The Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities (MCDD) has several special announcements to share.
We are thrilled to extend our warmest congratulations to Kendall Eaton, Esq., Project HEAL (Health, Education, Advocacy, and Law) staff attorney, for her recent marriage to Trevor Eaton. The wedding took place on October 5, 2024, at Shenandoah Woods, an estate beautifully nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Bringing together family and friends, the wedding weekend was filled with so much love for Kendall and Trevor. We wish them a lifetime of happiness as they begin this wonderful new chapter together!
Congratulations to Maureen van Stone, Esq., MS, assistant vice president at Kennedy Krieger Institute and director of the MCDD, on her election as an at-large member of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Board of Directors. This prestigious role reflects her dedication to advancing equity, inclusion and support for individuals with disabilities. Van Stone’s three-year term officially began after the gavel passed during the closing plenary at the AUCD 2024 Conference, where she joined an esteemed group of leaders shaping the future of the disability community.
On December 3, Christopher Mason-Hale, BSW, MCDD community advocate, graduated as part of the inaugural class of Leadership Maryland’s Emerging Leader Program. This six-month program equips a diverse cohort of 30 individuals with tools to advance in their fields across public, private, government, education and nonprofit sectors. Mason-Hale made history as the first participant with a physical disability. He represented the MCDD and Kennedy Krieger exceptionally well and highlighted the importance of inclusion and leadership development in the workplace.
We are excited to welcome a new addition to the MCDD family! Mallory Legg, Esq., and her husband, Matt, welcomed a baby girl, Cora Finn Legg, on December 10, 2024. She weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces, and was 20 inches long. Welcome, Baby Cora!
We are excited to announce that Cindy Ibarra, MCDD administrative services coordinator, will be enrolling in the spring 2025 semester at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, to pursue a master’s degree in social work. Ibarra holds a bachelor’s degree in public health from Towson University and is on track to graduate with her master’s degree in spring 2027.
As a first-generation Mexican American, Ibarra is driven by a desire to help change the statistic that only 8% of Latinos hold a master’s degree. “My mother, who couldn’t finish school, works tirelessly to support our family and instilled in me the value of education,” Ibarra says. “Earning this degree honors her sacrifices and demonstrates how her efforts paved the way for my success.” Ibarra is committed to leveraging her education to advocate for those in greatest need. Through her work, she aims to address critical issues in social justice, policy and community development, with a particular focus on underserved populations. By gaining further expertise, she seeks to equip herself with the tools necessary to drive meaningful change in the communities she serves. We are proud of Ibarra’s dedication to advancing social equity, and we eagerly anticipate the positive impact she will make in her field.