Leadership Team

I have been a part of the I/DD community for over 25 years, I often like to tell people that I have been part of the field of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities for my entire life. Every member of my immediate family has or is in some way working in the field of human services. I am also proud to say that I had 2 foster brothers, whom had developmental and intellectual disabilities; their lives had a substantial impact on shaping my perspective in how people with I/DD should be treated. Their perspective and mine is quite simple they wanted to be treated…no different than anyone else. I believe the people we support have dreams, wishes, and desires for their own life and I want to be here to help them achieve those dreams, wishes, and desires.

Prior to coming to Loveland I served in Senior Management roles at both Suburban Adult Services Inc. and Claddagh Commission Inc.; during that time, I focused on program development/expansion and gained an extensive knowledge of regulatory and corporate compliance. I started my professional career as a direct support staff member working in the day program for Aspire of WNY, then progressively moved to a number of professional roles including Service Coordination and management of residential services.

Working in this field has truly become my vocation I care about the people that I support and strive to advocate for both individuals and the staff members with whom I work. I try to understand the needs of the individuals, staff, and families and the balance needed to ensure the requirements of the agency are also being met.
There is a great team here at Loveland and I am excited to continue the work here as we move forward helping the people we support live their lives to the fullest.

Equality Through Opportunity means to me; that everyone has the opportunity to live their lives in the manner in which they desire. I am not in the position to place a limit on that person but to give them the opportunity to reach their own dreams.

Sean McLaughlin has been in the non-profit world for over 15 years, working throughout New England and southwest Florida.  His experience includes working with adults, teens, and children who are diagnosed with a developmental disability and/or emotional-behavioral disorders.

Not one to wear a single hat, he has held various positions including case management, direct care, support coordination, fundraising and grant writing, just to name a few.  Sean has spent time working in schools, group homes, a youth development organization, a family services agency and a disability services center.  His mission in life is to make a difference in the lives of those he serves and is driven by Faith, Family and Community.  After serving in the US Army and National Guard, Sean attended the University of Massachusetts, where he played football while earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice.  Later, he earned his Master’s Degree in Non-Profit Management from Northeastern University, focusing on Sports and Social Change.  A creative thinker who thrives “outside-the-box", Sean relies on his personality and communication skills to motivate and inspire staff, peers and supporters.

Sean is dedicated to bettering our communities and residents. He believes that the Loveland Center allows our neighbors and community members who have a disability to lead a more productive and fulfilling life by helping to create opportunities for growth and success.  His goals are realistic and lofty; to show our communities in Southwest Florida just how ABLE the participants here are, and to show the participants and their loved ones that their disability does not have to define them, because their potential has no ceiling.

Before joining Loveland Center, Jennifer spent over 15 years in professional theatre at over 50 theatre companies in nearly 200 productions across the country. She has performed in two national tours taking her to 42 of the 50 states, taught children’s theatre, directed Off-Broadway, costumed and wardrobed on and off- Broadway, and danced her way across two Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades on Santa’s float. Her eclectic background has focused heavily on marketing, public relations, and donor and event management through Dramatists Guild of America, Cirque du Soleil, Street Meet Promotions, Big Apple Circus, and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. She has had the privilege to write and direct two original pieces for the United Nations World Religion Conference and the United Nation/National Global Organization’s International Commission on the Status of Women Summit.

After relocating to Venice, FL several years ago, she is inspired daily by the possibilities to impact countless lives and raise awareness throughout the community on all that Loveland and its participants have to offer the world. She is a proud member of the American Fundraising Professionals (AFP), graduate of the Inaugural Leadership Class of Venice 2019, and a member of Gulf Coast Women in Networking, as well as several chambers of commerce.

“Equality Through Opportunity” means that each individual, regardless of their abilities, deserves the chance to be seen, to try new things, and experience anything the world has to offer.

Karen joined Loveland in May 1997 and was hired as Comptroller. She has had many title changes but
still retains her original position, currently Chief Financial Officer. During her 21 years with Loveland she
has overseen all aspects of the corporations finances, including the development and management of
budgets, preparation of financial statements for the board and the public, Human Resources and has
received clean audits for the agency every year since her arrival.
Karen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the College of St. Thomas, Saint Paul,
MN.

What does ‘EQUALITY THROUGH OPPORTUNITY’ mean to me.
To have the opportunity to identify the needs and ‘gifts’/strengths of individuals and provide the various
training through life skills classes, employment training and supports so they can enrich and adapt their
abilities to live the best life possible at home and in the community.

I’ve worked in this field for 28 years. I started as a DSP and I have worked every role to get to where I currently am, I am currently the Director of Quality Management and Administration at the Loveland Center.
Equality through Opportunity:
Means understanding that the individual’s we serve have the same rights that you and I have, and they have a right to lives that are meaningful to them, regardless of their diagnosis. Our job is to provide meaningful opportunities based on our individual’s life choices.

Susannah Cripe, the new Region 3 Coordinator at Loveland Center in Bradenton, FL., brings to
this position a passion for individuals with disabilities garnered from over twenty-five years of
experience. The transplant from Green Bay, WI, honed her skills in her pre-professional days as
an advocate, family case manager, and community outreach provider before stepping into
management positions with organizations like Easter Seals, Dream Oaks Camp, and In Stride
Therapy.
In every position in which she’s held, Cripe has served with a heartfelt integrity coupled with an
enthusiasm for her work and for those she’s serving, a track record she’s set to continue in her
work at Loveland. And the secret to her success?
“I love getting others excited about the things I’m passionate about.”

Jennifer has dedicated a vast majority of her educational and professional life to initiatives reflective of Loveland Centers culture, vision and mission. An inspired and innovative professional, Jennifer prides herself in leading and assisting others to realize their full potential knowing that anything is possible. Embracing the Loveland Center’s “Dare to Dream” philosophy as everyone’s reality is their own and deserves the support and resources needed to bring those dreams to fruition. After graduating from Chaminade University of Honolulu, Hawaii, with a B.A. in Psychology, she has worked in the various fields of Applied Behavior Analysis, Community Outreach, Classroom Instruction and a Small Business Owner which has provided Jennifer with the experience and ideal skillsets for the Loveland Center family. Away from her professional life, Jennifer is an avid equestrian, runner/gym rat and food connoisseur.

I am the Program Manager for the Venice Adult Day Program. I have over 15 years experience working with individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. My background is in residential services, personal supports, supported employment, coaching Special Olympics, and adult day training. Beyond my experience working with adults I also have experience in teaching autisic young adults with behavioral challenges, as well as college bound young adults. I have a passion for ensuring that full inclusion is what we strive to achieve, all individuals no matter their presumed ability should have the ability to dream big and work towards achieving those dreams.