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Photo of two young people sitting around an office conference room table talking and laughing. One person's wheelchair is visible.

About Us

Our History

The Starkloff Disability Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping people with disabilities participate fully and equally in all aspects of society.

Founded in 2003 by Max & Colleen Starkloff and David Newburger, the Starkloff Disability Institute works on changing societal attitudes and perceptions about people with disabilities through activities that send a positive message about living with disability in order to create a world that welcomes disabled people.

The Starkloff Disability Institute is the Workforce, Workplace Disability Advisor. The Starkloff Career Academy prepares candidates for competitive employment, and Starkloff Workplace Advisors prepares companies to welcome them.

READ about Max Starkloff

Staff

Colleen Kelly Starkloff Co-Founder cstarkloff@starkloff.org
Read Colleen's Bio
Lori Becker Chief Operating Officer
Director of Communications lbecker@starkloff.org
Read David's Bio
Brian Chao Chief Financial Officer bchao@starkloff.org
Anna Alexander Virtual Classroom Coordinator aalexander@starkloff.org
Blair Dammerman Candidate Programs Manager bdammerman@starkloff.org
Katie Fields College Outreach Coordinator and
Disability Inclusion Consultant kfields@starkloff.org
Steven Foelsch, M. Ed. Director of Disability Studies sfoelsch@starkloff.org
Danielle Giuffrida Dream Big Camp Coordinator dgiuffrida@starkloff.org
Jason Hartsfield, MSW Career Advisor and
Disability Inclusion Lead Consultant jhartsfield@starkloff.org
Maggie Mahoney Development and Communications Manager mmahoney@starkloff.org
Karyn Houston Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Outreach Coordinator
Video Phone: (314) 766-4636 khouston@starkloff.org
Susan Menhard, MSW Career Academy Director smenhard@starkloff.org

Board of Directors

Board President

Steve Degnan Vice President
Chief HR Officer
Nestlé Purina PetCare North America

Board Members

Dave Baker

Assistant Superintendent, Retired
Special School District of St. Louis County
David A. Blanton, III

Community Volunteer
November Champion

Senior HX Accessibility Specialist
Edward Jones
Richard Engelsmann, Treasurer

Chairman
Beltservice Corporation
Kevin Erbs

Consultant
Guidehouse
Harriet Felman

Community Volunteer
James Frost

President and General Counsel
Signing Edge
Jacqueline Jefferson, MA, SHRM

Systems Leader
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion COE
SSM Health Care
Kara Kopplin

Director of Regulatory Science
Permobil Seating & Mobility
Kathy Lovell

Disability Services and Outreach Manager

Regions Bank
Dan Nielsen

Senior Director
Talent Acquisition — Global Occupier Services
Cushman & Wakefield
Bryan Parrish

Recruiter
Bayer
Michael Reese

Assistant Vice President
Analytics / Chief Operating Officers Division
Wells Fargo Advisors
Adewalé Soluade
Director of Diversity and Inclusion
Centene
Colleen Kelly Starkloff

Co-Founder
Starkloff Disability Institute
Get Involved
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Volunteer Almost weekly, we’re looking for volunteers that are actively working in a professional setting to help educate, advise or partner as part of our adult and youth candidate programs.
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