[NFBMDTLC-Chapter] NFBMD 2026 Committee Appointments
Maryland President
president at nfbmd.org
Sun Jan 4 02:57:40 UTC 2026
Hello everyone,
Rather than sending out individual appointment emails, which is extremely
time consuming, the NFB of Maryland Board and I decided to experiment with
sending out a single NFB of Maryland Committee Appointment email. I'm
interested in your feedback about this process. Below you will find the
2026 NFBMD committee appointments in list format, and attached you will find
an excel spreadsheet that is searchable.
To: All Members of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
From: Ronza Othman, President, National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
January 3, 2026
I am hereby appointing those indicated to serve on the committees listed
below. Individuals who do not find their names listed below, those who do
not wish to serve on a committee to which they were appointed, or those who
wish to request additional committee appointments should email me directly
at President at nfbmd.org.
Based on our protocols, please take note of the following:
* Committee meetings are generally open to the membership including
those not appointed to that particular committee, but only committee members
are permitted to make motions and vote. To that end, meeting dates, times,
and access information should be posted on the NFB of Maryland listserve to
the maximum extent possible. Some committees, including Scholarship, those
involving grants, and those involving specific casework are not open.
* Each committee chair should designate a notetaker for the committee
and ensure that notes/minutes are taken at each committee meeting. Meeting
minutes should be stored, shared with the committee, and shared with the
NFBMD President.
* Pursuant to a policy set by the NFBMD Board of Directors in 2025,
every committee is required to prepare a written annual report to the Board
of Directors by the earlier of February 15 or within 30 days of completion
of the specific program/activity for which the committee operates. For
example, the Crab Feast Committee must submit its annual report within 30
days of the crab feast, the DEI Committee must submit its report by February
15 since its programs and activities are year-round, and the Scholarship and
Resolutions Committees must submit their reports within 30 days of the
closing of the state convention since their work ends at convention
adjournment. Committee chairs should also be prepared to give regular
updates on their committee's work at affiliate board meetings. To the
extent possible, committees will be asked to briefly summarize their
committee reports annually at a board meeting so that the membership can
hear about the work of each committee.
2026 National Federation of the Blind of Maryland Committee Appointments:
Advocacy Committee:
Advocates with employers, schools, Vocational Rehabilitation entities, and
other public or private agencies for blind residents of Maryland
* Co-chair: Sharon Maneki
* Co-Chair: Melissa Riccobono
* Karen Anderson
* Debbie Brown
* Aloma Bouma
* Catherine Cleg
* Ellana Crew
* Chris Danielsen
* Qualik Ford
* Teresa Graham
* Eileen Ley
* Garret Mooney
* Bonnie Mosen
* Jonathan Mosen
* Carley Mullin
* Chris Nusbaum
* Latonya Phipps
* Ellen Ringlein
* Melba Taylor
* Marguerite Woods
* Joel Zimba
Ambassadors Committee (different from National Ambassadors Committee a.k.a.
marshals)
responsible for orienting first-time attendees to state and national
Convention and mentoring first-timers at those events
* Co-Chair: Debbie Brown
* Co-Chair: Judy Rasmussen
* Aloma Bouma
* Joyce Brooks
* Sondra Burchette
* Kevin Cross
* Renee Donalvo-Carlson
* Qualik Ford
* Dezman Jackson
* Shuketha Johnson
* Erin Lawrenson
* Eileen Ley
* Sharon Maneki
* Marc Maurer
* Patricia Maurer
* Garret Mooney
* Liz Moyer
* Carley Mullin
* Terry Nettles
* Chris Nusbaum
* Millie Rivera
* Yasmin Reyazuddin
* Sherry Shirek
* David Waybright
* Faith Waybright
* Marguerite Woods
* Joel Zimba
Audit Committee:
responsible for auditing financial accounts and spending for the affiliate,
local chapters, and divisions
* Chair: Justin Young
* Virginia Bender
* Aloma Bouma
* Stephanie Cascone
* Tony Cobb
* Kevin Cross
* Ben Danforth
* Barry Hond
* Mary Ellen Jernigan
* Shawn Jacobson
* Leah Mattern
* Latonya Phipps
* David Waybright
* Jen White
BELL Committee:
plans and administers the Maryland NFB Bell program and incorporating Bell
into NFBMD conventions and seminars
* Chair: Erin Zobell
* Sadiqa Al-Salam
* Brittany Bomboy
* Debbie Brown
* Renee Donalvo-Carlson
* Heather Davis
* Danielle Earl
* William Klotz
* Garret Mooney
* Carley Mullin
* Judy Rasmussen
* Melissa Riccobono
* Matt Yannuzzi
Braille Spectator Committee:
Responsible for sourcing and creating content, assembling, editing,
formatting, and disseminating the semi-annual magazine of the NFB of
Maryland
* Editor: Ronza Othman
* Cricket Bidleman
* Chris Danielsen
* Sharon Maneki
* Jonathan Mosen
* Judy Rasmussen
* Melissa Riccobono
Crab Feast Committee:
Plans and implements the Crab Feast and associated auction.
* Chair: Millie Rivera
* Cricket Bidleman
* Bre Brown
* Kevin Cross
* Chris Danielsen
* Qualik Ford
* Tracey Hall-Hennigan
* Ellen Hayden
* Lina Howard
* Shuketha Johnson
* Marie Marucci
* Leah Mattern
* Carley Mullin
* Latonya Phipps
* Ellen Ringlein
* Jesse Shirek
* Derique Simon
* Scott Soldin
* Sabrina Washington
* Jen White
* Hindley Williams
* Sherria Young-Smith
Deaf-Blind and Hearing Loss Issues Committee:
works on issues of concern and interest to the deaf-blind of Maryland
* Co-Chair: Heather Davis
* Co-Chair: Janice Toothman
* Ellana Crew
* Qualik Ford
* Dylan Hedler-Gaudette
* Michelle Lindsey
* Jonathan Mosen
* Terry Powers
* Scott White
Development and Fundraising Committee:
coordinates long-term and short-term fundraising initiatives including:
preparing and submitting grant proposals; sending out annual appeal letters;
working with estate attorneys; administering Spring and Fall drawings.
* Co-Chair: Qualik Ford
* Co-Chair: Leah Mattern
* Karen Anderson
* Debbie Brown
* Tajuan Farmer
* Teresa Graham
* Barry Hond
* Lina Howard
* Alexis Johnson
* Danielle McCann
* Oso Ozo-Onyali
* Latonya Phipps
* Judy Rasmussen
* Melissa Riccobono
* Derique Simon
* Melba Taylor
* Jennifer Yannuzzi
* Matt Yannuzzi
* Jen White
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee:
Provides leadership and guidance to the affiliate and chapters and divisions
on matters related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
* Co-Chair: Qualik Ford
* Co-Chair: Juhi Narula
* Abdulahi Abbas
* Karen Anderson
* Melika Azaminia
* Tyron Bratcher
* Patty Ann Behr
* Virginia Bender
* Debbie Carrol
* Stephanie Cascone
* Vanessa Coles
* Ellana Crew
* Morgan Estes
* Tajuan Farmer
* Naudia Graham
* Harvey Guary
* Tracey Hall Hennigan
* Ed Jackson
* Meleah Jensen
* Alexis Johnson
* Michelle Lindsey
* Guy Kelly
* Oscar Mejia-Garcia
* Tim Meagher
* Oso Ozo-Onyali
* Isaiah Rao
* Jonah Rao
* Yasmin Reyazuddin
* Sabrina Washington
Employment Committee:
Provides guidance and support related to strategies for increasing the
employment of Maryland's blind.
* Co-Chair: Pam Goodman
* Co-Chair: Judy Rasmussen
* Ellana Crew
* Janice Forbes
* Gina Fugate
* Cindy Holden
* Dezman Jackson
* Ed Jackson
* Nikki Jackson
* Graham Mehl
* Bonnie Mosen
* Jonathan Mosen
* Emma Meyer
* Juhi Narula
* Yasmin Reyazuddin
* Millie Rivera
Financial Assistance Committee:
Reviews financial assistance applications for state and national convention,
seminars, and other affiliate events.
**This committee's membership is confidential.
Food Insecurity Grant Committee:
Reviews food insecurity grant applications.
**This committee's membership is confidential.
Guide Dog Issues Committee:
works on issues of concern and interest to guide dog users in Maryland
* Chair: Sherry Shirek
* Ashley Alvey
* Catherine Cleg
* Morgan Estes
* Danielle McCann
* Leah Mattern
* Bonnie Mosen
* Terry Nettles
* Janice Toothman
Legislation Committee - Federal
responsible for Federal legislative action and educating Congressional
representatives on issues of importance to the blind of Maryland
* Co-chair: Sharon Maneki
* Co-chair: Debbie Brown
* Aloma Bouma
* Chris Danielsen
* Heather Davis
* Derrick Day
* Naudia Graham
* Dylan Hedler-Gaudette
* Cindy Holden
* Brian Kesseling
* Bernice Lowder
* Marc Maurer
* Garret Mooney
* Latonya Phipps
* Millie Rivera
* Wendy Ruth
* Janice Samuel
* Jesse Shirek
* Justin Young
* Joel Zimba
Legislation Committee - State
responsible for state legislative action and educating elected officials on
issues of importance to the blind of Maryland
* Chair: Ronza Othman
* Aloma Bouma
* Cricket Bidleman
* Debbie Brown
* Chris Danielsen
* Naudia Graham
* Teresa Graham
* Shuketha Johnson
* Bernice Lowder
* Sharon Maneki
* Garret Mooney
* Latonya Phipps
* Melissa Riccobono
* Ellen Ringlein
* Janice Samuel
* Jesse Shirek
* Justin Young
Makers Market Committee
responsible for organizing the spring and winter makers markets.
* Chair: Danielle McCann
* Karen Anderson
* Bre Brown
* Lina Howard
* Nikki Jackson
* Bonnie Mosen
Membership Committee:
responsible for helping chapters and divisions with recruitment, retention,
and development of members.
* Co-Chair: Dezman Jackson
* Co-Chair: Ellen Ringlein
* Karen Anderson
* Jeff Baer
* Kevin Cross
* Heather Davis
* Chrissy Day
* Qualik Ford
* Cindy Holden
* Gary Legates
* Sharon Maneki
* Garret Mooney
* Latonya Phipps
* Millie Rivera
* Wendy Ruth
* Chris Settle
* Melba Taylor
* Marguerite Woods
* Matt Yannuzzi
PAC Plan Committee:
Coordinate the Maryland Pre-Authorized Contribution (PAC) efforts.
* Co-chair: John Pare
* Co-chair: Ann-Marie Laney
* Jesse Shirek
Public Relations Committee:
responsible for marketing NFBMD programs and initiatives.
* Chair: Chris Danielsen
* Cricket Bidleman
* Stephanie Cascone
* John Pare
* Katelyn Siple
* Joel Zimba
Resolutions Committee 2026 Convention):
responsible for recommending (or not) that resolutions submitted by members
be brought to the NFBMD Convention floor.
* Chair: Chris Danielsen
* Virginia Bender
* Tyron Bratcher
* Kevin Cross
* Graham Mehl
* Yasmine Reyazuddin
* Wendy Ruth
* Janice Samuel
* Joel Zimba
Scholarship Committee (2026-2027):
responsible for administering the John T. McCraw Scholarship Program,
including mentoring candidates at national and state conventions and beyond.
* Chair: Juhi Narula
* Debbie Brown
* Chris Danielsen
* Heather Davis
* Latonya Phipps
* Justin Young
* Erin Zobell
Sharon Maneki Youth Empowerment Committee:
responsible for reviewing and approving (or not) grant applications for
youth to attend blindness programs and training or to receive technology.
* Chair: Sharon Maneki
* Ellana Crew
* Juhi Narula
* Latonya Phipps
* Melissa Riccobono
* Erin Zobell
Social Media Committee:
responsible for NFBMD's social media presence, communication, and outreach
using forums like mastodon and Facebook.
* Co-chair: Karen Anderson
* Co-chair: Stephanie Cascone
* Melika Azaminia
* Ellana Crew
* Qualik Ford
* Teresa Graham
* Lina Howard
* Danielle McCann
* Jonathan Mosen
* Oscar Mejia-Garcia
* Oso Ozo-Onyali
* Katelyn Siple
Spanish Services Committee:
responsible for coordinating programming, outreach, and language
interpretation for Spanish speakers.
* Chair: Teresa Graham
* Patty Eitington
* William Klotz
* Eileen Ley
* Danielle McCann
* Millie Rivera
Sports and Recreation Committee:
responsible for coordinating sports and rec activities for the affiliate.
* Co-chair: Derique Simon
* Co-chair: Qualik Ford
* Harvey Guary
Transportation Committee:
responsible for coordinating transportation-related advocacy and working to
improve the state of public transportation in Maryland.
* Co-chair: Cheryl Fogle-Hatch
* Co-chair: Aloma Bouma
* Debbie Brown
* Vanessa Coles
* Ellana Crew
* Tajuan Farmer
* Janice Forbes
* Dezman Jackson
* Carley Mullin
* Janice Samuels
* Terry Powers
* Carolyn Scales
* Sherry Shirek
Web and Technology Committee:
responsible for NFBMD.org content and formatting, NFBMD databases, AV/IT at
conventions, seminars, and other events, and other technology necessary for
the operations of the NFB of Maryland.
* Co-Chair: John Berggren
* Co-chair: Graham Mehl
* Karen Anderson
* Derrick Day
* Beth Fogle-Hatch
* Leah Mattern
* Jonathan Mosen
* Chris Nusbaum
* Melissa Riccobono
* Ellen Ringlein
* Will Schwatka
* David Waybright
* Scott White
* Joel Zimba
Youth Activity Committee:
responsible for engaging youth and planning youth-focused programs.
* Chair: Erin Zobell
* Brittany Bomboy
* Qualik Ford
* Naudia Graham
* Juhi Narula
* Melissa Riccobono
* Oriana Riccobono
Convention-Related Committees:
Anna Freysz Cable Award Committee:
administers award program for an adult who has demonstrated exceptional
effort in learning blindness skills, which is given at the NFBMD Convention
* Chair: Debbie Brown
* Heather Davis
* Danielle Earl
* Sharon Maneki
* Melissa Riccobono
* Marguerite Woods
Convention Childcare Committee:
coordinates childcare at the NFBMD Convention.
* Chair: Brittany Bomboy
* Garret Mooney
* Melissa Sheeter
Convention Organization and Activities:
coordinates the NFBMD Convention, including planning and logistics.
* Chair: Justin Young
* John Berggren
* Bre Brown
* Cricket Bidleman
* Ellana Crew
* Qualik Ford
* Naudia Graham
* Ann-Marie Laney
* Erin Lawrenson
* Marie Marucci
* Danielle McCann
* Garret Mooney
* Will Schwatka
* David Waybright
* Jen White
* Scott White
* Hindley Williams
* Matt Yannuzzi
* Joel Zimba
* Erin Zobell
Convention Registration Committee:
Coordinates and oversees convention registration.
* Co-Chair: Marie Marucci
* Co-chair: Bre Brown
* Karen Anderson
* Jennifer Bopp
* Debbie Brown
* Ellana Crew
* Bob Watson
* Jen White
* Matt Yannuzzi
Distinguished Educator of Blind Children:
administers award to an exceptional teacher of the blind in Maryland;
awarded at the NFBMD Convention.
* Chair: Teresa Graham
* Karen Anderson
* Sharon Maneki
* Melissa Riccobono
Door Prize Committee:
coordinates and runs NFBMD Convention door prize activities.
* Co-chair: Juhi Narula
* Co-chair: Qualik Ford
* Carley Mullin
Gold Cup Crab Race Committee:
Administers Gold Crab Race Fundraiser at state convention.
* Co-chair: Co-chair: Jen White
* Co-chair: Juhi Narula
* Leah Mattern
* Carley Mullin
* Scott White
Jennifer Baker Award Committee:
administers award program for a child who has overcome significant
challenges to learn blindness skills; administered at the NFBMD Convention.
* Chair: Melissa Riccobono
* Karen Anderson
* Heather Davis
* Sharon Maneki
* Garret Mooney
* Erin Zobell
Kenneth Jernigan Award Committee:
administers award program for a Federationist who has demonstrated
exceptional and sustained service and commitment to the NFB of Maryland;
awarded at the NFBMD Convention.
* Chair: Mary Ellen Jernigan
* Sharon Maneki
* Marc Maurer
* Mark Riccobono
National Funding Support (Bake & Experience Auction) Committee:
Administers the NFB of Maryland Bake and Experience Auction at the state
convention.
* Co-chair: Joel Zimba
* Co-chair: Erin Zobell
* Ellana Crew
* Erin Lawrenson
* Melissa Riccobono
* Justin Young
Nominating Committee (2026 convention):
responsible for recommending to the NFBMD Convention individuals for open
Board seats.
**To be announced
Rachel Olivero Accessibility Innovation Award Committee:
Responsible for determining award recipients of the Rachel Olivero
Accessibility Innovation Award.
* Chair: Ronza Othman
* Karen Anderson
* Mark Riccobono
Group Appointments:
**Individuals can join a group by contacting the Group Chair.
Blind Parents Group:
* Chair: Melissa Riccobono
Blind Crafters Group:
* Co-chair: Danielle McCann
* Co-chair: Karen Anderson
Diabetes Action Network Group:
* Chair: Eileen Ley
Performing Arts Group:
* Chair: Chris Danielsen
Significant Others and Loved Ones Group:
* Co-chair: Jen White
* Co-chair: David Waybright
Veterans Group:
* Chair: Ed Jackson
Young People's Group:
* Co-chair: Jeff Baer
* Co-chair: Juhi Narula
Ronza Othman, President
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
443-426-4110
Pronouns: she, her, hers
The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not
the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back
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