Best Buddies Ambassadors educates and empowers people with IDD to be leaders and public speakers in their schools, communities, and workplace. Best Buddies Ambassadors is the next step in the Disability Rights Movement- teaching people with IDD the skills needed to successfully self advocate. Best Buddies Ambassadors prepares people with IDD to become active agents of change.

Upon completing training, participants earn the title of Ambassador. However, only a select few have the honor of being invited to speak at Best Buddies International special events. Ambassadors highlighted below have proven themselves to be eloquent speakers for the Best Buddies mission and disability movement. In addition to completing Best Buddies Ambassador trainings, these Ambassadors are role models in their Best Buddies programs as well as their communities.

Best Buddies proudly highlights participants who have achieved this prestigious level.

Brett Banford

Brett Banford is a Disabilities Rights Movement pioneer from Salt Lake City, Utah. He is a well-known dancer and public speaker in his home town. Brett became an official Buddy Ambassador in 2008 and has been a strong advocate for people with disabilities. Brett has been featured on the reality TV show “So You Think You Can Dance?” and is featured in, “Just Like You,” a documentary about his life.

Brett’s favorite activity with his Buddy is riding around in the car listening to his favorite music. His charismatic attitude attracts new friends daily and he seizes every opportunity to speak about the amazing accomplishments of people with intellectual disabilities.

Our Best Buddies family was first introduced to Brett at the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle 2008. He has also spoken at the Best Buddies Ball 2008, Best Buddies Gala 2008, and Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle 2009 and 2010.

Otis Brown

Best Buddies didn’t find Otis Brown; Otis Brown found Best Buddies. While browsing on the internet one afternoon, Otis came across our website and immediately wanted to get involved. He contacted our office in Chicago, IL and has been a dedicated member ever since.

Otis’ friendship with his Best Buddy Garrett has opened new doors for him, because he now has someone to share his favorite hobbies. Otis and his Buddy Garrett enjoy going to the gym, trying new restaurants, and volunteering at a local food pantry.

Otis Brown is a three time world champion power lifter, an aspiring business owner, and most recently, member of Best Buddies Illinois’ Citizens and Buddy Ambassador programs. In 2005, Otis won the first of several gold medals at the World Powerlifting Competition in Helsinki, Finland and has set multiple world records since then. Currently, Otis is majoring in Business at Chicago’s International Academy of Design and Technology.

In addition to his work at his local office in Chicago, IL, Otis has attended the 22nd Annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference and spoke at the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port 2011.

Charles Calhoun

Kristian Chima

Kristian is matched at the Coral Reef Senior High School chapter and maintains a close relationship with his Buddy Edliz, with whom he has spoken at various Best Buddies events. The pair enjoys watching Disney movies; Kristian loves to show off his encyclopedic knowledge of all Disney characters. When the Miami heat gets to be too much, this Buddy Pair cool down at their favorite local ice cream store Cold Stone Creamery.

In addition to being an Ambassador, Kristian is also a Buddy Director. He delivers announcements, takes attendance, and assists with the overall organization of his chapter.

Kristian spoke at the Miami Gala 2009 and appeared in a PSA with White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, which has been nominated for an Emmy Award.

Kathryn Cortelyou

Katie Cortelyou graduated from Lawrence North High School in 1999. She is employed at Community North Hospital delivering ice and water to patients and helping people find their way around the hospital. Katie is matched with her buddy, Brittany Brewer and they have enjoyed many activities over the last four years. She volunteers with the Indiana Down Syndrome Foundation, serves on the Best Buddies Indiana Advisory Board and has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades. Katie wants to inspire others to speak out for people with intellectual disabilities and commit to forming mutually enriching one-to-one friendships through their Best Buddies chapter.

Kathryn has spoken at Best Buddies Leadership Conference in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. Additionally, she has been a premier Ambassador at many Best Buddies event in her home state of Indiana.

Ikea Glover

Ikea’s enthusiasm for her involvement in Best Buddies Delaware programs can best be expressed through reenactments from her favorite sport, wrestling. Ikea became an official Ambassador at the 21st Annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference earlier this year. Her passionate and fun speech presented at closing ceremonies brought the entire audience to their feet and created a roar so loud, her powerful last few lines were nearly inaudible.

Ikea brought her power and elegance to her speech at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Challenge in 2010

Arjun Hemphill

Rachel Lipke

In honor of her amazing achievements as a self advocate and public speaker, Rachel Lipke of Chicago, IL, has been honored with the inaugural Spirit of Friendship Award. Rachel serves as a member of the Illinois Board of Directors and volunteers regularly at her local Best Buddies office. She is a true leader and has been among the first participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities to share her knowledge with others. For two years, Rachel has taught her peers with disabilities the art of public speaking at the Annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference.

In addition to her work with Best Buddies Illinois and at the Annual Leadership Conference, Rachel spoke at the Best Buddies Leadership Conference 2008, Hampton’s Gala 2009, and Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle 2010.

Eric Matthes

Eric Matthes joined Best Buddies in 2007 when he was paired with his Buddy, Justin Haskell, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Eric and Justin enjoyed doing anything and everything together. They loved to spend time together promoting Best Buddies, flirting with women, and watching movies. Eric has a passion for movies and has watched every Arnold Schwarzenegger movie ever made! Eric moved to Seattle, Washington with his family in November 2007.

Eric is hoping to be a part of the creation of a Best Buddies Washington someday. He stays active with Best Buddies through the e-Buddies program and maintains a close relationship with his Buddy, Justin, via telephone and e-mail. Eric is also a member of the Best Buddies International Board of Directors.

Eric has spoken at the Best Buddies Ball 2007, Best Buddies Ball 2008, Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port 2008, Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle 2008, 2009, 2010, Best Buddies Miami Gala 2008

Kathryn Meade

Katie Meade is a distinguished former member of the Best Buddies International Board of Director. Since its inception, she has served as a Friendship Ambassador for Best Buddies Iowa. Katie graduated from high school in 2002 and has been working full-time at the Polk County Treasurers office in Des Moines as a mail clerk. She is a matched Buddy in the Drake University program and has even served two years as the Buddy Director for the chapter. Through her job and Best Buddies, she has made many friends from all over the world and serves as an advocate for people with disabilities.

Katie is a very powerful speaker and can motivate thousands of people with her energetic spirit and voice. Her speaking bio includes traveling all around the world as a Special Olympics Global Messenger (even introducing U2 at the World Games), the Best Buddies All-Staff Conference2005, Best Buddies Leadership Conference 2005, Best Buddies Gala 2007, Best Buddies Ball 2008, and several statewide events to raise awareness and recognition for people with intellectual disabilities.

Besides her extensive speaking history, Katie has developed amazing relationships with her College Buddy, Tara Loan and with Miss Teen USA 2005, Ali LaForce. She has co-hosted with Ryan Seacrest, partied with Carlos Vives and most recently, charmed the Bachelor, Andy Baldwin during the television special of the Volvo Hyannis Port Challenge.

Jorge Morilla

Jorge Morilla can tell you that since he joined Best Buddies on October 30, 1994, he has participated in 12 bike ride challenges. He has been an active member of our friendships, jobs, and Ambassador programs. Jorge works at the Miami Hyatt and is currently matched with Best Buddies founder Anthony Kennedy Shriver.

Although his first passion is Miami Dolphin football, Jorge is a true advocate and Best Buddies supporters. One of our first official Ambassadors, Jorge has spoken at a number Best Buddies events, including our Audi Best Buddies Challenges and the Miami Gala, about how our programs have changed his life. “Best Buddies is my express to social and financial success,” is a phrase he proudly adds to every speech.

Brianne Nobis

“Live it up!” Brianne Nobis received this advice from her Buddy, and has used the phrase as a motto ever since. She tries to live every day to its fullest and appreciates all of her talents. Brianne loves sports, especially bowling, and is excited to make new friends whenever she goes out. When she is not meeting people and staying active, Brianne is a proud self advocate, Special Olympian, and Best Buddies participant. Having been a member since 2000, Brianne is thankful for her friendship with her Buddy and strives to be a role model for her peers. She has been a Buddy Ambassador for two years. Brianne is happy to share her story of independence and friendship.

Brianne’s Best Buddies International special event speaking debut was at the Best Buddies Friend-Ships on the Hudson 2008 and the 17th Annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference 2006.

Daniel Noltemeyer

Although fairly new to the Best Buddies programs, Daniel is a strong advocate for the Best Buddies mission. He is the first Buddy Director of our latest programs in Kentucky and earned his Ambassador title at the Annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference 2009, 2010.

Daniel is part of the next generation of Best Buddies. He tirelessly advocates for people with disabilities in his hometown of Louisville, attending events, meetings, and gathering donations. He is an excellent networker with plenty of Southern Charm.

Daniel has spoken at the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle 2009 and Dallas Gala 2009.

Andre Williams

Andre Williams has been part of the Somerville High School Best Buddies Chapter for four years, and he just completed his senior year. He is matched in a one-to-one friendship with Nicole Lynch, and they have a great relationship. Andre lives in East Boston and prides himself on knowing his way around Boston extremely well.

Best Buddies is very important to Andre, as it has allowed him to make many friends and meet so many people at school and experience many group activities such as gingerbread house making. Andre is very intelligent; he knows every capital in the world. History is his favorite subject, he loves to read books and watch travel shows. Andre is a huge fan of the Boston Celtics and hopes to meet Kevin Garnett once today. He has big aspirations for his future, he wants to be a Senator one day and have the opportunity to be a reality TV show host.

Andre spoke at the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port 2010.