Meet the team
daniel grussi
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
Daniel, founder of Courageous Comics, is a passionate storyteller and disability advocate with deep roots in the non-profit sector. As a comic creator, writer, and concept artist, he merges creativity with purpose, drawing inspiration from his personal experiences with a learning disability, speech impediment, and anxiety. Captivated by superheroes since childhood, Daniel saw the power of representation and set out to create characters that reflect the experiences of children with disabilities. He produced an original short film and now envisions Courageous Comics as a global brand that empowers individuals of all abilities and mental health backgrounds. His mission is to inspire, represent, and uplift voices often left out of mainstream narratives, ensuring every reader can see themselves as a hero in stories that matter.
Jayson aguilar rice
Creative Operations Director
Jayson plays a key role in managing operations at Courageous Comics. With a background in Psychology, Life Coaching, and American Sign Language, he brings both professional expertise and personal passion to the team. A devoted husband and father, Jayson’s love for superheroes began with Marvel’s X-Men and the Fantastic Four and expanded to DC and Dark Horse comics. His empathy for the marginalized is rooted in his experiences with neurodivergence, mental health challenges, time in foster care, and work in the disability non-profit sector. Jayson believes storytelling can reveal truth and foster connection. Through Courageous Comics, he aims to help readers feel seen and understood by crafting heroes whose strength is drawn from real-life struggles, making representation and compassion central to every story.
Jessica willingham
executive assistant
Jessica supports Courageous Comics in the role of the Executive Assistant. Jessica recently left a 16 year career as a Theatre Educator and Director in St. Louis public schools. Jessica has been performing for 32 years around the country and she holds a BFA in theatre from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and a master's degree in Theatre Studies in Production and Design from Southern Oregon University. Her focus as an educator has always been Social Justice and as a Queer Woman of Color, working for and with marginalized communities has been a calling. Jessica is thrilled to be a part of such an amazing organization as Courageous Comics.
Jason young
creative operations coordinator
Jason Young, Creative Operations Coordinator at Courageous Comics, brings a lifelong passion for storytelling and comics. Introduced to the medium by his father through The Simpsons, The New Mutants, and Milestone’s Dakota-verse, Jason developed a deep appreciation for genre stories that center everyday people in extraordinary circumstances. With experience in scripted entertainment—covering podcasts, TV, and film—he offers a broad creative perspective while remaining rooted in his love for comics. Inspired by creators like Dwayne McDuffie and Luana Vecchio, Jason believes comics can reveal profound truths about identity, relationships, and society. At Courageous Comics, he’s driven to tell stories that blend imagination with heart, using superhero narratives to spotlight real-life struggles and triumphs, and helping push the medium in bold, inclusive directions.
Brittany Emerson
editor
Brittany, Communications Manager at Courageous Comics, has been passionate about storytelling for as long as she can remember. Her love for comics began in 2008 with Marvel and led her to create content for the fan community and collaborate with notable creators. With a background in narrative design and a day job as a preschool teacher, Brittany brings versatility and creativity to her role. Deeply moved by the impact of underrepresentation, Brittany is driven by a desire to give the disability community a lasting presence in entertainment. As a natural protector, she’s committed to helping tell stories that empower and inspire.
layne brown
social media specialist
Layne is a recent psychology graduate with a strong creative background and a deep love for storytelling and visual media. Throughout college, he gained experience in website design, 2D game development, and podcasting. A lifelong fan of comics and superhero films, Layne draws inspiration from Marvel and DC characters who helped him cope with anxiety and depression in his youth. These personal struggles led to a passion for mental health advocacy and a desire to support others through creative expression. Raised near a major city, he was shaped by diverse experiences and values empathy, open dialogue, and calm presence. Engaged and creatively driven, Layne hopes to collaborate with storytellers in the comic industry, using his skills to uplift others and foster connection through meaningful narratives.