Guided by Purpose: Meet Our Board
Get to know the dedicated advocates, caregivers, and leaders guiding Ribbon of Support in our purpose to build connection and uplift families.
Catherine A. Burke
Founder & President
James P. Burke
Vice President
Dion E.Poitier
Treasuer
Raised with a deep commitment to advocacy and caretaking, Catherine was introduced to the world of disability support at a young age. Growing up alongside her sister, Chrystina whom her family deeply loved, supported, and cared for opened Catherine’s heart early on and laid the foundation for a lifetime of compassionate service.
Navigating her son’s path shaped her growth as a young mother and redefined her career. To ensure she had the flexibility required to cater to his needs, Catherine transitioned into beauty education , becoming a Master Cosmetology Educator, instructional leader, event planner and salon owner.
Her personal advocate journey expanded further when she faced her own life-changing health diagnosis of Lupus SLE, Lupus Nephritis, and additional autoimmune conditions. Navigating these illnesses exposed the severe disparities in healthcare, systemic barriers, and a critical lack of empathetic care. Rather than stepping back, Catherine chose to turn her lived experience into purpose.
Having previously organized wellness initiatives such as the Swim Soiree and Empowerment Trips, Catherine recognized the need for broader structural support. She saw how everyday experiences like traveling, shopping, driving, and daily living required constant adjustments for individuals and caregivers navigating chronic illness and disabilities. Driven by her lived experience as a mother, educator, and individual living with a chronic condition, Catherine founded Ribbon of Support to bridge gaps, foster connection, and lead the change she wanted to see in her community.
James Burke has always been a voice of reason, someone who naturally sees where society can improve and steps up to create meaningful change. A devoted husband to Catherine and a dependable father of three, James brings a strong heart, practical wisdom, and years of customer service experience to the leadership team at Ribbon of Support.
Through his professional background in customer service, James observed early on the deep disparities in how society often overlooks individuals with disabilities. His commitment to advocacy became even more personal in his early 30s when he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Navigating his diagnosis revealed a frustrating reality: accessible, clear education about managing chronic conditions was hard to come by. Through trial, hardship, and personal perseverance, James realized the vital importance of self-advocacy.
His experience raised critical questions that continue to drive his work today: What challenges do others face when managing diabetes? How severely do food deserts and limited resources impact those who lack access to healthy choices?
Guided by kindness and a passion for helping others, James uses his voice and lived experience to connect individuals with essential education, champion healthy food access, and ensure no one faces a chronic diagnosis without resources and support.
Dion Poitier is a military veteran who dedicated 20 years of service to the United States Army. Raised alongside his sisters, Catherine and Chrystina, in a family with a deep tradition of caring for loved ones with disabilities, compassion and community service were instilled in him from an early age.
His commitment to advocacy became deeply personal when he became a caregiver to his daughter, who was diagnosed with marshall smith syndrome, a rare genetic
disorder that has fewer than 100 cases globally.
Despite his extensive background in military service, Dion quickly realized that navigating resources and securing necessary support systems was a complex and overwhelming battle, even for a veteran.
Experiencing these barriers firsthand sparked critical questions: How many military families and veterans are silently navigating these same struggles without support, resources, or community? Where do they turn when systems fall short?
Driven by these questions, Dion uses his lived experience as a veteran and father to advocate for families navigating rare conditions and disabilities. He is dedicated to breaking isolation, connecting families to vital resources, and ensuring no veteran or caregiver faces life’s challenges without a support system.
