[Past Event] What the Future Looks Like for Those with Intellectual Disabilities
Individuals with intellectual disabilities are up against a lot right now. Apart from being more susceptible to COVID, some services that aid those with intellectual disabilities, such as speech or behavioral therapy, have either been suspended altogether or moved online, which can become especially challenging for some to access. Join Worth for an intimate discussion on how the pandemic has brought on more challenges for people with intellectual disabilities and how organizations are working to meet these challenges, as well as how this could lead to positive change for those with intellectual disabilities and what helpful innovations could come out of this time.
Watch the full recording:
- When
- Thursday, September 3, 2020, 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT
- Where
- Zoom
Speakers
Amanda Lukof serves as Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel for Hope Trust, a technology company serving families affected by special needs. Amanda knows firsthand what it’s like to have a loved one with special needs. Her brother, Liam, is on the Autism Spectrum and has served as a source of inspiration for Amanda throughout her career. After graduating from Lafayette College in 2008, Amanda volunteered for Autism Speaks and co-founded the Autism Speaks to Young Professionals event series in New York City in 2009, with the goal of spreading awareness about autism to the next generation of parents. Amanda also served as Chairperson of Special Events for Newmark Education, a special needs school in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, where her brother was then a student. In all, Amanda’s efforts for these philanthropic causes helped to raise nearly $1.5 million. During this time, Amanda worked for Sotheby’s auction house before pursuing her legal degree at Fordham University School of Law, where she dedicated all of her clinical and internship experience to special education law. Following law school, Amanda spent nearly six years working for Riker Danzig Scherer Hyland & Perretti LLP, serving clients in the financial services industry, including one the Firm’s largest clients, UBS Financial Services Inc. Ultimately, Amanda’s passion for serving the special needs community led her to Hope Trust, which provides technology-based solutions for the long-term planning and daily management needs for families like hers.
For the 32MM US families that have a member with special needs, the number one question on parents’ minds is: What is going to happen to my child when I am gone? Answering this question is Hope Trust’s core mission. The Hope Trust app walks users through the creation of a care plan, a document that holistically details the daily life of the loved one with challenges. Their daily schedule, medical, legal, financial, and psychological needs are all documented in an easy-to-read report that can be shared with family members and/or caregivers, today and in the future. Through the app, the plan can be updated 24/7/365, so it is always up-to-date. After completing the care plan, the app also generates a custom third-party special needs trust, laying the groundwork for the family to plan for their loved one’s financial future. Hope Trust’s Meet Your Trust Objective (“MYTO”) tool determines the trust funding goal using the beneficiary’s budget and incorporating each client’s government benefits, allowing a Financial Advisor to deliver a tailored solution. In the near future, Hope Trust also plans to offer a full suite of concierge services to help families with special needs planning: bill pay, creating an IEP, finding doctors, group homes, rehab centers and more. Finally, Hope Trust can serve as trustee of a special needs trust, ensuring that services and support are provided throughout the beneficiary’s lifetime and that trust assets are used to proactively enhance the beneficiary’s life.
Kayla McKeon is the Manager of Grassroots Advocacy for the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) where she works to advance legislation beneficial to the Down syndrome community. Kayla gained experience working with Members of Congress as an intern for Congressman John Katko of New York. She was named NDSS Self-Advocate of the Year in 2016 and joined the NDSS staff the following year. As the first registered lobbyist with Down syndrome, Kayla is a spokesperson for NDSS and the Down syndrome community, participating in media and speaking publicly both nationally and internationally. Kayla is pursuing her associate degree at Onondaga Community College.
Kayla resides in Syracuse, NY with her parents and dog Bella. She is a Special Olympics athlete and former Special Olympics Athlete Congress member. In 2011, she competed in the Special Olympic World games in Athens, Greece winning silver and bronze medals. Kayla is active in her church, is an avid reader and loves swimming in her pool when the weather is warm.
Jim McCann is a successful entrepreneur, business leader, author, media personality and philanthropist whose passion is helping people deliver smiles. Jim’s belief in the universal need for social connections and interaction led to his founding of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc., which he has grown into one of the world’s leading floral and gourmet gifting companies.
Jim’s willingness to embrace new technologies that enhance customer engagement, such as 800 phone numbers and e-commerce, often long before other retailers, has consistently kept 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. ahead of the curve and positioned it as a leading innovator in the marketplace. These innovations have played a vital role in strengthening customer engagement, something that has always been a key element of Jim’s business philosophy.
Jim’s strategy for growth has included an effective combination of birthing and acquiring new businesses and brands that resonate with customers for their gifting and celebratory occasions. The company’s gift offerings include iconic brands such as Harry & David®, Wolferman’s®, Cheryl’s® Cookies and The Popcorn Factory®, as well as Simply Chocolate®, Personalization Universe® and 1-800-Baskets.com®, among others.
Jim is also deeply involved in philanthropy and is especially devoted to helping individuals with developmental disabilities. This includes his continued work as Founder and Chairman of Smile Farms, a 501(c)3 organization established in 2015. Smile Farms provides meaningful jobs in agricultural settings to young adults and adults with developmental disabilities, allowing them to master new skills, experience teamwork, contribute to their community and, importantly, take home a paycheck. As a result, Jim was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Long Island Business News 2019 Corporate Citizenship Awards.
In 2018, Jim established Clarim Holdings, a private holding company that expands market opportunities for clients by providing capital along with an extensive network of high-tier support partners. Jim also serves as a director for The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, Amyris and International Game Technology PLC, as well as a variety of private and not-for-profit boards.
A leader in private wealth management for successful families, women and business owners.
Kathy joined UBS in 2007 and subsequently formed Entwistle Partners, creating a team of professionals dedicated to providing multigenerational wealth advice to affluent families, C-suite executives and founders.
With her nearly 30-year career defined by many leadership roles, Kathy has been recognized with multiple awards and designations for her achievements—from Forbes as a Top 200 female financial advisor in the country to three consecutive Barron’s nominations to their “Top Women Financial Advisors” list. Kathy attributes her success to her dedicated team who help her deliver on strong personal relationships, thoughtful advice and a high level of service.
Experience
Officer in Corporate Trust Department, Manufacturers Hanover Trust
Vice President and Wealth Advisor, Morgan Stanley
Credentials
Certified Financial Planner, (CFP®)
Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®)
Forbes “Top Women Wealth Advisor,” 2018, 2019
Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisor,” New Jersey, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Forbes “Top 200 Women Advisors,” 2017, 2018
M.B.A., Fordham University
Life
Kathy serves on the Board of Directors for: The Ridgewood Public Library Foundation, The Family Support Organization of Bergen County, St, Joseph’s School for the Blind, Christian Health Care Center Foundation, and Ridgewood A.M. Rotary.
She is an active member of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey and Women United in Philanthropy.
In her free time, she enjoys golfing, spending time with family and relaxing at the beach.
Juliet currently serves as CEO for media brand Worth, responsible for leading its transformation from a print magazine to a content platform that focuses on ‘Worth beyond Wealth’ and inspires and informs an affluent, influential and successful community of individuals to be their best selves.
Juliet began her career as a management consultant, learning to code at IBM Business Consulting Services, before focusing on business strategy and organizational change, working with clients to solve complex business problems across a variety of sectors through the use of technology.
Her experience in this area took her to a role at Boxwood (now KPMG) where she worked as a senior consultant in strategy and business change, with a focus on the media and technology sector. After working as a consultant with Guardian News & Media on its print to digital strategy, in 2012 she was confirmed in a permanent role to lead strategy and operations for the Guardian Media Group’s commercial division based in London.
Juliet joined the Guardian’s executive committee in 2015 and, as chief delivery officer; was responsible for the strategic implementation of the global three year turnaround plan and subsequent transformation and growth for the Guardian’s US operation, relocating to New York in 2016.
She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and son, is a keen runner, yogi, and skier.
Worth is looking ahead with its latest live series, The Next Normal. What will the world look like after the current crisis passes? How will specific businesses and sectors not only respond to the existing challenges but also transform to adapt to the new frontier? Join timely discussions with special guests and experts from an expanse of industries including finance, fashion, retail, real estate, art, food, sports and more, as we dive deep into what the future holds for us in a post-pandemic world.