Kimberly Christensen – Kennebec County
Kim is a resident of Kennebec County where she enjoys independent living. She is a past member of Speaking Up for Us (SUFU), Maine’s self-advocacy organization. She has visited the State capitol on several occasions to discuss her concerns and show support for individuals with disabilities.
Kim is an artist and an active member of Spindleworks Art Center. She has participated in several art shows and exhibits of her work can be found in Brunswick and other local galleries.
Jay Richardson Collins – Kennebec County
David Cowing – Sagadahoc County
David is the parent/co-guardian of his adult son who has intellectual, mental health and physical disabilities, along with a great sense of humor and many other endearing personality traits. His son lives in a group home in Bath.
David is now retired following a several decades career in special education as a teacher and administrator in K-12 public schools in midcoast Maine. He has particular interests in adult case management and supporting families and caregivers of individuals with disabilities–including assisting with transitioning from school-based services and effectively navigating the adult service system.
Rachel Dyer, MBA – Kennebec County
Associate Director, Maine Developmental Disabilities Council Rachel began her career as a Direct Support Professional and worked for many years in healthcare and community services. In her role with DDC, she shares responsibility for operations, quality assurance and compliance, and is the liaison to the State’s self-advocacy organization.
Richard Estabrook – Cumberland County
Richard Estabrook is an attorney who was involved in the enforcement of the Pineland Consent Decree, the negotiation of the Community Consent Decree, and the closure of Pineland Center. He remained involved in the enforcement of the Community Consent Decree until the federal court found the State in compliance in 2010. He currently is on the Board of Directors of Independence Association of Brunswick and serves as the Maine Developmental Services Oversight and Advisory Board designee on RRT that oversees Behavior Management, Behavior Modification, and Safety Plans.
Kim Humphrey — County
Mark Kemmerle – Cumberland County
Mark Kemmerle moved with his family from Florida to Maine in 1997, in large part because of Maine’s commitment to inclusive education for individuals with disabilities and its reputation for first-rate adult services. He and his wife, Toni, each worked for State government for two decades before retiring. While working for the State’s Information Technology department, Mark worked closely with DHHS on a number of projects. Mark joined the MDSOAB Board in November of 2017 and served as its Executive Director for five years from 2018 to 2023. While serving on the Board, Mark has participated in the three-person regional teams that review all proposed Safety and Behavior Management Plans to assure that they follow DHHS regulations. The Kemmerles have an adult son, Michael, who receives services from DHHS and OADS and lives with a housemate in Brunswick, the same housemate, in fact, for the last 14 years.
Barrett Littlefield, Current Representative for Disability Rights Maine
www.drme.org – Kennebec County
Ann-Marie Mayberry – Cumberland County
Ann-Marie Mayberry is a passionate leader and advocate dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism. As the Executive Director of 3Rivers, she guides a team of 140 employees and collaborates with 135 contracted providers to ensure that individuals in shared living arrangements across 16 counties in Maine receive the comprehensive care and support they deserve. With 36 years of experience, Ann-Marie combines professional expertise with a heartfelt commitment to her mission.
She has established herself as a respected voice in disability services and policy, serving on the MDSOAB Board of Directors and the ANCOR Board of Representatives, ANCOR Foundation Board as well as previously on the MACSP Board of Directors, advocating for residential service providers. Ann-Marie’s connection to this work is deeply personal; as a mother of an adult child with Autism Spectrum Disorder and an aunt to a nephew with a traumatic brain injury, she understands the critical need for high-quality, individualized support.
Driven by a belief in equal opportunities and full inclusion for individuals with disabilities, Ann-Marie is committed to fostering environments where everyone can thrive. Outside of her professional endeavors, she enjoys traveling, photography, and cherishing time with her family in her home state of Maine.
Bernie Oster – Penobscot County
Bernie Oster is the parent and shared living provider for her 49-year old son.
Bernie began work with persons with IDD in 1985 at PVI, a day program. She later worked as a Program Director at MERT Enterprises, Community Support Supervisor and later Human Resources Assistant at OHI, and Residential Director at Citizens of Maine. She was an involved Correspondent for many years to a class member who passed away in 2024. She was an Area Manager for Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Hancock Special Olympics.
Jennifer Putnam – Cumberland County
Jennifer Putnam is the Executive Director of Waypoint Maine, Inc., located in Sanford, Maine. The agency employs 300 people across eleven programs, serving hundreds of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the University of Maine and a Master of Business Administration degree from St. Joseph’s College. In addition to serving on the Maine Developmental Services Oversight Advisory Board, Jennifer serves on Maine’s Mortality Review Panel, as Board President of Community Housing of Maine and on the Board of Directors of the Maine Association for Community Service Providers (MACSP).
Katie Qualey
Rory Robb – York County
Rory Robb has enjoyed a lifetime of supporting individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and/or Autism. This began with growing up with a sister who has an Intellectual Disability and severe hearing impairment. Her family was fortunate that she could remain living at home and not be institutionalized like many of her friends. She is now supported in a group home in southern Maine and Rory is her guardian. Rory began her career as a Special Education teacher before joining an agency that provides support for individuals with developmental disabilities as a Direct Support Professional. Rory moved on to management in many roles (e.g., Residential Manager, QIDP, Director of Clinical Services, Senior Director of Operations) and remained working for 35 years. Rory was a ten-year member of the Consumer Advisory Board and has served on the MDSOAB since its inception. She also serves as the MDSOAB representative on one of six district Three Person Committees. Rory also currently works in the Restorative Justice field supporting adults with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism through the lens of RJ.
Cullen Ryan – Cumberland County
Cullen Ryan has served homeless and special needs populations for 38 years. A formerly licensed clinician (LICSW) with a BA from the University of Vermont and an MA in Counseling and Psychological Services from St. Mary’s University (Minnesota), Cullen has provided case management, family therapy, and individual/group psychotherapy to homeless adults, families, and adolescents in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings in three States. Since 2004, Cullen has served as Executive Director of Community Housing of Maine, the largest supportive housing provider for homeless and special needs populations in the State. Cullen has organized, united, and led diverse groups, helping Maine and other States speak with one voice to effect change for vulnerable populations through local, State, and Federal policy development. Cullen has been elected to numerous leadership roles focused on ending homelessness and improving the system of care for people with disabilities in Maine. He recently co-chaired and served for 20 years on Maine’s Statewide Homeless Council, co-chaired the Board of Evernorth, chairs the Maine Developmental Services Oversight and Advisory Board, chairs the Maine Coalition for Housing and Quality Services, and served as the first President of the Board of Directors for the Maine Continuum of Care. Cullen was a past Chair of the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition. Cullen’s advocacy has been recognized by receipt of the Maine Association of Community Service Providers Legislative Advocacy Award in 2013; the Joseph Brannigan Community Excellence Award in 2014; the Port Resources Shining Star Award in 2015; Spurwink 2021 Humanitarian of the Year Award; the MACSP Bonnie-Jean Brooks Shining Light Award in 2023, and the Portland Chamber of Commerce 2024 Collaborator Award.
Community Housing of Maine provides supportive housing for homeless and special needs populations throughout the State and provides advocacy on their behalf. www.chomhousing.org
Gatia Waite
Joshua Weidemann – Androscoggin County
Josh is a lifelong Mainer who was born in Portland and lives in Lewiston. He is a member of the Maine Rehabilitation Council. He is a member of the YMCA and twice a member of the MDSOAB. He recently advocated for legislative changes in the Maine Probate Code as it relates to Supported Decision-Making and Guardianship. He also testified on LD 694 which eliminated planned restraints for adults in Maine with IDD/ASD. He has extensive Self-Advocacy experience and is particularly passionate about advocating for people who have Intellectual Disabilities and Autism. He has advocated for eliminate of Restraints, Shared Living Reform, Self-Direction services, and Informed Consent.