Our Team

 

Kate Ashbrook

Kate Ashbrook is the President and founder of A Purposeful Day. She is the mother of three daughters, including Abby, who has Down syndrome. Through connections within the disability community, she recognized the lack of available meaningful daily activities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities upon completion of schooling. After a career as a speech-language pathologist working primarily in neuro and medical rehabilitation and then a season of staying at home with her three daughters, Kate wanted to use her professional skills and her personal experience to create a community that would provide Abby and others with opportunities to continue to grow and connect.

Karen Jacobson

Karen Jacobson is the Executive Director at A Purposeful Day.  She spent 10 years working as a project management and communications professional in the association, government and non-profit arenas prior to taking time at home to raise her children.  Since then, she has worked part-time and volunteered in her church and community, including with A Purposeful Day.  She lives in Falls Church with her husband and three sons.


Heather Mazen

Heather Mazen is the Creative Arts Program Director at A Purposeful Day. She spent 8 years working as a consultant in the employee benefits and human resources profession working with government contractors and non-profit organizations. After welcoming her daughter, she took time to be at home volunteering with preschool and spending time in the creative maker space. Blending graphic design with a love for painting, she partnered with local Falls Church businesses to provide custom wood business signage and home designs. She began as a volunteer with A Purposeful Day bringing Art programming and is now happy to be part of the team. She lives in Fairfax county with her husband and daughter. You can find them on the soccer field, hiking a trail or tending to their front yard garden.

Janna Dressel

Janna Dressel is the Education Program Specialist at a Purposeful Day. As a former special education teacher, and proud mom to her own amazing neurodivergent teen, she brings experience from a wide range of perspectives. Janna was President and a long-time board member for Arlington’s Special Education PTA where she enjoyed connecting with other families and collaborating on district-level efforts to support students with disabilities.  

In 2023, Janna was one of three individuals recognized with The Arlington School Board’s Honored Citizen Award for her sustained commitment, and unique and exceptional contributions to APS.  Janna is especially passionate about helping individuals with disabilities deepen their communication and self-advocacy skills.  When she’s not spending time at APD, you may find Janna hiking on the W & OD trail with her husband and two sons, cheering on the UVA Cavaliers, or spending time with family and friends. 

Board of Directors

  • Marjorie Dornette Connell

    Marjorie spent 10 years on Capitol Hill and political campaigns before helping to establish a medical research nonprofit, The Foundation for Total Recovery. She lives in Arlington with her husband, three young sons, and beloved standard poodle.

  • Brian McGuire

    Brian McGuire is a Policy Director at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, a Denver-based law and government consulting firm that prides itself on impactful community involvement. Brian has been a principal at Brownstein for four years, following a decade on Capitol Hill in senior policy and communications roles. He also served in a Senate-confirmed position at the U.S. Treasury Department. He and his wife, Ashley, reside in Maryland with their five children

  • Erin Mullen

    Erin Book Mullen has been a Principal at Williams & Jensen, PLLC since 2016 and has over 15 years of experience in legislative, regulatory, and public policy advocacy at the federal level. As part of her work in Washington, DC, she is proud to represent the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. Erin lives in Arlington, VA with her husband and three daughters. Her daughter, CC, happens to have Down syndrome.

  • Joseph Muskett

    Joseph Muskett is a parent of an adult daughter, Meghan, with Down Syndrome. He is a retired educator, having taught adaptive physical education at the high school level as well as 20 plus years coaching Special Olympics. He has served as a board member for vendors and program development for special needs students as well as adults.

  • Meghan Muskett

    Meghan serves as an advocate for those with Down syndrome and an advisory member to the board. She graduated from McLean High School in 2004 and is currently employed at Jake’s Ice Cream. She lives in Falls Church with her parents and enjoys being an aunt and godmother to her many nieces and nephews.

  • Lauren Schwabish

    Lauren is a Speech Language Pathologist and owner of Neuro Speech Services, a private practice specializing in person-centered speech, language, and cognitive therapy for adults with acquired brain injuries.

  • Andrea Stevens

    Andrea Stevens is an attorney with government and private sector experience in immigration, international trade, and international human rights law. She previously worked for U.S. Housing and Urban Development as the Build America, Buy America Program Manager, and currently does program management in the national security sector. Andrea lives in Falls Church, Virginia, with her husband and teenage children.