Board Of Directors

Terese is a longtime friend of the Connection. She held the position of Board Secretary from 1998 through 2006. She is a High School Counselor in Pleasanton and a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Although, not a parent herself, Terese has three beautiful nieces and is a dear friend of the Hogan family. Terese has been very involved in the Connection's major fundraisers and facilitates Sibling Support groups throughout the year when needed.

Amy Parham is honored to serve on the board of the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area. She has twelve years experience in non-profit public relations and is excited to use these talents to promote the unique abilities and achievements of individuals with Down syndrome, and to help the Connection expand their programs and services throughout the Bay Area. Originally from Chicago, Amy now lives in Los Gatos after spending ten years in Austin, Texas, where she was an active member of the Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas. Amy enjoys an active lifestyle with her husband, Sean, and their two children, Reid (8) and Ava (6, with DS).

Paul has been brought close to the Down Syndrome Connection through his brother, T.J., who has been a member since 2008. Paul has gained expertise in money management working as a Financial Advisor for the past 7 years and from his degree at Cal Poly in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Economics. He grew up in Walnut Creek and has known Contra Costa County as home for most of his life. In his spare time, Paul enjoys a wide array of hobbies from motocross to golf along with exploring the open spaces of Briones with his Golden Retriever, CannonBall. Paul is grateful to be part of an organization like the DSC that shows what love, education and determination can provide for people in need.

I have been volunteering at the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area for several years now. I am currently a high school senior at Bentley School. I have been blessed to be working with this organization since I was 12 years old. The connection and the children have become a part of me and I feel honored to be both a teacher’s assistant and a member of the board. I enjoy working with Laura Briggs to adjust the classroom activities to fit the needs of the specific children in the class. I could never imagine my life without the DSCBA and the relationships that I now have because of it. As a board member, I hope to continue raising awareness in the community about Down Syndrome. I am also excited to help lead the organization in its continued expansion and outreach. I look forward to many more years of continued advocacy and support for the connection.

I found the Down Syndrome Connection in 2005. My husband and I live in Pleasanton with our two boys John and Brandon. Our youngest son, Brandon was born with Down syndrome. Prior to his birth we did not know the road we were traveling was going to veer us off into another direction. We are very lucky and blessed Brandon has no heart or major medical issues. He has taught us a lot about our selves and brought a very tight family even closer together. I am very grateful for him every day and for bringing the DSC into our lives. I knew very shortly after becoming part of this organization, I would some day be a part of something to make a difference in the lives of those who are touched by a child with a disability. My goal is to keep the DSC alive and kicking for many more like us to come.

Currently a proud father of seven beautiful children. When my wife Kristy and I were expecting our fourth child we found out during pregnancy our son would be born with Down syndrome. Kristy dove right into books and the Internet and found the DSCBA. I stayed on the sidelines as I was scared to death. What would happen to my “perfect” family? On August 28th, 2004 I met him. Joaquin Miguel Acuna. He was born with a healthy scream, strong broad shoulders, and a face that looked more like mine than any of our other children. He was a baby boy first and a handsome one at that and Down syndrome became second. Becoming a board member, advocate and active participant at the DSCBA has been a gift, and I look forward to many years of growth and opportunity to serve the community.

Judith is a Certified Interiors Designer #878 with an Interior Design Studio, DESIGN ELEMENTS in Danville. As an Interior Designer since 1978 she has held many board positions on the International Furnishings and Design Assn (IFDA) Northern California Chapter Board including Chapter President in 2000. In 2007 she was International President of IFDA. Judith just ended her term as Recording Secretary for The Student Career Forum, an Interior Design Educational event held every March at the San Francisco Design Center. 250 Interior Design College Students from all over California attend this event annually. Judith has been published many times in industry magazines and enjoys knitting, her two cats, two adult children and one husband, Paul. Grand motherhood will be a long desired accomplishment in June of 2011 when her son Jason and wife Dee become new parents.

The Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area has been and continues to be a major influence on Tim's family's life. His youngest brother Blair (DSC's current Athletic Director) was born with Down syndrome. His mother Martha Hogan is a cofounding member who continues to dedicate her life and experiences to assist and educate parents and the community. While helping with the expansion and relocation of the DSC's main office, Tim was touched by the passion and the work the organization provides to new and existing members. Tim feels honored to be apart of this wonderful organization and looks forward to expanding fundraising efforts and awareness through professional and personal relationships he has throughout the Bay Area. Tim is a commercial real estate broker with MCC Realty Group in Walnut Creek with a focus on office leasing and building dispositions along the I-680 corridor. Tim lives in Walnut Creek with his wife, Heather and two children, Charlie (6) and Tobi Belle (3).

Karen has lived in the Danville community for over 14 years. She became involved with the Connection through the current Executive Director and volunteered her time to the Small Step program. While volunteering, Karen realized this was an organization she wanted to be a part of. As a board member Karen will utilize her many years of project management experience to assist with fundraising events and technology implementation. She recently joined the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce as their Membership Director building a stronger partnership with the Down Syndrome Connection.

Heather Peterson is an ASHA (American Speech-Language and Hearing Association) and California certified Speech Language Pathologist. Originally a native of Danville, California, Heather worked in Washington DC for 5 years in early intervention and school-based services. Heather received her Master's degree from Gallaudet University (Liberal Arts College for the Deaf in DC) and her Bachelor of Science degree from University of Arizona. Heather's passion has always been working with children with Down syndrome and is a long-time friend of the Down Syndrome Connection, as she grew up volunteering with the Challenger Baseball program. Heather currently has a private practice located at the Down Syndrome Connection (Danville) Mondays and Tuesdays. She also practices in San Francisco treating children of all ages with Down syndrome (Birth-young adult).

October 1, 2008 was a day that changed our lives forever. Our first child, Mason, was born unexpectedly with Down Syndrome and so our journey began. We met with Martha Hogan, Co-Founder of the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area, days after Mason was born and that meeting was instrumental in getting us where we are today. We've always said the Connection is as much for the parents as it is for the children with Down Syndrome and this was so true in our case. The past couple years the Down Syndrome Connection has given us so much support we wanted to do something, anything to give back. I work about 1000 yards away at VandenBerghe Properties and Karen stays home with Mason in Lafayette juggling his many different therapies and running after the little ball of energy 24/7! We are thrilled to be a part of this amazing board and look forward to many years helping the Connection build and grow for generations to come.