2023 Participant Biographies

Mary Braasch is a queer, neurodivergent, jack-of-all-trades who has extensive experience working in early education, spiritual/ritualistic arts, classical voice performance, and various other alternative therapies. At Alder health they work 1 on 1 with individuals and families, many of whom struggle with navigating society as trans, autistic, or other similar minority statuses. Growing up in the Harrisburg area, Mary was homeschooled and attended Elizabethtown college for theater, and Shippensburg University for a Social Work Masters. Currently they are enrolled in a post-master’s Expressive Arts program at Millersville University. Mary also serves on the education and outreach committee for the Neurodivergent Network of Harrisburg. In their spare time Mary volunteers with local tabletop role playing and board gaming groups, is starting the process of becoming ordained in the Buddhist tradition, and spends lots of time with her two cats Isthar, and Leonardo De’ Catrio.