Council Member Spotlights

Meet the passionate advocates shaping disability policy in Washington State! Through our Council Member Spotlights, we highlight the voices, experiences, and leadership of current and former members of the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council. These individuals bring lived experience, deep commitment, and diverse perspectives to the work of advancing inclusion and equity for people with developmental disabilities and their families. Each month, we feature a new spotlight in our newsletter, sharing the unique stories and contributions of our members. A new spotlight is featured every month in our newsletter—subscribe today to stay connected!

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Leigh Spruce

July 7, 2025

Leigh Spruce is a self-advocate from Mill Creek and Co-Chair of the Washington State DD Council. She brings passion, leadership, and lived experience to her role, working to ensure all voices are included in disability policy.

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Alex Koval

June 13, 2025

Alex brings dedication and leadership to the Council, consistently supporting important policies and advancing the Council’s goals. Known for his focus and teamwork, he is committed to making a lasting impact through active participation and collaboration.

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Sandi Gruberg

April 16, 2025

Sandi Gruberg combines her experience as a parent, caregiver, and systems navigation expert to advocate for families of individuals with complex support needs. She works to amplify voices often left out of decision-making and brings creativity and collaboration to the Council’s efforts to improve disability services across Washington.

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Tayshia Farra

March 10, 2025

Tayshia Farra, a dedicated mother and advocate, joined the Council to turn her fears into action for her neurodiverse son and others with IDD. She values the supportive community and uses her powerful “Mom Voice” to push for better funding and resources. Tayshia’s advocacy is rooted in personal stories and a commitment to inclusion and equity.

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Dana Floyd

February 10, 2025

Dana Floyd brings both personal and professional expertise to the Council as a parent, special education leader, and advocate. As Executive Director of Special Services at ESD 105, she is passionate about improving education and support systems for people with disabilities. Dana values collaboration and is proud to help shape policies that create real, lasting impact across Washington.

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Riley Daugherty

December 17, 2024

Riley Daugherty joined the Council in fall 2024 with a strong commitment to disability advocacy and education equity. Inspired by personal experience, Riley is focused on improving academic supports—especially in secondary education—for students with disabilities. Their voice brings energy, inclusion, and a deep belief in representation and positive change.

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Julie Clark

November 7, 2024

Julie Clark joined the Council in 2023 with a strong passion for helping others and making sure all voices are heard. She values building relationships and feels proud to vote on decisions that support the community. Now serving as Chair of the Public Policy Committee, Julie is eager to make a lasting impact through advocacy and legislative work.

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Melanie Baker

October 14, 2024

Melanie Baker joined the Council in 2023, bringing a strong voice for disability rights from Washington’s 7th legislative district. She’s proud of her work on the Dan Thompson Advisory Committee and her trip to Washington, D.C., where she met with Senator Maria Cantwell to advocate for people with developmental disabilities.

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Adana Protonentis

July 9, 2024

Adana joined the Council in late 2020 and helped guide it through a time of transition, from pandemic-era Zoom meetings to hybrid gatherings and leadership changes. She leaves with lasting relationships, a passion for equity in funding, and a deep appreciation for the Council’s mission to support real people with dignity and respect.

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Phil Tracy

July 9, 2024

Phil served on the Council from 2020 to 2024, bringing the perspective of both a parent and a person with a developmental disability. His advocacy was rooted in a desire to amplify unheard voices and protect inclusive opportunities. Phil values the connections, knowledge, and sense of belonging he found on the Council and encourages others to get involved.

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Thanh Kirkpatrick

July 9, 2024

After two terms on the Council, Thanh reflects on the rewarding work of advancing inclusion, equity, and self-advocacy for people with developmental disabilities. Highlights include helping draft the 2022–2026 State Plan and advocating for immigrant communities and communities of color.

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Sydney Krebsbach

June 6, 2024

Sydney Krebsbach is one of the co-chairs of the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council and a passionate self-advocate from Spokane. Through her work with the Council, Sydney has grown into a state and national public speaker. In April 2024, she joined fellow advocates in Washington, D.C., to attend the Disability Policy Seminar and meet with Senator Maria Cantwell to speak about key disability issues in Washington State.

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Council Member Spotlights

Our Council

Leigh Spruce

Alex Koval

Sandi Gruberg

Tayshia Farra

Dana Floyd

Riley Daugherty

Julie Clark

Melanie Baker

Adana Protonentis

Phil Tracy

Thanh Kirkpatrick

Sydney Krebsbach

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