Disability Network Oakland & Macomb | About Us

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. 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 - Director of Operations

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 Director of Operations, 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. In December of 2010 Kelly completed her Master's Degree in Communication at Wayne State University with a specialty in Organizational Communication/Public Relations. Kelly enjoys being part of the DNOM team and working together to make a difference in the lives of the people we help.

Mary Ann Hewitt - Veterans Service Manager

Manages and coordinates the Veteran’s Services Program as well as 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.

Mark Bashaw - Community Resource Specialist

Provides four core services to consumers to assist individuals with achieving their independent living goals. Mark provides peer support to consumers seeking community resources and services. Conducts outreach to public and private businesses to increase disability awareness and knowledge of Disability Network Oakland & Macomb.

Mark 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.

Dorothea Bawks - Information & 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.

Dolly Burkhalter - Veterans Computer Trainer

Provides computer training to Veterans.

Dolly joined Disability Network Oakland & Macomb in October of 2011. She served in the United States Navy (Active Duty) from June of 2001 to November of 2009, receiving good conduct medals: the Humanitarian Service Medal (from a rescue mission in Hurricane Katrina), Letters of Commendation for excellent performance of her duties and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon while deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Persian Gulf. She has vast computer experience, including website and database management. Dolly is currently in the United States Navy Reserve and is attending Wayne County Community College in the Field of Crime Scene Investigation, while working toward a degree in criminal justice. Dolly enjoys helping others achieve their goals through knowledge and self empowerment. She is motivated and eager to help anyone she can along the way.

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.

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.

Miriam Green – Independent Living Specialist

Sarah Kowal – Independent Living Specialist

Coordinates and facilitates the Keystone Project in Oakland County Schools. Works to assist students with disabilities obtain skills necessary for successful transition from high school to adult living and employment.

Sarah joined Disability Network in the April of 2009. She received a degree in Special Education from Western Michigan University in 2005. She taught students with Severe Multiple Impairments for two years in Chicago, IL. Thereafter she was a Special Education teacher at the International School in Gothenburg, Sweden. Sarah’s experiences as a Special Educator have increased her passion and desire to support and advocate for people with disabilities.

Roslyn Mace - Administrative Assistant

Provides administrative support to assist in daily operations. Roslyn's duties include: assisting with financial operations, maintaining distribution lists, preparing the organization's newsletter and various documents for center presentations and publications.

Roslyn joined the DNOM staff in February 2008. Roslyn graduated magna cum laude from Macomb Community College in May 2006 with an Associate degree in Business Administration. Roslyn is very happy to be a part of the DNOM team.

Kelley Miller - Information & Advocacy Specialist

Provides four core services to consumers to assist individuals in achieving their goals, as well as handles assistive technology.

Kelley started to work for Disability Network Oakland & Macomb in 2002. She works part time at the North Oakland Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) office. She also helps with DNOM advocacy services for individual clients, referred to her by their Oakland County MRS counselor and other sources in both Oakland and Macomb County. The rest of her time is spent working on demonstrations and presentations of assistive technology for individuals and groups. Kelley graduated from Oakland University with a degree in Human Services, and 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.

Stacey Molinaro - Nursing Facility Transition Coordinator

Stacey Molinaro is the program coordinator of the NFT program at DNOM. She oversees the nursing home outreach efforts in Oakland and Macomb counties as well as facilitates transitions from nursing homes to the community for Medicaid and Medicaid eligible recipients.

Stacey began working at DNOM in July of 2009 and has her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from Eastern Michigan University. Currently, she is in the process of getting her Master's Degree in Social Work and is anticipated to finish in December of 2012. Stacey has a passion for the geriatric field and hopes to continue to expand her education and experience within the population. Most recently, she has also helped coordinate the revamping of the Imagine Art program and donates her time and talent to helping the program grow.

Terry Moskwa - Independent Living Specialist

Provides four core services to consumers to assist individuals with achieving their independent living goals. Terry provides peer support to consumers seeking community resources and services.

Terry Moskwa started at DNOM in March of 2009. Terry has a Psychology Counseling Degree from Rochester College and two Associates Degrees from Oakland Community College, in Liberal Arts and Mental Health Social Work. Terry has many years experience teaching Mental Health Social Work Students at Oakland Community College Group Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and Art Therapy. She also has many years experience working with the mentally and physically impaired children and young adults. Terry has worked as a Group Social Worker Cottage Supervisor with juvenile delinquent boys at Boys Republic. Terry has done an Internship in Hamtramck 31st District Court as a Probation Officer, Truancy officer and has volunteered for the 31st District Court for four years.

Yolanda Pinkston - Quality Assurance Manager

Maintains consumer data base, data entry, report requisitions and customer satisfaction surveys.

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.

Gina Schafer – Veterans Computer Training Supervisor

Provides computer training to veterans.

Gina joined Disability Network in November 2009. Gina’s provides computer training to veterans. She has extensive computer experience, including website and database management and enjoys teaching these skills to others. Gina has a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health and background in Internet promotions, emergency preparedness, substance abuse, and violence prevention.

Katy Taylor – Nursing Facility Outreach Specialist

Presents information to nursing facility residents, staff and the community about the Nursing Facility Transition program which enables those who are Medicaid eligible to move back into their homes or into alternative housing.

Katy joined the Disability Network Oakland & Macomb team in April 2011. She has an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts from Macomb Community College. She was a Youth Minister Assistant for St. Malachy Church from 1994-1999. She enjoys helping others.

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.