Board Members

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 Nikki Sanger is a visionary leader and the Chief Executive Officer of MEC Disabilities, a pioneering organization dedicated to empowering individuals and children with disabilities through innovative solutions and advocacy. As a mother of a child with Cerebral Palsy, a background in entrepreneurship, and a passion for inclusivity, Nikki has steered MEC Disabilities towards becoming a beacon of accessibility and opportunity. Under her leadership, the organization has championed groundbreaking initiatives that promote equal rights, insurance advocacy, accessibility, and inclusive events for individuals with disabilities nationally. Nikki Sanger's commitment to fostering a more inclusive society has earned her recognition as a thought leader in the field, inspiring positive change and breaking down barriers for people of all abilities. 

 Jessica Hawkins is mom to a non speaking neurodivergent son. Originally from the east coast, she and her son relocated to Grants Pass in 2016.

Since then, she’s been involved with the Southern Oregon Challenger Little League, where she’s recently been added to the board as vice president. Jessica has experience navigating our local healthcare and special education systems and has assisted other parents in our community to do the same.

Jessica joined the board as Outreach Coordinator at MEC Disabilities in August of 2023 and was instrumental in helping with the opening of our first flagship location in Grants Pass, assisting with fundraising and securing grants.

Advocacy, parent support and community involvement are at the heart of what matters to Jessica and what lead to join our team. Interagency collaboration is another one of her passions.

She has recently completed the Active Parenting Course, Oregon Family Support Network Course Certification, the Activate Your Advocacy Program with FACT Oregon and just about any other program that she can be involved in to assist other parents in their advocacy journey.

 Savhannah Bourisaw is a medical LMT, birthing doula, and healthcare business owner. She is an advocate for clients/patients health and their rights, she also educates them on how to advocate for themselves.

She works closely with patients that have physical disabilities to help them achieve a better quality of life. Savhannah has been in the medical field since 2016 and strives to make sure that every voice is heard, and care is given to those in need.

Savhannah has been on the board of directors for MEC since 2021, and has also taken the position of PNW outreach coordinator.

 Ashley Cook is a queer and neurodivergent single mother that has a son with Autism. She’s MEC’s Parent Advocate and Grants Pass Sensory Space Management. Before joining MEC she has previously worked as Special Education Assistant since 2018 mostly in School District 7 in Grants Pass. Ashley has a unique experience not only understanding the challenges of the special education system for children as an educator but also personally as a parent. Also, as a parent of a child with special needs she understands and can relate to the struggles of obtaining medical care, speech, therapy, and more in our community.

Ashley hopes to help parents of children with disabilities and special needs navigate through the various systems with her experiences so that they don’t have to face as many challenges and obstacles as she and her son have on their personally journey. With her support and her voice she’s hoping to help parents not feel alone in their journeys. Ashley’s personal mission is to promote awareness, to help educate on neurodivergence and neuro-affirming practices and help create and foster an inclusive community where children and families can feel safe and accepted no matter their backgrounds or disabilities.