Kimberly Jackson (she/her) 

Kimberly is an accomplished administrative professional with a strong background in healthcare and higher education. She currently serves with Heart & Vascular Administration at WakeMed Hospital, where she supports clinical operations and patient-centered care. Kimberly brings extensive experience in organizational management, compliance, and executive support, along with a deep commitment to equity and inclusion.

Originally from Newburgh, New York, Kimberly is passionate about expanding access to pediatric therapy and advocating for neurodiversity in community settings. She was drawn to TheraFriends’ mission because of its focus on bridging gaps in care and creating inclusive spaces where every child can thrive.

Sam Brandsen (he/him), Board Chair

Sam is an autistic parent of an autistic child. He completed his Ph.D. in physics at Duke University, and afterwards switched his focus to autism research. He currently works for the Duke Autism Center and absolutely loves anything related to neurodiversity and autism advocacy. He is especially interested in developing more accessible healthcare systems and educational practices, as well as learning about how research and the neurodiversity movement can better address the needs and perspectives of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Shreyas Hallur (he/him)

Born and raised in Phoenix, Shreyas is a proud Arizonan majoring in public policy and statistics. He seeks to develop innovative policies to help neurodiverse people lead an independent life. At the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center, Shreyas initiated a program to create inclusive science learning opportunities for autistic children that has won a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation. He also advocates for greater accessibility on campus through Duke Disability Alliance, Duke Student Government, and Neurodiversity Connections. In the future, Shreyas will continue this work by reforming healthcare delivery for populations with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He has pursued this career with internships at state and federal governments. During the pandemic, Shreyas interned with Arizona Medicaid where he informed the rollout of telehealth and helped protect members with developmental disabilities from exposure to COVID-19. After graduation, he plans to enroll in a joint MD/MPH degree so he can work at the intersection of long-term care, patient advocacy, and data-informed policymaking.  Shreyas was recently named a Rhodes Scholar and will continue learning ways to support increased accessibility for autistic individuals while attending Oxford University in the United Kingdom. In his spare time, Shreyas enjoys hiking, listening to podcasts, and skateboarding.

Kathryn Hansen (she/her)

Dr. Kathryn Hansen (née Williams) is a licensed pediatric occupational therapist with experience in outpatient and early intervention (home and daycare) settings. She specializes in supporting autistic children and their families. In addition, she has also served children with various other medical and developmental conditions such as ADHD, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, developmental delay, motor coordination disorder, sensory processing disorder, various genetic disorders, and more. In addition to her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, Dr. Hansen also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology, a Master’s Degree in Cognitive Neuropsychology, and a PhD in Occupational Science. Her dissertation work focused on the impact of the environment on sensory needs and preferences of autistic children. Dr. Hansen continues to actively contribute to cutting edge research related to neurodiversity-affirming care of autistic children and the advancement of the discipline to best support this population through ongoing publications, presentations, and guest lectureships. She also serves as an adjunct faculty member at Thomas Jefferson University and Towson University where she frequently teaches and mentors students at the doctoral level. Dr. Hansen lives in North Carolina with her husband and daughter. As part of an active-duty military family, she understands the difficult realities of military life and its impact on families, which she always strives to consider when providing clinical care. When she is not working, she enjoys being with her family out in nature, swimming, sewing, and weaving on her loom.

Jaleesa Johnson (she/her)

Jaleesa Johnson is a research regulatory associate in clinical trials with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and is a single mom to a young daughter with cerebral palsy and developmental delay. Her daughter, Karlyn currently receives PT, OT and Speech Therapies. Jaleesa has traveled to Ghana, West Africa, to perform mission work and research at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra in the labor and delivery unit, where she also mentored young children. She has volunteered for various different organizations with a focus on women's and children’s health. She attended the University of North Carolina in Greensboro majoring in public health and minoring in American Sign Language and received her Master of Science degree in public health from Meharry Medical College. In her spare time she's still an active member in her sorority, she has a hobby of creating nail art and she enjoys spending quality time with her daughter and family.

Paulo Micchi (he/him)

Paulo is born in Sao Paulo, Brazil. After a few years in Germany, he moved to North Carolina in 2018. With 25 years of experience in Finance Management positions, this is his first experience in a non-profit organization. Paulo believes that the universal access to education and healthcare can change lifes, providing equal opportunities to all. Married and father of two boys, Paulo is also a soccer fan and miniature games player.

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