The Team
Donna Curtis
Founder and Principal | donna@thepapillonplace.org
Donna Sullivan is the founder of Papillon Place, a nonprofit rooted in love, advocacy, and the transformative magic of art. A proud University of Georgia graduate with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, Donna brings a dynamic blend of corporate expertise, creative energy, and personal conviction to her mission. Her career spans leadership roles at NCR and Dixie Crystal Sugar, and she currently serves as a real estate agent with Ansley Atlanta Christie’s International—where she continues to help others find spaces filled with possibility and connection. The heart of Papillon Place began with her son, Keenan, who lives with Cerebral Palsy and Cystic Fibrosis. During the Covid pandemic, Donna and Keenan collaborated on a series of art projects that opened new channels of joy and communication. But when Keenan was excluded from art education for needing assistance, Donna was galvanized to act. That moment—heartbreaking and illuminating—sparked a movement to reimagine opportunity and belonging for individuals with developmental differences. Driven by data, compassion, and lived experience, Donna is raising awareness of the systemic ableism that affects millions. In the U.S., over 82% of people with developmental differences face unemployment—not due to lack of desire, but lack of opportunity. Papillon Place aims to change that by launching a collaborative art gallery where artists with and without disabilities create together, sell together, and grow together.The organization’s signature artwork—a butterfly sculpture made from upcycled metal—symbolizes renewal, inclusion, and the memory of Donna’s daughter, who passed away at 17 from complications of Cystic Fibrosis. This tribute underscores the deeper mission: to transform grief into impact, exclusion into community, and bias into beauty. Through art and advocacy, Donna Sullivan is reimagining what’s possible—and proving that when creativity meets compassion, change takes flight. Donna’s commitment to advocacy extends beyond Papillon Place. She successfully championed legislation that became law to ensure basic therapy services for children with disabilities in Georgia, demonstrating her ability to turn grassroots passion into systemic change. She has been actively involved in raising funds for Cystic Fibrosis research and care, and served on the board of Saddle Buddies, where she helped expand access to hippotherapy and equine-assisted therapy for children with developmental and physical challenges.
K. Sue Hurst
Secretary | sue@thepapillonplace.org
Sue is the Founder & Principal of KSHurst Services. She is a nationally recognized talent acquisition strategist with over two decades of experience helping nonprofit organizations recruit, retain, and elevate high-impact leadership. As the founder and principal of KSHurst Services, she leads a boutique consultancy that delivers customized executive search, strategic sourcing, and talent optimization solutions with a concierge-level approach. Sue’s deep expertise spans the full recruitment life cycle, and her data-informed methods have helped organizations across the U.S. build high-performing, mission-aligned teams. She is known for her ability to translate talent strategy into measurable business impact and is a trusted advisor to executives navigating growth, change, and succession. Beyond her professional work, Sue has a strong history of volunteer leadership. She currently serves on the board of The Papillon Place and is one of the founding members. She previously served as Board Member for Rays of Hope – Atlanta, and as Vice President of Professional Development (Senior/Executive) for SHRM-Atlanta, where she curated impactful programming for HR leaders. Sue was elected to the Local School Advisory Council (LSAC) at Cambridge High School, bringing parents and educators together to drive student achievement and collaborative decision-making. She also co-led Sully’s Striders, a fundraising team for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Great Strides campaign, honoring the legacy of Erin Sullivan and contributing to CF research efforts. Sue’s board service reflects her commitment to community, education, equity, and wellness. She brings to every boardroom a blend of strategic vision, people-centered leadership, and a passion for helping organizations—and individuals—reach their full potential.
Beth Abbot
Artistic Director | beth@thepapillonplace.org
Beth Abbott is an accomplished abstract painter and creative professional currently based in Roswell, Georgia. With a lifelong passion for the arts, she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Hartwick College in New York. She began her career in graphic design and art direction, working with the Atlanta Advertising Industry and In-House Corporate Marketing departments. Beth’s vibrant floral and landscape paintings have been featured in juried art shows and festivals across Georgia, including the Gilmer Arts Center, where she received the People’s Choice Award in 2020. At the heart of her artistic and community involvement is a desire to spread joy, beauty, and connection through her work and service. In addition to her artistic and creative work, Beth spent over 12 years in education as a Special Needs Instructional Paraprofessional in Fulton County Schools. Also, for over 9 years she has been a Teacher/Coach with the Star House Foundation, an after School Enrichment Program for the underserved in Roswell, Georgia. Her dedication to both creative expression and service has defined her multifaceted career. She sits on the Steering Committee for Roswell Reads, a “One City One Read” initiative as the Family and Children’s Program Chair.
Linda Ross
Board Member | linda@thepapillonplace.org
Linda Ross is a seasoned strategic consultant, nonprofit executive, and social impact entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience designing and leading mission-driven initiatives across sectors. As the Principal Consultant of Write Impact, LLC, she partners with nonprofit organizations to build sustainable strategies in communications, development, governance, and program design—always with a focus on measurable outcomes and long-term impact. Through Write Impact, Linda has guided organizations such as House of Cherith (a spin-off of City of Refuge), Veterans Empowerment Organization, and Healthy Foundations in crafting organizational assessments, strategic growth plans, and successful grant proposals to government and philanthropic funders. Her expertise is rooted in executive leadership roles, including serving as Director of Strategy & Development at North Georgia Healthcare Center, where she led a wide-ranging strategy to increase patient revenue, streamline the revenue cycle, and strengthen community trust. She also served as Vice President of Strategy & Evaluation at Families First, Inc., where she oversaw strategic planning, evaluation, and development, leading the creation of a three-year organizational roadmap and a new mission-aligned outcomes framework. Previously, at City of Refuge, she played a pivotal role in launching the $26M Workforce Innovation Hub, managing its strategic development and supporting a successful capital campaign that secured over $13.4M from major funders including Chick-fil-A, Coca-Cola, and The Woodruff Foundation. Her efforts also extended to developing a scalable affiliate model and managing a high-performing development team responsible for over $5M in annual revenue. Earlier in her career, Linda held leadership roles at the Georgia Center for Opportunity, where she helped launch a collective impact initiative aimed at increasing high school graduation rates, and co-founded Red Handed Style, a boutique women’s apparel company. Her foundation in strategic communications and instructional design was built at major organizations like The Coca-Cola Company and Andersen Consulting (now Accenture). Linda currently also owns a women’s clothing boutique in Sandy Springs, Georgia.
Betsy Hopper
Board Member | betsy@thepapillonplace.org
Betsy is a retired Special Education teacher and educational consultant with a lifelong passion for supporting students with disabilities, their families, and the educations who serve them. For decades, Betsy worked alongside schools and families to advocate for inclusive practices, effective IEPs, and successful transitions for students navigating unique learning paths. Today, Betsy continues to serve the community through fundraising work with both local and national nonprofit organizations. She is also proud to serve on the Board of The Papillon Place, where she supports efforts to empower individuals and strengthen families through trauma-informed care and community-based programs. Betsy’s focus remains rooted in equity, access, and opportunity – whether she is helping a student succeed in school, guiding a parent through the special education process, or helping a mission-driven organization expand its impact. Betsy brings experience, empathy, and a deep belief that meaningful change is always possible – especially when we work together.
Claire Casteel, Ph.D
Board Member | claire@thepapillonplace.org
Dr. Claire Casteel is an accomplished educator, reading specialist, and advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities. With over two decades of experience in special education and rehabilitation counseling, she brings deep expertise in supporting diverse learners, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Down syndrome, and other complex diagnoses. Claire holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and an M.S. in Special Education from Texas A&M University–Commerce, where her research focused on teacher burnout, job satisfaction, and the impact of certification pathways in special education. Her clinical foundation was built through advanced training in neuropsychology and vocational evaluation at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Currently serving as a Reading Specialist and Career Prep Lead Teacher at Cumberland Academy of Georgia, Claire uses Orton-Gillingham methodologies and a range of evidence-based tools to support students ages 9–19 with ASD, ADD, and learning differences. She also provides private tutoring for children with multiple diagnoses and previously served as the Educational and Site Director for GiGi’s Playhouse in Atlanta, where she developed adult education programs and led community outreach initiatives. Claire’s career includes teaching roles in Dallas and Plano ISDs, extensive clinical internship experience, and leadership in nonprofit education. Passionate about helping individuals reach their fullest potential, Claire combines academic rigor, empathy, and practical strategies to create meaningful educational outcomes.
Jack Sullivan
Board Member | jack@thepapillonplace.org
Jack Sullivan is a Commercial Risk Advisor with the Leavitt Group in Phoenix, Arizona, where he helps businesses strategically leverage insurance to drive growth and manage risk. Prior to joining Leavitt Group, Jack was an Associate Vice President in Marsh McLennan’s Cyber and Professional Liability practice, where he worked with major clients including FedEx and Home Depot. Jack is deeply committed to community engagement. He actively serves on committees for Special Olympics Arizona, volunteers with Ability360, and supports the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He is also involved with Phoenix Active 20/30, BNI, and several local Chambers of Commerce. Jack brings a personal passion to his role as a Board member for The Papillon Place, inspired by his role as an older brother to Keenan Sullivan. A former fine dining cook, Jack approaches both his career and volunteer work with accountability, grit, and a service-driven mindset. He holds a degree in Risk Management from the University of Georgia and is currently pursuing his Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation. In his free time, Jack enjoys fishing, golfing, cooking, and attending live music events.
Torey Callicutt
Board Member | torey@thepapillonplace.org
Torey Callicutt brings more than 28 years of experience as a practicing dentist and private practice owner to her role as a board member at Papillon Place. Throughout her career, she has prioritized compassion, integrity, and personalized care—values that strongly align with Papillon Place’s mission to create meaningful artistic employment and engagement opportunities for young adults with developmental differences. Deeply committed to community service,Torey served for eight years as a board member and patroness of philanthropy with the National Charity League in Roswell, Georgia, where she helped lead philanthropic initiatives and fostered youth involvement in service. She has also actively supported Mustard Seed Communities, participating in mission trips to Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica, where she worked directly with individuals with developmental and physical disabilities. In the Atlanta area, she has chaired and co-chaired numerous fundraising events in support of Mustard Seed’s life-changing work. As a board member of Papillon Place, Torey is honored to contribute her leadership, compassion, and commitment to inclusion—helping to build a creative, empowering environment where neurodiverse individuals are recognized, supported, and celebrated.
Alyson Bieber
Board Member | alyson@thepapillonplace.org
Sarah Sullivan
Board Member | sarah@thepapillonplace.org
Sarah Sullivan is a Senior Underwriting Sales Specialist at The Hanover Insurance Group, where she specializes in Middle Market accounts and is a Subject Matter Expert in Human Services underwriting. With a BBA in Risk Management & Insurance from the University of Georgia, Sarah brings almost a decade of expertise in partnering with agents and nonprofit organizations to craft insurance solutions that support mission-driven work. Originally from Alexandria, Virginia, Sarah now calls Athens, Georgia home, where she actively collaborates with local nonprofits to address risk management needs. Her passion for inclusive community development is deeply personal—her brother-in-law, Keenan Sullivan, is the inspiration behind The Papillon Place. Through him, Sarah has witnessed the systemic barriers faced by individuals with developmental differences, particularly in employment and community engagement. Sarah is committed to helping The Papillon Place create meaningful opportunities for young adults with developmental differences and their families. She believes that with the right support and advocacy, every individual can thrive and contribute to a more inclusive society.
Jen Weaver
Board Member | jen@thepapillonplace.org
Jennifer Weaver is the founding partner of Weaver Weaver Law, LLC, and brings more than 20 years of legal experience to her community and nonprofit leadership roles. Jennifer holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Juris Doctorate from Elon University School of Law, and an LL.M. from the University of Georgia. Throughout her legal career, Jennifer has championed the rights of individuals and families, advocating for fair treatment and access to justice in state and federal courts. She has represented private clients, federal agencies, and community members, with extensive experience in civil litigation, administrative law, and public sector matters. Beyond her legal practice, Jennifer is deeply committed to serving her community. She currently serves on several nonprofit boards, including The Papillion Place, which empowers young adults with developmental differences through the arts, and the Northwood Elementary School PTA, where she supports collaboration between parents, educators, and community stakeholders as a legal advisor. Jennifer has also been actively involved with the Georgia Real Estate Fraud Prevention and Awareness Coalition, the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers, and the State Bar of Georgia Wellness Initiative Committee, promoting consumer protection, gender equity, and attorney wellness. Jennifer’s dedication to community engagement, advocacy, and nonprofit governance reflects her passion for building inclusive, resilient communities. When she’s not working or volunteering, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her husband and three daughters, attending sporting events, and making memories on family vacations.