BUDDY AMBASSADORS Buddy Ambassadors are participants with intellectual disabilities who earn their title through completion of a rigorous training curriculum provided by Buddies United In Leadership Development (BUILD). BUILD is a Best Buddies program that enhances the lives of participants with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for leadership development and self advocacy. The select group of Buddy Ambassadors highlighted below exhibit excellence in articulating the Best Buddies mission and are featured presenters at Best Buddies International events. If you would like to request a Buddy Ambassador to speak at your event, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .   Brett Banford Brett is one of Best Buddies’ most recent Buddy Ambassadors from Salt Lake City, Utah. However, he is a well-known dancer and advocate in his home town. Brett has been featured on the reality TV show “So You Think You Can Dance?” and also holds the title Global Messenger. 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 audience was first introduced to Brett at the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle 2008. He has also spoken at the Best Buddies Ball 2008 and Best Buddies Miami Gala 2008.       Kathryn "Katie" 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.       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. 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 and Best Buddies Miami Gala 2008.       Kathryn "Katie" 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. She has been a Special Olympics athlete for 13 years and served a five-year term as a Global Messenger. Through her job, Best Buddies, and Special Olympics, 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 Conference 2005, Best Buddies Leadership Conference 2005, Best Buddies Miami 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 Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port.       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. She also spoke at the 17th Annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference 2006.