Meet Our Team

Board President

Dr. Erica Norman is a neurodivergent Speech Therapist (SLP) and co-founder of CAYR Connections. She holds a Doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology from Northwestern University and is also a proud Michigan Wolverine. Founding CAYR was a way to address her frustration with the lack of accessible, neuro-affirming resources in the Chicago area.

Erica lives in Oak Park with her husband Cody and their two dogs, Mango and Bowie (pictured). In her free time, she volunteers at her favorite thrift shop and serves on the board of a local arts nonprofit, Terrain Exhibitions.

Board Member

Kisa is a neurodivergent Childhood Advocate and founder of the Play Lab Foundation, an inclusive, play- and nature-based Early Childhood Community in Oak Park.

Committed to equity, access, and joy for all children, she advocates for the rights of children and childhood while collaborating with other educators to incorporate liberated learning into their educational settings.

When she is not on an adventure with her crew or fighting for the rights of children, you can find Kisa hanging with her partner and tending to her garden of adult children, pets, and plants.

Board Member

Courtney is a ND speech therapist, business owner, and mom who lives in the far west suburbs of Chicago. She is passionate about dispelling myths and misconceptions about autism, supporting underserved populations, and advocating for neurodivergent people to live full, authentic lives with access to supports and accommodations.

Her interests include collecting Pokémon cards, talking about Star Wars (Jar Jar is a Sith), reading, starting (but not really finishing) art projects and playing outside with her kids.

Volunteer

Jescelia is a proud neurodivergent advocate and volunteers on the Chicago Neurodiverse Social Club Steering Committee, where she first found community as an attendee. With a deep understanding of the value of belonging, she now supports others in creating meaningful connections in a space built on acceptance, empathy, and shared joy. Some of Jescelia’s interests include photography, fitness, creating jewelry/waistbeads, reading, video games and travel.

Board Secretary

Christina is a cofounder of CAYR Connections and serves as the Board Secretary. She was born and raised in Texas and found her way up to Chicago after earning her master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She works in a private practice in Oak Park, and is passionate about providing neuro-affirming care. For fun, she loves reading, exercising, singing, cooking, and listening to podcasts.

Board Member

Megan is a neurodivergent mom to a neurodivergent kid in the Chicago suburbs. She leads the Communications Committee and also volunteers for our CAYRgiver Circle events.

She holds a Master's degree in Secondary Education and Teaching and fluent in French. In her spare time, she enjoys going on walks with her daughter and rollerblading.

Volunteer

Audrey is the founder of the Chicago Neurodiverse Social Club (CNSC) and chair of the CNSC Steering Committee. The creation of CNSC was inspired by her desire for more “third spaces” where neurodivergent members of our community can thrive. She has been involved in grassroots disability social justice advocacy since attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and collaborating with other disabled and neurodivergent peers.

Audrey lives and works in Chicago professionally as a full-stack software engineer. She enjoys listening to podcasts, looking at weird bugs, sewing and textile arts, and going on too many long walks with her spouse, Noah.

Volunteer

Rob volunteers on the Steering Committee for the Chicago Neurodiverse Social Club. He lives in Forest Park, and is a therapist at Innovative Counseling Partners in Oak Park. He joined CAYR and the CNSC in order to help neurodivergent people create connection and build more understanding of their experiences. He's passionate about music, social justice, and history. He also plays the keyboards in a band called The Porchflies.

Board Treasurer

Gary is a healthcare consultant and strategist with a passion for education and accessibility. He earned his MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management after five years in the financial services industry. Outside of work, his interests include cars, snowboarding, and live music.

Board Member

Lauren is a neurodivergent philanthropy professional, former elementary teacher, passionate neurodiversity advocate and the mother of a neurodivergent young adult. She knows firsthand the life-changing difference neuro-affirming spaces can make for both children and adults.

She holds a Master's degree in Leadership in Education with an emphasis in curriculum development, and has been actively engaged in our inclusive school planning process. Her hobbies include drawing and digital art, playing badminton, and cuddling with her two cats.

Volunteer

Ricki is a passionate advocate for inclusive marketing and community-centered storytelling, and uses these skills on the Chicago Neurodiverse Social Club Steering Committee as well as the CAYR Connections Communications Committee. With a background in nonprofit communications, they are driven by a desire to make access and advocacy approachable, impactful, and culturally resonant. Outside of their work in community marketing, Ricki enjoys capturing everyday moments through photography.

Volunteer

Tracy was a founding board member and continues to contribute to CAYR's initiatives through volunteer work on the Fundraising Committee. She is a Speech-Language Pathologist, business owner, and busy mom of 3 kids and a dog.