Our Team

Dr. Sam Alper received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he focused on Human Factors, analysis of complex systems, and understanding why people break safety protocol (his thesis). He has been called on to testify as an expert witness, has presented in front of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and has reviewed communications, products, and processes across dozens of industries. He is a director at Bold Insight, a UX and human factors research agency. His work involves human factors research and evaluation of user experiences. An engineer, juggler, and father, Sam was recently honored when a business colleague referred to him as a “fellow nerd.”

Dr. JR Harding is a recognized disability leader from both personal and professional experiences. As a 2x quadriplegic, author of Now What? and ADA Adventure, accessibility expert, and international speaker, he has contributed for over 30 years to national, state, and community policy for the independence and self-sufficiency of persons with disabilities. He is a subject-matter expert for the ADA. He has served 2 US Presidents, 4 Florida Governors, and a number of community-based organizations, including Evergreen Life Services, The Family Network on Disabilities, and the Delta Disability Advisory Board. He completed his doctorate in Higher Education and Public Policy at Florida State University (FSU), where he is now faculty. He and his lovely wife Erika live and work in Tallahassee, FL.

Dr. Lunsford is a Pediatric Rehabilitation physician and an assistant professor in the Department of Orthopaedics and the Department of Pediatrics at Duke University School of Medicine. He is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM). He also serves on the Board of Directors for AACPDM. Dr. Lunsford graduated from Wake Forest University with a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy before completing his medical doctorate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. He completed his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation(PM&R) at the University of Virginia, followed by a fellowship in pediatric rehabilitation medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. Outside of work, Dr. Lunsford spends time with his family and church. A kid at heart, Dr. Lunsford enjoys games and outdoor activities.

David Thomason is Special Olympics Virginia’s Vice President of Advancement, and has worked with that organization for more than three decades. He works closely with the Global Messenger initiative, promoting leadership opportunities for those with intellectual disabilities around the world. This part of his work inspires David as he stewards donor relationships across Virginia. An alumnus of the College of William and Mary, he has committed his professional life to non-profit organizations. Prior to his work at Special Olympics, he was a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco, and then worked for The American Heart Association. He has served on the boards of the Virginia Association of Fundraising Executives, the YMCA, Hampden-Sydney Music Festival, Orthopaedic Research of Virginia, and the Greater Richmond Association of Volunteer Administration, among others. David enjoys travel, biking, hiking, music, and time with his two sons.

Lucy grew up in Newport News, VA, and graduated from the University of Virginia in 2017 with a B.A. in Anthropology and Global Development Studies. Through several sources of grant funding, she had the opportunity to conduct cross-cultural, international research on barriers to chronic disease management in low resource communities and present her team’s research at several conferences. Acquiring her disability in 2016 turned Lucy into a passionate disability rights advocate. Lucy received the Root-Tilden-Kern Scholarship to pursue her passion for disability rights work at NYU Law. In her first year, she started the Government Assistance Benefits Project to support individuals applying for Social Security Disability Income. She also became deeply involved in the Disability Allied Law Students Association and will serve as co-chair for the 2020-2021 academic year. In the summer of 2020 she interned at the ACLU’s Human Rights Project.

Alicia Tenise Chew is a full-time fashion and lifestyle blogger who provides attainable style and travel inspiration for the every-girl. After interning in the fashion industry for 1.5 years and working in various marketing roles after college, Alicia decided to take the leap and pursue blogging full-time a few years ago. In May 2021, Alicia relocated from Washington D.C. to Los Angeles to further tap into her creative passions. AliciaTenise.com is a fashion and lifestyle blog for women who wish to live stylishly. Through a variety of style, home décor, travel, and entertaining posts, Alicia’s blog combines affordable and quality lifestyle tips that are sure to encourage and inspire the fashion-forward adventurer.

Fueling her passion for wine, Alicia received her WSET Level 1 Certification in Wine in August 2020. She plans to study for the Level 2 certification next. Since launching her blog in 2011, Alicia has been featured in Teen Vogue, Elle magazine, Essence Magazine, The Washington Post, Glitter Guide, and Refinery29, and has been named a top D.C. Instagrammer by Washingtonian Magazine.