About Disability Policy
Consulting Organizations About Increasing Access to opportunities for People with Disabilities
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Leadership & Experience
LEADERSHIP PROGRESSION
Commissioner, Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) 2018–Present
Leadership Impact: Direct a staff of 138 - Report to the Secretary of Health & Human Services (HHS) - Manage and administer $36.7M budget - Coordinate with Federal Rehabilitation Services Administration regarding Vocational Rehabilitation programs for the blind - Co-Chair of the Diversity & Inclusion Subcommittee for the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Workforce Planning Initiative
o Drove modernization through technology enhancements aimed at better outcomes for blind consumers. Devised strategies to ameliorate blindness for consumers and their families across the state.
o Spearheaded the MCB Employer Challenge program, asking employers to “Do One More Thing” to reduce stigma and increase employment for the visually impaired by providing access to employment opportunities.
o Initiated and led 24 Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Reallotment Projects yielding pioneering outcomes.
o Forged alliance with the New England College of Optometry on first low-vision Residency Fellowship, which led to better access for eye evaluations for rural consumers.
o Managed 2 Mass Challenge Health Tech Grants that led to wearable technologies for MCB consumers.
o Developed MCB’s Amazon Alexa pilot and program that empowered consumers to learn and use voice activated technology that enhanced their independence.
o Member of the Commonwealth's COVID-19 Workforce Planning Initiative and the Future of Work Initiative. Collaborated on enterprise-wide (~41,000 Executive Branch Employee’s) telework, hybrid work, and alternative work options programs that arose because of COVID.
o Facilitated the addition of the Accessible Instructional Materials Library (AIM) into MCB through and Interagency Services Agreement (ISA) via the Department of Elementary of Secondary Education.
Member, National Council on Disability, 2020–2022
Leadership Impact: Served as council member to advise the President, Congress, and other federal agencies regarding policies, programs, practices, and procedures that affected people with disabilities
o Appointed by the President. Served on Strategic Planning Committee.
Director, Massachusetts Office on Disability, 2015–2018
Leadership Impact: Member of the Mass Architectural Access Board; Made recommendations for appointment of new members to the Board - Advisor for policy development and implementation - Expert on Disability Employment Policies - Member of Interagency Council - Grant Administrator and Implementer
o Spoke about disability public policy at the American Enterprise Institute, presented at the National Governor’s Association State Learning Lab on disability policies, and presented at the 2018 National ADA Symposium on developing and implementing an ADA Improvement Grant program.
o Structured Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Department of Communities and Housing Development (DCHD) on the ADA creating a policy and first-of-its-kind program to ensure funds earmarked for the disabled were properly spent on facilities creating access to everyone. Designed MOU policy to include architectural access to all new construction and renovations.
o Catalyst for devising and advocating for first-of-its-kind Municipal ADA Improvement Grant program. Provided cities and towns access to grant money for ADA accessibility improvements.
o Designed, organized, and implemented Massachusetts Disability Summit 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018, an annual event that brings together leaders from throughout the Massachusetts disability community.
o Member, Council of State Governments (CSG) & National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) National Task Force on Workforce Development for Persons with Disabilities. Co-chair of the Transportation, Technology & Other Employment Supports Subcommittee that produced the “Work Matters” framework, a collaborative initiative by CSG & NCSL to create disability program ‘best practices guide’ for all 50 States. Lectured on panels in Chicago, Washington DC, Virginia, and Las Vegas.
City Councilor At Large, Elected 2011-Reelected 2013 & 2015 2011–2018
Leadership Impact: Elected to City Council 3 times - Set policy; adopted ordinances, orders, and resolutions - Reviewed and approved the City's annual budget of $173M - Approved appropriations & appointments
o Created new political and public policy proposals. Chief City Council Negotiator for the Everett Casino “Surrounding Communities Agreement,” positioning Malden to receive $20M in future revenue.
Candidate for Secretary of State, MassGOP Nominee, 2014
Leadership Impact: Won Nomination for Secretary of State - First statewide person with a disability to reach a statewide general election ballot in Massachusetts.
o Broadened and enhanced the perception of the MassGOP slate by putting forth a candidate with a disability, which may be a first and/or be a rarity.
o Delivered highly inspirational speeches by memory, and invigorated audiences by taking ‘selfies.
Founder & Managing Director, Arc Angel Communications, 2008–2014
Leadership Impact: Stood up a select-consultancy Public Relations and communications company
o Created and implemented PR Plans and direct mail campaigns. Obtained major market media coverage, achieved top ranking in Google and Yahoo searches for websites created and maintained by Arc Angel.
Lecturer of Communication & Journalism, Suffolk University, 2010–2014
Leadership Impact: Taught Professional Communications & Public Speaking Wrote curriculum
o Challenged students to learn. Instructed on how to become an expert communicator.
Regional Development Manager, CSI Support & Development Services, 2007–2008
Leadership Impact: Identified multimillion dollar parcels of land for disabled and senior housing for the nation’s largest non-profit rental CO-OP managing 53 buildings, and 6,200 apartment units, across 4 states
o Identified and approached C-suite executives, Mayors, Councilors, and other community officials and built proposals to procure major development sites.
o Catalyst for establishing policies and procedures to locate developable sites.
Chief Communication Officer, M&L Transit Systems, Inc., 2004–2007
Leadership Impact: Developed organizational communication systems Created and optimized websites
o Identified severe lack of funds. Spearheaded company’s financial turnaround and designed a corporate budget turning $40K monthly losses into $10K monthly gains. Streamlined company spending.
o Revised $2M company budget to maximize revenue and trim costs without cutting jobs.
o Responded to RFPs and negotiated multi-million-dollar contracts.
Program Coordinator, Mass. Department of Education, 2003
o Devised new data collection system for the $50M Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS), Support & Remediation Program, and eliminated a 6-month backlog of grant proposals.
Earlier Career Progression: Communication Coordinator & Municipal Liaison for Senator in Mass State Senate, Correspondence Aide in Governor’s Office, and Trade Mission Assistant in Mass. Office of International Trade
Disability Policy Presentations
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