Aron Hall
Executive Director
Aron Hall has spent the majority of his adult life advocating for children with disabilities to be included in opportunities that most take for granted. After graduating from NC State University, he began a brief teaching career before shifting into a Program Director role with the National Inclusion Project. He then took the reins at The Play Brigade and loves the challenge of expanding the mission of educating and advocating for disability equity and inclusion in healthcare, education, and recreation to preserve civil and human rights. Aron has been married to Becky for over 20 years and has 4 children.
Dawn Oates
Founder
Dawn is a three-time venture founder who is currently working on a health care venture in the Harvard Innovation Lab, designed to connect families seeking home healthcare with qualified caregivers meeting their unique needs and desires. (Another venture in MIT Sandbox.)
She is a former marketing/communications director and college writing instructor who served professional services and publishing firms. She temporarily left corporate work after having twins, but her focus shifted after she gave birth to her third child; Harper sustained a catastrophic spinal cord injury at birth, leaving her with substantial, life-limiting injuries. She now focus on disability advocacy and education, medical management, staffing and supervision of 25 nurses and care professionals, as well as management of a care plan across multiple hospitals and disciplines.
She is a staunch disability advocate, and a supporter and mentor of parents who have children with unique medical needs and life-limiting illnesses. She is a former member of the Boston Children’s Hospital NICU Family Advisory Council, and she currently serves on the Pediatric Palliative Care Network Family Advisory Council through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, as well as the Boston Children’s Hospital Complex Care Service Family Advisory Council. She meets regularly with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services to strategize on improvements for home and community-based services.
Jessica Rogers
Social Media Director
Jessica is a Social Media Program Director and has over 15 years of marketing experience across B2B markets. She is adept in developing strategic marketing programs and leading content projects that align with customer target goals and increase market share from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses. Jessica is responsible for building brand awareness and driving member acquisition with direct mail, paid search, remarketing, paid social media, and community outreach.
In 2002 Jessica was involved in a motor vehicle accident resulting in her paralysis. She is grateful for the friends, family, and advocacy she has had and couldn’t imagine where she would be without this support, this is one of the many reasons Jessica volunteers at The Play Brigade, to help advocate for and fight others.