Meet the team

A woman and three young children sitting on a beige sectional sofa, smiling and laughing in a living room with gray walls and curtains.

Lauren Wondsel

Founder & President, Board of Directors

Lauren Wondsel is the Founder and President of Emmy Lights the Way. During the day she is the Global Head of Talent Acquisition for a tech start-up, however her most meaningful role, is being a mother to three children, including her daughter Emerson, whose journey with Cerebral Palsy inspired this organization.

The idea for Emmy Lights the Way began before Emerson’s official diagnosis; sparked by Lauren’s awareness that the world isn’t built for everyone and reinforced by seeing how difficult and costly it is to access the adaptive equipment children like Emmy need to thrive.

What started as grief for the life she once pictured has evolved into purpose- to make the road a little less rocky for the next family by connecting children with adaptive equipment.

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a burgundy sweater, smiling while sitting on a wooden bench outdoors during fall, with trees and colorful autumn leaves in the background.

Jaclyn SchianodiCola

Treasurer, Board of Directors

Jaclyn SchianodiCola serves as the Treasurer of Emmy Lights the Way.

Full bio coming soon!

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Karen Russo

Secretary, Board of Directors

Karen Russo is a pediatric physical therapist with nearly 35 years of experience and a mother of two young adults she’s incredibly proud of. Throughout her career, she has worked with hundreds of children with special needs and has seen how challenging it can be for families to access the adaptive equipment and services their children need.

ELW is an initiative that deeply inspires her. She understands how often insurance falls short and how costly specialized items like strollers, bathing equipment, and adaptive bikes—can be.

Karen is passionate about supporting these children and their families, ensuring every child has what they need to reach their full potential.

Member at Large, Board of Directors

Loretta Olive

Loretta Olive is an Occupational Therapist who has worked with children in hospital, home, and school- based settings. She chose this profession out of a deep belief that every child deserves the opportunity to participate fully in daily life. Through her work with families, Loretta has seen firsthand how the absence of appropriate equipment can impact not only a child’s ability to play, learn, and explore, but also a family’s ability to share experiences and enjoy time together.

ELW reflects Loretta’s passion for inclusion and her commitment to helping children access the equipment they need to safely engage with the world. She is honored to support an organization that makes it possible for children to do what matters most—be kids.