CO-FOUNDER and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Flor De Amelia Hoffman is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ASCENDA Foundation, where she leads the organization's mission to expand opportunities, empower families, and create inclusive communities for individuals with disabilities throughout every stage of life. With more than 15 years of experience serving the special needs community, Flor is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), licensed behavior analyst, and special educator. Throughout her career, she has worked with infants, toddlers, children, adolescents, and young adults across home, school, clinic, and community settings. Her professional expertise spans applied behavior analysis, special education, transition planning, family consultation, nonprofit leadership, and program development.

Flor's passion is rooted in both professional expertise and personal experience. As the mother of a daughter with significant medical and developmental needs, she understands firsthand the challenges families face while navigating healthcare, education, disability services, and the transition into adulthood. These experiences inspired her to co-found ASCENDA, where she is dedicated to developing innovative programs that promote independence, employment, education, community inclusion, and lifelong opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Committed to empowering families beyond direct services, Flor hosts the Starting with IEP podcast and provides free educational workshops that help parents better understand special education, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and the resources available to support their children. She believes that informed families become confident advocates capable of transforming outcomes for their children.

Flor's commitment to disability advocacy extends internationally. She has collaborated with disability organizations, professionals, and families in Peru and the Philippines and is helping establish future outreach initiatives in Guatemala and El Salvador. Through these partnerships, she works to expand access to education, strengthen family supports, and promote inclusive opportunities across diverse communities. As CEO, Flor is dedicated to building sustainable programs, fostering strategic partnerships, and creating lasting systems of support so that every individual with a disability has the opportunity to live with dignity, independence, purpose, and belonging.

CO-FOUNDER and Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Sean Hoffman is the Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer of ASCENDA Foundation, where he oversees the organization's financial strategy, budgeting, compliance, operational planning, and long-term sustainability. He is committed to ensuring that every financial decision supports ASCENDA's mission while maintaining transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of donor and grant funding.

Sean earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Iowa State University before proudly serving more than 22 years in the United States Air Force as an Integrated Avionics Systems Specialist. Throughout his military career, he developed expertise in leadership, operational management, strategic planning, accountability, and solving complex technical challenges in high-pressure environments.

Following his military service, Sean transitioned into commercial real estate, where he expanded his experience in financial analysis, business operations, negotiations, and long-term asset management. His diverse professional background provides a strong foundation for overseeing ASCENDA's financial health and organizational growth.

As the father of five children, including a daughter with significant medical and developmental needs, Sean understands firsthand the challenges families face while navigating disability services and planning for the future. These experiences inspired him to co-found ASCENDA, where he is committed to building a financially sustainable organization that creates lasting opportunities for individuals with disabilities and their families.

Sean believes responsible financial stewardship is an essential part of fulfilling ASCENDA's mission. By strengthening the organization's financial foundation today, he is helping ensure that future generations will continue to benefit from high-quality programs, meaningful opportunities, and lifelong support.