Staff
Amie Richards (She/Her)
Community Outreach Manager
Amie is an adult living with Spina Bifida, a former educator, and a new mother. She received undergraduate degrees in Elementary Special Education and Psychology from Keene State College, and a Master’s degree in Reading Specialty from Gordon College. During her nearly decade-long teaching career, Amie taught in several different settings across multiple grade levels within the public school system. Amie is also the Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the Spina Bifida Association of Greater New England for which she has participated in local and federal advocacy efforts.
Anitra Rowe Schulte (She/Her)
Director of Marketing & Communications
Anitra is a marketing and communications professional with more than 20 years of experience creating strategies and telling brand stories. A graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia's School of Journalism, Anitra started her career as a reporter for The Kansas City Star and the Sun-Times News Group. In the press office of Chicago Public Schools, she served as a media event coordinator and speech writer, and developed announcements and responded to press inquiries. As an account director for a PR and marketing boutique and as a private consultant, Anitra led corporate and nonprofit accounts. Anitra, who also is a children’s book author, believes in the power of words and stories to connect people to each other.For more information, visit www.anitraroweschulte.com.
Courtney Adams (She/Her)
Head of Program Implementation
Courtney was an elementary educator and high school coach in Wisconsin for six years prior to joining The Nora Project. She is also an alumni of Teach For America. Courtney is a graduate of Tufts University, and also holds a Masters in Educational Leadership and Policy from Marquette University.
Emily Pappa (She/Her)
Program Strategy Manager - Curriculum
Before joining The Nora Project, Emily was an elementary school teacher for 11 years in Skokie, Illinois, where she taught predominantly English Language Learners. Emily taught The Nora Project at her school in 2018, and knew she wanted to help the organization grow. Emily received her undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University and received a masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an ESL Endorsement from Concordia University. She is currently working on her endorsement in Early Childhood Education and expects to be finished in June of 2024.
Dr. Janie Avant (She/Her)
Program Advisor
Dr. Avant is a former special education teacher, retired in June 2019 with 40 years of experience in the classroom. She has been recognized by a variety of organizations for her outstanding work with children with disabilities in the classroom and in the community. Among many other honors, she is a three-time teacher of the year and a recipient of the Special U.S. Congressional Recognition for Outstanding and Invaluable Service to the Community. Dr. Avant received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Loyola University Maryland, and she received a Masters in Education with a concentration in Multiple Disabilities, as well as a Ph.D. in Special Education with a concentration in Physical and Health Disabilities, from Georgia State University.
Jessica Karoutsos (She/Her)
Marketing Consultant
Jessica is a purpose-driven marketer with more than 15 years of marketing and corporate communications experience. She has built high-profile brands for Fortune 500 and emerging growth companies, aided in the life-saving missions of nonprofit organizations, and is currently a Marketing Consultant at The Nora Project. Jessica earned her B.A. in Radio and Television Broadcasting with an emphasis in Media Marketing Management and a minor in Marketing from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. She is originally from St. Louis, MO, and currently resides in a suburb of Chicago, IL.
Jo Tolley (She/Her)
Program Advisor
Jo is an animal-loving, tea-drinking disability activist with lived experience of ‘how to wing it on wheels.' She was hired by The Nora Project to collaborate on their Disability 101 Unit, but once the unit (which is now TNP’s most popular) was finished, the organization couldn’t let her go. She’s now growing TNP’s presence across the pond. Jo’s TedX talk, I Want Equity Not Equality, is available on YouTube.
Jordyn Zimmerman (She/Her)
Head of Product Strategy
Jordyn is a nonspeaking autistic educator and advocate. As someone who was denied access to effective communication until age 18, Jordyn is passionate about leveraging supports and tools to drive change. She thrives on boldly showing up and challenging what is possible in learning spaces and throughout the broader community — and has personal experience challenging the status quo as featured in the documentary, This Is Not About Me. Jordyn earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education Policy from Ohio University and her Master’s of Education at Boston College. More at www.JordynZimmerman.com
Katie Carr (She/Her)
Brand & Communications Manager
Katie Carr is an autistic woman with a passion for utilizing online spaces for advocacy. She joined the team after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Public and Professional Writing and a minor in Studio Arts. She attended Pitt as a Stamps Scholar which allowed her to cultivate her passion for service and hone her leadership skills.
Mary Wilson (She/Her) Senior Manager of Development
Mary Wilson brings extensive experience in program development, grant writing, and fundraising. Her background is rooted in working with diverse populations impacted by gender inequality, socioeconomic status, mental health, physical health, and racial disparities. Mary graduated from Norfolk State University with Bachelor's Degree in Sociology in 2015. She currently reside in Atlanta, GA after moving from her hometown Virginia Beach. In her spare time Mary enjoy writing, arts, film, and traveling.
Nidhi Soni (She/Her)
Team Coordinator
Nidhi graduated from Oakton Community College with an Associate in Arts degree in 2022. She is also working toward becoming a public speaker, sharing her personal story and perspective on life as an adult with cerebral palsy. Nidhi shares her story through her website: Unbreakablens.net. She loves being on The Nora Project team and contributing to making schools better for generations than it was for her when she was growing up.
Rachel Keys (She/Her)
Business Manager
Rachel is an accountant with over 30 years of experience in both public and private accounting. She has an extensive background in auditing, corporate and individual taxes, and small business accounting. Her passion is working with nonprofit organizations, helping them to succeed in their goals and mission. She has a BA in Accounting from Illinois Wesleyan University. In her spare time, Rachel loves to volunteer, including previously serving as PTA Treasurer and Vice President, assisting teachers in the classroom, working at various school and church events, and serving the community. She also enjoys playing in her church’s praise band and spending time with her family.
Rebecca Kuntz (She/Her)
Lead Coordinator
Rebecca is mom to her daughter Ellie who is medically complex. She spent six years living in Ghana, West Africa running a nonprofit that aides children with disabilities. Rebecca received her BA from DePaul University in Peace, Justice and Conflict Studies.
Ricardo Gonzalez (He/Him)
Head of Platforms & Technology
Ricardo is dedicated to helping individuals and teams illuminate the possibilities in their work, their careers, and their lives. With over 25 years of corporate experience, Ricardo brings IT, HR, Project Management, and Client Services experience to The Nora Project. He has worked and lived in the US and abroad, giving him a multi-cultural, multidisciplinary perspective to building out back office operations and strategies. Ricardo received his BA in Anthropology from the University of Illinois and his MBA from the University of Dallas.