Who We Are

Individual Achievement Association has been the name for the organization since its inception.  In 2008, in an effort to have a name that better represented the organization, the Individual Achievement Association began to refer to itself as GaitWay.

GaitWay was formed in 1998 in an effort to bring Conductive Education to Arizona.  Dr. David Rhea, M.D. OB/GYN, and his wife Mary Hare, R.N., B.S.N., M.S.N., formed GaitWay after their granddaughter, Shelby, was born with cerebral palsy.  Along with their daughter, they searched for a more effective and intensive program to help Shelby learn. In 1997, after three years of traveling to Conductive Education summer camps, they brought an instructor to Tucson to provide a summer camp to local families. Since 1998, GaitWay has continued to grow.

IAA/GaitWay is an approved vendor for the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) for habilitation, respite and day treatment and training for summer camp and after school programs for eligible individuals. 

Mary Hare, Executive Director, Board Member and Volunteer

As Executive Director, Mary serves as chief administrative officer for GaitWay and is responsible for long term as well as short-term goals of the organization.  Also, Mary oversees many of the day-to-day operations and facilitates GaitWay’s funding through the DES.

Mary is one of the founders of GaitWay and brought with her an extensive background in nursing.  She taught at the University of Arizona, College of Nursing and was a consultant for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Southwest.

Gabriella Szabo, Conductive Education Teacher

Gabriella earned her Bachelor’s Degree at the Andras Peto Institute of Conductive Education for the Motor Disabled and Conductor-Teacher Training College in Budapest, Hungary.  Gabriella also earned a bachelor’s degree as a special needs teacher from the Eotvos Lorand University in Hungary.  Prior to instructing at GaitWay, she worked at the Public Institute for Motor Disabled in Hungary, the Cerebral Palsy Ability Center in Virginia and the Special Needs Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center also in Hungary.

Zana Smith, DTA Program Manager

Zana has been the Adult Program Manager at GaitWay since 2009, directing the day-to-day activities for the adult clients. She has had more than 18 years experience in providing direct care for individuals with special needs.

Barbara Kincaid,  Board Member and Volunteer

Barbara has been volunteering with GaitWay since 2000. Barbara was President of the Tucson chapter of the Girls Clubs of America, and sat on the regional and the national board.  She also served on the Tucson Symphony Women's Association Board, the Tucson Civic Ballet Board, the France Theatre of Ballet Board, the Tucson Metropolitan Ballet Board and the Tucson Metropolitan Dance Company Board.  Barbara was the Company Manager of the Tucson Metropolitan Ballet Company for 7 years.

Board of Directors

President: Mike Romano
Secretary: Barbara Kincaid
Treasurer: Mary Hare

Members:
Adriana Cimetta
Dani Dubois
Beckie Gibson
Denise King
Steve King
Sidney Lazarus
Pat McConnell
Jayne Morales
Maria Pappas
Tina Walton