Our Presenters

John Barnhardt’s (Director & Cinematographer) passion for film began at age nine after watching The Road Warrior, instantly declaring his career ambition. His father, an engineer and avid photographer, immediately placed a camera in his hands and encouraged an unfiltered consumption of cinema, from classics to modern masterpieces. Barnhardt went on to devour every film possible as an adolescent, fueling a deep technical hunger.

After graduating from Colorado State with a degree in English and Poetry, Barnhardt moved to Charleston, South Carolina, to begin his slow climb up the film ladder. He started in the Channel Four Newsroom while taking night classes under Professor Russell Schaaf at Trident Technical College. While honing his craft by directing early horror shorts and founding his company, Barnfly Productions, he expanded his technical expertise.

When Schaaf offered him a teaching position, Barnhardt spent the next eight years as a faculty member, inspiring students while mastering 16mm film. This deep technical foundation prepared him for his next major role as Director/Cinematographer for Born to Explore with Richard Wiese. Through this series, part of ABC’s “Weekend Adventure” block, Barnhardt traveled the globe, capturing thrilling footage of everything from gorillas in the Ugandan Jungle to crocodiles in Botswana. His fearless approach earned him an Outstanding Achievement in Single Camera Photography Emmy. Barnhardt’s work is characterized by his relentless push against mediocrity and a deep gratitude for the vision his father instilled.

Mia Boccella is a Pittsburgh based filmmaker, photographer, and life coach. She spent 10 years working on feature films in Santa Fe, NM, and Los Angeles, CA, before she founded Boccella Productions in 2005.

She has produced, directed, and edited two feature-length documentary films. In 2019, she was invited to photograph at the inauguration of the first two Native American Congresswomen at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Mia was a 2022 recipient of the Getty Images Disability Community Grant and won 2nd prize for her proposal about The Blind Equestrian Community, of which she is a founding member. Mia’s films have been screened and broadcast internationally. They have also been used as educational tools by thousands in schools, universities, treatment and rehabilitation centers, prisons, and Indigenous communities.

Mia has been losing her vision for the past 35 years, and she is now legally blind. Her visual limitations continue to challenge her, but also continue to fuel her determination and creativity. When she has the opportunity to ride horses, she regains her confidence, balance, and freedom.

Dr. El Brown is a storyteller, thinker, teacher, and mother who transforms moments into movements. Through her signature Top Notch Village framework, she works with families, service providers, agencies, communities, and policymakers to create thriving ecosystems that support equitable education and life opportunities.

Learn more about Dr. Brown.

Ricky II is a published author, artist, and incoming freshman at Florida A&M University, where he will major in Fine Arts and Design. Once nonverbal until nearly age five, he now carries his autism pride with strength and purpose. He is the co-author of Raising Superman, a powerful reflection on identity, voice, and possibility, and the author of Adventures of Super Duper Kid, a children’s book that reminds readers that friendship and play are for everyone.

Learn more about Ricky II Brown.

Sandra Carroll is an adult with autism who wears many hats. She is the proud mom to four young adults with developmental and physical disabilities, a Power Coach for the group Self Advocates United as One, and a grass roots disability rights activist.

Sandra has a university degree in Industrial Psychology, and Board Certification as a Special Education Advocate from the National Special Education Advocacy Institute. In 2021, she graduated from the Temple University Institute on Disabilities certificate program: Confidence and Competence: Partners in Policymaking (C2P2). She is the adult mentor to Loud Youth Advocates, a group of young adults with disabilities.

Sandra believes passionately in self-determination, and loves to have the opportunity to speak to disabled self-advocates, and their caretakers about disability resources, rights, and self-advocacy skills.

Flavio Chamis:

A native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Flavio Chamis is a musician. He studied conducting and composition in Brazil, Israel, Germany and Austria. In Europe, Flavio recorded for RIAS with the Radio Sinfonie Orchester Berlin and the Nouvelle Philharmonique de Radio France. He conducted at the Musikverein in Vienna, Wiener Festwochen and Royal Festival Hall in London. A CD with him leading the Radio France was released by the Solstice label. Early in his career Flavio became conducting assistant to Leonard Bernstein and led the Israel Philharmonic in preparation for tours of Europe, Japan and the United States, and later the European tour of the London Symphony Orchestra. He then returned to Brazil as Music Director of the Porto Alegre Symphony Orchestra.

As a composer, his works embrace a wide range of styles, from classical to jazz and Brazilian music. Flavio has written the lyrics for many of his vocal compositions, including those for “Especiaria”, a Latin Grammy nominated CD exclusively with his Brazilian Jazz compositions. Flavio received the International Press Award as Outstanding Brazilian Musician based in the U.S and has since been a member of the of the Latin Grammys.

Infinity:

Infinity is a musical ensemble featuring musicians who have been diagnosed with mental illness. The group was created in 2018 by conductor and composer Flavio Chamis and the musicians are singers Anne Alter, and Susan Padilla, as well as guitarist David Christian Baird and bassist Barry Mills.

Infinity was featured and performed, among others, in every Annual Pittsburgh Schizophrenia Conference since 2018, at the Celebration of Disabilities Through the Arts at Temple Sinai as well as the 2022 and 2023 Marianne Cornetti and Friends Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall in Oakland.

Guitarist David Baird wrote the lyrics for our original song This, Infinity, to which Flavio composed the music. We, from Infinity, see ourselves as musicians and do not consider our diagnosis as a limitation to our musical abilities. All decisions are made collectively, and fun and laughter are an integral part of our rehearsals.

Max Colecchi is currently employed by Artemis Supports as a Case Coordinator. He serves on the Board of Directors for Disability Options Network, our local Center for Independent Living. He also serves as an Executive Committee member for the Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium. He is also a person who identifies as a person with a physical Disability.

Greg Del Duca, M.A. CCC/SLP, works for Pittsburgh-based Evolve Coaching as an employment, college, and executive function coach for neurodivergent people. Before becoming a coach, he worked as a speech/language pathologist for 25 years.

Greg is a late-diagnosed, multiply-neurodivergent person. Among Greg’s interests are reading, writing, recording/podcasting, singing, dancing, music, and the pursuit of the spirit of play that so many adults lose or have taken from us.

Rabbi Daniel J. Fellman, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, is honored to serve as the Senior Rabbi of Beit Kulanu. He previously served as the Senior Rabbi at Temple Sinai from 2021-2026. Before joining Temple Sinai in 2021, Rabbi Fellman served as Rabbi at Temple Concord in Syracuse, New York, for 12 years and as Assistant and Associate Rabbi at Ashe Emeth Memorial Temple in New Brunswick, New Jersey, for four years.

Rabbi Fellman earned his Master’s Degree in Hebrew Letters in 2004 and was ordained by the Hebrew Union College—Jewish Institute of Religion in 2005. His thesis, “An American Friendship: Harry Truman, Eddie Jacobson and the Establishment of the State of Israel,” explored the extraordinary friendship of two Americans and the role that relationship played in America’s early support for Israel. Rabbi Fellman is a 1996 graduate of Colorado College, where he earned his BA in Political Science and earned the Abel Greg and Lucy Finney Award for religious leadership on campus.

In addition to his congregational duties, Rabbi Fellman was named one of the “40 under 40” in Syracuse, served as the chair of the Roundtable of Faith Leaders, and received the Interfaith Leadership Award for his work building civil society. Rabbi Fellman was a Clal Rabbis Without Borders Fellow and is currently a fellow with the Institute for Jewish Spirituality.

Rabbi Fellman served as the Jewish Chaplain at Syracuse University for two years, and spent three years as an adjunct instructor at the State University of New York at Cortland where he taught Jewish studies. He resuscitated the Syracuse Board of Rabbis and was an active presence in Jewish community building. He is an Eagle Scout, and was a founder of the Hillel at Colorado College.

Rabbi Fellman and his wife Melissa are the parents of three children—Zachary, a student at Elon University, Jacob, a student at Taylor Allderdice High School and Elizabeth, a student at Colfax Elementary School.

Best known as the host of QED COOKS, Chris Fenimore incorporated his own love for cooking with his responsibility for providing quality television programs — and inaugurated the cooking marathon format with “Zucchini Cheesecake” in August 1993. He has produced — and hosted — more than 100 LIVE cooking marathons since then, ranging from “A is for Appetizers” to “S is for Seafood.” Public television stations across the nation now air the national versions of these programs under the series title, America’s Home Cooking.

Chris lives in Regent Square with his wife Laura. He is a member of the Pittsburgh Banjo Club and regularly performs with Dixie Doc and the Pittsburgh Dixieland All Stars. In spring 2015, Chris received a James Beard Culinary Tribute and was named as one of the “Culinary Legends of Pittsburgh” by The Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

Chris is a great friend of Self-Advocacy Voices. He regularly donates cookbooks from the QED Cooks series to our SAV fundraisers. We are so grateful for Chris’s support of our program.

Mark Steidl, the program manager for SAV, has been friends with Chris for many years. Mark became a fan of Chris’s cooking shows when he was very young and he would watch them with his mother. When Mark had a chance to meet Chris in person, he was over the moon to meet his favorite celebrity chef from PBS. Their friendship has grown through the years. Mark says about Chris: Is a beautiful cook and a vital part of what PBS stands for.

John Festervand (Executive Producer) is the Executive Producer for “An Open Door” and currently serves as the Director of Development for the College of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State University (CSU). He is a specialist in higher-education fundraising, working on the Agricultural Sciences advancement leadership team to secure philanthropic support for academic initiatives, research programs, and institutional priorities.

With 16 years of experience in the field, John’s career encompasses diverse roles in athletics marketing, major gift fundraising, estate/bequest planning, corporate relations, and communications. His ultimate goal is to act as a force for good by helping others realize and achieve their philanthropic opportunities and missions.

John holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing/Broadcast Journalism from Middle Tennessee State University and a Master’s degree in Higher Education and Athletics Administration from the University of Alabama. He currently lives in Fort Collins, CO, with his wife and two children. Outside of his work in philanthropy and education, John enjoys an active lifestyle, including driving his jeep with the top off, cooking for friends and family, kayak fishing, photography, and all things sports. His wide-ranging professional background provides a robust foundation for his role as Executive Producer.

Sisters Elizabeth and Allison Fromm first learned about self-advocacy from their mother, Sandra Berkman Fromm, a Washington, DC disability activist and advocate who was instrumental in the drafting of the 1975 federal legislation that guarantees a free, appropriate public education to all American children with disabilities. (The statute is now known as IDEA.)

Sandra advocated for both her daughters in their schools and taught them that with vision and persistence, the “impossible” becomes possible. In 2000, with guidance from their mother, the sisters advocated together to found Joyful Noise Chorus for people with disabilities. Joyful Noise has now given over 100 performances in concert halls, conferences, and universities throughout the Northeast. Elizabeth and Allison will also share a recent experience advocating for a safe and inclusive bowling experience for people with epilepsy.

Dr. Temple Grandin did not talk until she was three and a half years old. She was fortunate to get early speech therapy. Her teachers also taught her how to wait and take turns when playing board games. She was mainstreamed into a normal kindergarten at age five. Oliver Sacks wrote in the forward of Thinking in Pictures that her first book Emergence: Labeled Autistic was “unprecedented because there had never before been an inside narrative of autism.” Dr. Sacks profiled Dr. Grandin in his best-selling book Anthropologist on Mars.

Dr. Grandin became a prominent author and speaker on both autism and animal behavior. Today she is a professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. She also has a successful career consulting on both livestock handling equipment design and animal welfare. She has been featured on NPR (National Public Radio) and a BBC Special The Woman Who Thinks Like a Cow. She has also appeared on National TV shows such as Larry King Live, 20/20, Sixty Minutes, Fox and Friends, and she has a 2010 TED talk. Articles about Dr. Grandin have appeared in Time Magazine, New York Times, Discover Magazine, Forbes and USA Today. HBO made an Emmy Award winning movie about her life and she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2016.

When she was young, she was considered weird and teased and bullied in high school. The only place she had friends was activities where there was a shared interest such as horses, electronics, or model rockets. Mr. Carlock, her science teacher, was an important mentor who encouraged her interest in science. When she had a new goal of becoming a scientist, she had a reason for studying. Today half the cattle in the United States are handled in facilities she has designed.

Nayna Hegde is an American whose family is from the village of Sirsi in the Karnataka state in southwest India. She has visited India twice — once when she was a child, and most recently in 2021 to attend her sister’s wedding.

Nanlyn Henderson is a Senior at The Ellis School, in Pittsburgh, PA, and has been attending since 7th grade. In 8th or 9th grade, she received a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). For years, she struggled to cope with comprehension, and to keep up with her peers, but overcame the challenges in her own way.

After her diagnosis, Nanlyn began to research her condition, and requested accommodations at school, which helped her become more successful. She has done quite a bit in her life, and learning how to understand herself makes her want to help others in a similar way, by helping them feel empowered by their differences.

This year, Nanlyn will graduate from Ellis, and will attend a college with secure neurodivergence support.

Zachary Jacobson was born in Texas. When he was 4 years old, he moved to London and lived there for 17 years, till he was 21. He has always enjoyed music since he was 1 year old. Zachary started taking voice lessons at 5 or 6 years old and he started taking piano lessons at 7 years old. He actually loved Willie Nelson and Eric Clapton when he was younger. Zachary’s mom gave him a cassette tape to listen to. When he was worried or anxious, he would listen to this tape.

Ana received her Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Pittsburgh, and completed her post-graduate training at Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh.

She currently works as a clinical pharmacist at Forbes Pharmacy of UPMC Western Psychiatric. She is passionate about providing medication management services for patients with serious mental illness.

Her areas of focus are medication education, adherence counseling, diabetes education, and smoking cessation counseling.

David V. Matthews received an Asperger’s diagnosis in 2006 at age 41. He is the subject of the feature-length documentary Aspie Seeks Love (2015), which the Huffington Post called “engaging, funny, thought provoking and emotive.”

He is also the author of the short-story collections Meltdown in the Cereal Aisle (2015) and Turhan Bey Fan Club (2022), both available on Kindle.

He lives in Pittsburgh. Check out his official website: davidvmatthews.com.

Tammi Morton is Director of Operations at Autism Connection of Pennsylvania. She is a parent of an autistic young adult, and Tammi was diagnosed autistic at the age of 53.

Joseph Ortman has Autism, and also works with students with Autism. Additionally, Joseph graduated from Pitt and is an active SAV member. Joseph has always been strongly committed and dedicated towards his goal of giving back to the disability community. He strongly aims to enrich and improve the lives of others with disabilities the same way his life has been enriched. Living with Autism, Joseph is a successful and accomplished adult, and he strives to make a positive difference in the lives of others with disabilities.

Joseph is a passionate and committed disability advocate. Joseph has given numerous talks and presentations over the years as a disability advocate. Through his work, Joseph aims to share his experience, inspire others, and help build the best possible world for those with disabilities. Joseph wants to see those with disabilities lead happy and successful lives, as he has done so himself. Everything that Joseph does is out of his passion for those with disabilities.

Joseph hopes his experience and story will benefit you in your own experiences, goals, and endeavors. Joseph wishes you all the best in all your future endeavors.

Joseph Ortman is from Hampton Township, Pennsylvania. He is an individual on the Autism Spectrum, and is also a Paraprofessional at The Hope Learning Center. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh earning his bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Joseph has been an SAV member since spring 2022 and has given a presentation, read numerous bios, and has served on the Welcoming Committee.

Joseph has always been strongly committed and dedicated towards his goal of giving back to the disability community. He strongly aims to enrich and improve the lives of others with disabilities the same way his life has been enriched. Living with Autism, Joseph is a successful and accomplished adult, and he strives to make a positive difference in the lives of others with disabilities.

Joseph is a passionate and committed disability advocate. Joseph has given numerous talks and presentations over the years as a disability advocate. Through his work, Joseph aims to share his experience, inspire others, and help build the best possible world for those with disabilities. Joseph wants to see those with disabilities lead happy and successful lives, as he has done so himself. Everything that Joseph does is because of his passion and love for those with disabilities.

Joe is an Autism-Support Paraprofessional at The Hope Learning Center. He has a BS degree in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh.

Destiney Osterritter is a 30-year-old woman with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita. She was born with this rare muscle and joint disorder that leaves her arms and legs in a fixed position. This has never deterred her from making her mark. She is about to graduate college with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with concentrations in Counseling and Crisis and Trauma from Carlow University.

Destiney’s passion is helping people and she intends to open her own private practice with a doctoral degree in Psychology.

Art is another passion as well as teaching. Destiney tutors for Carlow University and has her own side gig called AMC Artistry by Destiney where she paints and sells them. Inspiring others to reach their potential and do what they love is her passion and she intends to do just that throughout her life, in any way possible.

Laura Power is an Intern for the REV UP PA Disability Voting Campaign led by Bender Leadership Academy in Pittsburgh, PA. She completed her Master of Arts in Sociology in December 2022. She participated in the inaugural Semester in Washington Politics through George Washington University, completing a Disability Advocacy Certificate program in conjunction with the American Association of People with Disabilities (“AAPD”) Internship program. Laura is an experienced advocate who frequently speaks at events related to disability rights.]

Kris Rhood graduated from art school in 1983. She worked at a newspaper, then a sheltered workshop, and a printshop.

Kris started the show in 1990 with Rocki Kyte.

Kris (& Rocki) started Puppet Master in 2005. Later, Rocki’s kid sister Wendy joined. “Sometimes I think the reason for being a puppeteer is that I can work out the organization the performance and Rocki performs.”

Tammy Rose is the co-founder of Miss 22 Quties Special Needs Beauty Pageant. She and her oldest daughter, Melissa Reed, founded the pageant on August 22, 2011. Since that time, the pageant has gained regional attention and has plans to expand and impact many more communities with awareness and opportunities for youth and young adults with special needs.

Tammy works with families who have children with special needs and is strongly motivated by two of her daughters, one of whom has been diagnosed with 22q Deletion Syndrome and the other with an Intellectual Disability (ID). Due to the many parents who came before her, and paved the way, Tammy also focuses on giving back to other parents who are searching for resources and services to help their children.

Tammy received her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services from Geneva College and currently works for PA Connecting Communities as their Outreach Coordinator. Her dream is to open a recreational center designed for those with special needs and making it all inclusive.

Chloe Rothschild is an adult with autism who is on a mission to advocate and teach others about autism from her perspective. Chloe is one of the co-authors of the My Interoception Workbook for Teens, Adolescents, and Adults. She also serves on the Arc of the United States national board and the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) advisory board.

Chloe works as a student support specialist at an autism school 3 days a week. When Chloe is not presenting or working, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, participating in adaptive ice skating and dog agility for individuals with disabilities.

Abigail Salisbury was elected to the Pennsylvania House in 2023 to represent the 34th Legislative District in Allegheny County.]

A lawyer by training, Salisbury worked on human rights issues in Kosovo and Ethiopia and on microfinance in Senegal. She then served as executive director of JURIST.org and taught First Amendment law at the University of Pittsburgh before establishing her own reduced-cost law practice for nonprofits and small businesses in Swissvale. She served on Swissvale Borough Council for five years, spending two years as council president.

Salisbury’s legislative priorities include updating infrastructure, advancing human rights, fostering small business development, supporting public schools, and preserving the environment.

She lives with her husband and the couple’s three adopted dogs in Swissvale.

Katie is a person with a language impairment and learning disability, diagnosed at ages three and five. Despite being told college wasn’t for her, she graduated. Now, she supports students with disabilities, encouraging independence and friendship. She is writing a book and does motivational speaking to inspire others with disabilities to achieve their dreams.

Katie’s mission statement is “To empower and engage individuals to be an advocate for themselves and to have the power to lead their educational and life journey.”

Katherine Skovira is a mezzo-soprano and co-librettist for The Other Side of Silence. She serves as Faculty Fellow in Music at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and has presented at Opera America, the Voice Foundation and National Association of Teachers of Singing, as well as the International Congress of Voice Teachers.

Katherine has collaborated with Sir Simon Rattle, Barbara Hannigan, the Lucerne Festival Academy, Philadelphia Orchestra, Curtis Institute, Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, American Philosophical Society, and the JACK Quartet.

Katherine holds degrees in vocal performance, voice pedagogy, and political science from Cornell University, Westminster Choir College, and the University of Minnesota School of Music.

Jason Smierciak was born and raised in Pittsburgh. Diagnosed with autism in 2nd grade at age 7, Jason has been an advocate for Autism Awareness from an early age.

Jason’s passion for music blossomed at age 9, and at age 12, Jason founded the Flying Sock Monkeys. The band’s gigs were popular, especially at The Woodlands, Spread the Word to End the Word, and Paws for Pace. Jason stepped down from the band after a 14-year run and now performs at his local church.

Jason’s interest in railroading came at age 3, and Jason has continued to study railroad history and historical equipment. After a friend of Jason’s died in 2016 in a railroad accident, Jason chose to prioritize railroad track safety. In 2020, when the Strasburg Railroad had In-Cab runs, Jason had an opportunity to run a steam locomotive.

Jason’s very full life encompasses a full-time job at Bayer, singing at church, gathering with his friends, developing his advocacy skills for railroad track safety and people on the autism spectrum, and his passion for music.

Mark Steidl (they/them) is a disability rights advocate and graduate of the Community College of Allegheny County, where they majored in Social Work Foundations and served as a student government senator.

Mark has cerebral palsy and uses a variety of technologies to manage their condition. Mark serves on the board of Disability Rights Pennsylvania, advocates in a variety of disability rights campaigns, and is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community. Mark works in technical support at Tobii Dynavox, a world leader in electronic communication, and has taught music appreciation at the Woodlands Foundation.

They are the co-librettist for the opera “The Other Side of Silence,” which was workshopped with Opera Saratoga in 2024.

Isabelle Strollo earned an MFA in Film from the National Superior School of Louis Lumiere, Paris, and holds a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Technologie of Compiègne.

She began her career as a camera assistant, working on commercial film productions, documentaries for National Geographic Television, as well as for PBS and the White House Historical Society.

As an editor, she has worked on a variety of documentaries, narratives, and educational projects. Her work has been displayed at The Liberty Bell Visitor Center in Philadelphia and The State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, PA. She is currently an adjunct faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University, where she teaches Film Production.

Robert Whalen is a conductor and composer of The Other Side of Silence. The NYTimes has described his music as “exuberantly lyrical.” He serves as Lecturer of Music and Conducting at Rensselaer. Robert has also led orchestras on the faculties of the University of Chicago and Lewis and Clark College.

Robert’s conducting has been recognized in the US and internationally, as Lorin Maazel’s Conducting Fellow at the Castleton Festival, Assistant Conductor at the WDR in Cologne, Germany, and as Assistant Chorus Master at Opera. Whalen earned a BA cum laude from Cornell University, studying composition with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Steven Stucky. Whalen was awarded an MFA in Orchestral Conducting from the Bard College Conservatory of Music, and a DMA from the University of Minnesota.

Steve had the interest in trains that many kids had in the 1950s. Growing up in Westfield, NJ, a commuter town on the CNJ, he was always fascinated by the trains, tracks, grade crossings, etc.

Steve was invited to work as a volunteer on a High Iron Company two-day excursion from Grand Central Terminal to Niagara Falls and return with Steam Locomotive 759. He hung out with the locomotive crew on the way back, which lead to a week working on the 759 doing repairs and maintenance.

He started working for Ross Rowland in 1974 on the American Freedom Train (AFT) as his personal assistant. He helped get the locomotive ready for the train in March 1975 as a regular crew member and fireman.