


Suzanne Keith Blattner
Suzanne Keith Blattner, Ed. S. is a Special Education Consultant who has worked in various capacities in special education for over 30 years. Her experiences include a variety of teaching, diagnostics and administrative responsibilities in public schools and major medical facilities. For the past 25 years, Ms. Blattner has served as a consultant for families who are seeking expert counsel regarding the process of evaluating their child's needs and securing school and services options that best meet those needs. Ms. Blattner's educational background brings in-depth training not only in special education, but also in child development and neurodevelopment. In addition, her teaching experiences with young children have provided her with hands on knowledge of best practices in early childhood education. As an advocate, Ms. Blattner provides guidance during Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings and expert testimony in legal proceedings as necessary. Ms. Blattner is committed to providing tailored guidance to each client based on his or her individual needs from early childhood into transition years to adult services.
Carla Rappaport
Carla Rappaport has been a public interest lawyer for over 40 years, specializing in child welfare law in the District of Columbia. In addition to her private practice, Carla was previously Of Counsel to the Children’s Law Center, a faculty member at the Antioch School of Law, and Director of the Graduate Student Legal Aid Office at the University of Maryland College Park. Carla can often be found out on the trail or working in the ring with our CPP participants.
John Walters
John P. Walters is Chief Operating Officer of the policy research organization, Hudson Institute. From December 2001 to January 2009, he was Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and a Cabinet member during the Bush Administration. From 1996 until 2001, Mr. Walters served as President of the Philanthropy Roundtable, a national association of charitable foundations and individual donors. His prior government service included work at ONDCP, as Deputy Director of Supply Reduction. He was Assistant to the Secretary and Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Education and worked at the National Endowment for the Humanities during the Reagan Administration. Mr. Walters lives in Washington D.C. and is married with two daughters. His older daughter, Michaela, who has Down Syndrome, participates in the Cura Personalis Project.
Matt Gilchrist
Matthew E. Gilchrist, CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional, began his financial career in 2008. Matt attended The University of Maryland College Park where he completed a B.A. in Economics. In 2008, Matthew obtained a Certificate of Financial Planning from Georgetown University and in 2011 became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. Matt has committed to educating the community on the constantly shifting financial landscape. Matthew volunteers his time at a weekly eldercare and financial planning workshop. Here he assists residents and their extended family members in addressing a wide range of wealth management, estate and tax planning concerns. Matthew was born and raised in Sandy Spring, MD. Matthew, his wife Monica and their 3 kids currently reside in Brookeville, MD.
Kimberly Khan
Kimberly Khan worked in the IT field for 35 years as a Project Manager, Systems Analyst and Owner of her own IT consulting firm. For over 25 years, Ms. Khan has also been a parent mentor to families of children with disabilities running various support groups, creating and moderating special needs listservs and conducting active advocacy training programs. She now serves as the Executive Director of CPP. Kim lives in Laytonsville, MD and is married with two children. Her younger son, with complex Developmental Disabilities, has been the inspiration behind the Cura Personalis Project.
Kevin Slane
Kevin Slane is the Chief Risk Officer at Sandy Spring Bank based in Olney MD. He oversees the development and operations of the bank’s Risk Management function that focuses on safely enabling business strategies to drive Sandy Spring Bank’s long-term success. With more than 30 years of experience, Mr. Slane is an accomplished financial services executive. Before relocating to MD with his family in 2018, Kevin worked in similar roles for a number of Banks in the South and Southeast US. Kevin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Guilford College in Greensboro, NC. He was elected to the national Risk Management Association (RMA) Board in 2021 and he also serves on their Mid-size Bank Council. After a long tenure on the board of Raphael Village (a LA special needs community), Mr. Slane continues to serve as an advisor on strategic and financial matters. Kevin’s son Ben is a participant in the CPP program and Kevin joined the Board of CPP in 2022.