2024 Board of Directors
Nick Skenteris – Board Chair
Michele Reeves – Vice Chair
Brooke Schmidt – Secretary (Not Pictured) Riku Oinonen – Treasurer
Amy Hallasy – Past Secretary
Elizabeth Piper
Matthew Collins (Not Pictured)
Lee Sowell
Dana Gantt Moore
Audra Vellucci
Lisa Finch
Jane Hart
Marion Elliott- Board Member Emeritus
The Honorable Nick Theodore – President Emeritus (Not Pictured)
Lara Ceisel
Executive Director
Lara is the Executive Director of the Barbara Stone Foundation which operates several programs and initiatives, including Greenville CAN and the UP Employment Initiative. Providing opportunities and support for the disability community has been Lara Ceisel’s work and passion for more than two decades. “The journey continues to be life-changing. In college, things took an extraordinary turn when a Chicago suburbs elementary school principal suggested that I apply for a teacher’s aide position in a Special Education classroom.”
While pursuing her degree in Special Education from Arizona State University, Lara worked as a ABA therapist for children with Autism, and participated in a graduate level Anthropology program. She moved to the Upstate in 2008 to work for YMCA Camp Greenville as a Program Coordinator and Outdoor Educator. In 2010 she began to work for Greenville County Rec as Area Director of Special Olympics Greenville, administrator for Camp Spearhead and supervisor to Spearhead’s Camper / Worker Program, where she lived and worked for 10 and a half years. Throughout her career, Lara has gained multi-faceted experience focused on the disability community, including accessibility, case management, education, employment, service provision, and recreation – and continues to collaborate with the many advocates, service providers, families, caregivers, and business professionals working in support of individuals with disabilities. Today, one of the things that motivates her is the importance of more options and equitable opportunities for people with disabilities.
Lara is also a 300-level certified yoga instructor. During her time off, she teaches yoga and loves adventuring, whether hiking, going to concerts, or traveling to San Diego, CA to spend time with family, especially her niece and nephew.
Melissa Sanders
Barbara Stone Foundation Greenville CAN Program Manager
Melissa is the Program Manager for Greenville CAN. She has lived in the Upstate since 2000 and has been actively involved in supporting and advocating for disability-related issues since her youngest son was diagnosed with Autism. Her early career centered on secondary education, teaching Marketing and Management to traditional and non-traditional college students. Most recently, Melissa supported families and self-advocates working with Family Connection of SC and then coordinating trainings for an international trade association. Melissa graduated from Clemson University with a BS in Marketing and a Master’s in Business Administration. She is a 2010 Partners in Policymaking graduate and currently serves on Disability Rights of SC’s PAIDD Advisory Council, JusticeWorks Behavioral Care Advisory Board, and Pickens County First Steps Partnership Board. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, working in her yard, travelling, reading (usually about travel), planning trips and cheering on the Clemson Tigers.
Hadlee Hoeksema
Barbara Stone Foundation UP Employment Initiative Job Liaison
Hadlee is BSF’s Job Liaison for the Upward Professionals (UP) Employment Initiative. She has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor Special Needs Population, from Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI. Hadlee previously worked as a case manager for adults with physical and intellectual disabilities in both Illinois and South Carolina and has always had a passion for working in the disability field. Hadlee’s oldest brother has a rare genetic disorder called Angelman Syndrome and she is motivated everyday to help educate, support, and advocate for him and others in the disability community.
Robin Blackwood
Barbara Stone Foundation PR/Marketing Coordinator
Robin is BSF’s PR/Marketing Coordinator and has over 27 years of experience in Public Relations and Marketing. She serves as a champion for the disability community and is a former Commissioner for SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs. She is current member of Prisma Upstate’s Community Advisory Council and a member of the Washington Center’s Student Improvement Council. Previously, Robin was a League Academy PTA board member and on the Student Improvement Council. She is a past board member of Disability Rights of SC. Robin grew up in Orangeburg, SC, has lived in Greenville since 1997 and is a graduate of University of South Carolina. Robin enjoys the beaches of SC, spending time with friends and family, and helping others understand the challenges of those living with an intellectual disability.