Originally from Mumbai, India, Shirish Lala pursued his undergraduate education in allied health at the Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College between 1999-2004. He moved to the United States in 2005 to pursue an employment opportunity as an Occupational Therapist in Central Florida. Shirish worked at Orange City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in DeBary, Florida, while pursuing his post-professional, distance Master of Health Science degree at the University of Florida. Under the guidance of Dr. Sherrilene Classen at the Department of Occupational Therapy, he graduated from the University of Florida in 2008. He started working as the Academic Clinical Coordinator at Daytona State College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program in 2009. At the college, Shirish pursued a career in fieldwork education and clinical coordination for over 13 years. In 2021, he graduated with his Doctor of Education degree from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Education. In 2023, he was appointed as an Associate Professor at Nova Southeastern University’s Tampa Bay Regional Campus.

In the past decade, he was actively involved with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy as a volunteer for certification exam validation and item development. In addition, Shirish has presented at various allied health conferences at the state and national levels. He has presented at Daytona State College’s Academic Excellence Symposium, Stetson University’s Colloquium on Teaching and Learning Innovation, and Johns Hopkins University’s School of Education. Shirish has attended professional development activities at Columbia University, Colorado State University, Shirley Ryan Ability Lab (formerly known as Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago), and Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital.

In 2018, he was awarded the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award by the University of Florida, Department of Occupational Therapy, for excellence in professional practice and exceptional leadership in the advancement of public health and health professions. In 2021, he was recognized with the Dr. John J. Guthrie, Jr. Award for Research and Professional Development at Daytona State College. During his spare time, Shirish enjoys traveling, hiking, yoga, gardening, and spending time with his family.

Andy Padilla is a young inclusive recreation advocate and a historical interpreter.  Andy was a part of the first class to graduate from Cal Poly Humboldt, where they majored in Environmental Education & Interpretation and studied museum & Gallery practices. Andy was the director of a student-run environmental education program and received the university’s Excellence in Community Service Award for their commitment to volunteerism.   Since then, Andy has gained experience working in frontline interpretation for both State and National Parks. Andy lives with multiple disabilities which fuel a passion for creating spaces that are accessible, inclusive, and celebrate undertold histories. In fall of 2023, Andy assisted RPC in hosting community listening sessions to learn from Del Norte, Humboldt, and adjacent tribal lands residents with disabilities. In 2024, Andy co-organized a regional professional development field trip for the National Association for Interpretation which highlighted the North Coast’s unique state, federal, tribal, and nonprofit park partnerships. In recognition of that Andy won the Sierra Pacific region’s Meritorious Service award.

Timothy H. Joyce, Ph.D. has more than 30+ years as inhouse legal counsel in CA and MA. He holds a J.D. and M.I.P. degree from UNH Law School, an MBA from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, an accounting certificate from Bentley College, a B.S. in Biochemistry, M.A. in Chemistry, and Ph.D. in Chemistry from Clark University.