Council Members and Staff

Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities

Leslie Sutton

Executive Director

Leslie.Sutton@ocdd.org

Ryley Newport

Communications Director

Ryley.Newport@ocdd.org

Emilie Wylde Turner

Policy Director

emilie.wyldeturner@ocdd.org

Inclusive Partners Program

Melinda Benson

Program Coordinator

melinda.m.benson@dhsoha.state.or.us

Sieu Inac

Inclusion Specialist

Sieu.i.inac@dhsoha.state.or.us

Trish Roussel

Inclusion Specialist

Patricia.r.roussel@dhsoha.state.or.us

Abby Scott

Inclusion Support Specialist

Abby.R.Scott@dhsoha.state.or.us

Erin Tamblyn

Inclusion Specialist

erin.e.tamblyn@dhsoha.state.or.us

Council Members

As required in the DD Act (PL 106-402), not less than 60% of our members represent people experiencing intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), parents of people with IDD, or immediate family members. Other required members include our AIDD Network Partners, representatives of state agencies that administer federal funds related to people with disabilities, and community partners concerned with services for people with IDD.

Council members complete an application and interview process. If approved, members are appointed by the Governor to serve up to two four-year terms. We periodically recruit new members when membership terms expire. If you are interested in applying for Council membership, please contact us at info@ocdd.org

Executive Leaders

Daniel L. Alrick, Chair, Self Advocate (10-23-2019 to 10-22-2023)

Lindsay R. Stephens, Vice Chair, Self-Advocate (8-4-2020 to 8-4-2024)

AIDD Network Partners

Rhonda Eppelsheimer, OHSU UCEDD (3-31-2021 to 3-31-2025)

Chris Knowles, University of Oregon UCEDD (7-27-2021 to 7-27-2025)

Jake Cornett, Disability Rights Oregon (12-1-2019 to 11-30-2023)

Self-Advocates

Eddie Plourde, Self-Advocate (10-19-2018 to 10-18-2022)

Kelly E. McCauley, Self-Advocate (10-13-2020 to 10-12-2024)

Laura R. Estreich, Self-Advocate (3-08-2021 to 3-07-2025)

Mak Beatty, Self-Advocate (1-01-2020 to 12-31-2023)

State Agency Representatives

Anna S. Lansky, Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Developmental Disabilities (4-08-2015 to 4-7-2019 & 4-08-2019 to 4-07-2023)

Ben Hoffman, Title V Maternal and Child Health Program, Oregon Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (OCCYSHN) (3-29-2018 to 3-28-2022)

Sally A. Simich, Oregon Department of Education (1-01-2020 to 12-31-2023)

Family Members

Alisha M. Overstreet, Family Member (3-08-2021 to 3-07-2025)

Emily Braman, Family Member (8-13-18 to 12-15-2019 & 12-16-2019 to 12-15-2023)

Julie Chick, Family Member (2-02-2019 to 1-31-2023)

Julie Farrell, Family Member (5-29-2020 to 5-28-2024)

Nicola Spears, Family Member (10-19-2018 to 10-18-2022)

Paulina Larenas, Family Member (3-08-21 to 3-07-2025)

Rosa Belem Ochoa, Self Advocate, Family Member (10-19-2018 to 10-18-2022)

Community Partners

Che Walker, Provider Organization (1-01-2020 to 12-31-2023)

Jasper Smith, Case Management (8-23-2019 to 8-22-2020 & 8-23-2020 to 8-22-2024)

Sarah P. Noack, Brokerage (2-11-2016 to 2-10-2020 & 2-11-2020 to 2-10-2024)