Shellan Saling is a fifth-generation San Franciscan who’s journey with ADHD began on Christmas Eve when she was 8 years old. She received her undergraduate degree in International Relations from University of California, Davis (UC Davis) and her master’s in international development from Erasmus University of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. While at UC Davis she became a stakeholder in establishing the disability community and co-founding the UC Davis Eye to Eye chapter.

Since UC Davis she has worked on gender and educational rights in India and lived in the Netherlands. She has since combined her passions of gender, mental health, disability rights, and nature, to pursue a career in sustainability. She is currently a climate change and sustainability consultant involved in topics ranging from ESG, net zero, plastics, and climate adaptation in the public and private sector. One of her current projects is working on the biggest climate deal since the Paris Climate Agreement, the negotiations of the United Nations Plastic Treaty. She participates in the negotiations as an observer representing non-governmental interests as well as working with other youth to mobilize a strong youth voice. In her free time, you can find her outside either running, hiking, chasing sunsets with a camera, rock climbing, visiting museums, exchanging funny memes with her friends and family, or exploring the world.

A nationally recognized educator and changemaker, Founder and Executive Director Sam Drazin applies his personal and professional background to lead Changing Perspectives’s mission to strengthen school communities through social-emotional learning, disability awareness, empathy development, and inclusion. Sam was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, a rare congenital disorder resulting in both facial anomaly and hearing loss. His experiences, both as a student with a disability and as a teacher working in an inclusive classroom, helped him recognize the importance of supporting students in developing the essential life and relationship skills that underpin equity, inclusion, and social change. The students and educators we work with around the nation are a constant inspiration for Sam.

Ben is currently a Public Policy Advocate at Disability Rights Oregon. Previously, he worked in policy and politics in California where he served as a legislative aide at the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, and on a number of campaigns for local elected office and ballot measures. Ben has also advocated for significant increases in disability funding from the California Legislature. Ben has been a lifelong advocate for people with learning disabilities to gain access to the opportunities to reach their fullest potential. Ben was a Coro Fellow in Public Affairs, and earned a Bachelors in Political Science at the University of California at Davis. When he is not nerding out on politics, Ben is trying to improve his golf swing.

Charlene Margot is a Palo Alto native and lifelong advocate of children, schools, and families. She is the co-founder and CEO of nonprofit The Parent Venture, a leading provider of inclusive, high-quality parent and community education, and founder of The Parent Education Series. Charlene began her career in education at the Laboratory School for the Department of Psychology, Stanford University, and as a consultant to IBM in educational software development.

She currently serves on the Advisory Board of The RILEY Project and the Executive Board of the Wellness Advisory Council in the Sequoia Union High School District. Charlene holds a B.A. in Psychology from Stanford University and a Master’s in Education from SJSU with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Development. She lives in Menlo Park with her partner, and is the proud mom of two young adults and one new grandchild.

Charlene connected with Riley Mulcahy through The Parent Venture, where he is currently a member of the Advisory Council. She continues to be impressed with Riley’s networking, communication, and fundraising skills – his superpowers!

Dr. Jila Malek-Salehi joins Hanna Institute with over 17 years of teaching and curriculum design experience.  Her career in education began teaching K-8 and coaching volleyball at middle, high school and college levels. She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Management and has been working with adult learners teaching Child and Adolescent Development at De Anza College and San Jose State University (SJSU). Jila’s work at SJSU involves teaching in their 100% online bachelor degree completion program in Interdisciplinary Studies. She also teaches in the Single Subject Teacher Credential Program, as well as the Master of Arts in Teaching. 

Jila brings administrative experiences from working at Notre Dame de Namur University, where she helped place student-teachers in different schools in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has recruited and maintained faculty and school partnerships. Outside of the classroom, Jila also mentors new teachers and provides them with support while demonstrating how to create inclusive spaces for learning. 

Jila specializes in the art of teaching. She believes in preparing teachers for the field of education through evidence-based approaches to learning. She utilizes Universal Design for Learning and active learning strategies to enhance anything she has the opportunity to teach and share with others. Beyond the classroom, Jila also has a strong passion and focus on equity, diversity, and social justice.

Callie Turk is co-founder of REEL, a Silicon Valley nonprofit working to build bridges between parents and educators of twice-exceptional learners. In her work with REEL, Callie draws on her 15-plus year career working with ed tech companies and school districts at the cutting edge of educator professional learning. Callie received her MBA from Stanford University with a concentration in public and nonprofit management as well as a BS from Miami University (Ohio) in marketing. She is pursuing her doctorate degree at the Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education. She writes for 2eNews and has presented at many national venues including the 2e @ W&M Conference, CUNY’s Neurodiversity Conference, NAGC (National Association for Gifted Children), SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted), and CEC (Council for Exceptional Children).

Barbara Pape, senior director for the Learner Variability Project at Digital Promise, led a three-year national survey on learner variability and teacher practice; wrote the paper defining learner variability; hosts a monthly webinar series; and co-developed The IEP Project. Previously, she worked in policy analysis and communications for nonprofits and in the U.S. Senate. Barbara has written for numerous publications, including The 74, Getting Smart, Parents Magazine, and was editor of the first electronically delivered education newsletter, the Daily Report Card. She also produced the Teaching & Learning conference for the National Board; worked in the communications office for the AFT during President Al Shankar's tenure; and headed up government relations for the City Colleges of Chicago. As a first-generation college student, she earned an EdM at Harvard in reading and literacy and and is working on a PhD at the University College London. She launched her career as a middle school language arts teacher.