board of directors
Torrie Farley - President
Torrie resides in St. Bernard Parish with her husband, Patrick, her son Nathan (6), and her daughter, Maddie (3). She is a Program Manager for Tulane Univeristy’s Office of Advancement for Annual & Leadership Giving. She received a bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Louisiana University in General Studies and a Master of Liberal Arts at Tulane’s School of Professional Advancement. She is a volunteer with the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network (DSDN) where she will attend her third DSDN Rockin’ Mom Retreat in Las Vegas this September.
Shawn McBride - Vice president
Shawn was born and raised in Wisconsin and is the oldest of six children. After completing her Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders (Speech, Language and Hearing) at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, she started her career in San Antonio, Texas. She then moved to New Jersey and later married John McBride, a school psychologist and Director of Special Services in a large school system. Shawn continued as a Speech and Language Clinician and expanded her education and state certifications in advanced areas. She then worked as a Learning Consultant, Director of Special Services and eventually, an elementary school principal.
After nearly 14 years in education (which was dearly loved), Shawn and her husband accepted new positions and took totally different career paths in the food industry. They moved to New Orleans in 1984 and began working with the renowned Chef Paul Prudhomme in all of his endeavors and companies, mainly with Magic Seasoning Blends with Shawn as CEO/President and John as VP of Sales and Marketing. Their educational background served them well throughout the businesses on many different occasions when there were employees who were having some challenges in the job performance—often due to undetected learning problems.
Presently, Shawn serves on several different boards and does some independent consulting in both education and the food industry. Her love of education has never diminished and she has stayed Involved through the years in several different ways. She joined the DSAGNO Board in New Orleans (2023) and although she does not have a child with Ds, her love continues to grow for children and adults with special needs. Shawn and her husband are committed to their needs and work as advocates for our DSAGNO members and many others throughout the country.
Patricia Ehrle - Secretary
Pat Ehrle was introduced to an amazing community of kind and caring friends who shared a common goal with her over forty-five years ago when her son, Craig Blackburn, was born with Down syndrome. Pat became an advocate for Craig and all others with Special Needs who needed a voice to communicate to others how truly able they are, each in their own way. Everyone has something to contribute.
Pat retired at the end of 2016, and her goal was to work with individuals with Special Needs, young children, and the senior population.
Pat is currently the Secretary for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater New Orleans. Since the inception of DSAGNO in the mid 80’s, Pat has held many positions on the Board, as well as had her husband, Ken and son, Craig. DSAGNO is a community of other families
who walk the same path as Pat, Ken, and Craig. There is great comfort in sharing ideas and learning from others who have family members with Down syndrome. DSAGNO is family.
Pat is on the Board of the Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority (JPHSA). Pat volunteers at East Jefferson General Hospital (EJGH) in
patient transport. Pat has been a volunteer since the beginning of NOLA Gigi’s Playhouse loves everything about Gigi’s programs and
working with the young adults who gain so much from the classes and just have fun.
Pat and her husband, Ken, love to travel and are busy keeping up with Craig and his many activities. The family has a four-legged member, Beignet. If you keep up with Pat on FB, you have seen the many pics of Beignet. Pat says her rewards for working with non-profits and volunteering are immeasurable when she sees the progress the participants make, the fun they are just being themselves, and the smiles on their faces. Priceless.
Paula LaCour - Treasurer
I am the proud mother of two amazing daughters who have inspired me to look beyond the necessities of life and seek to find what is fulfilling in one’s life. For the last 25 years I have been actively involved with DSAGNO up to my current position as Treasurer. I have held most positions in the organization throughout the years and have been a member of the Buddy Walk committee back to our inaugural walk in 2002.
As a 2001 graduate of Partners in Policymaking, my eyes were opened to all the possibilities that one could accomplish in the Down syndrome and Disability community. Since then, I have advocated in Washington, DC, numerous times, meeting with our elected officials and/or their staff on behalf of legislation affecting those with disabilities. In 2011, my entire family had the opportunity to participate in Buddy Walk on Washington. That trip was one of our most rewarding as we could advocate as a family. In addition, I have met with education officials advocating for further inclusive education as a direct benefit to our children. I have also met with our local and state officials, BESE members, and School Board members. I was a member of Jefferson Parish’s Special Education Advisory Council for 13 years.
We are regulars at the annual NDSC conferences where we all participate; Megan started with the Brothers and Sisters, now siblings, in 2008 and was the leader for her last two years. Hannah has participated in the Youth and Adult conference for the last ten years. She has presented and was most recently elected to the NDSC board by her peers as a Self Advocate.
Most recently, I have been on the board and a certified coach for JoJo’s Hope, an aquatic program for individuals with disabilities.
In 2012, I was appointed to the board of Jefferson Parish Human Service Authority (JPHSA), an organization that has guided me throughout the years and provides an invaluable service to the disability community in Jefferson Parish. I served on this board for 6 years.
Aside from my volunteer work within the Down syndrome and disability community, I have worked as a Controller and CFO in the manufacturing industry. As I wind down in my career, I am currently employed with a local CPA firm.
To fill in the cracks, I enjoy photography, travel, and spending time with my expanding family, including my first granddaughter.
Definitely, my rewards are not as an individual but as a family enjoying giving back to the Down syndrome community all the blessings that have been bestowed upon us.
Julia DiRe
Julia DiRe was born and raised in New Orleans, LA.
She is 19 and in the Exploration Academy program at St. Michael School. She loves her job working in the kitchen at the New Orleans Superdome. She wants to go to college in 2025, and she also wants to be a film producer and to live independently. She likes to cook, write, and play the flute. She has played the flute for six years. She is on the DSAGNO board as a Self-advocacte to help others learn about DSAGNO and help it grow.
Mallory Riley
Mallory Riley was born and raised in New Orleans and is the mother of three beautiful children – Logan, Leighton, and Benny who has Down syndrome. They enjoy going to DSAGNO functions, especially the Buddy Walk. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hanging with family and friends, and advocating for Down syndrome awareness. She loves meeting and supporting new families who receive a Down syndrome diagnosis.
Tina Haines
Tina Haines, a New Orleans native, serves as Member-at-Large for DSAGNO. She is the Executive Director of Acumen Fiscal Agent, LLC for the State of Louisiana. This company provides fiscal services to families directing their disability services through the Louisiana Self-Direction program. Tina is a mother of one son, Kevin, Jr., and a daughter, Karina, who is diagnosed with Down syndrome. Both have been members of DSAGNO for over ten years and enjoy advocating for other individuals with disabilities.
Karina attends St. Michael Special School. She won “Student of the Year” four years ago and is now attending Upper School. Karina is also involved in the Miracal Beauties Pageant Show every year held in November. She has placed “Mini Supreme” and “Ms. Congeniality.” Both Tina and Karina are members of the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) Special Needs Committee to advocate for inclusive recreational programs to meet the needs of all individuals. They served an integral part in coordinating the first Special Needs Mardi Gras Ball with NORD. Tina also serves on the Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) for Region 1 and has worked for Reliable Community Alternatives for four years in case management services and administration.
In their spare time, Tina and Karina love to travel, swim, attend festivals, and stop at their favorite place every Saturday, Starbucks.
