Advocacy Team

Nancy Berger was a service coordinator and supervisor in western Maryland for 20 years before her retirement, leading a team in Statewide efforts to transition to individual self determination and control over services and funding.

Christina has gained more than 25 years of progressive experience working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities that encompasses social services, advocacy, case management, and program development.

Her professional career was launched in the nonprofit industry when she served as a collegiate honor society advocate and volunteer in the field of mental health services. Over the course of her career, Christina has garnered experience as an advocate in mental health, behavioral services, and intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as public benefits counseling, futures & estate planning, special needs trust administration and DDA program leadership.

In addition to her role as an Advocate with By Their Side, Christina is the Senior Director of Services with Ardmore Enterprises. In addition to DDA programmatic experience, Christina has served as a Service Coordinator, Benefits and Eligibility Specialist, and Special Needs Trust Administrator. She has earned a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Non-Profit Administration.

Christina is passionate about empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through a culture of self-advocacy and self-determination that promotes independence and creativity.

Susan Buehl has advocated for Marylanders with disabilties for over 30 years, as a Service Coordinator and Supervisor and now By Their Side Advocate. She also has experience with aging of people with I/DD.

​

​

​

​

Angela has over 30 years of experience supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She has five years of experience as a Coordinator of Community Services and is knowledgeable of current Medicaid waiver policies and procedures. Angela was a Community Support Manager and supported families that were providing specialized foster care services for people with IDD. She recruited families and completed home reviews. She was a Quality Assurance Specialist consultant and reviewed community residential and day programs for people with IDD in Maryland. She is a strong advocate and invested in ensuring the quality of life and self-determination of the people she supports.

Before consulting with By Their Side, Paul served many years as Service Coordination Program Manager for Wicomico County Health Department. His 30 years experience also includes work as a Service Coordinator and in various capacities in vocational services.

Pam has 30+years working with people with disabilities. While earning her degree at AACC, she worked with high school teens at risk of not graduating from school and at the homeless shelter Sarah's House. She also worked at the in-patient psychiatric unit at BWMC and at Service Coordination Inc. for 21 years as a case manager. Pam has worked in Howard, Baltimore and Anne Arundel County. Her passion is working with families and the people she supports.

Beatrice Rodgers served two terms as Director of the Governor's Office on Disabilities. Her 30 years of experience includes serving as Executive Director of: Resource Connections in Prince Georges County, Prince Georges County Department of Family Services' Division of Individuals with Disabilities, and Prince Georges County Commission on Disabilities.

Over the past 25 years, Joan Rumenap has served as Service Coordinator and Supervisor, DDA Statewide Quality Assurance Chief, and a Director for Abilities Network.

Gail Singletary was Parent's Place of Maryland's first parent educator. Over the past 20 years she served as a Charles County Service Coordinator and in various roles with DDA's Southern Maryland Regional Office including Acting Director.

Kathy began her advocacy career with the Arc of Frederick County's Service Coordination division where she worked for 20 years, including serving as a director for central and western regions of Maryland. Highlights included helping people move from institutions into community homes with support, assisting families on the DDA waiting list to plan and access services, and developing grants that assisted aging caregivers to plan for the future of their relatives.

Kathy also served as By Their Side’s Executive Director from 2012 – 2024.