Our team in the USA

“I am dedicated to helping to remove the barriers people with non-apparent disabilities face every day by making the Sunflower a national symbol for non-apparent disabilities throughout the US.”

Regional Director, United States, Lynn Smith has been involved since 2020 with the Sunflower program, creating awareness, managing products and distribution, and helping companies implement the Sunflower throughout their organizations.  Lynn is also the CMO for The Sourcing Group, the previous North American partner for the Hidden Disabilities program.  She is dedicated to making the Sunflower a national symbol for non-apparent disabilities throughout the US. 

Metha is here to support our business members every step of the way, from onboarding to invoicing and any questions that come up, making sure their experience is smooth and stress-free.

“Post-injury I struggle with extreme sensory sensitivity, migraines, anxiety and other deficits, none of which can be seen. I faced daily challenges when out in public. Now, as a Sunflower wearer, I know first-hand what a difference having a visible indicator makes to my daily life. I am thrilled to be part of the Sunflower team and help spread awareness across the United States.”

Holly is responsible for managing inbound social media queries and serving as the first point of contact for our US ambassadors. Holly was previously a producer at the Oprah Winfrey Network, where she created digital content. Prior to joining the Sunflower, Holly was a Script Supervisor in Hollywood, working in film and television. After sustaining a brain injury in March 2019, Holly was unable to continue her Hollywood career, but during her recovery, she discovered Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.

As a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower advocate and ambassador, I will raise awareness of non-apparent disabilities, encourage others to shine a light on hidden challenges, and foster empathy in education, the community, and beyond. I am honored to be a voice for many.

My journey as a neurodiversity advocate began long before I became a college instructor. As a student, I witnessed a capable classmate struggle because a hidden disability went undiagnosed, and I spoke up to advocate for them. That experience stayed with me and later became deeply personal as members of my own family faced similar challenges.

Today, as a Special Education College Instructor and CEO of Essential Learning Options: Pathways to Success LLC, I draw on these experiences to empower diverse learners, reduce stigma around neurodiversity, and build inclusive communities where individuals feel safe seeking support and are valued for their strengths. I also serve as a Regional Center Independent Facilitator, promoting access, self-advocacy, and empowerment for individuals with disabilities and their families.

"You can't truly understand someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes, and I've walked that mile twice: once with my own hidden disability, and again as the bonus mom of a neurodivergent child. Those journeys transformed how I see support, advocacy, and what it means to create spaces where everyone can thrive." 

Elyse is an Associate Director of Global Learning at Ernst & Young and the founder of Empowerment Coaching by Elyse, where she specializes in coaching neurodivergent professionals, particularly those with ADHD and autism, to thrive in their careers and lives. With over 25 years of experience in organizational effectiveness and leadership development, she brings a strength-based approach that honors neurodivergence as different wiring deserving customized support. As a PAAC-certified ADHD coach, she works with clients globally through virtual sessions and locally in Central New Jersey for in-person coaching. 

Elyse is the author of "Beyond the T-Shirt: A Journey from Labels to Liberation," a memoir exploring body acceptance and neurodiversity advocacy. Her lived experience as a stepparent to a neurodivergent child sparked her passion for creating accessible spaces and challenging assumptions about what support should look like. As a Hidden Disabilities Ambassador, she's committed to amplifying neurodivergent voices and helping individuals, families, and organizations move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches to embrace truly inclusive practices.

Karly Stein is a Colorado-based creative entrepreneur, speaker, and advocate for people with hidden disabilities. Diagnosed with ADHD at a time when women were often overlooked, Karly understands firsthand the impact of being misunderstood, underestimated, or required to mask in order to belong. Her advocacy is deeply shaped by lived experience, including navigating serious and recurring health challenges that strengthened her belief in self-advocacy, dignity, and community care.

Through her work as the founder of multiple community-focused ventures, Karly creates inclusive spaces that center empathy, accessibility, and human connection. She is passionate about bridging understanding between neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals, particularly in professional, healthcare, and public-facing environments. By sharing her story with honesty and warmth, Karly empowers others to be seen, supported, and respected, while championing a world where invisible disabilities are recognized without explanation.

"Living with Lupus has taught me that strength isn’t always visible, and asking for support shouldn't have to be loud or embarrassing. I am passionate about ensuring that everyone with an invisible illness feels empowered to get the help that they need, allowing them to navigate the world with confidence and dignity."

Katlyn is a dedicated advocate and digital creator also known to the chronic illness community as "Super Loopie Woman." As an official Lupus Foundation of America Ambassador, Support Group Facilitator, and member of the Lupus Research Action Network (LRAN), she is committed to helping others navigate the daily realities of life with an invisible illness. By sharing her lived experience with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Katlyn aims to foster a more inclusive world where the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower provides a silent yet noticeable invitation for patience, kindness and support. The sunflower lanyard makes it possible to receive help nonchalantly, without the embarrassment of having to explain or justify a hidden struggle.

"As a mother of a child with a hidden disability, I have experienced firsthand the challenges that come with the lack of inclusion and empathy in society. Today, we know that barriers do not lie within the person themselves, but rather in the interaction with the environment, mainly due to attitudinal barriers. Wearing the sunflower badge has allowed us to confront these barriers, and I have seen the great impact it generates. I am excited to be the US Ambassador for the Hispanic world, with the aim of raising awareness and promoting that we all become agents of change."

As someone with multiple hidden disabilities, I'm very excited to be a Sunflower Ambassador. I look forward to not only promoting and educating people about the hidden disabilities Sunflower program but learning myself as well. I'm happy to remind everyone that not all disabilities are visible and to please extend compassion and grace to everyone because you never know what someone is dealing with seen or unseen.

"I live with invisible disabilities that affect my daily life in ways others may not always see. While the challenges can be unpredictable, they do not define me or limit what I have to offer. I’m proud to serve as an advocate for those who have spent years navigating their struggles quietly.

Living with hidden disabilities has deepened my appreciation for understanding, patience, and compassion, especially when what someone is facing isn’t outwardly visible.

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower has given me a way to feel seen without having to explain myself, and a sense of belonging within a community that truly understands.

I’m honored to serve as a Sunflower Ambassador and look forward to expanding awareness, connection, and support for people living with invisible disabilities everywhere."

"I am passionate about proving that while a diagnosis may change the pace of travel, it should never diminish the beauty of the journey."

Petrina Walker is a dedicated accessible travel advisor, writer, and the founder of Swift Breezes Travel. Living with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a rare and degenerative form of arthritis, Petrina understands firsthand the complexities of navigating the world with a hidden disability. Through her agency and her digital platform, The Adapted Path, she empowers others to explore beyond their comfort zones by providing expert guidance and honest storytelling.

" I was born with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT) an inheritable peripheral neuropathy that includes many motor and/or sensory neuropathies, axonopathies, myelopathies, and neuronopathies. Due to the degradation of their nerves, people with CMT suffer lifelong progressive muscle weakness, atrophy of the arms and legs, and progressive sensory loss Additionally, I'm an Ischemic stroke survivor.

Throughout life, I never fit in; therefore, I’ve learned to create my own joy. Coming from a strong family unit, I’ve learned how to turn my weaknesses into strengths. My strengths present themselves through encouraging others, lifting them up, and reminding them that they are valued, loved, and seen.

I became a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program Ambassador because the sunflower allows you to be seen and not questioned, supported without shame, and loved without limits."

Dr. Tiffany Brown is an autism travel creator, global family travel strategist, and founder of Autism Spectrum Adventures. She travels the world with her husband and autistic son, using their journeys to champion autism awareness, promote acceptance, and help families discover inclusive, sensory-friendly travel experiences worldwide. Dr. Brown shares practical tips, trusted resources, and real-life experiences to help parents feel confident traveling with autistic children and children with other special needs.

Together, their family has visited 49 U.S. states (state 50 will be visited in 2026), 46 countries, and 6 continents, and they are continuing toward new milestones. Dr. Brown is passionate about showing families that meaningful, adventurous travel is possible with the right preparation and support.

She holds a PhD in Higher Education and draws on her research background to identify sensory-friendly destinations, experiences, and products that make trips more accessible. Through her work, Dr. Brown is dedicated to educating, inspiring, and equipping families to explore the world with confidence.

"My name is Roshelle Anderson, founder of Happi Crafts & work closely with different consulting agencies out of South Florida and across the country. We specialize in designing sensory rooms, proving mental health therapy's and creating interactive sensory-based products tailored for inclusive environments—working across schools, therapists, and public spaces.

While collaborating with Newark Liberty International Airport on their sensory products , I was introduced to the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program. Motivated by that experience, I have since worn the lanyard with my daughter during our travels, and the support we received at multiple airports was simply outstanding.

Building on this firsthand insight has inspired me to integrate the Sunflower into our work to promote awareness, comfort, and dignity for individuals with hidden disabilities"

Tiffany Mazars is an international speaker, author, social entrepreneur and a mother of two, she is committed to raising awareness of invisible disabilities and promoting a more inclusive society.

Living with fibromyalgia, ADHD, and mild hearing loss herself, Tiffany brings both personal insight and professional expertise to her advocacy. Through her work, she encourages organizations and the wider public to better recognize hidden challenges, foster understanding, and create environments where everyone can feel seen, respected, and supported.

“You don’t have to see a disability to lead with compassion. Every person deserves to be believed, supported, and met with dignity—especially when their challenges are invisible.”

Malaysia Harrell is a psychotherapist, author, speaker, veteran, and holistic wellness leader who brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her advocacy for individuals with hidden disabilities. A retired veteran and board-certified clinical social worker, Malaysia has dedicated her life’s work to helping individuals, communities, and organizations cultivate compassion, resilience, and truly inclusive environments.

Malaysia’s passion for advocacy is deeply personal. She is a survivor of a life-threatening medical crisis that included sepsis, sarcoidosis, multiple major surgeries, and a near-death experience that permanently transformed her understanding of health, identity, and invisible illness. Living with complex medical conditions—many of which are not outwardly visible—has given her firsthand insight into the physical, emotional, and systemic challenges faced by people with hidden disabilities.

She is the founder of Blissful Life Consulting, where she leads transformational programs focused on alignment, healing, and purpose, and the author of God Has My Six, a powerful reflection on faith, survival, and resilience. In addition, Malaysia founded the Malaysia Harrell Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veteran women and underrepresented populations by increasing access to mental health care, holistic wellness resources, and community-based support.

As a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Ambassador, Malaysia is committed to amplifying compassion, raising awareness, and advocating for spaces—across healthcare, workplaces, travel, and everyday life—where individuals are not required to justify or disclose their conditions in order to be understood. She believes true inclusion begins when support is offered without judgment and dignity is extended without question.

Trena Myers, a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Ambassador from the Metro Atlanta area, rare disease advocate, and purpose-driven leader who uses her voice to make invisible disabilities visible. As Ms. Elite United USA 2025, Trena leverages her national platform to champion inclusion, awareness, and compassion for individuals living with non-apparent disabilities to help #makerarevisible.

Trena serves as the CEO of Rare Wish, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the rare disease community through advocacy, resources, and hope-centered initiatives. She is also a successful small business owner and CEO of a digital marketing agency, where she helps mission-driven organizations amplify their impact through strategic storytelling and visibility.

Through lived experience, leadership, and advocacy, Trena inspires communities and organizations to lead with empathy, create inclusive environments, and recognize that sometimes the most impactful stories are the ones we cannot see.

Falana Fray is a flight attendant and travel writer whose work centers on visibility, empathy, and understanding. Her writing focuses on arts and culture, bringing attention to the people and stories behind the places she visits.

Falana was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) in adulthood, following years of being undiagnosed despite earlier medical indicators. Like many people living with non-apparent disabilities, she has navigated assumptions such as, “You don’t look like you have a disability.” These experiences have shaped her advocacy, which is grounded in professionalism, care, and respect for others.

She is the author of Beyond Skin Deep: Not All Disabilities Are Visible. a reflective work exploring identity, illness, and the realities of invisible disability. She is pursuing graduate studies in journalism and is currently completing a certificate in modern journalism at New York University, with a focus on multimedia storytelling.

In addition to her writing and advocacy, Falana served as Vice Chair for Disability Affairs for the University Student Senate at the City University of New York (CUNY). She approaches her work and advocacy with consistency, professionalism, care, and a strong sense of stewardship.