Jesse Buxton is the Director of Employment. Born and raised in snowy Buffalo, New York, he made the move in 2004 to the rolling hills of Clermont, where he has built both a family and a career rooted in service. He is deeply passionate about family, leadership and serving others. Two quotes capture his leadership philosophy: “We rise by lifting others” and “Leaders don’t create more followers; they create more leaders.” These values guide how he supports his team and the individuals they serve. At his core, he believes in empowering people to reach their full potential — and he is grateful for every opportunity to lead, serve and help others rise.

Jesse holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Coaching from SUNY Brockport. His commitment to helping individuals with unique abilities began early in life through his volunteer work with SABAH (Skating Association for the Blind and Handicapped), where witnessing visually impaired athletes skate independently sparked his lifelong dedication to this field. Throughout his career, he has received several awards — including the Trailblazer Award, Breakthrough Director, STAR Director, and Special Contribution Awards — which reflect his passion for innovation, leadership and meaningful impact.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find him volunteering, playing sports, spending time outdoors or jet skiing with his family — anything that brings people together and keeps him active.

Ebony Rutland is the Manager of Employment Services for Unique Abilities, dedicated to bridging the gap between talent and opportunity for individuals with unique abilities. She oversees Prevocational, Enclave and Community-based employment programs designed to connect individuals with unique abilities with meaningful career opportunities, while supporting employers in building strong, diverse workforces.

She has over 20 years of experience working in the field with individuals with unique abilities. Ebony is deeply passionate about helping and empowering individuals facing barriers. Over the years, she has worked in group homes as a lead, an Intensive Behavioral workshop lead, a Lead Job Coach, an Enclave Supervisor and an Employment Services Manager. Ebony has certifications in Social Security, Supported Employment and CPR.

During her free time, she enjoys working out, traveling and spending quality time with her kids. Ebony is motivated by the opportunity to empower individuals with unique abilities to thrive in their environment. Seeing someone overcome a challenge they previously thought impossible — and knowing she helped create the right environment for that — is her ultimate motivation.

Bio coming soon!

Audra Kopp uses a person-centered, holistic coaching approach rooted in Keith Webb’s COACH Model (Connect, Outcome, Awareness, Course, Highlights) to help clients with disabilities achieve meaningful, competitive employment. With experience supporting individuals from 80+ countries, leading 724+ annual coaching sessions with a 91% increase in client engagement, creating 25+ career resources and connecting with 100+ employers each semester, she brings both expertise and heart to every coaching conversation.

In every coaching conversation, Audra focuses on connecting deeply and observing carefully to understand her client’s unique story. She asks intentional questions that help them uncover their unique strengths, gifts and abilities. Together, they choose practical steps forward, and she stays by her client’s side to hold them accountable, celebrate wins and help navigate obstacles. This model ensures coaching isn’t just a one-time session — it’s a collaborative journey toward lasting transformation.

Audra is a huge Disney fan and Disney pin collector. Donald Duck is her absolute favorite! She has been married to her loving husband, Mikey, for 5 years, and together they have 2 dogs, Laurel and Bear. Her hobbies include painting Disney characters and animals, cooking, and, of course, going to Disney!

As a Youth Employment Specialist, Erin primarily works with Quest’s transition-age participants (those still in high school or just recently graduated). In this role, she specializes in Work-Based Learning Experiences and On-the-Job Training for this age group. Erin also works with Quest’s Work Study students at Quest Kids Academy, helping them develop employment readiness skills in coordination with the transition planning team. In addition, she works with select employees at House 81 (formerly Blossom Artisanal) to provide one-on-one job coaching to help them achieve their employment goals.

Erin brings ample experience to her many responsibilities at Quest, having worked in pre-employment readiness for almost 4 years — first as a job coach with Quest Kids Academy, then as a lead teacher in Quest’s Work Study Program and most recently as a Youth Employment Specialist with Quest’s employment team. She started in the field in 2014 as a Registered Behavior Technician. While her initial role was in early intervention, she quickly realized a preference and aptitude for working with teenage clients. Erin’s passion and dedication are helping bridge the gap between education and Quest participants’ future job goals, helping ensure these individuals do not fall through the cracks after high school graduation.

On a personal note, Erin is an avid reader and consumer of audiobooks (the best way to occupy time in the car)! She has five nieces and nephews whom she enjoys spending time with and who keep her busy in her free time.

As an Employment Specialist, Erin focuses mostly on OJT (On-the-Job Trainings). While she does a little of everything, her favorite thing is to help a client who has either never worked or hasn’t worked for a long time get placed, gain relevant experience and watch them grow. She loves watching clients who aren’t so sure about their skills step into a role and thrive. She has been with Quest, Inc. for just over a year and has worked in Employment Services for about 8 years in total across various roles.

Erin grew up in and around the community of people who have disabilities, as her mom was a special education teacher. It’s a world she is very comfortable in and enjoys working in. Erin has a special place in her heart for the Deaf community. She is fluent in American Sign Language and has worked as an interpreter and a case manager for Deaf clients, both at Quest and outside of it.

In her free time, Erin loves hanging out with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel/Bichon mix, Sammy, whose favorite thing is being in her lap. She also loves reading and writing and has recently completed her first novel!

Madison Paladino is an Employment Specialist serving the Tampa Bay region. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Before beginning her career in employment services, she worked in the mental health field, teaching life and vocational skills. That experience sparked her passion for nonprofit work and strengthened her commitment to supporting mission-driven organizations.

For the past two years, she has worked as an Employment Specialist helping individuals identify their strengths, pursue meaningful opportunities and achieve their personal and professional goals. Outside of work, Madison is a huge Star Wars fan and will happily show off pictures of her cats any chance she gets.

Madalithza Sauriz has been a Lead Skills Trainer/Job Coach for a total of about 3 years, working with both youth and adults with disabilities to build job-readiness skills and confidence. She has worked with individuals with disabilities for over 25 years, and she has been certified in Work Readiness Training. She loves seeing people grow and hit their goals. Outside of work, she enjoys going to comedy shows and spending time relaxing with friends and family.

As a Lead Skills Trainer, Jose Davila equips participants with the tools they need to thrive in the workplace. Through structured training, individualized coaching and performance-based skill building, he helps individuals strengthen communication, responsibility and professional behavior while preparing them for competitive employment.

Jose brings over twenty years of experience in Human Services to his role as Lead Skills Trainer. He is committed to helping individuals strengthen job readiness skills, develop professional behaviors and gain the tools necessary to secure and maintain meaningful employment. His approach centers on skill-building, accountability and empowering participants to improve their own outcomes. Jose believes everyone deserves the opportunity to grow, contribute and earn with dignity.

Outside of his professional role, he has a deep interest in studying Western philosophy. Exploring the ideas of thinkers like Marcus Aurelius, Lucius Seneca and Friedrich Nietzsche challenges him to think critically about purpose, ethics, responsibility and human potential. That curiosity for learning strengthens his work, reminding him that growth begins with self-reflection and intentional action.

Carlos is the Production Coordinator, organizing and assisting employees with professional growth while fostering everyone’s unique abilities through the various contracts serving the community. Carlos motivates each employee through continued encouragement, fostering a sense of work-life excitement. Carlos has worked with the unique abilities of various clients for more than 20 years in various group homes, workshops and assisted living facilities. Carlos has held a variety of positions with Quest, Inc., including a Direct Support Professional, Intensive Behavior Analyze, Medical Assistant and now Production Coordinator. He also holds certifications in CPR/First Aid and as a Behavior Analyze Tech.

He finds joy in working with diverse personalities and abilities, allowing him to see growth and excitement with each new skill he learns. Knowing that his work brings independence to others is rewarding and increases his passion every day for his work.

In his spare time, he enjoys relaxing, which includes spending time with his wife, watching movies, completing puzzles, eating out or just fishing. A fun fact is that Carlos also enjoys being in the country riding horses or sitting around a bonfire with his family.  

Dawn’s passion for working with families and individuals with developmental disabilities started when she began volunteering in early intervention classrooms at her local public school.

Dawn has 10 years of professional medical billing experience and passionately shares it with the community to help clients receive the coverage and support they deserve. Motivation and continued community involvement come from her personal experience supporting loved ones on the Autism spectrum. In her free time, you’ll most likely see her off-roading with her boys.