Our Team
Meet the autistic and neurodivergent people that make ITI
Nothing about us without us. We believe lived experience and area expertise must come together to solve the systemic challenges that neurodivergent people face.
Shannan Palma, PhD
Cofounder and Co-Executive Director; Area Director, Advocacy; Member, Board of Directors
Dr. Shannan Palma (she/ her; late-diagnosed Autistic + ADHD) is an experienced nonprofit administrator, product developer, and computer science educator, and an award-winning expert in how and why people become invested in stories, symbols, and ideas that are not in their own best interests. The concept of mythos at the core of her academic work correlates to general-to-specific neural processing (neurotypical thinking).
Lorien Dana, MEd
Cofounder & Co-Executive Director; Area Director, Education; Member, Board of Directors
Lorien Dana (she/her; parent, self-diagnosed with ASD) is an expert in learning differences with over 15 years teaching experience with children with ADHD, dyslexia, and ASD.
Tye Tavaras, JM
Chair, Board of Directors
Tye Tavaras (she/her; neurospicy) is a seasoned strategy leader with experience expanding university global partnerships and study abroad opportunities. She has spearheaded diversity initiatives, monitored elections abroad, and published research on human rights and surveillance law. Outside work, she is a sommelier who serves on nonprofit boards focused on green/ethical consumerism and wine education.
Jessalyn Smiley Clark, MEd
Area Director, Assistance
Jessalyn Smiley Clark (she/her; late-diagnosed dyslexic + auditory processing difficulties) is an expert in disability services with 19 years experience in training, accommodations, adaptive technology, compliance, and mobility assistance.
April Gao
VP of User Experience
April (she/her, ADHD) is a user experience designer specializing in participatory processes. She was formerly an architectural designer before becoming a consultant for nonprofit change management, diversity and inclusion, digital tools and processes, and internal culture.
Morénike Giwa Onaiwu, PhD
Board of Advisors
Morénike Giwa Onaiwu (she/they) is a global advocate, educator, disabled person of color, non-binary woman, and parent in a neurodiverse, multicultural, twice-exceptional serodifferent biological and adoptive family. A prolific writer and social scientist/activist whose work focuses on intersectional justice, meaningful community involvement, human rights, and inclusion, Morénike is recognized as a leader in various disability justice endeavors, including serving as founder/principal consultant of Advocacy Without Borders.
Ash Steward
Secretary, Board of Directors
Ash Steward (they/them) is an arts advocate from Columbus, Ohio with a background in Fine Arts from The Ohio State University and a 10-year career in marketing servicing B2B, B2C, SaaS, and higher ed industries. They have been an enthusiastic volunteer at 934 Gallery for 7 years, currently serving on the advisory board. Additionally, they serve on the board of Matter News, advocating for investigative journalism. While coaching and consulting for startups and creatives, Ashley also serves as the Gallery Director for Project Unicorn, a pop-up gallery and events space in Franklinton. Ashley also covers art news and beverage news for Columbus Underground.
Jo Miller
Board of Advisors
Jo (she/they; late diagnosed ADHD/ASD) is a learning strategist with a passion for workforce programming development & community engagement, focusing mainly on the fashion industry. Her overarching mission is to champion inclusive education, design, and business practices within the fashion industry & beyond.
Bailey Hanley
Board of Advisors
Angela Willey, PhD
Board of Advisors
Angela (AJ) Locashio
Board of Advisors