The Center for Leadership in Disability is excited to announce a number of new position titles from within CLD!
We translate research into sustainable community practices that contribute to independent, self-determined, inclusive, and productive lives for people with disabilities and their families.
With the addition and expansion of new projects and research, the CLD has promoted from within and assigned new titles to long-term staff to better reflect their duties and responsibilities, so they can continue to provide some of the best advocacy, training, and research supports in Georgia.
Ashley Ogbonna-Salmon, MPH
Ashley Ogbonna-Salmon has been appointed as the new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Research Associate for the Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD). She originally joined the CLD as a student in 2016. In her new role, Ms. Ogbonna-Salmon will serve as project manager/coordinator for funded DEI research projects, including leading internal CLD DEI initiatives and contributing to the Center’s efforts to provide accessible DEI programming and materials for the community. She will also provide consultation, training, and technical assistance to university and community stakeholders on a variety of DEI topics (including research and evaluation) relevant to the Center’s mission.
Ms. Ogbonna-Salmon has enjoyed the various opportunities to work closely with the families and individuals CLD serves, as well as to analyze, interpret, and disseminate the data CLD collect. In her work over the past six years at CLD, she has served the data needs of communities throughout Georgia and has supported inclusion and equity through her emphasis on data literacy by utilizing plain language and infographics. This particular skillset uniquely positions Ms. Ogbonna-Salmon as a resource for disability advocates and community partners who want to raise awareness on key issues and inform policy change using data.
Ms. Ogbonna-Salmon holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Public Health in Biostatistics from Georgia State University.
Mariana Ortiz
Mariana Ortiz has been appointed as the new Bilingual Community Services Specialist for the Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD). She originally joined the CLD as Project Support in 2018. In her new role, Ms. Ortiz will be leading the CLD’s Latino Community of Practice and Adelante Autismo with other team members. She will also continue to be a bilingual Youth Mental Health First-Aid (YMHFA) instructor.
Ms. Ortiz shares her excitement to “continue serving our Latinx families and growing the number of families that join us each month.” She hopes to be able to “partner with more organizations in Georgia to expand our reach in providing resources for families.”
Ms. Ortiz holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Georgia State University, and a Master of Public Health and Certificate in Social Determinants of Health from Emory University.
Molly Tucker, MSW
Molly Tucker has been appointed as the new Training and Advocacy Manager for the Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD). She began her work with CLD as an intern and GaLEND social work trainee from August 2016-April 2017. In June of 2017, Ms. Tucker was hired full-time as a Community Services Specialist. In this role, she supported a wide range of projects related to advocacy, leadership, and positive behavior supports. In her new role, she will continue to support these initiatives, while also supervising the Community Advocate Specialist and assisting with the development and implementation of new projects and priorities.
Ms. Tucker will help lead and manage two new projects. The first is a grant from the Institute of Educational Sciences (IES). Alongside partners at Penn State University, CLD will test the effectiveness of the Cultivating Awareness and Resilience in Education (CARE) professional development program with special educators for the first time. This program focuses on mindfulness, managing classroom stress, and showing care and compassion to oneself and others. The second project is Project SETA: Students Enhancing their Advocacy. This project is funded by the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) and will provide advocacy, leadership, and professional development training to inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) students throughout Georgia. She looks forward to working alongside IPSE students to help build the next generation of advocates and disability leaders.
She reflects that “throughout my time at CLD, I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside dozens of passionate advocates through programs” [like Advocacy 101; My Voice, My Participation, My Board; and GaLEND]. “I feel very lucky to have played a small part in their advocacy journey and successes.”
Ms. Tucker holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Mercer University, and a Master of Social Work from the University of Georgia.