Board Of Directors

Maura lives in Dublin with her husband, Kurt, and 3 year old son, Riley. She is an Insurance Broker in Walnut Creek for Personal and Commercial Insurance. She learned about DSCBA in January 2009 and joined the Board shortly thereafter. Her hopes are to contribute to our awareness campaign and to grow the organization through fundraising efforts.

Four year veteran of the Air Force. Earned a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration with a major in Accounting from Babson College in Wellesley Massachusetts. Spent six years in Public Accounting before moving to the private sector. He has spent most of his professional business life with Macy's West in San Francisco, California holding various financial positions. Retired as Vice President Controller in 2007. He spends his retired life trying to give back for the life he has been blessed with while attempting to write the great American novel. That is of course when he is not chasing those ever elusive birdies around the links.

I found the Down Syndrome Connection in 2005. My husband and I live in Pleasanton with our two boys John and Brandon. Our youngest son, Brandon was born with Down syndrome. Prior to his birth we did not know the road we were traveling was going to veer us off into another direction. We are very lucky and blessed Brandon has no heart or major medical issues. He has taught us a lot about our selves and brought a very tight family even closer together. I am very grateful for him every day and for bringing the DSC into our lives. I knew very shortly after becoming part of this organization, I would some day be a part of something to make a difference in the lives of those who are touched by a child with a disability. My goal is to keep the DSC alive and kicking for many more like us to come.

Chris started as a volunteer with the Down Syndrome Connection in September 2008 with the Tuesday evening "Express Yourself" class. Being able to see the resources and services provided by the DSC on a weekly basis inspired Chris to get more involved in growing this tremendous organization. Chris joined the Board of Directors in November 2008 and is passionate about helping the DSC in any way he can. In February 2009, Chris took a position as Marketing Manager for an Environmental Consulting Group in Sacramento, CA, however he has remained committed to participating in and aiding the overall growth of the DSC.

John Chatowski is a commercial litigation attorney with the San Francisco law firm of Nixon Peabody LLP. John and his wife Shannon are the proud parents of daughters Caitlin and Megan. John and Shannon were introduced to the Connection shortly before the birth of their youngest daughter Megan in 2002, and have been proud supporters ever since.

Karen has lived in the Danville community for over 14 years. She became involved with the Connection through the current Executive Director and volunteered her time to the Small Step program. While volunteering, Karen realized this was an organization she wanted to be a part of. As a board member Karen will utilize her many years of project management experience to assist with fundraising events and technology implementation.

Luz is inspired by the work the Down Syndrome Connection does and how it helps many families throughout the Bay Area. She has always enjoyed working with children and the community and being on the board provides her with a wonderful opportunity to give back.

Heather Peterson is an ASHA (American Speech-Language and Hearing Association) and California certified Speech Language Pathologist. Originally a native of Danville, California, Heather worked in Washington DC for 5 years in early intervention and school-based services. Heather received her Master's degree from Gallaudet University (Liberal Arts College for the Deaf in DC) and her Bachelor of Science degree from University of Arizona. Heather's passion has always been working with children with Down syndrome and is a long-time friend of the Down Syndrome Connection, as she grew up volunteering with the Challenger Baseball program. Heather currently has a private practice located at the Down Syndrome Connection (Danville) Mondays and Tuesdays. She also practices in San Francisco treating children of all ages with Down syndrome (Birth-young adult).

Angie Rettig lives in San Ramon with her husband and 4 children. She became affiliated with the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area shortly after the birth of her third child Gabriel in 2003. The Connection has been a great inspiration and help to her and her family. she has been an active Board member since 2007.