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Kansas City & Global

Team DBNR

The people
behind
the mission.

A small team, a serious board, and a shared commitment: to make sure no one with a physical disability has to figure it out alone. Meet the humans who make the work run.

Founder & Executive Director
Meet the Founder

Wesley
Hamilton.

Founder, Executive Director, adaptive participant, keynote speaker. Wesley built DBNR in 2015 after realizing no one was coming to help him rebuild. He decided to become the help.

A 2x TEDx speaker, CNN Hero nominee, Queer Eye alum, and featured participant in Men's Health, Wes leads the foundation's strategy, programming, and community partnerships. His mission is simple: revolutionize mindsets and elevate lives.

01
Staff

The day-to-day
of the mission.

Administrative Assistant

Ashley Walker

An empathetic communicator with a fitness industry background, Ashley inspires resilience through her skill in nonprofit operations and CRM.

Adaptive Fitness Instructor

Payton Nowlin

Fitness coach and occupational therapist making fitness fun and accessible for all. CFSC, NASM-CPT, AIT certified.

Volunteer & Community Outreach

Jim Summers

25+ years in program development and volunteer management, with past multi-million dollar initiatives at Boeing and Disney.

02
Board of Directors

The strategic
backbone.

Director of Advocacy

Melanie Kizine

Entrepreneur, mother, and advocate for special-needs children. A respected voice in the community working to improve family services.

Director of Mental Health & Wellness

Dr. Ashley D. Smith

Leads the foundation's mental health strategy, helping individuals with disabilities build resilience and psychological strength.

Director of Fundraising & Program Development

Tom Knaus

Drives growth and program expansion, ensuring the foundation scales its reach and impact across the adaptive community.

Director of Community Engagement & Disability Services

Linda Johnson

Leads community outreach with a focus on rural and underserved areas, building inclusive communities and advocating for meaningful change.

Calling All Talent

Could you be the
next name
on this board?

DBNR is actively seeking talented professionals from all backgrounds to join our Board of Directors. If you bring resources, networks, or a passion for giving back, let's have a conversation.

Start a Conversation