About
OUR HISTORY + LEADERSHIP
Our History
LeadLearnLive began when parents were searching for opportunities to help their son reach his full potential after high school. Julie and Tom Lackey decided it was not OK that their son and hundreds of others with Down syndrome, autism spectrum and similar disabilities have to go out of Oklahoma to continue their education.
Their impassioned, grassroots effort quickly gained the attention of parents and subject matter experts, which led to a solid strategy to begin affordable, comprehensive programs throughout Oklahoma. The effort has included presenting to hundreds of people across the state to raise awareness, including conferences, support groups, transition fairs, state agency representatives and to members of our legislature, including working to enroll HR1065 which urges the development of these programs in Oklahoma. LeadLearnLive has built an impressive board and advisory board of national and local experts that will ensure the programs are modeled after top programs in the country that result in life-changing outcomes in independent living and employment.
We need your financial support!
We're raising $375,000 to start a Pilot Program, with long-term plans to have programs on five public college campuses for students at varying levels of ability. Students will pay similar tuition and fees as other students, which will allow the programs to be self-sustaining within 3-4 years.
Julie Lackey
Founder / Board President
Aietah Stephens
Vice President
Jodi Legnon, Ph.D.
Secretary
Christina Knight
Treasurer
Donna Lawrence
Fundraising Chair
Advisory Board
Donald Bailey – South Carolina
Executive Director of College Transition Connection, an organization in South Carolina that works with select colleges and universities to design, create and fund transition and post-secondary opportunities for young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities
Janet Borden, LCSW - Tulsa
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Stacy M. Brklacich - Tulsa
Attorney at Law
Of Counsel with Murphy Francy, PLLC
Edie L. Cusack – South Carolina
Executive Director
REACH Program, College of Charleston
Meg Grigal, Ph.D - Massachusetts
Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Community Inclusion at University of Massachusetts BostonCo-Director of Think College, a national organization focused on research, policy and practice in inclusive higher education and people with intellectual disability
Rhonda Heller - Owasso
Director of Special Services, Owasso Public Schools
Rebecca Bostian Parrack - Tulsa
Parent and Community Volunteer
Past President, OSU College of Education Alumni Board
Sherilyn Walton, LCSW - Tulsa
Family Support Program Coordinator at TARC
Lori Wathen – Oklahoma City
Region 3 County Coordinator, Sooner Success
Keely Wheeler. D.O. - Tulsa
Board-Certified Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist
Janet Willis, RN, Ph.D. - Tulsa
Health Service Psychologist