Chris Olver
Executive Director
Chris Olver is a nonprofit leader with proven program development and fundraising track records for mission-driven organizations on three continents. He is happy to once again lead the CPARF team, as he feels a deeply personal pull toward CPARF’s mission. As the father to two young children who were born prematurely — at 28 and 29 weeks respectively — Chris’ family has directly benefited from research into cerebral palsy prevention and detection, including specific research-driven practices funded by CPARF.
Chris originally joined CPARF as Executive Director in 2019 before relocating to Australia in 2021. While there, he served as General Manager at Cerebral Palsy Alliance — an organization that CPARF collaborates with closely and frequently. In his role as Senior Vice President of Innovation and Implementation, Chris is excited to help amplify the best innovative practices and solutions from both countries in the service of millions of people with cerebral palsy.
Prior to joining CPARF, Chris served as the visual storytelling lead for World Vision Australia and then helped to launch two start-up nonprofits in Boston and New York before serving for five years as the Associate Executive Director of Ramapo for Children — a national disability and education reform organization. In his time with CPARF, Chris served as the Executive Director in the U.S., and in 2021 as the General Manager for CPA – our Australian counterpart organization. Chris is excited to help amplify the best innovative practices and solutions from both countries in the service of millions of people with cerebral palsy.
Chris holds a Bachelor of Creative Arts from Flinders University and a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School.
Jocelyn Cohen
Vice President of Programs and Operations
Jocelyn Cohen is a storyteller who appreciates deep, interesting conversations — and she loves facilitating and sharing them via Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation’s podcast, webinars, disability tech talks, and other discussions. She has cerebral palsy, and she understands that people with CP each experience it differently — it’s personal. Jocelyn is energized by CPARF’s work and she’s proud to use her voice and professional expertise to make a difference for other people with CP.
Prior to joining CPARF, she spent more than six years at UJA-Federation of New York, where she shaped messaging and drove fundraising communications for some of the organization’s largest divisions, helping to raise nearly $46 million each year. In addition to her communications leadership, Jocelyn spearheaded marketing plans for several fundraising events each year. She also worked as a Communications Specialist at Katten.
Outside of work, Jocelyn often speaks with local physical therapy students about her life with CP, hoping to positively influence their perceptions and encourage their willingness to treat people with disabilities.
Jocelyn earned her BA in Creative Writing/English from Emory University and her JD from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.
Elizabeth Boyte
Director of Development
Elizabeth is a nonprofit leader, systems change agent, and disability advocate. She has worked in education reform, international development, and human rights. She has more than 16 years of success creating comprehensive fundraising strategies for social impact organizations. Her innovative approach to fundraising has consistently produced dramatic revenue increases and, as a result, increased service capacity for every organization she has served. For the last decade, she has worked to increase access to digital and physical spaces for disabled people.
Elizabeth has a passionate and longstanding commitment to community service and economic development. As Adjunct Professor at Southern New Hampshire University’s School of Business, she taught courses in community development through the lens of public policy along with leadership and management studies. Elizabeth is also a marketing expert whose strategies, including a global strategy for the World Wide Hearing Foundation International, generated essential financial and community support for programs and services.
Before joining CPARF, Elizabeth directed fundraising and marketing for a nonprofit dedicated to improving access to technologies for disabled people. Elizabeth has a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Thomas University; she holds a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management from High Point University. Her graduate research focused on how NGOs could work in conjunction with local governments to solve public health crises.
Molly Lazarus
Director of Remarkable US
Molly is a marketing executive, teacher, and disability advocate based in Boston. Her first foray into tech was serving as the Founder and CEO of BrightLoop, an EdTech platform that helped teachers individualize learning. She took the organization through a number of accelerators including Y Combinator and Mass Challenge. More recently she has served in senior-level marketing roles with one of the largest media organizations in education and for a health and wellness startup.
Before she jumped into tech, she was an educator with a focus on supporting students with learning disabilities. In her free time, she has volunteered for 22 years at Camp Jabberwocky, an overnight camp for children and adults with disabilities on Martha’s Vineyard. She holds a Masters in Education from Harvard and a BA from Boston College.
Jennifer Lavi
Strategic Partnerships Manager
Jennifer is a seasoned fundraiser with over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, helping organizations achieve meaningful growth. Most recently, she served as Director of Partnerships at Path Forward, helping companies welcome caregivers back into the workforce. Prior to that, she spent over a decade at Girls Inc., where she directed the strategy and execution of events, special projects, and partner engagement. She is an active member of her community and is dedicated to helping ensure all people have the support they need and the access to the opportunities they deserve.
Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys reading fiction, trying to successfully grow strawberries, and baking sweet treats for her family and friends.
Kristie Hagen
Annual Giving Manager
Kristie Hagen is a dedicated and driven fundraising professional committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive society. Her journey into philanthropy began while studying Communications at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she actively participated in campus organizations and unearthed her passion for giving back.
One of Kristie’s most notable career highlights was her work with the National Down Syndrome Society in advancing the ABLE Act’s passage in 2014. The enactment of the bill and its subsequent advantages for disabled Americans are among her proudest professional achievements.
Following her success in both the nonprofit and hospitality sectors in New York City and Washington, DC, Kristie settled in the Hudson Valley. Before joining CPARF, Kristie excelled at the United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region, where she effectively raised awareness of community needs and led impactful fundraising initiatives.
Outside of work, Kristie enjoys exploring the Hudson Valley’s culinary scene, scenic landscapes, and small-town charm. She loves discovering local music, food, and connecting with the community.