Meet the AAPD Staff
Meet the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) team working to increase the political and economic power of people with disabilities.
![Woman with brown hair and red lipstick smiliing in front of green background.](https://www.aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Maria-Town-headshot-1-scaled.jpg)
Maria Town
President and CEO of AAPD
![Headshot of Gaby, a Latina woman with short curly brown hair wearing a black hoodie and matching double earrings.](https://www.aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Gaby-Headshot.jpg)
Gaby Madriz
Chief Operating Officer
![Jess, a white woman with short brown curly hair smiles at the camera. Her arms are crossed. She is wearing a leopard print blazer and black shirt. Behind her is a brick wall with green vines.](https://www.aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/DavidsonHeadshot-683x1024-1.jpg)
Jess Davidson
Communications Director
![Woman with dark hair and red lipstick smiling in black blazer against grey background](https://www.aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/LiaoChristine-headshot-768x986-1.jpg)
Christine Liao
Senior Programs Director
![Kristen, a white nonbinary person with short wavy brown hair and sideswept bangs, smiles at the camera. They are wearing a gray turtleneck and black pinstripe blazer.](https://www.aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Kristen-Cox-Headshot.jpg)
Kristen Cox
Executive Assistant
![Black woman with dark hair smiling at camera with checkered jacket on.](https://www.aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/jasmin-bailey-staff-bio.jpg)
Jasmin Bailey
Operations Director
![woman looking at camera smiling in front of brown background](https://www.aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/singh-2-1024x1024-1-768x768-1.jpg)
Rachita Singh
Senior Policy Associate
![Katie is a white non-binary person with short buzz cut hair and large gold hoop earrings, smiling at the camera and wearing a dark green smocked top. They stand in front of a white brick wall.](https://www.aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Katie-J-Headshot.jpg)
Katie Johnson
Internship Program Manager
![Shirley is a Hispanic woman with brown hair, wearing a purple blouse and clear glasses. She is smiling at the camera with her arms crossed over her chest standing in front of a tree](https://www.aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ShirleyC_Headshot_Medium.jpg)
Shirley Carrillo
Program Assistant
![alt=](https://www.aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_2966-768x1022-1.jpeg)
Alexia Kemerling
REV UP Coalitions Coordinator
![Afro-Latinx person of medium brown complexion with short curly black hair smiling. They are wearing a black turtleneck tank top and black eyeglasses and pink lipstick, against a vibrant and colorful background of pink and green hues.](https://www.aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Veralucia-Mendoza-Arana-Headshot-scaled.jpg)
VeralucĂa Mendoza Arana
Programs Coordinator
![April is standing outside in Vartan Plaza at Penn State Harrisburg. She has curly, dark brown hair and is wearing a pink and white woven bolero, a white shirt, and a gold Philippine sun necklace. Yellow, white and purple tulips are in full bloom.](https://www.aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/April-Demsko.jpg)
April Demsko
Events and Logistics Coordinator
![Michael is a white man, smiling over his left shoulder. He's wearing a dark blue suite, white collared shirt, and red tie.](https://www.aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Michael-Headshot-2.jpg)
Michael Lewis
Vice President of Policy
![Dewayne Johnson (he/they), a Black person with a bald head and neatly trimmed beard, smiles directly at the camera. He is wearing a light grey suit and shirt that are stylish and monochrome, and black round glasses. Behind them is a gallery wall with posters and art.](https://www.aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Dewayne-JohnsonAAPD-scaled.jpg)
Dewayne Johnson
Civic Engagement Manager
Meet our Consultants
![Man wearing glasses and light blue shirt with dark blue jacket](https://www.aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/H_Claypool.jpg)
Henry Claypool
Technology Policy Consultant
![Man with dark hair smiling wearing grey suit with a red tie](https://www.aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Jason-Mida-768x1024-1.jpg)
Jason Mida
Development Consultant
![Woman with dark hair smiling wearing a pink suit](https://www.aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Christine-Chew-683x1024-1.jpg)
Christine Chew
Development Consultant
![Woman with brown hair and glasses wearing colorful top in front of green background](https://www.aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Emily-Hanna-684x1024-1.jpg)
Emily Hanna
Development Consultant
Advocacy
Policy and Principles
Issues and Policy Positions
Community Integration
COVID-19
Transportation
Career and Leadership
Job Board
Summer Internship Program
Disability Equality Index
Emerging Leaders Award
Media Scholarship
Disability Mentoring Day
Certificate Program
Civic and Community Engagement
REV UP
Alumni Network
We Will Ride