why an advisory board?
Our Own Tribe
Empowered is a mission-driven LLC sustained through private enrollments, generous donations, dedicated supporters, and active participation in fundraising events. Contributions directly fund our sliding scale and scholarship programs, cover essential materials and program costs, and support training for our team—ensuring accessibility and high-quality care for every family we serve. In the spirit of transparency and strong ethical practice, our Advisory Board functions similarly to a Board of Directors, upholding our Bylaws and reinforcing our commitment to accountability and inclusion for all families.
meet our advisory board
Basia Adams
Basia believes that children thrive when they feel loved, safe, and cared for. With decades of experience as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, she has dedicated her career to treating children, supporting families, and leading professional development for healthcare teams. Passionate about caregiver education, Basia helps families navigate complex medical challenges, including the growing behavioral health needs of children and young adults.
Basia has been committed to keeping children well since 2001 and finds her greatest joy in spending time with her family.
Jessica Bean
Jessica earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a specialty in pediatric neuropsychology from the University of Connecticut, and has been a practicing Pediatric Neuropsychologist for nearly 20 years. She is also the proud mother of two children with very different but exceptional needs. She brings both her personal and professional experiences to understanding typical and atypical neurodevelopment, interpretation of standardized assessment data, and navigating the educational system to ensure that students receive any accommodations and supports and services they need to help them reach their potential. As a parent, Jessica also understands and appreciates on a very personal level the importance of self-care for the caregiver. She is honored to be a part of this amazing organization.
Abbie Bushley
Write-Up coming soon!
MC
Write-Up coming soon!
Molly Donovan, LCSW
Molly was born and raised in Glastonbury, where she and her husband have lived since 1999.
She graduated from Glastonbury High School in 1993 and earned her B.A. in Human Development from Boston College in 1997, followed by a Master of Social Work, also from Boston College, in 1999.
Professionally, Molly worked as a clinical social worker in southeastern Connecticut from 1999 until 2002, when her first child was born. While maintaining her licensure, she has focused on raising her three daughters—Natalie (23), Katie (21), and Rebecca (18).
Molly’s daughter Natalie has an intellectual disability resulting from a neurological abnormality, which caused global developmental delays. Early in Natalie’s life, Molly and her husband quickly became acquainted with early intervention services and then the special education process through their public school system. Molly connected with the Special Education Parent Teacher Organization (SEPTO), finding tremendous support and valuable resources as she and her husband navigated special education. Natalie graduated and exited her transition programming in 2024 and now attends a day program in her local community. She also participates in Special Olympics, competing in three sports with Team Glastonbury!
In addition to her social work training and career and her expertise as a parent, Molly coached soccer with the Hartwell Soccer Club for six years and has coached girls’ soccer at Glastonbury High School since 2016.
Molly is honored to serve on the Board of Directors at Empowered Team Inc. She self-identifies as a lifelong learner and an advocate for mental health and self-care. Molly shares her experience parenting both neurotypical children and a child with neurodivergent uniqueness with our community of families and providers. She believes that raising a child with special needs has given her a deep appreciation for the importance of support—physical, mental, and community-based.
Doug Hernandez
Write-Up coming soon!
KJ
Write-Up coming soon!
Gisela Rice
Gisela is a passionate advocate, proud mom, and dedicated community leader with over 26 years of experience in the healthcare insurance industry. She and her husband Bill have raised their two children, Melina and Brandon, in Glastonbury for the past decade. Melina is a high-achieving student and recipient of a four-year, full-tuition academic college scholarship. Brandon, who was diagnosed with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities at a young age, has been the inspiration behind Gisela’s lifelong advocacy work.
From her earliest days navigating early intervention services, Gisela has committed herself to being Brandon’s strongest voice. She co-founded a Unified Sports Special Olympics program in Portland, Connecticut that now serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade, and she previously served as Co-President of Glastonbury’s SEPTO and on the Portland Board of Education.
Gisela is a trusted resource for families of children with special needs, offering guidance, empathy, and lived experience to those just beginning their journey. As a caregiver to both her son and her aging parents, she has come to deeply understand the value of self-care—carving out time for walks on the beach, monthly massages, and Reiki to stay grounded and resilient.
Gisela is honored to join the board of this incredible organization and looks forward to supporting and uplifting families in meaningful, lasting ways.
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