Meet Our Team

What brings us together is a shared belief in the potential of every student and a commitment to creating a college community where everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. Behind CAA is a dedicated team of leaders, staff, Board members, and advisors who bring a wide range of experience, perspectives, and talents to our mission.

Leadership

CAA’s Executive Team provides the leadership and strategic direction that move our mission forward. Together, they guide the organization’s growth, strengthen our programs and operations, and ensure that students and their success remain at the heart of every decision.

Nicole Kim - Executive Director

Nicole Kim is Executive Director of the College of Adaptive Arts (CAA), where she leads an innovative model of lifelong, post-secondary education for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Drawing on more than 25 years of technology-sector leadership, Nicole has guided CAA through transformational growth—expanding enrollment, strengthening operations, launching Student Services, and building partnerships with community colleges and public agencies. A Forbes Nonprofit Council member and thought leader in inclusive higher education, Nicole is committed to shifting the conversation from services to opportunity. She advances pathways to education, employment, leadership, and community participation, empowering students to pursue meaningful goals.

DeAnna Pursai - Co-Founder & Director, Development & Outreach

DeAnna Pursai is an educator, advocate, speaker, and nonprofit leader dedicated to disability inclusion, education, sustainability, and community service. She co-founded CAA with Dr. Pamela Lindsay in 2009, inspired in part by her sister, Angel, who has Down syndrome. DeAnna was named a CNN Hero in 2022 and a Silicon Valley Business Journal Woman of Influence in 2024. A longtime Rotary leader and internationally recognized speaker, she delivered her TEDx Talk, “Amplifying Silent Voices,” in Helsinki in 2025. Through her leadership and advocacy, DeAnna champions communities where every person’s talents, voice, and potential are valued.

Dr. Pamela Lindsay - Co-Founder & Director, Programs & Research

Dr. Pamela Lindsay, EdD, is passionate about expanding lifelong collegiate opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Drawing on extensive experience with neurodivergent learners and her own family’s journey, she develops innovative curricula, collaborative programs, and individualized pathways that help students pursue their goals. Her research on inclusive higher education has been shared nationally and internationally, including through Stanford University panels and professional conferences. Her many honors include the AARP Purpose Prize, a Lifetime Achievement Award from Santa Clara County, and commendations from the California Legislature. She also brings experience in academia, performing arts, healthcare, and technology.

Bobbi Tafoya - Manager, Student Services

Bobbi has been part of CAA since its inception, beginning her journey as a CAA parent. She joined the staff part time in 2017, supporting CAA’s work with Regional Centers, and in 2022 left corporate America to serve the organization full time. Today, Bobbi is CAA’s Student Services Manager and a key member of the leadership team, having also served as registrar and bursar and supported finance and human resources. She brings extensive experience in document control from the electronics industry. Bobbi is devoted to her faith, family, animals, and CAA’s mission of creating transformative opportunities for adults with disabilities.

Bobbi Tafoya - Manager, Student Services

Alison is an East Coast native who has called California home for the past 15 years. A University of Delaware graduate with a master’s degree, she has built a career centered on working with diverse communities and advancing social justice. Her background includes serving as a research and project director, overseeing multiple grant-funded initiatives at an R1 research university, before bringing her expertise more directly into education and workforce development. In her current role as Workforce Development Manager, Alison is driven by a belief in meaningful opportunity and dignified work for all. You’re unlikely to find her without a Diet Coke in hand and ready to jump in where needed.

Sarah Thrasher - Senior Manager, Business Solutions

School Of Study Directors

Our School of Study Directors bring CAA’s academic programs to life. They guide curriculum, support our teaching teams, and help create engaging, accessible learning experiences that encourage every student to explore their interests, develop their talents, and discover the joy of lifelong learning.

Anthony Nguyen - Communications

Anthony Nguyen is the Director of the Communications School of Study at the College of Adaptive Arts. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Journalism from San Jose State University in Fall 2014. He has received the Community Builders Award from Work2Future and he was named 2017 KPRR volunteer of the year. Anthony enjoys all types of music genres, staring at the sky and stars, reading poetry, and he is trying to read more about Western and Eastern philosophy.

Michele Leonard-Maher - Dance

Nicole Matarangas - Health & Wellness

Nicole Matarangas brings a first responder’s heart and a dynamic, hands-on approach to teaching. A former medic, she combines expertise in health and wellness with more than 20 years of experience as a professional actor, dancer, instructor, and choreographer. Her journey-based approach integrates health, wellness, dance, and theatre to foster joy, connection, personal growth, and practical life skills. Nicole has performed and taught domestically and internationally across musical theatre, commercials, music videos, concert events, and parades. She is an American Dance Therapy Association member, SAG-AFTRA member, Dance Movement Therapy student, and is pursuing a BA in Psychology at San Jose State University.

Michael Reisman - Science & Technology

Michael Reisman wears many hats at CAA, combining his creativity, technical expertise, and love of teaching. As CAA’s IT lead and Director of the School of Science and Technology, Michael helps keep our technology running while also bringing his talents directly into the classroom. His diverse background spans broadcasting, electronic music production, graphic design, art, web design, and computer science. This unique blend of technical and creative experience shapes his engaging approach to teaching and leadership. Outside of CAA, Michael enjoys producing his own electronic music and continuing to explore the intersection of technology and creativity.

Hannah Thrasher - Theatre

Hannah brings extensive professional experience in technical theatre, with specialties in stage management and sound design. Since joining CAA’s Superstaff in 2017, she has been dedicated to creating meaningful, professional-quality theatrical experiences for students. As Director of the Theatre School of Study, Hannah combines her technical expertise, creativity, and passion for theatre to enrich both the educational and performance experience at CAA. Through her leadership, students have opportunities to develop their skills, build confidence, collaborate as an ensemble, and experience the excitement and discipline of bringing a theatrical production to life.

Nicole Ferguson - Visual Arts

Nicole has been creating art for as long as she can remember. Her passion led her to the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, where she earned a B.A. in Fine Art with a focus on illustration, painting, and sculpture. After exhibiting throughout the Bay Area and painting murals in Haiti, Nicole joined CAA in 2011 and founded its Visual Arts department. Her career has included teaching artists of all ages and abilities, including adults and children with autism. Nicole finds inspiration in her students’ honest, heartfelt creativity and believes deeply in the joy and connection art creates.

Mountain Movers Board Members

We call our Board members Mountain Movers because they help turn bold possibilities into meaningful progress. Through their leadership, expertise, advocacy, and commitment to our mission, they help strengthen CAA today while championing a future where lifelong higher education is accessible to everyone.

Persi Kanga - Board Chair VP, Customer Service, Sapiens

Persi holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Cognitive Psychology from the University of Toronto and brings extensive experience in technology, business strategy, enterprise platforms, financial services, e-commerce, and education innovation. A dedicated community leader, he has served as President and Director of the Kiwanis Club of Almaden Valley, President of the Pioneer Education Foundation, and Technology Director of the Castillero Education Foundation. He has also received a California State Assembly commendation for community service. Persi brings strategic insight, innovation, and partnership expertise to help guide CAA’s continued growth and long-term planning.

Ravinder Lal - Secretary Multiple UPS Owners, Community Leader

Driven by a personal mission to lead with integrity, courage, and empathy, Ravinder is an entrepreneur, community leader, and dedicated advocate for creating opportunity. A multi-location The UPS Store franchise owner and award-winning business leader, he has served in leadership roles with the Silicon Valley Central Chamber of Commerce and supported numerous nonprofit organizations through his time, expertise, and resources. Beyond business, Ravinder’s greatest passions are his family, inspiring young people, and helping others reach their potential. He believes everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed—and that, with the right support and encouragement, anyone can learn to fly.

Tom Kirkley - Treasurer Retired Software Engineer from Apple, Google, and Sun

Carley Flores - Board Member Director of Accreditation, Valley Health Plan

Mimi Giannini Board Member Vice President, Saratoga Springs

Mimi Giannini is Vice President of Saratoga Springs, and is also a CAA board member. She brings her skills, vision, and support for this collegiate model and she has a 20-year-old child that is attending classes at CAA. Mimi comes from a well-known family of community philanthropist and leaders who have helped create a beautiful and inclusive community in the Bay Area.

Deana Kitajuima - Board Member Philanthropist, Author & Founder of Dr. KitCoaching

Monica Pal - Board Member

Cristin Reichmuth - Board Member

Cristin Reichmuth has built her career around differentiated instruction and the belief that adapting curriculum to individual learners is essential to student success. Her experience spans Project Based Learning, curriculum development, teacher training, special education, and educational counseling. Cristin holds master’s degrees in Educational Counseling and World History, along with teaching credentials in Multiple Subjects and Social Science and a Pupil Personnel Services credential in school counseling. She also specializes in Project Based Learning and has served with the Instructional Leadership Corps. Cristin brings deep expertise in creating engaging, accessible learning experiences that help every student reach their potential.

Mary Beth Riley - Board Member Retired Educator; Former Head of School, Notre Dame High School, San Jose

Mary Beth Riley served Notre Dame High School in San Jose for 38 years, including as Principal and Head of School from 2006 until her retirement in 2023. During her tenure, she strengthened enrollment, school leadership and governance, advanced long-term strategic planning, and led a $20 million campaign to build the Center for Women’s Leadership. Mary Beth holds a B.A. in French from Regis University and a Master’s in Teaching from McMaster University. She was named a Silicon Valley Business Journal Woman of Influence in 2013 and received the National Catholic Educational Association’s Secondary Schools Department Educational Excellence Award in 2014.

Catherine Thermond - Board Member Saratoga Community Education and Theatre Advocate

Catherine “Cathie” Thermond is a dedicated community leader, philanthropist, and longtime champion of education and the performing arts. Her decades of service include leadership roles with the Rotary Club of Saratoga, Saratoga Rotary Charitable Foundation, TheatreWorks, Montalvo Arts Center, and other Bay Area organizations. A skilled fundraiser, Cathie helped secure funding for Saratoga High School’s McAfee Performing Arts and Lecture Center, and the school’s Thermond Drama Center bears her family’s name. Named Saratoga’s Citizen of the Year in 2023, Cathie brings her passion for service, community building, and creating opportunity to CAA’s Mountain Movers leadership team.

LeAnn Cherkasky Makhni - Immediate Past Chair Director Emeritus, SJSU International House

Leann Cherkasky brings more than three decades of experience in intercultural communication, leadership development, relationship building, and nonprofit engagement. As longtime Director of the San José State University International House, she fostered connection and community among university students representing more than 100 countries. Her career also spans event planning, budgeting, facility oversight, and organizational leadership. Inspired by CAA’s founders and its commitment to creating meaningful lifelong learning opportunities, Leann is proud to serve as a Mountain Mover, bringing her experience and collaborative spirit to support CAA’s continued growth and impact.