About DSAP

Greg grew up outside of Allentown, PA and has an older sister, Lauren, who has Down Syndrome.  Throughout high school and into college he volunteered a lot of his time to work with individuals with intellectual disabilities.  He participated as a lead counselor for Camp PALS, was the club president of his High School’s Best Buddies and even volunteered with the Eastern PA Down Syndrome Center working to start a sibling group.  Greg has since graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a Bachelors in Architecture and a minor in Environmental Studies and has come to make Pittsburgh his home.  He currently works as a licensed architect.  He has recently served as the Chair for the Young Architects Forum of AIA Pittsburgh and is excited to bring all of the skills from that position to his role on the DSAP board.  His current interactions with the DSAP community has been nothing but smiles, joy, and excitement and he looks to continue that energy and bring his past experiences to grow and support the DSAP community. 

Prior to joining the DSAP Board of Directors, Angie McKain created an anti-bully nonprofit in her local community and became a special education advocate. She also worked in prehospital emergency medicine for 15 years. Currently, Angie is a stay-at-home mom, holistic health professional, published author, and lifelong creative.

Angie's son, Kaleb, who happens to have an extra chromosome, was born in 2018. His birth set her searching for ways to become involved and make an impact in the Down syndrome community. She has served as a volunteer for the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network and took part in publishing a book about daily life with a loved one with Down syndrome.

Angie resides in Kittanning with her husband, Ben, sons Kaleb and Kolten, and a slew of animals.

Chloe Page is originally from New York and has focused on leading business operations across a variety of industries. After graduating from Barnard College, she spent 8 years working abroad in Germany, the United Kingdom and China.

Chloe enjoys living in the city of Pittsburgh, and found the DSAP community through her lovely nephew Theo. Chloe enjoys yoga, hikes with her dog Leo and cooking with husband Ben.

Carey Cardwell is an athletic trainer with Allegheny Health Network since 2001. She graduated from California University of Pennsylvania with my Master's degree in Sports Medicine. As a parent of a five-year-old with Down syndrome, Carey shares that this community has provides so much support to her and her family that she wanted to fine a way to give back. Her son Rhys is the reason she serves and she is eager to help support Rhys and all individuals with Down Syndrome lead a healthy fulfilling life.

Carey resides with her husband Eric and two sons Ryker (age 11) and Rhys (age 5) in the North Hills. She loves spending time with her family most of all.  They enjoy going to the zoo, Kennywood, hiking & listening to a variety of music together.  She is also passionate about exercise & try to cycle or weight lift before work.  

Maryellen is a Pittsburgh native who fills her life with family, nature, flavorful foods, colorful textiles, and laughter. As a local yoga teacher, she leads community classes, educational trainings, and private sessions at One Point One Yoga. When her godson Abel was born in 2021, she was inspired to study movement techniques to benefit stages of growth in Down Syndrome. This evolved into the creation of a public class, which brought a lot of joy and expanded her own network of the Down Syndrome community. She is in constant awe of Abel and everyone she has connected with who shares and elevates his journey.  Maryellen and her husband Jesse (Abel's Uncle Jess Jess), live among their fur children Juneau (cat), Denali & Alara (pups) who enjoy adventures big and small and fixing up their home in Polish Hill. 

Lauren is an occupational therapist and works for Positive Steps Therapy/Ivy Rehab as an early intervention therapist. Her love for occupational therapy and the Down Syndrome community first began in high school, babysitting her neighbor who has Down syndrome. She has since become very close with his family and they all continue to be an inspiration to her. While earning her master’s degree at Gannon University, Lauren worked at L’Arche, continuing her passion working with the special needs community as a direct support professional. She was an advocate for equal opportunity and loved taking the core members on social outings. She has volunteered her time with various organizations who support individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities.  Lauren lives with her husband and goldendoodle in Cranberry Twp. She enjoys reading, traveling, and photography. 

Chandra Donnell Carey is a Professor of Counseling and Behavioral Health at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Carey is a counselor educator and scholar-activist who has made investigating issues affecting persons of color with disabilities a career-long focus. For over 23 years, she has been training mental health and rehabilitation counselors. In addition to her doctorate in Rehabilitation Counselor Education from Michigan State University, she holds a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. She has been a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor since 1998 and previously held a Licensed Professional Counselor intern designation in the State of Michigan (2005-2009). She’s worked as a job development and placement specialist for individuals with disabilities and as a mental health counselor. A recent transplant from Dallas, Texas, Chandra continues to work with a team of researchers on a US Department of Education grant for a 4-year, inclusive post-secondary education program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the University of North Texas, called UNT ELEVAR.  Her current research focuses on psychosocial adjustment and positive mental health for college students with intellectual disabilities and fostering mental health supports for parents and caregivers of individuals with intellectual disabilities through life transitions, particularly as it relates to communities of color.  

A fierce advocate, wife and mom to two children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Chandra is committed to fostering opportunities for quality engagement and integration in education, employment and community for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Her daughter, Kennedy, has Down syndrome and her son Miles is on the Autism spectrum. They both have helped to sharpen Chandra’s advocacy for equitable policy and full inclusion for individuals with disabilities. A 28-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and former president of the National Association for Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns, Chandra is no stranger to community service and active board membership and is excited for the opportunity to serve the Ds community in Pittsburgh. 

Dr. David Givens' professional and personal passions are grounded in the pursuit of social equality and health equity. He has worked for over a decade in public health program director and professor positions - including with the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health and for PA Department of Health - with communities impacted by HIV, stigma and discrimination, and other health disparities. He currently serves as the Senior Director of Operations for the Persad Center, which is the second oldest licensed mental and behavioral health agency in the country specializing in LGBTQIA+ mental health and wellbeing. In these and other roles, Dr. Givens has led or supported more than a dozen CDC, HRSA, and PA Dept. of Health funded interventions, policy and planning initiatives, and community-based education, training, and engagement projects that collaboratively develop resources and empowerment for marginalized and historically under-resourced communities.

David is a longtime resident of Pittsburgh and a graduate of the University of Central Florida (dual BAs) and University of Pittsburgh (MA, PhD). He was in graduate school and working full time when his first child, Joshua, was born in 2013 with Down Syndrome; this began his and his family's journey of advocacy, learning, and support of DSAP that continues today. He lives just south of Pittsburgh with his wife, who is an author (including of a book featuring a child with Down Syndrome!) and child immigrant and refugee resettlement and education specialist, their two neurodivergent sons, and identical twin girls.

A native of Pittsburgh, Nick Sfakianakis has helped his beloved city grow as a carpenter, a teacher, and as a human resource professional. Currently, as a Credentialed Trainer with UPMC, Nick teaches front line staff on the usage of medical records databases and other programs. While earning his master’s degree in teaching from the University of Pittsburgh, Nick volunteered with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh, and then with the local chapter of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition he co-chaired several committees as part of the organization’s annual Run/Walk event with his wife Melissa Evans. They even appeared in a commercial together promoting the event. 

Nick’s passion for helping his community stems from a strong family connection. Nick’s younger sister, also named Melissa, has Down Syndrome and lives with their mother in the area. Nick recalls the strength his mother showed when Melissa was very young, fighting for the same opportunities of a quality education. Nick continues to be inspired by his mother’s and sister’s journey and is eager to help others in the DSAP community through similar challenges. Nick and his wife live in the South Hills and enjoy supporting the performing arts in the area, traveling, and hosting dinner parties. 

Peggy and her husband Fred live in Westmoreland County on their grain farm with their adult daughter Emma.  They have 2 older sons who are tremendously supportive of their sister. 
Peggy is a licensed clinical social worker, having worked in the mental health field for many years in various capacities.  She is currently a personal counselor at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa.
She is very community service oriented; sitting on the board of both the county and state Farm Bureau, current board Vice President of East Suburban Citizen Advocacy and advisory board member of the Bearcat BEST program at St. Vincent College. Peggy is also active with Special Olympics Allegheny County as a volunteer certified coach and site coordinator for the past 15 years.  She and Emma volunteer as altar servers at their parish church, and Peggy is a eucharistic minister and lector.
When asked, she will say her proudest accomplishments have been advocating for Emma.  She worked tirelessly to improve the culture and was instrumental in the development of a life skills program in Emma’s school district.  Peggy fiercely believes in the power of inclusion and the rights of individuals with disabilities to have a meaningful life.  Emma is truly her hero, her accomplishments far out shadowing her Mom’s! 
Peggy is so appreciative of the many programs that DSAP has developed and wants to be an active participant in the future of the organization.

Stephanie Zagrocki is a licensed Pennsylvania attorney and works for Mitsubishi Electric Power Products in Warrendale. A former registered nurse and graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, Stephanie came to Pittsburgh in 1995 to attend law school at Duquesne University. She now resides in Wexford with her husband, Eric, and their six children. 

Her oldest is a college senior while her youngest is ten-year old Madeline (Madi), who opened her eyes to the needs of a person with Down syndrome. As Madi’s primary advocate, Stephanie has utilized many of the athletic and social opportunities offered in our local community that promote a healthy and fulfilling life for Madi. Seeing the impact of these opportunities firsthand, Stephanie wants to support the mission of the Down Syndrome of Pittsburgh and believes that all individuals with Down Syndrome should have the opportunity to participate in activities of interest and to otherwise benefit from the support the Association offers.

Stephanie enjoys spending time with her family, whether it is being outdoors hiking, skiing, or swimming; or indoors at a concert, show or movie.   

Michael Zdinak brings over two decades of dedication and expertise in special education to his role on the Board of Directors for the Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh. A 2000 graduate of Bethany College, Michael earned his degree in Special Education and Elementary Education, laying the foundation for a lifelong commitment to empowering individuals of all abilities. Currently in his 23rd year of teaching special education at the Hampton Township School District, Michael has been a tireless advocate for inclusion and support for individuals with disabilities. His leadership has driven initiatives such as founding the Best Buddies chapter at Hampton High School and launching the district’s Special Olympics Unified Bocce Team, creating opportunities for meaningful connections and inclusion among students. In addition to his work in education, Michael has been a dedicated football coach for 15 years, mentoring young athletes and fostering teamwork and personal growth. Michael’s passion for the Down syndrome community is deeply personal. His youngest daughter, Mayzie, who has Down syndrome, inspires his commitment to creating a world where individuals with disabilities have the resources and opportunities to reach their full potential. Through his work on the board, Michael aims to support families, foster inclusive opportunities, and raise awareness of the unique talents and contributions of individuals with Down syndrome. Michael is married to his wife, Lynn, and together they reside in Ross Township with their three children: Addison (15), Grayson (11), and Mayzie (9). In his free time, Michael enjoys spending quality time with his family, especially during trips to Hilton Head Island, and cheering on the Tennessee Volunteers. 

Cherise Sandrock comes to DSAP as a servant leader with more than two decades of progressive non-profit leadership, administration, management and relationship building skills.

Her non-profit expertise includes resource development, capacity building, strategic planning, governance, capital campaigns, organizational development, program delivery, and operations.

“I am thrilled to be a part of such an important organization for so many, and I hope to help carry out the mission ‘To support, connect, educate, and inspire individuals with Down Syndrome’ “.

Most recently, Sandrock served as Chief Development Programs Officer of Food Helpers, home of the Greater Washington County Food Bank. While she was there she completed the Leadership Washington County Program, The Washington County Community Foundation PILLARS program for Non-Profit Governance and was recognized by the Pittsburgh Business Times as a “Person On The Move”.
Cherise attended the University of Pittsburgh where she obtained a degree in Public Relations and Advertising as well as a degree in Business Marketing. She resides in Jefferson Hills with her husband Brent, and children Darby and Liam. Darby is in her first year of college at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. They also have two dogs, Brooke and Allie.

Mara brings more than a decade of teaching experience, along with her work as a Parent Consultant with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Special Education, where she supported families navigating the IEP process statewide. She is also co-founder of The Complex Truth Collaborative, a training initiative focused on building authentic family–school partnerships, reducing conflict, and promoting inclusive practices that truly meet student needs.

As both an educator and the parent of a child with Down syndrome, Mara understands what it’s like to sit on both sides of the IEP table. That perspective drives her commitment to ensuring families feel seen, heard, and valued, while also equipping educators with tools to foster collaboration and connection.