Cheryl Cisneros, Commission Chairperson
Cheryl Cisneros served as the Executive Director of FACTS – Families & Autistic Children Together Succeed, a non-profit organization founded in May of 1996. Under Cheryl’s leadership, FACTS developed and obtained essential educational and social services for hundreds of children with autism and their families.
Cheryl has also served on various committees and boards including California Council on Developmental Disabilities and California Department of Education Alternative Dispute Resolution Design. She has worked with the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities and Oregon Developmental Disabilities Coalition to organize legislative advocacy activities. Most recently, Ms. Cisneros established and is the Executive Director of Creating Opportunities, a non-profit organization and regional Family Network for Marion, Yamhill and Polk Counties.
Pat Sublette, Commission Vice Chairperson
Pat Sublette, Ph.D. is the Special Education Director at Douglas Education Service District. She has worked in evaluation and programing for children who experience Autism in various capacities since 1995.
Formerly a classroom teacher, special educator and university professor, Pat has focused her career on supporting children with a variety of challenges. Prior to returning to Douglas ESD Pat served as the Oregon Traumatic Brain Injury Coordinator for the State of Oregon.
Currently, Pat is the Assistant Special Education Director of Douglas County ESD and coordinates the Early Intervention / Early Childhood Special Education Program.
Bruce Baker
Bruce Baker has over 20 years developing supports for children and families across child-serving systems including: mental health, child welfare, juvenile justice and education. He currently serves as Manager of Children’s Services for the Oregon’s Office of Developmental Disability Services since 2009.
Lisa Darnold
Lisa Darnold has been an educator for over 30 years and serves as the Director at the Oregon Department of Education. Before her current role she was the principal at Reynolds and Knappa School Districts, Special Education Director at the Beaverton School District and a Special Education Teacher in the Sherwood and Hillsboro School Districts.
Senator Chris Edwards
Senator Chris Edwards was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives in 2006 and serves 128,000 people of Eugene and Junction City. As the parent of a child with Autism, Sen. Edwards understands first hand the importance of early intervention and early childhood special education. As the appointed Commissioner of the Oregon Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorder and chief legislative architect of the commission, Chris will continue to work at bettering the lives of children and adults with special needs and their families.
Dana Hargunani
Dr. Dana Hargunani is the Child Health Director for the Oregon Health Authority and a general pediatrician with clinical experience in academic and safety-net settings. She has held leadership positions in resident education, community health and injury prevention, and has pursued clinical interests in caring for children with special health care needs. As Child Health Director, Dr. Hargunani is responsible for leading and directing OHA Child Health activities.
Dana Stone
Dana Stone is the devoted mother of three sons, one of whom experiences autism as well as an undiagnosed genetic syndrome. Dana possesses a true pioneer spirit and uses it to blaze trails of advocacy for families and children experiencing diverse-abilities. In 2014 she founded a non-profit, ROCCOS Family Network in Eastern Oregon that is a member of the Oregon Consortium of Family Networks.
Regina Moreno
Dr. Regina Moreno has over thirty-five years of experience in the field of special education. She has served in the special education teacher preparation program at Portland State University since 2004. Currently she is the Director of Special Education Programs for Concordia University.
Michele Raddish
Dr. Michele Raddish is a Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician at the Providence Neurodevelopmental Center for Children. She provides ongoing management and support for children and young adults impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Mark Whitaker
Dr. Mark Whitaker is a Senior Medical Director with the Providence Health Plan and is the Commission’s health insurance representative. Dr. Whitaker practiced general pediatrics in the Kansas City area for 16 years before moving into administration. He has been a medical director at a number of health plans including Premera Blue Cross in Seattle, Presbyterian Health Plan in Albuquerque, and Kaiser Permanente in Kansas City.
Sydney Shook
Wanting to do more for families who experienced more complex support issues, Sydney became involved with The Arc as a volunteer and in 2011 was hired by The Arc Lane County as a Program Development Specialist and the Family Network coordinator.
Her new role is co-founder and co-executive director of North Star Pathways, a new provider agency geared toward community employment outcomes for middle and high school youth.
