Annette Downey is based in southeast Michigan but has worked on national projects as far away as Israel and Ontario to Wisconsin, Delaware, and several states in between. Most of her projects focus on Person-Centered Planning, Self-Determination, Real Life Quality Outcomes, and Community Focused Planning for people with developmental disabilities. Annette also provides training nationally through the Association of People Supporting EmploymentFirst or APSE. She also participates on the faculty of the University of Delaware’s National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities as well as provides training to four large New York State Provider Alliances. Downey is a Licensed Social Worker through the State of Michigan since 1995 and a graduate of Central Michigan University.

Lisa Ballien is a graduate of the University of Michigan. She is a licensed social worker and currently is the Director of Community Supports at Community Living Services of Oakland County, MI. Lisa has worked with people with developmental disabilities for nearly 25 years. She believes passionately that all people should have the same opportunities in the world, and works to promote that philosophy and to create action steps to make it happen.