Executive Director
Brian Lopez
Brian started as Executive Director of the DSASTX in February 2020 after fifteen years of experience working with individuals challenged with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in the San Antonio area. Brian has worked with local direct service providers and the Alamo Local Authority/AACOG, served as Regional Director of Service Coordination for Hill Country MHDD Center in Kerrville, and was the Associate Director of Adult Day Services and Child Care Services at The Arc of San Antonio.
Brian is a strong advocate for inclusion and acceptance for those with Down syndrome and other disabilities in schools and our communities. He believes that when you judge someone based on a diagnosis you will then miss out on their abilities, joy, and love.
Brian has a love for sharks, all things Star Wars, the Texas Longhorns and the Dallas Cowboys, and of course Dr. Pepper!
Program Director
Michelle Naeder
Michelle has spent the last 32 years serving the disability community. Her current role allows her to follow her passion for helping others while working directly with the individuals in our DSASTX family and the San Antonio community. Michelle is also a member of the Executive Committee of the San Antonio Volunteer Administrators and is always working to connect with other organizations in San Antonio and the surrounding area.
Michelle is an avid gardener with a specialty for water plants and is a failed Covid foster parent which resulted in 5 kittens being added to her home zoo!
Education Director
Magaly Diaz
Magaly studied fashion merchandising at the University of the Incarnate Word, but after having a child with Down syndrome, became interested in serving the disability community by learning how to advocate for them. She spent 2 1/2 years as the Regional Coordinator for Partner's Resource Network, a non-profit organization supporting parents of children with disabilities. The DSASTX has made a significant impact on her family's life and introduced her daughter, Audrey, to lifelong friendships.
In her spare time, Magaly enjoys home projects, brunch, and spending time with her family.
Development Coordinator
Faith Levario
Faith is a recent graduate from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a bachelor’s degree in communication and a concentration in public relations. She has had experience working with children and families, volunteering with local community organizations, and writing for one of her college’s publications. Faith had the privilege to be a niece to her aunt who had Down syndrome, which led her to volunteer here at the DSASTX for almost a year before joining the team.
Program & Outreach Coordinator
Michelle (El) Toudouze
El was born and raised in San Antonio, TX. She has long been involved with the DSASTX through her older brother with Down syndrome and has been an advocate for those with disabilities for as long as she could talk. In 2020, she graduated from the University of Texas in San Antonio with a BA in Communication and moved to Seattle, working in social services with the most vulnerable communities in supportive housing, until moving back to San Antonio in 2022. With a passion for helping people and experience working in community care, El is happy to be back at the DSASTX as part of the team.
Outside of work, you can find El enjoying new and old movies, obsessing over plants, making art, or playing guitar.
Office Assistant
Nora Garcia
Nora was born and raised in Laredo, TX and moved to San Antonio in December of 2017. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology in 2022 from Texas A&M- San Antonio. Nora has always had a passion to work with children, and especially those with disabilities just like her. Nora was born with Cerebral palsy and has become an advocate for others with CP and other disabilities. As she is now, part of the DSASTX team and helps our families with children with Down syndrome from the second they walk into our office. Outside of work, she loves to spend time with her son, color, play Loteria, & cook with her family.