STATEMENT OF GOALS
My goals are to maintain objectivity in my work and research, while being guided by my values. My advocacy is through my research.
I strive to demonstrate leadership through my work in advancing inclusive policies and practices for individuals with disabilities, as well as the ethics that guide me in that work. My leadership extends to providing technical assistance and building capacity in state and local agencies, guiding them in adopting evidence-based practices that enhance service delivery and workforce development. However, I believe my greatest strength is in my ability to collaborate across organizations and stakeholders, bringing together diverse teams to tackle complex challenges, and equipping and empowering them to create solutions. The next few years will likely bring a lot of change and instability, including to our field. As the Secretary-Treasurer, I believe I will be able to contribute to AAIDD’s mission as it navigates the complexities of future political and fiscal realities.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHY:
Current Position:
Director of Community Living and Employment, Institute on Community Integration (ICI), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Previous Positions:
Director, Aging and Disabilities, Human Services Research Institute (HSRI), Cambridge, MA
Senior Director, National Core Indicators-Aging and Disabilities, HSRI, Cambridge, MA
Direct Support Professional, TSE, Roseville, MN
Education:
PhD, Health Services Research and Policy, University of Minnesota, 2009
BA, Statistics, University of Minnesota, 2000
AAIDD Participation:
Member of AAIDD since the beginning of my professional research career
Conference presenter and planner for over a decade (since 2010)
Co-planners for the Reinventing Quality Conference
Activities/Awards:
15 years of experience leading national-level research and evaluation projects focused on improving services and support outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
Faculty in the MNLEND program.
Currently leading or co-leading multiple projects addressing key challenges, such as workforce, employment, meaningful community living, health surveillance, and others