Sherry Gundlach
Co-Director
Sherry Gundlach is a parent of an adult with a physical disability. Sherry has used her experience working with school systems, community programs and state agencies to help other parents. She worked as a Family Engagement Coordinator for 22 years and is one of the co-founders of the Youth in Partnership with Parents for Empowerment (YiPPE) program. Sherry has been a Parent and Youth Facilitator since 2004 and is the Lead Trainer for the YiPPE program. Sherry also was the Family Advocate Network Coordinator for the WI Promise grant. Sherry has used her personal and professional experiences to help support youth and parents navigate the transition to the adult world.
Jenny Neugart
Co-Director
Jennifer Neugart has used her personal experience having a physical disability and her professional experience working with youth and parents on transition planning since1998. She co-developed the Youth in Partnership with Parents for Empowerment (YiPPE) program and has facilitated parent and youth transition trainings since 2004. She has a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a master's degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling.
Jenny has worked with youth with disabilities in a variety of ways including establishing the Wisconsin Youth Leadership Forum and the Gathering of Youth conference, developing a week-long transition camp and establishing and maintaining several statewide youth advisory boards.
Our Board Members
Jennifer Mims-Howell, At Large
Milwaukee County
Public School Educator/Administrator
I want to be part of and be an advocate for equitable opportunities for people with disabilities as they live and work in environments with their non-disabled counterparts in my community. I want to provide families with resources and supports that let them know they are not alone.
Niko Triggs, Secretary
Milwaukee County
City of Milwaukee Paralegal, B.A., E.J.D.
Families and members of society are being tasked with accepting and ensuring persons living with a disability play an active role in their own lives, as well as others. I chose to accept the offer to participate on the Families Matter board because I would be empowered, however slight, in making a difference in my son’s and other youths’ lives who live with a disability. In my capacity as a board member, I am able to speak up and speak out when youths' and their families' voices cannot be heard.
Paul VanDyck, Treasurer
Brown County
IT Consulting Industry Leader
I'm honored to work with, lead, learn from, and be a parent for persons with disabilities every day. Families Matter's mission inspires me to serve them and youth everywhere. I'm excited to help and I'm looking forward to seeing these programs improve lives.
Sarah Bocher, Board Member at Large
Dane County
Self-advocate and State of Wisconsin Clerical Assistant
I believe that it is very important for people with disabilities to live as independently as possible. I have been living in my own apartment for 4 years. I chose to be on this board to represent the disability community’s perspective as well as my own. If a program similar to this had been offered to me in high school or college, I believe my parents and I would have been better equipped to handle the transition to independent living.
Meredith Welch, Board Member at Large
Milwaukee County
Administrator
As a parent of a child with a disability, I realize the importance of making connections and finding resources to help children with disabilities and their families receive the support they need in all areas. I’m happy to be part of an organization that promotes programming to help our children with disabilities reach their fullest potential and advocate for change and inclusion to promote well-being and positive outcomes for people with disabilities.
Jarod Falk, Board Member at Large
Outagamie County
Self-Advocate, College Student, YiPPE Graduate
I want to make a difference in the lives of youth with disabilities by working in partnership with their families and communities. I strongly believe in high expectations and self-advocacy and have seen amazing results through the organization's programming. I am committed to this organization and to empowering individuals with disabilities to lead inclusive lives where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive.