529 Conf: ABLE Outlook - Challenges & Opportunities + Closing Remarks

Paul Curley is Director of Savings Research at ISS Market Intelligence, where he oversees data, research, consulting and events on 529 savings plans, 529 prepaid plans and ABLE accounts for institutional clients. He is also the Editor of the 529 Dash e-newsletter and 529 Insiders website for advisors, accountants and estate planners.

Kandi Pickard is the President & CEO of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) where she provides vision and leadership, working collaboratively with individuals and organizations to support the entire Down syndrome community. Kandi holds a degree in business administration and brings two decades of experience in operations and effective administration management to her role at NDSS. Kandi’s involvement in the Down syndrome community first began as a local volunteer and advocate after her youngest son, Mason was born with Down syndrome. Eight years later, she leads NDSS with a focus on building community and keeping people with Down syndrome at the center of everything the organization does. Kandi’s vision for the future of NDSS includes resources, programs and support for individuals with Down syndrome and their families from birth to adulthood, with a special focus on caregiving, public health and supporting aging adults.

Dante Allen is responsible for directing the launch and operations of CalABLE. Prior to joining CalABLE, Mr. Allen had a leadership role with the California Department of Public Health’s Office of Health Equity where he developed communications strategies to promote the concepts related to the social determinants of health. He also served as a key advisor to the Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity, the State's senior executive addressing disparities and health inequities. Mr. Allen also served in senior communications roles at the Chevron Corporation, the St. Joseph Health System, and Kaiser Permanente, where he served as the President of the Kaiser Permanente Association for Employees with Disabilities Business Resource Group. This group served as a networking, mentoring and advisory group for Kaiser’s 150,000 national employees.
A lifelong Californian, Mr. Allen received his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Davis and a Master’s degree at The University of Southern California's Annenberg School of Journalism and Communication.

JJ Hanley is Director of Illinois ABLE for the Illinois State Treasurer’s office, which offers “A Better Life Experience” ABLE accounts to people with disabilities in Illinois and across the country.
Her career evolved from financial securities trader to disability parent advocate when an individual in her family was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
JJ produced Refrigerator Mothers, a national PBS documentary on autism and founded a jjslist.com, a yelp.com style, disability consumer review website with a top-ranking disability blog. She launched a Disability Etiquette Training program for corporations that has trained more than 7,000 employees and a public transportation skills program that has trained more than 5,000 high school and transition students with disabilities in the Chicago area.
JJ co-chairs the Banking Committee of the Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities Financial Advisory Council for the Empowerment of People with Disabilities. She serves on the steering committee for Equip for Equality’s Illinois ADA Project and is a member of the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities.