Biographies
Founder: Elizabeth Goodwin
Elizabeth Goodwin, along with Arden Moulton, founded the National Down Syndrome Society in 1979 after the birth of Elizabeth’s daughter, Carson Goodwin. Mrs. Goodwin remains a leader in the Down syndrome community, and an active member of the National Down Syndrome Society’s Board of Directors. From 1979-1983, she served on the Board of the William O'Connor School, which provided early intervention and preschool programs to children with disabilities in New York City. In 1980, Mrs. Goodwin co-founded of the NYC Down Syndrome Parent Support; in 1993, she received the Lloyd Bentson Award, recognizing her for her outstanding contributions to the Down syndrome community. In 2000, Mrs. Goodwin was highlighted in the "Graduates Who Have Given Back" issue of the Hollins University yearly report. Then, in 2004, the Goodwin Family was honored by the National Down Syndrome Society for their 25 year involvement in the organization by renaming the NDSS Information and Referral Department the Goodwin Family Information and Referral Center. Mrs. Goodwin received a B.A. in English at Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia, followed by an ASID certification from the International Institute of Design in Washington, D.C., prior to opening Elizabeth Goodwin Interiors in 1976. Betsy presently lives in Connecticut with her husband, Barton. They have two grown sons, Eliot and Jake; their daughter Carson now lives and works semi-independently and has her own home in Connecticut.
Chairman of the Board: Joe Bockerstette
Mr. Bockerstette has been an active advocate for individuals with Down syndrome and their families since his daughter Amy was born in 1998. He and his wife, Jenny, were co-founding members of the Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Indiana (DSANI), and Mr. Bockerstette served as President of the organization from 2003 to 2005. Mr. Bockerstette joined the National Down Syndrome Society's Board of Directors in 2005 and since then, has helped shape the direction of the organization through his service on the Finance Committee, serving as co-chair on the Strategic Planning Committee and chairing the Audit Committee.
Having served as a member of the NDSS Board of Directors for the past 3 years, Mr. Bockerstette has been instrumental in helping NDSS set its current strategy and refine it's programs, services and focus. As Chair, Joe brings to NDSS continuity, extensive business experience, personal knowledge of the challenges that are faced by the Down syndrome community, and a personal passion to work on behalf of individuals with Down syndrome.
Mr. Bockerstette is currently a founding member and President of Main Street Venture Fund, LLC, a member-based angel fund of private investors funding entrepreneurial business opportunities in Indiana and the surrounding region. Prior to Main Street, Joe was a founding partner of Equity Management Group, a Fort Wayne based private equity firm, and a Management Consulting Partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Mr. Bockerstette resides in Fort Wayne, Indiana with his wife, Jenny, and is the father of two daughters, Amy Bockerstette and Lindsey Corbin, who resides in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband David.
President: Jon Colman
Jon Colman was appointed to the position of President in December 2007. Mr. Colman is the 4th full-time president in NDSS' 29 year history.
Mr. Colman joined NDSS in 2001, working in the area of educational programming. He quickly rose to the Senior VP of Programs and Operations position, then assumed the role of Acting Director in February 2006 and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in September of 2006.
Since that time, Mr. Colman has lead NDSS through a significant reorganization, resulting with an advanced and efficient operating structure designed to support the organizations goal of providing the best possible information and support to professionals serving the Down syndrome community, and individuals with Down syndrome. Mr. Colman created a platform for the recruitment of highly skilled and motivated staff members to enable long term growth within the various departments. Mr. Colman created a focused business plan built upon board-directed strategic imperatives, accompanied by a responsible and efficient operating budget.
Mr. Colman has focused his efforts to execute the advancements of key initiatives such as the Post Secondary Program and the administration of the Down Syndrome Research Coalition. He has actively and successfully developed relations with the CDC and the NIH in support of the Down Syndrome Research Coalition.
Mr. Colman has opened numerous doors for NDSS to explore innovative ways of fundraising, via online programs, product cause-marketing, and has significantly increased the National Buddy Walk® program across the country. In addition, Mr. Colman continues to strengthen relations with other Down syndrome support groups creating a stronger network within the Down syndrome community.
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