Lauren Camp Gates
Executive Director
executivedirector@dsadelaware.org | (302) 995-1004
Lauren began working for the Down Syndrome Association of Delaware in March of 2014 as Program Director and was hired full time in June of 2017.
Lauren first became involved with the DSA of DE as a volunteer in 2010 for numerous yearly events. She continued her volunteer efforts in 2012 when she started the Days of Summer Camp Program. This program continues to this day and serves over 100 children a year. Lauren was presented with The Down Syndrome Advocacy Award from the DSA of DE in March of 2013 for her outstanding volunteering efforts.
Lauren served as President for Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action from 2018-2022, and she previously worked for the National Down Syndrome Congress from 2013-2022. She is also co-founder of Down to Box, a national non-profit which teaches boxing techniques to individuals with Down syndrome.
Lauren graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy with a minor in Disabilities Studies. Her Master’s degree is in Public Administration with a specialization in Nonprofit Management. She lives in Wilmington, DE with her husband, Bryce, their son, Easton, and dog, Bailey.
Kathleen McCormick
Director of Marketing and Events
kathleen@dsadelaware.org | (302) 388-2390
Kathleen first became involved with the DSA of DE in 2016 as a volunteer for the Days of Summer Camp. In 2019, she began serving on the Delaware Down Syndrome Walk committee as a volunteer, and she was hired full-time in April of 2021. Kathleen graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and minors in Sociology and Disabilities Studies. She worked in child welfare for the State of Delaware before joining us.
As Director of Marketing and Events, Kathleen is responsible for planning all of the DSA of DE’s events, running our social media pages and website, and coordinating our fundraising efforts. Kathleen lives in Wilmington with her cat, Mo.
Jess Walls
Community Liaison
jess@dsadelaware.org | (302) 528-1734
Jess has been involved with the Down Syndrome Association of Delaware since 2014, when she began volunteering at Days of Summer Camp as a counselor. She has since volunteered for various events through the years and was hired full-time in May of 2024.
Jess’s passion for helping others and advocating for children & adults with exceptionalities led her to a career change from a Neurodiagnostic Technologist to working as a Community Liaison for DSA of DE. You can find Jess managing our Milton office in Sussex County, directing our summer camps, coordinating our Rock Your Socks program, and more!
Jess lives in Middletown, DE with her wife, Brooke, two dogs, Bow & Chloe and their cat, Pua.
Nancy Bennett
Office Manager
office@dsadelaware.org | (302) 577-0005
Nancy Bennett is a lifelong Delawarean. She was raised near Bethany Beach, lived in Wilmington for nine years and settled in Middletown. She and her husband Dan, a Wilmington attorney, have three amazing daughters, Bethany, Julie and Caroline who are all grown up and making their mark on the world.
Nancy is a 1987 graduate of University of Delaware with a degree in elementary education, and taught up and down the state for thirty-five years. The last twenty-one years were spent as a third grade teacher and a middle school math teacher and advisor. She is also an active member at Saint Anne’s Episcopal Church.
Having the opportunity to work with such an active community of advocates and supporters as the Office Manager is a wonderful life-shift after retiring from teaching and Nancy enjoys getting to assist the Down syndrome community.
Outreach Staff
Susan Blessington
Outreach Coordinator
outreach@dsadelaware.org | (302) 464-6276
Susan has been involved with the DSADE since 2000 when her son, Conor, was born with Down syndrome. Before coming on part time as the DSADE Outreach Coordinator, Susan volunteered with the Outreach Committee for many years. She and her husband are also proud parents of Clare and Sean. Susan loves connecting with new families and providing them resources to help at any stage of their journey. Beyond her work with the DSADE, she volunteers with various organizations such as Waggies by Maggie and Friends, a dog treat company that employs adults with intellectual disabilities. Susan and her family love traveling and spending time at the beach. If you visit the Down Syndrome Clinic at Nemours, you will likely meet her!
Ari Avila
Spanish Outreach Coordinator
spanish@dsadelaware.org | (302) 455-8705
Ari was born in Mexico but raised in her home state of DE since the early age of six is a proud and busy wife and mother to four wonderful children; one whom happens to have Down syndrome. Ari is fully bilingual in both English and Spanish.
She graduated with high honors and received her national certification as a Medical Assistant back in 2013, even though she has chosen not to be employed in the medical field she has volunteered at the Down syndrome clinic at Nemours. She has also volunteered with the Down Syndrome Association of DE as an outreach parent for Spanish speaking families welcoming them and providing resources, as well as translating important information. Her love for her son Eric and her own experiences has opened a passion to help other families experiencing the diagnosis of Down syndrome specially within the Spanish Speaking community.
Ari resides in New Castle County with her husband Jesus, and their four children Eric (Ds), Thais Karina, Giovanni, Alfonzo, and fur babies: Jalapeño, Princess, and Chapo.