Our TEAM

Kelly has a degree in Physical Therapy from Maryville University. She has one daughter, Alex, and one son, Kyle. Kelly founded DASA in May of 1997 after dreaming of starting an organization that would provide athletic and fitness opportunities to children with physical and visual disabilities. Since then, Kelly has watched her dream become a reality through helping others find and achieve theirs.

As a Physical Therapist, she understood the need to stay fit. Being involved in sports is a great way to build strength and self-confidence. As a mother, she understands the instinct to help your children be the best they can be at all they do in life. It is important to Kelly that all DASA athletes realize their greatest potential and that they act on it. It is important that they become advocates for themselves in a world that might not initially accept them for their differences. They should have the emotional and spiritual strength as well as the physical strength to achieve their goals as an athlete and a person.

Please contact Kelly for information on corporate and community partnerships, and sponsorship opportunities.

Jeff Franta joined DASA in May 2022 as the Director of Operations. He was elevated to Chief Operations Officer in July 2025. In this role he facilitates internal and external operations to support DASA's mission of empowering athletes through adaptive sports and fitness.

Jeff brings 10-plus years of operations management experience to DASA, most recently with the Gateway Region YMCA. Prior to his time with the Y, Jeff worked in intercollegiate athletics at WashU, Mizzou, and UMSL respectively over the course of 8 years.

Throughout his career, Jeff has administered operations focusing on community engagement, event management, development, staffing, volunteers, facilities, marketing, communications, apparel, and equipment in diverse organizations whose primary purpose has been serving children, families, and student-athletes.

A native of Columbia, MO, he is a 2013 graduate of Missouri-St. Louis, earning a bachelor's degree with concentrations in business management, marketing, and communications. Jeff received his master's degree in education from Missouri in 2019.

Please reach out to Jeff for any operational needs.

Born into an extremely active (and slightly competitive!) family, Meghan first learned to swim, then walk, then ski! As she grew older, Meghan competed in soccer, swimming, volleyball, softball, rowed crew, and skied recreationally. Currently, she stays active (and sane) by training for triathlons.

Meghan moved to St. Louis in July of 2005 to obtain her Master of Social Work with a concentration in Disability Studies, focusing her research and practicum experiences on adapted recreation and recreational therapy for people with disabilities. In her "free time," Meghan is the manager for DASA's Wheelchair Rugby team and is actively involved with the training of local Paralympian and USA Wheelchair Track team member and spouse, Kerri Morgan.

Meghan joined DASA in 2013, and is thrilled to be a part of the DASA family and for the opportunity to share her passion for recreation and sports.

Please contact Meghan for any information regarding DASA programming.

Jenny started her career with DASA in 2000. In her role, she leads our business office supporting programming, special events, and office management. She also manages all of DASA's volunteer needs relating to our over 500 events annually, all of which require volunteer support.

Throughout Jenny's two-decade plus tenure with the organization, she has managed special events, development, and supported all aspects of DASA programming. She has a degree in Special Education from Missouri State University (previously Southwest Missouri State).

Outside of DASA, Jenny is the head coach for the Level 6 gymnastic team at GymQuarters Gymnastics. She and her husband have three children.

Please contact Jenny for any business needs or volunteer opportunities.

Aubrey joined DASA in September 2026 as Program Manager. She completed an internship with DASA in Spring 2026 as a part of her undergraduate degree, graduating in May 2026 from Lindenwood University with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation.

Aubrey is originally from Kansas City and loves all things Kansas City, BBQ, football, and of course the ONLY women’s soccer stadium in the US. When not at work you will find Aubrey taking hikes, playing with her best friend's dog, or doing anything outside, probably at the pool.

She loves the world of sports and helping others, DASA fits both of those things and where her passion truly lies.

Please contact Aubrey for more information on Rock Climbing, Sled Hockey, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby, Wiggles & Giggles, MS Bright Spots, and Bikes and Boats. Aubrey also oversees all of DASA’s adaptive equipment inventory across all programs.

Jessica graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Recreational therapy, and shortly after became a Certified Recreational Therapist. Due to her time living in the Dominican Republic and growing up in Arizona, Jessica is a fluent Spanish speaker. Before turning to adaptive sports, Jessica played stand-up sports from the age of 5 through half of her college years, and still plays recreationally. In Arizona, before working for DASA, Jessica worked for Ability 360, another adaptive sports company for 2.5 years programming, coaching, and providing recreational therapy to those in Phoenix. Jessica joined DASA in December 2021.

Jessica and her husband live in the St. Louis area and love to stay active through mountain biking, camping, and any sport you give them an opportunity to play, stand-up or adaptive. Jessica is very passionate about helping others and is excited to continue to reach as many people as possible through her life-long passion of sport.

Please contact Jessica for more information regarding Air Rifle, Archery, Boccia, Golf, Power Soccer, Tennis, and yoga for both recreation and competitive programs.

Lindsey graduated from Winona State University in 2018 with a degree in Recreational Therapy and minors in Coaching and Spanish. Since then, she has gained broad experience working in a variety of recreation therapy programs across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Washington. Her professional background includes roles in mental and behavioral health, adaptive sports, and community-based settings. It was through her volunteer work with ParaSport Spokane in Washington that her passion for adaptive sports truly took root. She joined DASA in June 2025.

Lindsey recently relocated to the area with her spouse and their two "purebred mutts." An outdoor enthusiast, she enjoys biking, kayaking, and exploring nature—but also values downtime with a good audiobook or a video game. Lindsey, her partner, and their pups are all excited to discover new hikes, local eats, and adventures in their new community.

Please contact Lindsey for more information regarding Adaptive Weight Training, Swimming, Track & Field, and Triathlon for both recreation and competitive programs.

Marge joined DASA in Spring of 2022 as a Business Coordinator.  She has been part of the DASA family since 1999 when her son Tyler joined as an athlete at 8 years old.  Over the years her son has been involved in almost every sport and has traveled with the Archery, Basketball and Track & Field competitive teams for many years.  Tyler is still volunteering and has helped coach track and field.

“I am so thankful for my DASA family for the growth in confidence and purpose it has provided to my son over the years.   We have made lifelong friendships and know we have our DASA community of support always with us.”

Marge supports the Business Office primarily through managing income and expense tracking, team reimbursements, and other general business and administrative needs.

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Amanda joined DASA as an Executive Assistant in July 2026. She brings more than 20 years of administrative experience across a variety of industries, including education and nonprofit organizations. Amanda earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a master’s degree in Human Resource Development from the University of Minnesota.

Amanda is passionate about the positive impact that physical activity and movement can have on both physical and mental well-being. She is excited to be part of an organization that helps people discover the confidence, connection, and joy that sports and recreation can bring.

Amanda lives in the St. Louis area with her husband and three children. When she’s not at work, she’s likely cheering on her kids at cross-country meets, planning her family’s next adventure, or convincing her family to join her for neighborhood walks to support her daily step goal.

Koda graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelors Degree in both Music and Psychology with a certification in Multicultural Studies, along with a Masters in Positive Coaching & Athletic Leadership. He is now pursuing a Masters in Psychological Counseling. He began working with DASA in 2019 as a volunteer coach in Columbia for our developmental prep wheelchair basketball team, and later became Columbia's Program Coordinator in 2023. He is a member of Mizzou's collegiate wheelchair basketball team and has been playing adaptive sports since 2006.

Koda has coaching experience from his home state of California working with an adaptive sports program called BORP. His mission is to bring independence and a positive sense of well-being to others by serving the adaptive sports community in any way he can. He has a passion for wheelchair basketball, but also enjoys writing music and making art. He lives in Columbia with his girlfriend, Lexi, and his two cats, Tommie and Rose!

Please contact Koda for more information about Columbia Area programming.

Amanda graduated from Lindenwood University with a Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science, along with two Minor Degrees; one in Nutrition and the other in Health and Wellness. She earned her Masters Degree in Health Sciences, with a focus in Fitness and Wellness from Lindenwood University in December 2022.

Amanda's interest in exercise and nutrition was inspired by a personal weight loss journey that began at the age of 18. Over the course of two years, Amanda lost 80 pounds through her own dedication to developing a firm knowledge base in exercise science. She joined the DASA team in 2020, implementing her skills as an adaptive trainer, while also providing athletes the proper tools to pursue their own health and fitness goals.

Please contact Amanda for more information about Adaptive Training in the Ability Gym.

Sydney joined DASA in November 2024 as an Adaptive Trainer. She graduated from Lindenwood University in May 2024 with a bachelors degree in Recreational Therapy and minored in Adapted Sport. She soon became a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) and also works as a PRN at Ranken Jordan Pediatrics.

She grew up playing hockey and softball and has spent a lot of her life in the gym. After attending her first year in college she fell in love with weight training and the impact that physical fitness and activity can have on our mind and bodies. This is why she decided to become a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) and join the DASA team to continue her passion in working out along with recreational therapy.

Please contact Sydney for more information about Adaptive Training in the Ability Gym.

Luke joined DASA in June of 2025 as an Adaptive Trainer. He graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelors degree in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology in May of 2025. He is pursuing a Masters in Occupational Therapy from Maryville University. In the summer of 2024, he interned at DASA in the Ability Gym which grew his passion for helping others reach their activity goals and gained valuable experience in adaptive fitness.

Luke grew his own interest in the fitness and nutrition world from a personal experience of losing weight and becoming a healthier individual throughout his high school years. Using this knowledge of exercise and nutrition, and also of an adaptive trainer, he wants to be able to help others pursue their own journey of physical health and fitness.