Board of Directors
Lauren Krieg, MEd (she/her)
Board President
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.
Kisa Marx (she/her)
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.
Christina White, MS CCC-SLP (she/her)
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.
Megan McCoy, MEd (she/her)
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.
Gary Zucker, MBA (he/him)
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.
Courtney Hayes, MS CCC-SLP (she/her)
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.
Staff and Volunteers
Dr. Erica L. Norman, SLPD CCC-SLP (she/her)
Executive Director
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.
Tracy (she/her)
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.
Kyle (he/him)
Volunteer
Kyle volunteers on the Steering Committee for the Chicago Neurodiverse Social Club. He started his career as a journalist at CBS News, drawn to the stories most people weren’t paying attention to yet. As someone who is AuDHD, his brain is wired to detect what’s inconsistent and what’s missing, which tracks with someone growing up wanting to become a reporter. He’s spent the past 15 years in digital marketing, communications and PR across food and beverage, CPG, and mission-driven organizations.
Kyle lives in Berwyn with his wife Heather and their dog Taco. In his free time he’s usually on a golf course, working on a creative writing project, or deep into a documentary.
Ruby Wilson (she/they)
Lead Teacher
Ruby (they/she) is an artist, educator, and textile maker with a BFA in Design & Visual Communications. They create hands-on, accessible art experiences for neurodivergent learners. Ruby previously worked with Islands of Brilliance, a Milwaukee nonprofit dedicated to teaching creative technology skills to Autistic youth. At camp, Ruby helps kids explore creativity in flexible, sensory-friendly ways where they can learn that there is no “right” way to think or create.
Audrey (she/her)
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.
Ricki Cazares (they/them)
Assistant Teacher
Ricki (they/them) holds a Bachelor’s in Communication
from UIC and has a background
in community-based work and inclusive storytelling, along with hands-on experience caring for their two nephews.
At camp, Ricki helps foster connection, belonging, and space for each child’s needs to be met. They support campers by nurturing intentional, welcoming vibes so kids feel heard and supported in sharing their ideas, thoughts, and feelings.
Jes (she/her)
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.
We're grateful to all of our volunteers, including those that are not listed here!