Team

John Samuel
Co-Founder/CEO

John’s focus is on helping organizations be more inclusive by making digital content accessible for people of all abilities. John’s passion for his work is very personal, as he is blind. John wants to make sure the obstacles he has faced are removed for others. His experience includes stints in domestic and international industries over the last 15 years. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Aravind Eye Foundation, the largest eye care provider in the world, and is a public speaker who loves connecting with people and telling impactful stories. John knows no barriers.

John holds his MBA from George Washington University, BS in Accounting from North Carolina State University and Certified Professional in Accessible Core Competencies (CPACC).

Mike Iannelli
Co-Founder/Chief Revenue Officer/CRO

Mike is a hybrid executive with a blend of creative and analytical intelligence. His tenure ranges from developing and leading Digital Marketing Agencies, to holding Executive level positions with multiple firms. Mike spent half of his career on the client side, leading Digital Marketing, Creative & Analytics as Vice President of Marketing at the largest operator of for-profit post-secondary educational institutions in the United States and Canada (formerly known as EDMC). A highly effective and passionate leader, Mike has been part of the digital ecosystem for over 20 years, leading marketing strategy for brands like Hanes, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Johnston & Murphy and The Body Shop.

His dynamic background allows for unique and creative thinking for clients, companies and partnerships alike. At Ablr, Mike will once again be in hybrid formation: leading business/brand strategy, business development & marketing operations, and developing the Ablr Partnership Program; extending our footprint across the US & beyond bringing digital accessibility, inclusion and compliance to everyone.

Mike earned a BS, Mass Communications from East Tennessee State University.

Kim Casey
Director of Accessibility

Kim joins the Ablr team after 19 years with Sendero Group, a company dedicated to finding accessible solutions for independent wayfinding. Kim has authored and participated on several federally funded grants totaling over $4 million since 2001 for the development of accessible wayfinding tools. Her previous experience with creating accessible products has translated seamlessly into her new role as digital accessibility consultant at Ablr. Kim has earned the DHS Trusted Tester Certification. 

Kim holds a BA in Economics and Spanish from the University of California, Davis.

Susanne Meyer
Employment Analyst

Susanne comes to Ablr from LCI Tech, where she works passionately on disability inclusion. She creates trainings to make workplaces ready to welcome people of all abilities, and consults with companies about the accommodations they need to make. Susanne has many years of personal and professional experience as an ally to the disability community.

Susanne holds a PhD from Duke University.

Shannon Garner
Senior Accessibility Analyst

As a member of the Ablr team, Shannon conducts accessibility testing on websites using a screen reader. Prior to joining the Ablr team, she spent two years working on the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service contract at HP in El Paso, TX. Shannon also received her certification of completion in hospitality and contact centers from The National Statler Center for Careers in Hospitality Service in Buffalo, NY.

Shannon earned her Certification in Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) and DHS Trusted Tester Certification.

Sarah Clark
Marketing Strategist

From stocking clothing racks to creating social media calendars, Sarah has experienced different industries and the challenges that lie within them. What remains consistent is the importance of customer service, which is what piqued her interest in Public Relations. Having worked in a retail setting, she has experienced first-hand the importance of marketing and advertising as I see the number of customers walk through the doors. Now, as a Marketing Strategist, she will apply those lessons to help local businesses succeed.

Angus Muneeb Kola
Accessibility Analyst

Angus has five years of customer service experience with excellence and over 10 years of assistive technology and adaptive technology consulting experience with accreditation.

He worked as Gaston College’s ADA Compliance Specialist for over five years to make their online learning content more accessible. He has accessibility administrative experience in both automated and manual testing.

Before joining the world of accessibility, he has fifteen years of IT support and consulting experience and qualifications with a specialization in responsive web and app development.

Angus graduated from Gaston College with a A.A. in LIberal Arts.

Liv Evans
Project Coordinator

Liv Evans joins Ablr 360 as Project Coordinator, a position in which she will specialize in workforce development programs and courses while learning the ins and outs of digital accessibility. An educator turned accessibility professional, Liv started her career as an accommodations coordinator at the University of Georgia’s Disability Resource Center. Liv works with Canine Companions for Independence in her free time as a volunteer service dog puppy raiser, a role that sparked her enthusiasm for creating a more accessible world. She brings experience in compliance, curriculum building, educational programming, and consumer development to the Ablr team. Liv received her Bachelor’s in Public Health from Tulane University and her Master’s in Higher Education Administration from NC State University. She uses frameworks from both public health and education to drive her work to be human-centered, empathetic, and process-focused.

Tracker
Guide Dog Extraordinaire

Tracker is an energetic, 60-pound, yellow Labrador Retriever; born in San Rafael, California. Tracker joined Ablr after graduating in 2016 from Guide Dogs for the Blind in Boring, Oregon, as the companion of Shannon Garner.

Patrick Lindsey
Board of Directors

Patrick joined LCI as Chief Operating Officer in October 2014, then became President of LCI in 2021. His primary role is to ensure the operations of LCI function in the most efficient and effective manner. This includes manufacturing, distribution, retail sales, and purchasing. Before joining LCI, Patrick had 22 years of experience in accounting and auditing, and was a general services Partner with a national accounting firm. Patrick is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants. He received his BS degree in Accounting from East Carolina University.

Donald Thompson
Board of Directors

As CEO of Walk West, Donald leads strategy, partnerships, and business development. Under his leadership, Walk West has been recognized by Inc 5000 as the fastest growing marketing agency in North Carolina in 2018 and 2019. As a Certified Diversity Executive (CDE), Donald takes pride in Walk West’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, with 80% of the leadership team consisting of women and minorities. Donald lives by the philosophy of ‘giving back’ and is passionate about advising, coaching, and mentoring dream chasers. He conducts workshops with C-suite executives of leading organizations who are looking to develop, expand, or optimize their diversity and inclusion practice. He is currently authoring his autobiography, Underestimated: A CEO’s Unlikely Path to Success.