Festival Leadership

Dr. Ivanhoe is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and in Brain Injury Medicine. Dr. Ivanhoe is a clinical professor in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and was a formally a professor at Baylor College of Medicine.   She has served as faculty in courses across the United States and abroad and is known for her expertise in the treatment of spasticity and its role in functional recovery, medical complications of brain injury of all etiologies and severities, and as an advocate for healthcare access.  Her clinical experience has spanned the entire spectrum of brain injury including but not limited to developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injury, and stroke in settings from neurosurgical ICUs, through acute rehabilitation, “post” post-acute rehabilitation to long term follow up in the community.  Dr. Ivanhoe has extensive clinical experience in the use of interventions for spasticity, including Intrathecal Baclofen therapy for which she was an investigator on the studies that led to FDA approval, and the use of botulinum toxins.  She is published in articles and textbooks.  Through IF (Ivanhoe Foundation) she is a supporter endeavors that serve to improve perceptions, opportunities, and lives of persons with brain injuries and other disabilities.  

Dr. Ivanhoe serves on the board of directors of the International Neurotoxin Association and their educational committees and served on the board of Mentis Neuro Health until 2017; a post-acute brain injury program which she helped found.  Dr. Ivanhoe is a member of speakers’ bureaus and/or advisory boards of companies involved in the treatment of spasticity and dystonia, and other aspects of the Upper Motor Neuron Syndrome. She is recognized by US News and World Report, Best Doctors and Best Doctors in Texas and has received awards from the Brain Injury Association of Texas, American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine for her contributions to advocacy, teaching and education, the service award from the CNS Council of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the Distinguished Clinician award by the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.  She was awarded the Humanitarian Award, Professional Contribution, and Lifetime Achievement Awards by the Brain Injury Alliance of Texas, the Dean’s Excellence in Teaching award at UT Houston and was a recipient of the Sheldon Berrol Clinical Service Award of the Brain Injury Association of America for outstanding contributions to improving the quality of care, professional training, and/or education in the field of brain injury.  She is the first physiatrist to receive the UTHealth John P. and Katherine G. McGovern Distinguished Faculty Clinical Science Award and received the inaugural luminary award of the Brain Injury Association of America-Texas chapter.

‍

Angel Ponce serves as the Senior Division Manager for the City of Houston Office for People with Disabilities (OPD). Ponce leads the ongoing efforts to ensure the City of Houston meets ADA compliance through a comprehensive multi-phase Citywide ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan. His educational background is anchored by a liberal arts bachelor's degree from the University of Houston, further enriching his capabilities in leading initiatives that foster inclusivity and accessibility within the Houston community.

Hannah Kaplan founded Barrier Beauties in 2020, one of the first oyster farms in Texas, and successfully expanded the farm to 10 acres before selling it in 2025. She previously served as Chair of the Oyster Section of the Texas Aquaculture Association. Kaplan holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Rollins College. She currently serves as a Director on the Board of Directors of the Coastal Water Authority.

Max Kaplan, 2026 Co-Chair, has spent his career in sports ticketing and currently serves as a Product Manager at Eventellect, where he has worked since 2018. Max was drawn to ReelAbilities after seeing what his mother, Joy, contributed to Jewish Family Service, along with her longtime disability advocacy and work with Celebration Company. He is excited to serve as Co-Chair of ReelAbilities Houston alongside his sister, Hannah, building on the values their parents instilled in both of them.