults are employed compared with 76% of hearing adults, and Deaf entrepreneurs have answered that gap by taking matters into their own hands and building businesses of their own. Tiffany's focus is making sure HR is available to them. She works with small Deaf-owned businesses, nonprofits and organizations of fewer than 50 employees across all 50 states on compliance, leadership training, internal operations and procedures, equitable hiring practices and the kind of structure that builds real self-reliance. HR guidance in ASL is becoming more available every year, and Tiffany is glad to be part of that growth, because Deaf to Deaf communication makes the whole conversation about policies, procedures and compliance a lot easier. Her heart is in entrepreneurship. For the past five years Tiffany has been working with the amazing team at the Gallaudet Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute (GIEI), assisting with the accelerator program that leads up to the BisonTank pitch competition. Watching Deaf founders move an idea from concept to reality is one of her favorite parts of the year. Outside of work, Tiffany is usually repotting her succulents, hiking and admiring countless flowers along the way, working through several good books at once, or finding somewhere with a good view of the stars and always making plans with family, including her husband Val and their rescue pug, Eva.