Navejas graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Psychology. She earned her Juris Doctorate (JD) degree from the Norman A. Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University. She has prior experience in nonprofit management, case management, outreach, community events, human resources and professional development. Navejas has also been an active board member for several local nonprofits.

“I am thrilled to join the North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance in supporting families and individuals in our community. As a mother of three, I am a strong advocate of seeing all children reach their full potential and celebrating their unique talents and traits. Together, we can continue to educate our community and improve inclusion and support,” says Executive Director Amy Navejas.

Since 2019, Christy has been volunteering with NCDSA, GiGi’s Playhouse Raleigh, and the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network (DSDN), where she began working as the Family Support Director in 2021. Before she shifted into the nonprofit world, she worked in talent acquisition at Syneos Health and university talent acquisition and HR at Microsoft. She’s excited to bring her mix of experiences to an organization that’s become such a huge part of her family’s life!

Her journey working specifically with the Down syndrome community began at a community college in Florida. There, she supported students in a transitional post-secondary educational program within higher education. Not only did she help support them and their families in their academic journey, but she also supported their social and physical well-being by coaching the Special Olympics Cornhole team. She is driven to promote inclusivity within her community and spreading awareness.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog, Max. When she’s not working, you can find her working out, listening to a podcast, or planning her next trip!

Originally from rural New Jersey, Liza relocated to North Carolina in 2022. Connecting with the NCDSA had an incredibly positive impact on helping her family to settle into their new area. After volunteering in the NCDSA office, she is excited to embark on a career transition and officially join the NCDSA team. Liza enjoys reading, spending quality time with her family and friends, admiring old homes, exploring outside, and passionately cheering on the New Jersey Devils.

I am a NC girl born and raised, and met my best half in college at ECU (Go Pirates)! We have lived in the Knightdale area since 2008. As a former K-6 educator and Instructional coach right here in Wake County, I have always believed high quality education is a right for all students! It is a passion of mine that we strive to create and sustain communities that provide equity and access for ALL! My personal and professional experience make me eager to get to work serving and supporting the families of the NCDSA. I look forward to building connections and relationships with our amazing families, partners, stakeholders, and friends!

I LOVE spending quality time with my amazing family, I call it my beautiful mayhem 😉 Whether it be making crafts, going on bike rides, cooking delicious meals together, trips to the beach or mountains, or just a good ole dance party in the kitchen, with them is my favorite place to be!

In her role as a Family Support Assistant with the North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance, Emma extends a helping hand to new and expectant families. Her responsibilities include preparing Welcome baby bags, prenatal packets, and collaborating closely with the Family Support Specialist to ensure the best care for families. She also contributes to the planning of T-21 club events, creating inclusive spaces for families in the community. Furthermore, Emma plays a key role in maintaining the donor database, supporting the organization’s mission to make a meaningful impact.

But that’s not all—Emma’s talents don’t stop there. She also serves as the Head Barista at the Durham location of 321 Coffee, where she crafts exquisite coffee experiences for customers, perfecting each cup with her expertise and dedication.

Emma’s educational journey led her to Wake Technical Community College, where she gained valuable knowledge and skills that she now applies in her roles.

Outside of her professional life, Emma finds joy in a vibrant array of hobbies and interests. She’s a fervent lover of live concerts, soaking up the sounds and energy of the music scene. Emma also relishes the company of friends, always ready to create cherished memories and share laughter. On the tennis court, she brings her competitive spirit to life, showing her prowess in both the world of sport and the world of coffee.

Emma Wissink is a dynamic individual, enriching the lives of the families she supports and the coffee community she serves, all while embracing the richness of life’s diverse experiences.

With their youngest Emma Jean, they received a birth diagnosis. Her family was put into contact with the NCDSA within those first few weeks of Emma’s life, and without it Stefani doesn’t know where she would be. The community built by the NCDSA, through its many programs, resources, and relationships has been a driving force on why Stefani has been a committed volunteer since 2020.

Stefani knows of the importance of providing families with support, tools, and resources as a family navigates this lucky few life that we are blessed by when a loved one has Down syndrome.

She is excited to help connect families to these resources, because she personally knows what those moments of connection will transform families lives for the better.

Jeff and his wife, Lizzy, are the proud parents of three beautiful children; Adelaide, Graydon, and Hanna.

Jeff and Lizzy were introduced to the world of Down syndrome when they received a prenatal diagnosis at 12 weeks with Hanna. Hanna was born in 2018 and after some early health challenges, including open heart surgery, Jeff has an appreciation and understanding of what many new parents go through in those early years. Jeff wants to help improve the quality of life of those with Down syndrome and their families and is a passionate supporter of full inclusion and equal rights for those with disabilities.

Jeff regularly attends and volunteers at his church, serves as a leader in Adelaide’s Y Guides crew and has coached Graydons’ Tball teams. In his free time he enjoys gardening, wood carving, hunting and fishing as well as spending time with friends and family.

Tony is a member of many committees and organizations related to estate planning, elder law and special needs law including the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the North Carolina Bar Association (Sections on Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law, and Elder & Special Needs Law). Tony is a past president of Chapel Hill and Durham Elder Care Resources, and he is active on the Section Council of the Elder & Special Needs Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association. In addition, Tony is a member of the Durham Orange Estate Planning Council.

On the weekends, Tony enjoys cycling, boating and fishing, and supporting the local restaurant scene with his wife and son.

He and his wife Kelsie have 3 children. Adam enjoys coaching his children’s sports teams, playing basketball, and going to the movies.

Outside of work, you might find me playing Minecraft with the kids, trying out new beers across the Triangle, or listening to history, architecture, game design, and economics podcasts.

Diane brings a wealth of experience to the NCDSA board. She has served on several boards that included: Catholic Charities Department for Persons with Disabilities; Pocono Parents of Down Syndrome; and, Equi-Librium Therapeutic Horsemanship. She also served on and chaired committees dealing with advocacy issues for individuals with disabilities in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She was President of the New Jersey Chapter of Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) , as well as faculty advisor to the university CEC student chapter. She co-chaired many Buddy Walks and was the faculty liaison for Special Olympics Pennsylvania. Diane has presented at many national, state and local conferences, sharing her expertise in working with individuals and families with Down syndrome, as well as other research initiatives that focused on inclusion and collaboration.

Since retiring to the beautiful coastal community of Hampstead, Diane remains a strong advocate for the disability community. She shares her passion by volunteering as a local coordinator and bocce coach with the North Carolina Special Olympics. She is also a member of the Retired Seniors Volunteer Corps, the founder and facilitator for the Kiwanis Aktion Club and a volunteer at Camp Victory Junction. Her personal interests include traveling with her husband, being an active member of her church, training for and racing in sprint triathlons, quilting, and working as a therapy dog handler with her black lab Murphy.

He then worked at the University of Florida College of Medicine for six years prior to returning to Raleigh and joining WakeMed Physician Practices. As a pediatric cardiologist, he has followed a number of patients with Down syndrome.

Jason and his wife, Melissa, have five children, including his oldest who was born with Down syndrome.

In 2022, after nearly a decade in Africa, I moved back to Chapel Hill, NC with my husband, Rodrigo, and daughter, Amara, to welcome our baby girl. Izabel has Down syndrome and had open heart surgery when she was 3 months old. Izabel fills our family and all of those around her with endless love and happiness and we are honored to be a part of the lucky few.

I am thrilled to be on NCDSA board! I am passionate about improving our medical system for children with Down syndrome and a fierce advocate to improve things on a local, state, and national level. In my career, I am expanding my research to now also focus on children with Down syndrome undergoing treatment for leukemia. I enjoy running, yoga, traveling, and most of all spending time with my family.

Santo has over 25 years of technology and leadership experience and currently leads a team at Cisco Systems. Prior to Cisco, he worked for IBM, but spent much of his career building startup teams and companies, one of which sold to Cisco in 2011.

Santo, his wife, two daughters, and their red Labrador retriever live in Raleigh and enjoy spending time with friends and family, as well as giving back to their communities through several great causes including Rise Against Hunger, Military Missions in Action, The V Foundation for Cancer Research, and the CMT Association.

Vicki and her husband Josh, welcomed their first child in January of 2022, a son named Jamie. His diagnosis of Down syndrome was a surprise, but a very happy one! Soon after Jamie’s birth, Vicki found connection with other families and the Down syndrome community thanks to the NCDSA. Jamie is a rockstar, and at only 2 years old, has fought and beaten cancer. Having a child go through such intensive treatment has given Vicki a good insight into some of the medical challenges our community can face.

Vicki is a fierce advocate for her son, her students, and all members of our amazing Down syndrome community. She is passionate about serving as an NCDSA Board Member and is excited to be a part of growing and strengthening this wonderful organization.

My husband John and I, along with our older two children, Gabe and Reese, joyously welcomed Ellie into our lives in February 2023. Our journey with Ellie began with a prenatal diagnosis, leading us to the incredible support of NCDSA. As Ellie underwent open-heart surgery at just 5 months old, the NCDSA community enveloped us with compassion and assistance. It became clear that NCDSA wasn’t just an organization; it became our extended family.

Becoming a stay-at-home mom after Ellie’s birth has allowed me to provide her with the utmost support. Every day, my mission is to advocate for individuals with Down Syndrome and educate others on how beautiful a life with Down syndrome is.

I’m thrilled to be part of the Board of Directors, contributing to NCDSA’s mission of advocacy and support, just as they’ve supported us.

He is a regular volunteer at Rex Hospital, where he serves as a liaison assisting in greeting patients and helping them get to their appointment locations. His colleagues rave that he is a bright spot for patients coming in for treatment!

As a loving wife to Dana and mother to Alton and Rainey, Amber has experienced firsthand the profound support and guidance provided by the North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance (NCDSA). Her family’s journey with the NCDSA has deeply inspired her to give back and ensure that future families receive the same level of support that has been invaluable to them.

Amber’s passion for service is evident through her extensive volunteer work, for which she was honored with the North Carolina Governor’s Award for Volunteerism. Her eagerness to become more involved with the NCDSA stems from her desire to contribute to an organization that has played such a pivotal role in her family’s life.

Amber’s goal is to contribute to the ongoing development and success of the NCDSA, helping to create a brighter future for all families affected by Down syndrome.

Tara is a returning member to the board directors and looks forward to helping NCDSA advocate, serve, and support children and adults with Down syndrome and their families.