We believe that our disabilities are an asset to leadership, and when we connect our Members to opportunities to lead, better decisions are made for everyone. Our Connections work applies our expansive view on civic engagement and places our leaders in position to influence people and decisions. From April 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026, Disability Lead facilitated 101 impactful connections, resulting in successful collaborations and milestones.
Here are some of the highlights from April through June 2026.
Professional Positions
Jamie Kosberg (Fellow 2022) was appointed Global Pride Co-Chair at KPMG.
"Creating spaces where people feel they belong has been a driving force throughout my career. Serving as Global Pride Co-Chair gives me the opportunity to expand that work beyond the U.S., deepen my understanding of the diverse experiences of LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies around the world, and help build connections across our global community. I’m excited to create opportunities for people to learn from one another, find a deeper sense of belonging, and share new perspectives to strengthen inclusion everywhere."
Brittney Hyde (Fellow 2023) completed the ADA Coordinator Certification with the Great Plains ADA Center.
"Completing the ADA Coordinator Certification feels like an important investment in the work I’ve already been doing to advance disability inclusion and accessibility. It has strengthened my knowledge and given me additional tools to help organizations identify and remove barriers so that people with disabilities can fully participate and thrive in the workplace.”
Board & Civic Appointments
Justin Houcek was appointed to the Board of Directors at the Arc of Illinois.
“Being appointed is a humbling experience and a confidence builder at the same time. It has taken 7 years and being a part of many volunteer commissions or committees. I believe the appointments to these commissions/committees gave me the experience I needed to be considered for the Board Seat. I am looking forward to the future with the Arc. Disability Lead provided me with an opportunity to be part of a training committee that I am very proud to be part of...”
Keidra Chaney (Fellow 2020) was appointed to the advisory committee of the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD).
“As a lifelong Chicagoan, this appointment means a lot to me. I care deeply about this city, and having the opportunity to advocate for disabled and neurodivergent Chicagoans and help shape a more accessible Chicago feels especially meaningful. This opportunity really grew out of the relationships and community I built through the Disability Lead Leadership Institute. I’m especially grateful to my fellow cohort member Whitney Hill for thinking of me for the MOPD advisory committee. It’s a great example of how meaningful these connections can be long after the program ends.”
Awards & Recognition
Jen Bokoff received the Ariadne Network 2026 Reconnect Award.
"Showing up authentically in philanthropy spaces while calling them in to do better is daunting, risky, and labor-intensive. At different points in my career, that approach has been called "too much." This award meant that it's worth it—it recognized not just the labor, but the positive impact of bringing disability inclusion and joy into the Ariadne community (a network of foundations prioritizing human rights). Being part of Disability Lead has helped me get more rooted in my own disability identity and integrate it more directly into how I lead, advocate, and show up in global spaces.”
Speaking and Panel Opportunities
Guadalupe Pinzon (Fellow 2025), Lauren Galloway (Fellow 2024), and Whitney Hill (Fellow 2020) participated as Affinity Group Panelists at Noble Charter School.
Kareem Dale provided the narration for the audio description tour of the Obama presidential Center (OPC).
“I was proud to provide the narration for the Obama Presidential Center...which is a model of accessibility. As a blind African American male who grew up on the South Side of Chicago before joining President Obama in the White House, the OPC reminds me of the extraordinary accomplishments that we, led by President Obama, achieved working alongside people with disabilities during his administration while still understanding that we have a lot of work to do. And, to do that work, we need organizations like Disability Lead as it plays such a vital role in helping level the playing field for people with disabilities.”
Amanda Neatrour, Angelica Perez-Johnston, Josie Byzek, and Tim Hindes spoke on the “Leading with your Disability in the Workplace and Beyond” panel at the 13th Annual Disability & Mental Health Summit hosted by Pennsylvania elected officials.
Professional Networking
Matt Perry (Fellow 2022) connected with many fellow Members in the Network as well as previous Disability Power Series Speaker and partner, Indigenous and political activist Vesper Moore.
Ashley Eisenmenger (Fellow 2021) connected Dan Tun (Fellow 2021) to partner Volt Hockey USA.