Our Board Members
The behind-the-scenes team who helps The RILEY Project succeed
Board of Directors
The primary objective of the Advisory Board is to provide valuable insights and oversight on the strategic vision of The RILEY Project while working in close collaboration with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors.
I am so thrilled to be a part of the RILEY Project. Riley and I first met at Compass High School when Riley was a student. Over the past (several!) years, I have had the opportunity to work with Riley in various capacities. When he asked me to join the Board of the TRP as Board Chair, I couldn’t have been more excited.
Currently, I serve as the Head of School at Hanger Hall in Asheville, NC. HH serves girls in grades 6-8. Previous to working at Hanger Hall, I primarily worked at schools serving students diagnosed with learning differences. I served as the Assistant Head of School at Compass High School in San Mateo, CA and as Dean of Students/College Counselor at Sterne School in San Francisco, CA. In addition to my work in schools, I have a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco and have enjoyed working with students (and their parents!) on post-secondary pursuits in a small private practice. My undergraduate years were spent at UNC-Chapel Hill and this is where my love for NC began. GO HEELS!
While I miss working with Riley in person, I enjoy connecting with him and my fellow board members regularly. Plus, I get to keep my California ties live and growing! I can’t wait to see where Riley and his dedication take the RILEY Project!
I am honored to serve on the board of the RILEY Project. I loved my time as a Communication professor and department chair at Notre Dame de Namur University for 18 years until it closed to undergrads a few years ago. Riley was my student there, and I have been impressed and delighted by his intelligence, ambition, and passion ever since.
I worked in the news business then I went off to graduate school to study it with a master’s in communication at the University of South Florida (which is connected with the Poynter Institute) followed by a Ph.D. in Journalism at the University of Texas in Austin.
Anna Refuerzo is an Early Intervention Therapist who works with infants and toddlers to help reach their developmental milestones for the past 12 years. This career path was inspired by her son who is a graduate from Compass High School and has learning differences. Her dedication to volunteering at her children’s places of education led her to co-chairing Parent Partners, a community-building organization at the school. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Compass as Secretary and co-chair of Development. She has also taught English and Journalism at her alma mater, Moreau Catholic in Hayward. Prior to her career in Education, Anna worked in the Tourism industry in the field of Marketing and Public Relations for PIER 39 and Blue and Gold Fleet. She graduated from California State University, East Bay with a BA in Broadcast Journalism.
She is honored to be part of The RILEY Project and working with kind, talented and dedicated professionals whose mission is to bring more awareness, inclusivity and advocacy for those with learning disabilities. She believes this is one way “to make the world a better place.”
Anna enjoys spending time with her husband and two young adult children by traveling, watching movies and going on dessert-runs to their favorite ice cream place, Mitchell’s. :)
Dr. Peggy Koshland Crane holds a doctorate in Learning and Instruction with an emphasis in Special Education. She is also a Reading Specialist and is trained in Executive Function, Autism, and Learning Differences. Dr. Koshland Crane is a consultant and provides support services for both children and adults. Her work also focuses on teacher training and she is a part-time faculty member at a local University. Dr. Crane believes that given the appropriate support and interventions, a person can achieve their goals in school, social, and work environments.
I am passionate about The RILEY Project. I have known Riley for several years and he exemplifies a student and adult who has overcome challenges and is going on to be a strong support for many communities. I am thrilled to be working with him and look forward to continuing my relationship with The RILEY Project.
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board of The RILEY Project consists of educational professionals who specialize in learning differences, parent education, community engagement, and the creation of inclusive environments for students and young adults using the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework.
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.