Kellie Boyd · Executive Director

Provides overall operational leadership for DNOM.

Kellie Boyd is the Executive Director at DNOM. She joined DNOM in November 2006 with an extensive background in the human service field spanning 13 years. Kellie completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Arts degree in Community Agency Counseling from Michigan State University. She has worked as a substance abuse therapist, crisis lines counselor, and mental health therapist for various agencies in Ingham County. Kellie has worked as a Supports Coordinator for Community Living Services in Wayne County and Program Director for a residential treatment facility for adolescent females in the foster care system/juvenile justice system in Wayne County. She is a Licensed Social Worker and a Licensed Professional Counselor through the State of Michigan.

Kelly McConnell · Operations Manager

Oversees the administrative function for DNOM to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the office. These duties include: operations, human resources, and financial management.

Kelly McConnell joined the staff at Disability Network Oakland & Macomb in April 2006. In her position of Operations Manager, Kelly is responsible for the financial aspects of the organization as well as overseeing the day to day operations of the center. Kelly graduated summa cum laude from Baker College with a Bachelor of Business degree. She has over 15 years of experience managing various offices and doing accounting. Kelly lives with her wonderful daughter and enjoys volunteering her time with high school youth.

Mark Bashaw · Program Manager

Provide training and program supervision to Core Service/Independent Living Specialists. Conducts outreach to public and private businesses to increase disability awareness and knowledge of Disability Network Oakland & Macomb.

Mark Bashaw is 36 years old. He was born paralyzed from the waist down due to having Spina Bifida. He started working at DNOM in January 1996 as the Transition Specialist. He helped students with disabilities make the transition to adult life. He also worked with and advocated for people with disabilities on an individual basis and facilitated presentations out in the community where he promoted DNOM’s programs and services. Mark obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (B.B.A.) in 1996. Today, he continues to work with individuals, while also performing duties under his new job title of Program Manager.

Dorothea Bawks · Access Advocacy Specialist

Provides individual and systems based advocacy services. Establishes and maintains relationship with community organizations and agencies through multiple medias. Creates an awareness of DNOM.

Dorie was a volunteer advocate for people with disabilities for sixteen years prior to finding a new home at DNOM in November 2006. She received her training through the Michigan Protection and Advocacy ASSET Network Program. She enjoys providing individuals with her advocacy services by creating relationships with community organizations, consumers, and their families and disability organizations within Oakland and Macomb Counties.

Michael Cadieux · Independent Living Specialist-South Macomb

Provides four core services to consumers to assist individuals with achieving their goals. Works with consumers and MRS Counselors, as well as recruiting for and facilitating monthly Empowerment Trainings. Provides community resources to MRS counselors and consumers and presents DNOM program information during MRS orientations.

Mike joined Disability Network Oakland & Macomb in 2006. Prior to Mike’s position as an Independent Living Specialist, he sold investments, such as annuities, mutual funds along with fee for service planning, for 11 years. A good deal of his background was in sales of various intangibles such as Insurance, Long term care, and preparatory school programs (Technical schools). He was born in Detroit and moved to Los Angeles California in 1970 where he studied acting at the Lee Strassberg Theatre Institute in Hollywood. Mike has been a member of the Screen Actors guild since 1975.

Traci Comer · Transition Specialist

Coordinates transition services including: working with students with disabilities to help them with the transition from school to adult life. Promotes education and contributes to issues affecting students with disabilities

Traci Comer joined the Disability Network Oakland & Macomb team in July 2005. In her position as Transition Specialist, she sits on Transition Councils for Oakland and Macomb County. She also assists students in creating a transition plan upon exiting high school or a secondary program into community living, furthering education, and/or employment. To do this she attends Individual Education Planning (IEP) and Person Centered Planning meetings. Traci facilitates the centers E3 curriculum, which is centered on life skills, self-advocacy, and community resources. Traci has had training in psychology and development and classroom inclusion from Wayne State University. She also has Crisis Prevention and Intervention Training and Behavioral Modification Training. Traci is a certified True Colors facilitator.

Paula Florka · Independent Living Specialist-North Macomb

Provides four core services to consumers to assist individuals with achieving their goals. Works with consumers and MRS Counselors, as well as recruiting for and facilitating monthly Empowerment Trainings. Presents DNOM program information during MRS orientations. Provides community resources to MRS counselors, MRS and DNOM consumers.

Paula Florka started at DNOM in March 2007 as an Independent Living Specialist. She works with Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) consumers 20 hours per week providing peer support and facilitating Empowerment classes monthly. The other 20 hours are spent at Disability Network Oakland & Macomb helping our consumers. Paula is very happy to be part of this organization. Her passion in life is to be helpful to others and always strive to have a positive attitude. She retired from the Department of Human Services (DHS) in 2002 and her last job was working for the Macomb Homeless Coalition. Paula has lived in Macomb or Oakland County her entire life and has been happily married for 32 years with two wonderful daughters.

Mary Ann Hewitt · Veteran’s Service Specialist

Provides Independent Living Assessments and supports coordination to Veterans. Provides four core services to Veterans

Mary Ann Hewitt served in the United States Army, was stationed in Germany, and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service and the National Defense Medal. She graduated from Macomb Community College with an associate’s degree and from Rochester College with a
bachelor’s degree magna cum laude in Counseling Psychology. Mary Ann was previously employed by Spectrum Human Services as a Semi Independent Living Social Worker, and by Sheppard Rehabilitation, where she worked with people with closed head injuries. Mary Ann began working at DNOM in February 2007, and focuses her time on the Veterans.

Roslyn Mace · Administrative Assistant

Provides administrative support to assist in daily operations. Roslyn is the Administrative Assistant at Disability Network Oakland & Macomb. She started in February 2008. Roslyn’s duties include: managing the DNOM office, assisting with financial operations, and routing phone calls. She graduated magna cum laude from Macomb Community College in May 2006 with an Associate degree in Business Administration. Roslyn enjoys spending time with her family, camping, hiking, reading, and trying new recipes.

Kelley Miller · Information & Advocacy Specialist

Provides four core services to consumers to assist individuals in achieving their goals. First point of contact with MRS customers. Facilitate MRS orientations.

Kelley started to work for Disability Network Oakland & Macomb in 2002. She works full time at the North Oakland Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) office. Kelley handles orientation intakes for the majority of MRS clients. She also helps with DNOM advocacy services for individual clients referred to her by their Oakland County MRS counselor. Kelley graduated from Oakland University with a degree in Human Services. She is currently attending Oakland University for an MA in Counseling. Kelley was previously employed at Oakland County Friend of the Court Job Placement; she has also worked for a MORC contractor, and the Oakland University Disability Support Service office.

Yolanda Pinkston · Information & Referral Specialist

Provides information and referral to individuals and agencies and creates an awareness of DNOM. Maintains consumer data base, data entry, report requisitions and customer satisfaction surveys.

Yolanda Pinkston is the Information and Referral Specialist at Disability Network Oakland & Macomb. Yolanda joined DNOM in June 2003. She has over 10 years experience in the human service field and was also part of the Great Lakes Center for Independent Living in Wayne County, where she worked as an IL Specialist and Supports Coordinator Assistant. Yolanda enjoys helping people make a difference in their lives and has a wonderful daughter.

Barbara Thompson · Independent Living Specialist-Oakland

Provides four core services to consumers to assist individuals with achieving their goals. Works with consumers and MRS Counselors, as well as recruiting for and facilitating monthly Empowerment Trainings. Provides community resources to MRS counselors and consumers, and presents DNOM program information during MRS orientations.

Barbara Thomspon is an Independent Living Specialist serving Oakland County at DNOM. She completed a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree, with a major in Psychology, from Wayne State University. Barbara was completing her master’s degree in Social Work when she became disabled. She suffered a ruptured brain aneurism which left her paralyzed and unable to speak. As Barbara recovered, she retired from corporate life and in 2001 began to work for Disability Network Oakland & Macomb. Her first position was as the Information and Referral Specialist assisting consumers in resolving their problems. After a few years on this assignment, Barbara became an Independent Living Specialist and now teaches Empowerment classes in Oakland County. She is very involved with community and network agencies, and does public presentations and individual peer support counseling.