Our Council Members are dedicated and passionate individuals, serving the I/DD Community in the State of Nevada.
Meet the Chair – Anna Marie Binder
Anna Marie is a person with I/DD and is a passionate community advocate and dedicated professional based in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she has lived since 1991. As a devoted wife and mother to six children, three of whom have intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), Anna has a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of parenting in today’s world.
With a strong commitment to advocacy, Anna is a prominent voice for autism awareness and a warrior for public education. She actively works to promote understanding and support for families affected by I/DD, striving to create a more inclusive and equitable community for all. Her efforts have made a significant impact on the lives of many families in the Las Vegas area.
In addition to her advocacy work, Anna believes in the importance of education and is dedicated to ensuring that every child has access to quality learning opportunities. She collaborates with local organizations and participates in initiatives aimed at improving educational resources and support for students with diverse needs.
When she’s not advocating for her community, Anna enjoys gardening, crocheting, cooking, and spending quality time with her family. These hobbies provide her with joy and relaxation, allowing her to nurture her creativity and strengthen family bonds. She is always eager to connect with others who share her passion for making a difference. She has been a member of the Council since December 2022.
Meet the Vice-Chair – Stacy Alaribe
Stacy serves as a person with an I/DD on this Council. She was born, raised and currently resides in Reno, Nevada. Stacy is a Nigerian American who attended elementary through high school in the public education system in Washoe County. Stacy is also the Chair of the UNR-NCED Community Advisory Committee. Stacy has her Masters in Social Work from the University of Nevada, Reno and is a recent graduate of the NGCDD Partners in Policymaking program. She has been a member of this Council since July 2020.
Council Member – Ellen Frias-Wilcox
Ellen Frias-Wilcox is a Social Services Program Specialist Supervisor with Nevada Medicaid, where she oversees the 1915(c) Waivers for Frail Elderly, Physically Disabled, and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities populations. She has served the State of Nevada for 16 years under the Division of Nevada Medicaid, bringing extensive experience as a case manager, outreach coordinator, and policy specialist.
Ellen holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. One of her most notable accomplishments was leading Nevada’s State Transition Plan project for submission to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to ensure compliance with the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule issued in 2014. This rule promotes community integration for older adults and people with disabilities—including children—and prevents isolation. Under Ellen’s leadership, Nevada achieved final approval from CMS prior to the federal deadline of March 17, 2023.
Council Member – Vickie Ives
Vickie is the Deputy Bureau Chief with the Division of Public and Behavioral Health over the Child, Family, and Community Wellness program and has been a member of the Council since February 2017. She has her MA in Anthropology from Arizona State University and has been a State of Nevada Employee for just over 13 years overall. She works closely with the sections within the CFCW Bureau and supervises the Nevada State Immunization Program and the Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health (MCAH) Section and is the director for Nevada Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) and Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs; Nevada Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting; Nevada Early Hearing Detection and Intervention; and Nevada Rape Prevention and Education programs. She serves as the Nevada Promoting Innovation in State/Territorial Maternal and Child Health Policymaking Learning Community lead, principle investigator for teen pregnancy prevention grants and Nevada Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System efforts, is a member of the Nevada Statewide Executive Committee to Review Child Fatalities and Washoe County Fetal Infant Mortality Review, Nevada Newborn Screening Advisory Board, Medical Home Portal Advisory Board, co- lead on the Nevada Mountain States Regional Genetics Network, Region IX Board member for AMCHP, the national MCH Workforce Development Council, Nevada Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health efforts, and supports the state Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC).
Council Member – Randall Owen
Randall Owen is the Executive Director of the Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities and is one of the three DD Network Partners.
Randall Owen joined the College of Education & Human Development as the Director of the Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities (NCED) and Associate Professor in Special Education. Randall has 15 years of experience conducting research on and with people with disabilities to better understand the impact of policies on their lived experiences. Primarily he has explored healthcare and employment policies across the United States and in Australia and the United Kingdom. Randall has been the Principal Investigator on many grants, including from the federal government, state departments and agencies, and local organizations. He is a mixed-methods researcher, with extensive experience conducting interviews and survey research. Among his areas of interest are disability studies, human rights, inclusion, diversity, leadership, accessibility, family support, and civic engagement.
Originally from West Michigan, Randall completed undergraduate work at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. He earned a Ph.D. in Disability Studies from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and joined the faculty of their Department of Disability and Human Development and served as the Associate Director of the Institute on Disability and Human Development, the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities for Illinois. For the last year, Randall has conducted research with the University of California, San Francisco.
Council Member – Vivian Turner
Vivian is a Rehabilitation Supervisor with the Bureau of Vocational Rehab within the Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation. Vivian has been a member of the Council since July 2018. Vivian is originally from Michigan and has been a resident of Las Vegas, Nevada since 2008. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and Master of Arts Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Michigan State University. Vivian has over 30 years of experience working with Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities in various capacities and has worked as a Rehabilitation Counselor for 27 years.
Council Member – Autumn Blattman
Autumn Blattman serves as the Washoe Regional Coordinator for the State of Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD). In this pivotal role, Autumn exemplifies compassionate leadership as she bridges the gap between the division, the community, and state agencies. Her work focuses on identifying challenges, fostering meaningful partnerships with community leaders and organizations, and advocating for innovative solutions to better serve Nevadans. Autumn earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies in 2019 from the University of Nevada, Reno. This academic foundation, combined with her unwavering passion for supporting Nevadans, drives her mission to building a brighter and more inclusive future for all. (Photo coming)
Council Member – Evan Smith
Evan Smith is 39 years old and a relatively new resident of Nevada, having lived in the Reno/Sparks area for nearly two years. Prior to moving to Nevada, he spent most of his adult life in Idaho and Arizona. For the past 19 years, Evan has lived independently in various care homes, gaining a wide range of experiences with caregivers across multiple states. He earned a degree in communications from Boise State University in 2012. Evan is passionate about advocacy and looks forward to representing individuals with disabilities throughout the state of Nevada.
Council Member – Melissa Bart-Plange
Melissa is a proud mother of two and a native of Las Vegas. She graduated from the Partners in Policymaking program in 2021 and currently serves on the Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities. In addition, she is a member of both the Rare Disease Advisory Council and the Special Education Advisory Committee.
As the parent of a child with special needs and complex medical conditions, she understands firsthand the challenges families face. Her personal experiences inspired her to join these councils and committees. Her mission is to empower families by helping them advocate for their children, understand their rights, and connect with essential resources available through the state.
Council Member – Amy Stephenson
Parent of an individual with an intellectual and/or developmental disability in Northern Nevada. Amy Stephenson is a seasoned public sector executive, Navy veteran, and passionate advocate for individuals with disabilities. With over 24 years of experience shaping Nevada’s state government including leadership roles in Finance, Health & Human Services, Veterans Services, and Employment & Rehabilitation, Amy brings a trauma-informed, people-centered approach to every initiative she leads.
Her advocacy is deeply personal. Amy is a proud mother of three adult children, including her oldest, Kasey, who lives with cerebral palsy and developmental delay. Kasey is the light of Amy’s life and has taught her that even in the darkest moments, there is always a ray of sunshine. This lived experience fuels Amy’s commitment to building systems that center dignity, inclusion, and resilience for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
Amy has served on the boards of NAMI Nevada and High Sierra AHEC, advancing mental health equity and community health education. She is known for her ability to build consensus, foster collaboration, and amplify underrepresented voices whether in financial strategy, policy development, or mentorship.
Outside of work, Amy finds joy in helping others, often putting their needs before her own. She loves exploring nature, being near water, sharing laughter with friends, and creating affirming messages that help people feel seen and valued. Her four basset hounds keep her grounded and remind her daily of the power of unconditional love.
Amy holds a Bachelor’s in Accounting, an MBA, and is a graduate of Nevada’s Certified Public Manager Program. She uses her platform to empower others through storytelling, strategic leadership, and everyday acts of service.
Council Member – Meredith Toddre
Meredith Toddre serves on the Council as a parent of an adult with an intellectual and developmental disability who is unable to advocate for themselves. A dedicated caregiver and advocate since 1998, Meredith brings more than two decades of personal and professional experience supporting individuals with disabilities and their families.
In the early 2000s, Meredith and her husband co-founded the Autism Coalition of Nevada (ACON), where they played a pivotal role in drafting and passing landmark legislation requiring health insurance coverage for children with autism in Nevada. Through ACON, Meredith helped countless families navigate the complex process of accessing essential therapies and services for their children.
As a passionate educator, Meredith homeschooled her three children—two of whom have developmental disabilities—through graduation, while also mentoring other parents on their homeschooling journeys. Today, she works as a Student Success Coach at a Las Vegas charter high school, helping teens manage coursework and stay on track toward graduation.
Outside of her professional and advocacy work, Meredith enjoys cooking and hiking with her family and their dog, Opal. She remains deeply committed to fostering meaningful, positive change for people with disabilities and their families throughout Nevada.
Council Member – Alex Hilke
Alex Hilke serves as a Self-Advocate in the Las Vegas, Nevada area. Alex Hilke serves as a Self-Advocate in the Las Vegas, Nevada area. He is a person with an intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD), a DETR-certified job coach and job developer, and a volunteer self-advocate with The Arc of Nevada.
Alex has overcome significant challenges throughout his life. Born with Cerebral Palsy and Right Hemiplegia, his parents were told he would never be able to walk or talk. By age four, he defied expectations and amazed his medical team with his progress. By twelve, he was reading at a PhD level. These experiences shaped his lifelong dedication to improving access and opportunities for people with disabilities. Alex has witnessed firsthand the positive impact of the ADA, IDEA, and Section 504 on his life and the lives of others.
He holds a Master of Public Administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Sacramento State, graduating with honors from both Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Alpha Alpha. Over the past 17 years, Alex has worked for several disability service organizations, specializing in workforce development, wraparound services, and reducing social isolation within the disability community.
Alex lives in the Southern Highlands neighborhood of Enterprise, Nevada, with his dog, Tilly. In his free time, he enjoys fine dining around Las Vegas, watching new film releases, and attending live concerts on the Las Vegas Strip.
Council Member – Stefanie Abila
Family member representative appointed January 2026. Stefanie currently serves as an Executive Board Relations Assistant at Leadership Academy of Nevada, supporting leadership alignment, governance processes, and organizational effectiveness through strategic coordination, documentation, and communication. With more than 25 years of experience in service-driven environments and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, she brings strong expertise in stakeholder engagement, compliance support, records management, and navigating complex matters with discretion and professionalism.
Advocacy is not just part of Stefanie’s professional work — it is part of her life. As a sister and advocate for her brother with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD), she is deeply committed to advancing disability rights and ensuring individuals and families have access to equitable opportunities and support. She is also a proud military spouse and mother of two — experiences that have strengthened her resilience, adaptability, and dedication to supporting veterans, families, and communities. As an Italian American who values family, fairness, and justice, she strives to contribute to work that creates lasting, meaningful impact. She is particularly interested in advancing policy and legislation in education and medical organizations where collaboration, structure, and compassion drive positive outcomes for individuals and communities.
Council Member – Kate Osti
Representative of the Protection and Advocacy System for Nevada. Kate serves as the Executive Director of Nevada Disability Advocacy and Law Center.
Council Member – Margaret Marcucci
Family member representative appointed November 2025. Margaret Marcucci was born and raised in Lovelock, Nevada. Over the years, she has built her life around family and community, cherishing the relationships she has formed along the way. She is the proud parent of three children and the grandmother of three granddaughters who reside in Elko. She also enjoys caring for her 18 chickens, 11 peafowls, one dog, and four cats.
For more than 40 years, Margaret has lived in and out of Elko, Nevada. During that time, she has developed a deep appreciation for the way the community comes together in times of need. The spirit of support and unity found in Elko is something she values greatly.
She is actively involved in local organizations, including Elko Kiwanis and Great Basin Elks. In addition to her volunteer work, Margaret is employed by the Rural Center for Independent Living, where she works with individuals with disabilities of all ages. She also assists individuals with disabilities in understanding their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act through Pacific ADA. In addition, she serves as a member of the SILC Council.
As a volunteer with the Northern Nevada Moses Project, Margaret gained valuable insight into the lives of foster and guardianship families. This experience deepened her understanding of the unique challenges these families face, particularly in accessing educational information and health care for their children.
Margaret’s professional career was dedicated to special education. She served for several years as a special education teacher, working with Eureka County, the Nevada Youth Training Center, and later retiring in 2012 from the Lander County School District. Her passion for working with individuals of all ages has remained at the heart of her professional journey.
Council Member – Cate Guzy
Representative of the Office of Comprehensive Student Services. Cate joined the Council in March 2025. (Photo and bio coming)
Council Member – Michelle Metheny
Family Member from the Fallon area. Michelle joined the Council in December 2025. (Photo and bio coming)
Council Member – Maria Ojeda
Family member representative appointed November 2025. Bio and photo coming soon!