People

Kayla Bertrand, Executive Director

Kayla served as the Director of Finance for MNDSA for three years prior to becoming Executive Director. She has been active in the special needs community for nine years. She has been working with families who are starting their special needs journey for seven years. She is also a volunteer for an organization that connects families of children with special needs and who need help navigating the system. Kayla has been a Certified Support Planner for six years. She has a daughter who has been on the Consumer Directed Community Supports Program for eight years. Her daughter has complex medical and behavioral needs.  

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Sarah Biddlecome, Project Manager

Sarah has professional experience in human services, working directly in client services and administration. She also has held business and finance positions in major corporations. Sarah has been a Certified Support Planner for ten years and was a cofounder of MNDSA. She is currently a project manager for MNDSA, assisting with special projects as needed. She received her Bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Minnesota. She has also completed graduate coursework in Instructional Design and Technology at the University of North Dakota. Sarah has a disability and previously was on the Consumer Support Grant. She has two daughters and a sister that are disabled. Both of her daughters and her sister are on the Consumer Directed Community Supports Program. Sarah currently homeschools her daughters and co-administers a Facebook group, Minnesota Accessible Home Education.

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Misha Liang, Compliance Consultant

Misha has professional experience in education, ensuring adherence to school policies and procedures. She has training in state and federal privacy laws and standards.  Misha was a Certified Support Planner and received her Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Minnesota. She has also completed graduate coursework in Educational Policy and Administration at the University of Minnesota. Misha is the agency HIPAA Compliance Officer and was a cofounder of MNDSA. She has three children and a spouse with disabilities. She homeschooled her children and was previously a co-administrator of the Minnesota Accessible Home Education Facebook group.

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BOARD MEMBERS

Jules Edwards, Chair and Treasurer

Sharnyetta Phipps, Vice-Chair

Milena Bates, Secretary

Jess Wilson, Member at Large

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