The Founder

Angela Johnson (she/her) established Invest In Access to make strides toward the day when all children with disabilities will grow up in a society that recognizes them as visible and equally valuable contributors.

She strategically worked throughout the continental US prior to entrepreneurship in order to gain the skills necessary skills to become a small business owner. Career highlights: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Greater NY Chapter, Haisley Elementary School, Oxford Bank, The Democratic National Headquarters, and The Walt Disney Company. Select affiliations: ARRAY Crew, RISE Network Partner.

Angela additionally owns AJ Inclusion Consulting. She is a federally vetted service-member of the Biden-Harris Administration, and to that end, travels on an as-requested basis as a White House Advancer.

Our Board Members

Our Board of Directors are empowered, forward-thinking women who believe accessibility for disabled Americans isn’t a luxury – it’s a right

Jenna Appel

MS, RD, LDN, CDCES

Biography

Jenna Appel is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, specializing in whole foods nutrition with sincere interest in sharing her knowledge of integrative approaches. Her style is empowering, gentle and grounded in making small, but critical changes to one’s overall lifestyle.

Jenna earned her Bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus on management and marketing at the University of Hartford. She then pursued a Master’s of Science degree in nutrition from Hunter College, and completed her dietetic internship at the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Jenna is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) which is an associate of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and is also a Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist (LDN) in the State of Florida. In addition, she is a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) with more than 10 certifications in the field.

Jenna loves serving the world through nutrition education, and is driven by positive patient outcomes. She is most passionate about teaching, educating and working with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. When she is not busy, you can catch her creating new recipes, working out in her local gym and spending time with her two goldendoodles.

Jenna owns and operates Appel Nutrition Inc. in South Florida which specializes in medical nutrition therapy, weight management, corporate wellness, behavioral health and integrative medicine.

As a Registered Dietitian, Jenna has been featured in Reader’s Digest and Food & Nutrition Magazine.

Jacqueline Dufek

RN, BSN, MPH

Biography

Jacqueline has had a lifelong passion for helping those with differences, whatever they may be, which was certainly influenced by her paternal uncle who was born with a lack of oxygen to his brain; facing some livelong deficits because of this.

Jacqueline is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan School of Nursing, wherein she was President of the Student Nurses Association. During her time in service, Jacqueline planned and hosted a ball entitled, “Hope for Haiti.” The proceeds of the event helped to fund nursing educations for Haitian citizens so that they may go onward to further the health infrastructure in Haiti.

Following graduation, Jacqueline moved to Seattle and worked as a Registered Nurse (RN) at Seattle Children’s Hospital in acute pediatrics for multiple years. She then relocated to Chicago, Illinois where she predominantly worked as a Triage RN.

After diversifying her career outside of Michigan –  Jacqueline moved back to her hometown of Ann Arbor to pursue a Master’s Degree in Public Health in Health Behavior and Health Education at her alma mater. She remained committed to leadership during that time, and served on the University of Michigan Public Health Students in Action committee; a committee that focused on access and service for all constituencies.

Upon earning her MPH, Jacqueline worked within the Ann Arbor Public School System as a School Nurse for multiple schools within the district. She felt joy first-hand from working with a variety of students, and gained a unique insight to the challenges that students living physical and psychological differences face.

Presently, Jaqueline is a Pediatric Ambulatory RN at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor.

Tori Kuhagen

PharmD, RPh

Biography

Tori Kuhagen, PharmD, RPh, started her journey as a pharmacist at Loyola University Chicago and went on to graduate from Temple University with a Doctorate of Pharmacy. While completing her degree Tori was the Chair of the Temple chapter of Prevention Point Philadelphia, a non-profit organization that promotes health, empowerment and safety for communities affected by drug use and poverty.

Following graduation, Tori relocated back to Michigan to serve various communities in Detroit, Michigan. After seven years of working the bench as a Pharmacist, Tori has moved towards working to influence pharmacists and store managers in various communities to provide superior patient care. Tori is presently a District Leader Emerging Leader with CVS Health Corporation in the Metro-Detroit area.

Bridget Tsolakis

RN, BSN, BS

Biography

Bridget recently graduated from Cleveland State University where she earned a Bachelors in Health Sciences as well as a Certificate in Gerontology. In the near future, Bridget will pursue a Doctorate in Physical Therapy.

In high school, Bridget had the opportunity to intern at Galvin Therapy Center, an occupational therapy facility that specializes in working with an array of children with special needs; specifically children who live with autism or down syndrome. It was through her internship that Bridget realized she wanted to pursue a medical career. She feels gratification from being able to contribute to one’s healing journey, and looks forward to receiving her certification in Gerontology because it will provide her with additional experience and knowledge to provide exemplary care for elders; the constituency that she looks forward to working with in her future career.

Bridget is a proud Greek/Irish-American who lives with a strong passion for helping others in any way that she can. As a Board member, Bridget is looking forward to sharing her experience and contributing her perspective by ensuring that more opportunities are accessible to those in need in the community.

Rachel VanRiper

PPD, Spec Ed. TC/RR; CI, EI, LD

Biography

Rachel’s passion for education, and service to her community is a through line of her entire life. Raised by a family of educators, Rachel grew up with a firsthand understanding that education plays a vital role in our society; a role that comes with much responsibility. Rachel was also raised in Lutheran faith, and frequently traveled on mission teams throughout the east coast during her adolescence.

Rachel earned admittance into a highly selective program within Bowling Green State University’s College of Education and Human Development; graduating as an Intervention Specialist. During her Undergraduate studies, Rachel was given many opportunities to work with families whose children live with Autism. She fell in love with the students – their honesty, huge hearts, and celebrating their victories. It was then that she knew this was the career she was meant to have. Rachel went onward to obtain professional certifications in the areas of Cognitive Impairment, Emotional Impairment, and Learning Disabilities.

In faith, Rachel has been a member of the Camp Luther community in Ohio for many years. In 2011, she served as a Co-Program Director, wherein she created curriculums in devotion, music, and evening activities for youth of all ages. In 2016, she even married her husband Eddie (an educator!) at Camp Luther.

Rachel and Eddie live happily in Ann Arbor with their son, Austin, and enjoy sharing the commonality of careers in education. They also enjoy traveling and always joke about going on the television show, The Amazing Race, one day. After having her son in 2019, Rachel developed a passion for helping women navigate the early postpartum days. This led her to become a postpartum doula through DONA International in July 2020. Presently, Rachel works within the Ann Arbor Public School (AAPS) District, wherein she has been a Cognitive Impairment Teacher, and is now a Teacher Consultant at Huron High School for students from grades 9th through 12th.