Meet the Team
Mother-Son Co-Founders
Maria McWhirt PhD, CEO
Daniel Mills, CTO
MPower Me founder, Dr. Maria McWhirt has over 30 years of experience in social work and policy research. As she faced the service cliff with her youngest son who has autism, she recruited his older brother, born with severe vision impairment, to develop MyGuide™. The mother-son team worked together with clinicians and teachers to develop do-it-yourself tech-based tools to empower everyone with temporary or permanent special needs to participate more meaningfully in their own lives.
Kevin Winslow
Sr. Director of Development
Kevin joined this mission in 2019 with background studies in psychiatry, and 15 years of experience supporting children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Kevin educates communities about MPower Me and MyGuide, including families seeking technology solutions, and the providers who serve them. He builds relationships with our partners, develops their capacity with inclusive technologies, and organizes feedback from the community in order to influence the direction of technological development.
Jeseca Adarne
Reimbursement Specialist
Jeseca Adarne is an experienced accountant with over 15 years in the industry. In 2020, she transitioned from corporate work in the Philippines to virtual support through Outsource Access. She has been contracted with MPower Me since February of 2024, where she is responsible for reimbursement and bookkeeping.
"I love working with MPower Me because I believe I am fulfilling my life purpose, that is to be of service to the community, especially the less fortunate brothers and sisters who have different ways of thinking!”
Kristine Bengen
Sr. Director of Operations
Kristine Bengen joins MPower Me with over 20 years of experience in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Assistive Technology (AT), and Durable Medical Equipment (DME). Kristine is dedicated to leveraging innovative technology solutions that enhance communication, mobility, and quality of life for people with disabilities. At MPower Me, she ensures healthcare providers, caregivers, and families have access to MyGuide and other MPower Me integrated solutions.
Gary Grenter
Senior Advisor
With more than thirty-five years in Senior Executive positions in several companies, Gary has founded three Medical Device Field companies and founded his consulting company, Alpha-Flow Management Consulting. He holds a B.S. in Production Management, and an M.B.A. in Management. He provides strategic guidance to MPower Me through team building, organizational development, and strategic planning.