Board Members - Ohio SIBS

Derek Graham

Board Member

Derek Graham is an estate planning attorney and partner at Philipps & Graham, LLC. He genuinely enjoys helping people avoid and fix problems that arise in their lives. Whether they are the parent of a child with special needs trying to figure out Medicaid, a small business owner trying to understand the confusing letter they received in the mail or just an individual wanting to know what will happen to their assets at their death, Derek enjoys teaming up with individuals and families to solve problems.

Early in his career, Derek was fortunate to get experience in civil litigation, business transactions and estate planning. Then in 2009, he and his wife had their first daughter who was born with Down syndrome. Like many of his clients today, they were inundated with information and felt overwhelmed. Nine years later, Derek now spends the majority of his days helping similarly situated families understand the various resources that exist. Derek finds it very rewarding to meet with families of all varieties and help them understand how to effectively and practically plan their estate. More than that though, he enjoys helping families understand the resources available to them and how to get the most out of those resources. His practice areas include Estate Planning, Special Needs Estate Planning, Developmental Disabilities Law, Elder Law, Guardianship, Probate, Probate Litigation and Business (organizational, transactional and succession). Derek earns his clients’ trust by working hard to accomplish their goals, being accessible and giving advice based upon experience.

Dianna Temple, OTD, OTR/L

Executive Director

Dianna Temple is pictured here with her older SIB Jackie. She also has a younger SIB, Emily, a practicing OB Labor and Delivery nurse at Ohio Health in Mansfield. Dianna has a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, a Master’s degree in Visual Studies from the University of Missouri, and an Occupational Therapy Doctorate from the University of Toledo. Throughout her studies, she has completed academic research involving teenage siblings of people with disabilities using the Photovoice method, published research on the impact of creating digital stories for caregivers of those with dementia, developed a self-advocacy program and researched how the history of photography impacts the way we view disability.

Her SIB Jackie cannot talk, and they have always shared a connection through photography. In 2009 she made a documentary photography project of her sister’s day habilitation where she photographed her and her friends. From 2012-2017 she assisted Bowling Green photography students with a community collaboration where students partnered and photographed adults with disabilities. In 2020 she completed a portraiture project with a man that uses a power wheelchair. Together they made long-exposure photographs of his spinning wheelchair to promote visibility of disability. Dianna has also taught photography classes as a graduate student at the University of Missouri and as an adjunct for North Central State College.

During the pandemic, she moved with her husband Matt to be near her family on a small farm in Mansfield, Ohio. Working with Ohio SIBS is a dream job for her. She understands the importance of the sibling relationship and she is looking forward to advocating and supporting people with disabilities and their sisters and brothers.

Kelly Barnett

Board Member

Kelly Barnett, LISW-S is the Clinical Program Manager for Nisonger Behavior Support Services. She has been working within the Nisonger Behavior Support Services program for over 19 years. Kelly’s early college years shaped her career path and her passion for her work with individuals with developmental disabilities. She worked as an Independent provider implementing applied behavior analysis programs for children with Autism.

She enjoyed that work immensely, which led her to pursue her masters degree in social work. During her MSW program she was lucky enough to find her mentor Dr. Tom Fish whose work involved siblings of individuals with disabilities. Kelly’s work with Dr, Fish provided her with the experience of facilitating groups for young siblings of individuals with disabilities. Throughout her career in behavior support services adult siblings have often been team members for her clients, serving in the role of advocate or guardian.

Kelly has been able to see many times the wonderful role siblings have in the life of their brother or sister with a developmental disability. Although Kelly does not have any family members with disabilities she does have a strong connection with her siblings, Kristen and Kacy. They are two of her biggest supporters and she cherishes those relationships.

While serving on the Ohio SIBS board she hopes to support siblings and help them to connect and gain knowledge that will help them support their sibling throughout their life.

Dr. Tom Fish

Emeritus, Founder of Ohio SIBS

Dr. Tom Fish devoted the majority of his professional career to working for and with individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. He earned a Master’s degree in Social Work from Boston University and PhD in Rehabilitation Counseling from Ohio State University. He was privileged to work at the OSU Nisonger Center engaging in a variety of administrative, clinical, training, research and program development activities. He spearheaded efforts to establish hallmark programs in the areas of sibling support, community-based literacy and transition services for transition age youth with high functioning autism (for which he is considered a national authority). Dr. Fish is the co-author of four books, generated over two million dollars in external funding and published over ten professional journal articles. He has sat on a number of organizational boards at the local state and national levels. His work and service has been recognized by numerous professional and community organizations.

Abby Turnwald

Secretary

Abby Turnwald is a pediatric genetic counselor at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Throughout her education, Abby spent ample time working with individuals with disabilities and their families. One of her favorite places to spend time is Rocky Mountain Village in Colorado, a summer camp for individuals with disabilities. Her experiences shaped her passion for providing support for not only the individual with the disability and parents but also siblings. She recognized the gap in resources for these siblings and continues to work to fill this gap.

During graduate school, Abby completed research on parental communication and sibling understanding of Angelman syndrome, a rare genetic disease. Her research detected a need for resources to answer siblings’ questions and facilitate discussion. Abby co-authored three books for siblings of individuals with Angelman syndrome. She wanted to extend her reach to other siblings, so she co-founded the organization Rare Sibling Stories.

In her free time, Abby enjoys hiking, biking, and kayaking! She joined the board in 2023. As an Ohio native, Abigail is excited about the opportunity to focus on siblings in our community.

Talisha Beha

Chair

Talisha Beha is one of 5 siblings. Her older brother, Matthew, made a huge impact on her music preferences and her passion and dedication to supporting people with disabilities and their families.

She has been serving as an Integration & Family Engagement Coordinator at Knox County Board of Developmental Disabilities, where she expands connection and resource opportunities for families, assists the Special Olympics program to expand sport options for interested athletes, and engages with community organizations to expand public awareness and inclusion of the disability community. Prior to this role, Talisha served as a Service and Support Administrator at the same organization, collaborating and coordinating services for persons with disabilities and their team of supports while ensuring good stewardship of financial and community resources.

Talisha joined Ohio SIBS in 2023. While serving on the Ohio SIBS board, she hopes to continue to grow awareness of the role siblings play in their SIBS life and support for them.

Christy Gregg

Board Member

Christy Gregg, CTRS (Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist) is the Program Manager at UC Health’s Timothy Freeman, MD, Center for Developmental Disabilities. Christy has 22+ years of experience working in non-profit, services and supports.

Christy completed the University of Cincinnati’s LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities) program in 2022, was the Adult Matters Coordinator at the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati for over 9 years and is a trainer for National Task Group on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Her career path has been influenced by her younger brother Michael, who has Down syndrome, and as challenges or obstacles arise, Christy strives to join in finding solutions. We were speakers together at a DSAGC event in the picture included. Throughout her career, she has presented nationally on sibling topics along with other areas such as future planning.

Christy and her husband Chris have two daughters and live in Cincinnati, Ohio. She joined Ohio Sibs in 2024.