A nonprofit advisory board is a group of individuals who volunteer their expertise and resources to advise and support a nonprofit’s Board of Directors. They provide guidance, expertise, and advocacy support and can serve as ambassadors for the nonprofit, including fundraising and advocating for its mission.
We are proud to introduce the members of the Advisory Board of Universal Possibilities. This group’s members have diverse talents and expertise that are utilized to ensure the success of our ongoing efforts to provide innovative housing for independent individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD).
Michael Flynn
Mike was born and raised in Amherst, NY and counts his experience at Canisius High School and Massachusetts Maritime Academy in shaping his trajectory in life. He spent most of his career running the tugboats on Lake Erie working for Great Lakes Towing Company. Now retired, he has a home improvement business that keeps him busy when he is not working on home projects of his own.
Mike and his wife Deb have raised their two daughters Kaleigh and Courtney in East Aurora, New York. Kaleigh is the oldest sibling and was born with Down Syndrome. Never deterred by what challenges her disability might create, he has always held that if the bar gets pushed, she will rise to the occasion. Both Mike and Deb have continued to look for opportunities with education, activities, work and life skill building to help create an independent and fulfilling life for Kaleigh.
As Kaleigh is now 27 years old, finding appropriate housing for her in a safe, inclusive and independent setting is a priority. Universal Possibilities has the vision, mission and values that fit Kaleigh’s needs so being a part of this organization is a perfect fit with other likeminded parents
Krisan Hahn
Krisan is retired and lives in Marilla with her husband Chuck. She is a mom and grandma who enjoys teaching aerobic dance classes and playing pickleball.
Krisan is a former employee of Clarence High School. She was president of the PTO and SEPTSA (Special Education Parent, Teacher, Student Association) board member. A highlight of her time there was planning and organizing a huge prom held in downtown Buffalo for students with disabilities. Along with peer helpers, parents and teachers, the prom was an incredible event enjoyed by so many who may not have had a prom experience.
Krisan’s pride and joy is her youngest daughter, Jennifer. Jen was born with a developmental disability. Jen’s love of life and self-determination pushes Krisan to be her lifelong advocate. Some of Jen’s personal goals include working, being physically active, maintaining friendships, being part of a community and choosing where and how to live. Krisan is excited about being a member of the Advisory Board for Universal Possibilities and helping all of the participants reach their goals.
Krista Martinez Murphy
Krista (Kartalis) Martinez-Murphy is a dedicated healthcare professional with over 23 years as a Registered Nurse. In her current role as a Health Care Surveyor 3 with the New York State Department of Health, she leads teams in evaluating healthcare facilities to ensure they meet rigorous standards of safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. Throughout her career, Krista has combined clinical expertise with a deep commitment to compassionate care, public health, and patient advocacy.
Her passion for supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities is inspired by her brother, who is on the autism spectrum. He continues to motivate her work and strong commitment to advocating for creating environments where individuals with disabilities have the same rights as everyone else. Krista lives in East Aurora, New York, with her husband, Chris, and her daughter, Zoe. Zoe is part of the Unified Club at her school that fosters social inclusion, promotes understanding, and helps to break down barriers between students with and without disabilities. Together, they are all actively involved in volunteering their time to support the mission and goals of Universal Possibilities.
Kathryn (Kartalis) Peters
Kathryn (Kartalis) Peters serves as the Vice President of the Clinical Trials Office at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she leads a team committed to advancing cancer research and delivering innovative therapies through clinical trials. She brings a strong technical and strategic background to her role, holding a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics and a Master of Science in Computer Science and Cyber Security. Her expertise supports the integration of data, technology, and operations to drive high-impact research and improve patient care.
Her advocacy work is deeply personal—her brother, who has autism, is her lifelong inspiration and the reason she is passionate about creating opportunities for individuals of all abilities. She lives in Elma, New York, with her husband, Jeremy Peters, and twin daughters, Mikayla and Nicole. Together, they are all actively involved in volunteering their time to support this important initiative for current and future generations.
Christine Rushok
Christine joins the Advisory Board with a unique interest…her very own daughter, Genevieve. “Honestly, right after the first conversation I had when I learned about Universal Possibilities’ mission, I knew I was all in. Universal Possibilities…What a powerful and positive way to plan for the future of all of our community’s young adults with I/DD.”
Christine has a BA in Legal Studies from the University at Buffalo. This has consistently assisted her in navigating the ways of Special Education law as a strong advocate throughout Genna’s educational career. Christine continues to advocate for Genna and her peers as young adults with I/DD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) in the workplace and within our community.
Christine is a proud Mom of two daughters, Lauren and Genevieve (Genna) and lives in the village of East Aurora. The three of them are always looking for a way to give back and make a difference. Christine and Genevieve proudly volunteer weekly at Hearts for the Homeless in our own Buffalo Riverside community in their commercial kitchen. They understand that preparing nightly warm meals for our community’s food deprived is not only God sent but heart felt. Lauren is a federal advocate for policies benefiting infants and toddlers, including those with disabilities.
Thank you for supporting our mission at Universal Possibilities. Christine, Lauren, and especially Genna believe it to be so important that all our young adults live and love as they wish-safely, respectfully and most importantly, independently.
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