"Lending Their Talents"

Daja Hansel-Coates is the Communications and Social Media Coordinator at Communities of Crocus (COC), where she oversees website development, social media strategy, and fundraising initiatives. A passionate advocate for individuals with special needs, Daja draws from her lived experience as the sister of two autistic brothers and her professional background in education and nonprofit work. She holds a Master’s degree in Bilingual and Multicultural Education and has spent over eight years working as an educator. In addition to her role at COC, Daja collaborates with a nonprofit in Costa Rica, coordinating community events and managing digital outreach. Her multifaceted expertise also includes content creation and hosting international healing retreats.

Olivia Vain joined the Sweetwater Spectrum leadership team in March 2022 as Executive Director. Olivia has worked closely with Sweetwater since 2017. Olivia had a leadership role with a local Supportive Living Service Agency, ultimately having direct management for over $5 million in programs, cultivating and maintaining stakeholder and donor relationships. Olivia has built and managed programs for several housing options and models for autism and other developmental disabilities across Sonoma and Marin County. In addition to her Program Management role, Olivia had management and oversight of funding and program finance agency-wide for the organization with a $30 million annual budget. Olivia holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Psychology, a Master of Science in Psychology and a Master of Public Health.

Mark is the Managing Partner of Peak Partners, LLC.  Among its businesses, the company is a consultant for families hoping to create high-quality, comprehensive living solutions for adults with developmental disabilities.  He is a Founder and the past Board President of Sweetwater Spectrum, a nonprofit which developed an intentional residential community in Sonoma, CA for adults with autism.  Mark presently serves on the Board of Lifehouse, Inc., the largest provider of supported living services for individuals with developmental disabilities in Northern California.  Mark served on the Coordinating Council of the CA Senate Select Committee on Autism, the Board of the Cedars of Marin, the Transition Committee of the Marin Autism Collaborative and is a founding member of the “I Have a Dream” Foundation in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mark holds a BA from Middlebury College and an MBA from UC Berkeley.  He is a frequent speaker at conferences focused on issues facing adults with autism and a vocal advocate in the field.  His background includes 30 years as a real estate investment professional.  He and his wife, Patty, are the parents of a 30-year old son with autism who inspires them every day.