The My Possibilities Advisory Board is made up of a wide variety of skill sets careers and backgrounds. What they share in common is a passion for our organization and a desire to watch it succeed. Though they do not serve on the actual Board of Directors, they make themselves available for advise and professional guidance at all times. We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful group of individuals looking after the best interest of My Possibilities.

John Bourke - Business Consultant and Professional Trainer

John is a frequent contributor to industry and association publications and a popular keynote speaker on the topics of leadership, influence, strategy, performance improvement and culture change. He is an established consultant and key player in several world-shaping initiatives.

Larry Chenault - Financial Consultant

Larry has his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University, graduating Cum Laude with a BBA. He is a Certified Public Accountant and licensed with the State of Texas. Larry has extensive work experience in the oil and gas industry, working mostly as a private practice accountant for many large name oil and gas corporations. 

Debra Kerner - Speech and Language Pathologist / Transition Specialist

Debra L. Kerner graduated in 1992 with her Bachelor of Science in Deaf Education and in 1996 from Texas Woman’s University with her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. She currently works as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the public schools with middle school age and also works with private clients.  She is a member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and the Texas Speech-Language Hearing Association.  She enjoys working with adults and children with all disabilities.  

Denise Knight - Transition Specialist

In 1989, Denise earned her Bachler's degree in Special Education from the University of Texas in Austin. In 2000, Denise completed her Master's degree in Special Education, with a specialization in transition from North Texas State University. Denise is certified by the HALO clinic in Austin, Tx to teach using the SOMA Rapid Prompting Method, which works especially well for individuals who have limited verbal communication skills. 

Ted McKown - Special Education Specialist

Ted has been at Shepton High School in Plano for over 9 years. He is co-lead in a structure class room working with students in special education. He has had years of experience working with students with autism. He is a graduate of the University of Tulsa with a BS in Marketing. He spent 23 years in business holding positions in various sales and sales management industries. 

Shell Meggersee-Briggs - Graphics and Corporate Branding

Shell currently works at Element X Creative, a full-service animation and visual effects studio, where creative minds and cutting edge technology converge to create stunning imagery that drives stories. Aside from servicing top consumer brands such as Pepsi, Hasbro and Frito Lay. EXC has also serviced some of the top children's brands in entertainment such as Barney, Thomas the Train, and Bob the Builder. 

Helanie Scott - Management Consultant

Helanie is a street-smart, savvy consultant and a successful entrepreneur with a tenacious spirit and passion for excellence. With many speaking and coaching engagements to her credit in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and South Africa. She uses an engaging style and tacit psychological knowledge to demonstrate the 'how-to' tools that employees can put to use immediately. 

Larry Solomon - Human Resource Management

Larry serves as Executive Vice President of Human Resources for Dr. Pepper Snapple Group. He received a training and development diploma through the Institute of Personnel Management in South Africa and holds an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Dallas

 Julie Puma - Resource Development

 Julie first became involved with My Possibilities in January 2008 when she volunteered to use her 25 years of experience as an Interior Designer to lead the renovation project of the 11,200 Sq. Ft commercial space occupied by My Possibilities today.  Julie stayed on after My Possibilities opened in June 2008 as the Facility Coordinator and member of the core team.  In January 2009 Julie began doing community outreach and fund raising work to help promote and grow My Possibilities.  Julie’s passion to support this program stems from her own life experiences as a mother with a special needs son who graduated high school in 2005.  Julie knows that families with special needs children grow into families with special needs adults and she is dedicated to bring opportunities, growth and support to these families through the unique and innovative program at My Possibilities. 

Gina Reno - PR and Netowrking

Gina Reno currently works as the Director of Networking at the Plano Chamber of Commerce. Before this position, Gina was the Ranch Manager for River Ranch Educational Charities, dba FriscoHorsePark which is a full service ranch where special needs children/adults ride for free. From 1996 to 2006, she was the owner and director of the Plano Kids & Teen Club, a Christian based after school and summer camp program for 1st-8th graders at LegacyChurch and FellowshipChurch in Plano, serving over 2,000 families. She has a degree in Education, as well as two certifications in Administration and Child Development from CollinCollege. She has 3 children and likes to spend her spare time enjoying sports, being at the lake, grilling, reading, volunteering, working out and spending quality time with her boyfriend Tim and both of their children.

Laura Amick Gadness - Social Security Law

Laura Amick Gadness is an attorney at Amick and Stevens Law Firm in Plano. Laura assists adults, ages 18-65, who are not able to work due to physical and/or mental impairments. Laura helps adults apply for and/or appeal denials of Social Security disability benefits . Laura is a highly driven advocate who is often praised by clients for the caring and individual attention that she provides. Laura founded and heads up a monthly volunteer legal aid clinic at the Samaritan Inn homeless shelter of CollinCounty. Laura is a CollinCounty resident, and she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, daughter, and their 3 rescue dogs. As the aunt of an Autistic teenager and the representative of many disabled adults, Laura is very aware of the community need for the program that My Possibilities offers. Laura was honored to join the Board of Directors of MP in 2010. Laura is also a past President (2010) and current Vice President of the Dallas Area Social Security Claimants Attorneys (DASSCA), current member and Chair of the Communication/ Publicity committee of the Collin County Health Care Committee, and a participating member of the Texas Bar Association, the Plano Bar Association, the Collin County Bar Association, the National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives (NOSSCR), and the Collin County Social Services Association.

Yvonne Abel - Human Resources

During the past 25 years Yvonne has served as Executive Regional Vice President for Personal One/Staffing resources, as President and CEO of Abel Resource Group, and most recently as Executive Vice President of Delta Dallas Staffing.  Currently Yvonne is Principal for Abel consulting when she utilizes her more than 30 years of Human Resources management experience to provide business and career consulting for professionals in transition and business entrepreneurs.  Yvonne is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources through the Society for Human Resources Management. 

If you are interested in lending your knowledge and expertise to the My Possibilities program, please contact our office and we will get your information over to the board of directors for follow up contact. 

Phone: 469-241-9100