Our Leadership
Roy Courtney
Executive DirectorRoy is originally from the United Kingdom and has lived in the USA for the last 9 years spending 2 years in Orlando, Florida moving to Charlotte in 2017. Roy is passionate and enthusiastic about empowering others and has spent 10 years working in the non-profit sector, using his experience to provide services to the people in the community, fulfilling his passion to create social engagement for all. Roy is honored to be the Executive Director at the Down Syndrome Association of Charlotte and play a role in supporting our families.
In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his rescue dog Jumbo, hiking, kayaking, and venturing out and around Charlotte with friends.
Victoria Coles
Program and Community Outreach DirectorVicki graduated from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education, and earned her Master’s Degree in Special Education from George Mason University. She taught Special Education in Northern Virginia for eight years before moving to Charlotte, NC in 2018. Prior to joining the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte, Vicki spent four years working in care management with Medicaid and the NC Innovations Waiver.
Vicki loves to spend her free time with husband (Danny), two little boys, (Charlie and Elliott), and dog (Lincoln), exploring Charlotte, swimming and boating on the lake, at the beach, and playing in the front yard.
Vicki serves on the advisory council for the caregiver respite organization, A Mother’s Respite.
Maia Edwards
Communications & Outreach CoordinatorCasey Hammeke
AmbassadorCasey Hammeke is an ambassador for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte. In this role, she engages with various community organizations to share experiences about living independently with Down syndrome. Casey speaks about the importance of supportive counselors and discusses personal feelings and perspectives on having Down syndrome, aiming to inspire and educate others.
Board of Directors - Officers
Andrew Spafford
PresidentAndrew T. Spafford ChFC, ChSNC
Andrew has a passion for serving the special needs community and has been involved with the DSAGC since 2010. He has been on the board since 2016 and currently serves as President. He is well-routed in the community and also serves on the board of directors for the Next Step Clubhouse. Andrew and his wife Melissa live in Plaza Midwood with their two boys, Hudson and Jennings.
Melina DeLeon
Vice PresidentMelina’s passion comes from being part of a group of people with the same purpose. It brings fulfillment to the soul and makes a positive and lasting impact on our community and the world.
Anna Emmerich
SecretaryAnna Mueller (Emmerich) joined the Board of Directors in 2019 after moving from Chicago. After learning more about the community, she decided to join the DSAIA Board of Directors to continue to grow support nationally. Anna is a University of Wisconsin – Madison alumni, with a background in nonprofits. She current resides in south Charlotte with her husband, daughter, and Great Pyrenees. You can often find them roaming the greenway. Anna previously served as Vice President and is currently Secretary for the DSAGC.
Nicholas Coulsen
TreasurerOrganizes the Adult weekend retreats and supports the Buddy Walk.
Board of Directors - At Large
Brendan Hammeke
Chris Coggins
(Daughter, Avery)Chris has been involved with the organization since the birth of his daughter, Avery, in 2006. He has served as a board member and as president of the organization. Chris is currently employed by Wells Fargo, where he has been in technology for the past 30 years.
Dr. Joseph D. Mulla
Dr. Joe is a Senior Vice President at Truist Bank. He is the Sales Leader for the bank’s workplace financial wellness program, Truist Momentum, where he works with companies to provide their employees with financial literacy education. After nine honorable years in the Marine Corps, Joe has over 14 years of experience in personal finance and has completed several degrees along the way, including his Doctor of Business Administration degree from UNC Charlotte. Joe’s worked with the community for many years now in areas such as wildlife rehabilitation, Special Olympics, and Veteran welfare. Outside of work, Joe is a fitness enthusiast, movie buff, and car fanatic, and his two passions in life are personal finance and helping people.
Jocelyn Weber
Jocelyn Weber, OTD, OTR/L, has a passion for helping others as she grew up immersed in the disability community with her sister having an intellectual disability. She works as an instructor in the Master of Occupational Therapy Program at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences. In her free time, Jocelyn enjoys spending time with her husband and son.
Neil Middlemiss
Neil, born and raised in England, has lived in the USA for nearly 30 years and moved to Charlotte in 2020 with his wife and son (who has Down syndrome). A Corporate Communications Senior Manager with Truist, Neil has also been actively and passionately involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout his life serving on diversity groups for more nearly 20 years. He currently serves as Co-lead for the Disability@Truist business resource group. In his free time, he enjoys family time, watching movies, writing film reviews, talking Star Trek, and listening to his extensive collection of film scores.
Omar Ritter
Omar attended West Point for his undergraduate degree and earned a Bronze Star Medal from combat action in the Middle East. After medically retiring from the Army, Omar attended Columbia Business School in New York City, where he earned an MBA. Omar is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). He currently works in the office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Wells Fargo. Omar joined the team at DSAGC in order to give back to the community and to help enhance the lives of families impacted by Down syndrome.
Stacy Dunleavy
Stacy became involved with the DSAGC as a volunteer for Camp Horizon from 2004-2014. She has been privileged to work with children with Ds as a medical social worker and special education teacher.
Camp Horizon - Board of Directors
Melissa Sutton
DirectorKate Walters
DirectorKate Walters has been involved with Camp Horizon since 2009, when she signed up on a whim after learning about the program from the folks at Camp Holiday – where she was Music Specialist, Counselor, and Director until 2012. After that first summer, she was hooked and has served on the committee as Arts and Crafts Lead, Counselor Lead, and Co-Director. In her other life, she serves as a professional counselor to adults but thinks this role is way more fun!