Welcome Speakers
Meena Tadimeti: Executive Director, Special Needs In My City
Meena is the Founder and Executive Director of Special Needs In My City, a nonprofit empowering families of children and adults with developmental disabilities. A Loyola University Chicago MBA graduate, CFRE credentialed, and parent of a child with special needs, she brings professional expertise in building stronger, collaborative special needs communities. Over the past twelve years, she has partnered with schools, hospitals, and agencies to create an ecosystem that strengthens support networks and connects families to vital resources in Stanislaus County and beyond.
Laura Granger: SELPA Executive Director
As the Executive Director of the Stanislaus SELPA, Laura leads a regional consortium mandated to coordinate special education services and funding across local school districts.
Her role focuses on ensuring equal program access for students with special needs, facilitating specialized educator training, and helping districts maintain compliance with state and federal special education laws.
Before taking the helm at the Stanislaus County SELPA, she served as the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services for the Riverbank Unified School District. Prior to her role in Riverbank, she was an administrator overseeing educational services for the Sylvan Union School District in Modesto, California.
Margo Souza: Former President & CEO, Circle H Dairy Ranch Inc.
Margo Souza, former president and CEO of Turlock's Circle H Dairy Ranch Inc., committed $1 million through a planned gift to establish an endowed fund for The Margo F. Souza Leadership Center — a multi-faceted leadership program — housed within UC Merced's Office of Student Life.
Souza, an alumna of Seattle University, said graduating from college enriched her life immensely. Her passion for leadership and desire to help youth led her to donate to the newest UC campus. She believes the leadership center will be the catalyst to guide students — more than 60 percent who are the first in the family to earn a college degree — to become strong leaders and contributing members of society.
Lisa Culley- Executive Director, Family Resource Network-Stockton
As an Executive Director of Family Resource Center-Stockton, Lisa works with families with special needs by providing latest information and support. FRN serves families raising children, ages birth to 22 years, with special needs. She leads special needs services in Calaveras, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne Counties of California. FRN serves families whose children have any type of special need, medical diagnosis, or learning difference.
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Matthew Blakeley
Dr. Blakeley is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with Kaiser Permanente Modesto and is deeply committed to lifelong learning. His areas of focus include depression, anxiety, grief, relapse prevention, relationship skill-building, and supporting transitional-age youth. Dr. Blakeley has extensive experience working with parents and children to manage ADHD and has collaborated with school systems to help students of all ages adjust emotionally. His professional background also includes expertise in both adult and child psychiatry.
Navneet Sahota, DO Pediatrics
Dr. Navneet Sahota is a pediatrician dedicated to compassionate, family-centered care. Inspired by a childhood pediatrician who made medical visits reassuring and engaging, Dr. Sahota emphasizes open communication, preventive medicine, and involving children and their families in care decisions.
Born and raised in New York, Dr. Sahota completed undergraduate studies at New York University, earned a medical degree from the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, and completed pediatric residency at NYU Langone Hospital–Long Island. Clinical experience includes caring for children with chronic illnesses and managing asthma.
Andrew Timbie, CEO of Sierra Vista Child & Family Services
Andrew Timbie is CEO of Sierra Vista Child & Family Services, a $25 million organization serving children and families across California’s Central Valley. Since 2020, he has expanded access to behavioral health care, strengthened community partnerships, and led the development of the South Modesto Wellness Center. Previously, he served as Senior Director of U.S. Field Operations for World Relief. His leadership focuses on coordinated care, financial sustainability, and community well-being.