Since I wrote “Ally Is a Verb” in 2020, both my personal and professional journey have evolved significantly. In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), I’m taking this moment to reflect on the progress made and to highlight 10 leaders driving real, transformative change.
In 2023, I co-founded—alongside Mar Hernandez, Libby Naumes, and Nada Usina—NU Advisory Partners, a search firm committed to reshaping the way we view talent and leadership. Our mission centers on inclusivity, ensuring organizations find and embrace exceptional talent. Just as I shared my own story of living with a disability in 2020, I remain committed to advocating for change, ensuring that companies recognize the power of diversity in all its forms.
The 2024 NDEAM theme, “Access to Good Jobs for All,” aligns with NU Advisory Partners’ mission of redefining how organizations identify and develop exceptional talent, including those with disabilities. Our approach focuses on fostering leadership that embraces inclusivity and diversity to drive meaningful change in the workplace.
Over the past few years, it’s become clear that accessibility is not just about compliance—it’s a catalyst for innovation and growth and a key driver of success. When businesses prioritize inclusivity and design with accessibility at the forefront, they create opportunities for all employees to excel.
This year, we’re spotlighting 10 leaders who are pushing the boundaries on disability inclusion, showing what true leadership looks like as they work to make workplaces more accessible and equitable for all.
10 Influencers Driving Disability Inclusion
Emily Glasser, President and CEO at Achilles International
Emily Glasser leads Achilles International, a global organization dedicated to empowering people with disabilities through athletics. Under her leadership, Achilles has expanded its reach, providing critical support and programming that break barriers to active, healthy living. She’s been instrumental in expanding Achilles’ mission of inclusion and accessibility for individuals with disabilities, advocating for greater opportunities for these athletes to compete in mainstream sporting events.
Achilles International maintains a strong community-driven focus, emphasizing the power of personal connections to drive positive change in the lives of people with disabilities. Emily’s work is reshaping how society approaches inclusion and accessibility, leveraging the transformative power of sports to drive impact worldwide.
Matt Greenfield – Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Rethink Education
Matt Greenfield is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Rethink Education, a venture capital firm investing in transformative education businesses including companies addressing special education and autism. He serves on a variety of boards, such as Ignite! Reading, Stellic, GetSetUp, and CareAcademy, and is a member of the Board of Trustees at Southern New Hampshire University.
Matt also co-founded RethinkFirst, a company focused on providing cloud-based solutions for individuals with developmental disabilities, particularly autism. RethinkFirst offers educational tools and resources for caregivers, educators, and therapists to help manage and support individuals with special needs.
Matt leverages his expertise to champion innovative solutions and investments that create accessible, equitable education and open doors for learners globally, shaping the future of inclusive education.
Jill Houghton – President and CEO at Disability:IN
Jill Houghton is the President and CEO of Disability:IN, a leading global nonprofit that’s advancing disability inclusion in business. Jill has empowered more than 400 top brands to integrate disability inclusion through groundbreaking initiatives like the Disability Equality Index, a benchmarking tool that helps companies assess and improve their disability inclusion practices. She also serves on the board of ArtLifting, advancing opportunities for artists impacted by disabilities and housing insecurity.
Houghton is a well-respected advocate for advancing opportunities for people with disabilities in the corporate sector, emphasizing the business case for inclusion and working closely with companies to foster more equitable workplaces. Her work has been instrumental in shaping how organizations approach disability inclusion in hiring, retention, and leadership.
Sandy Lacey – Executive Director, Howe Innovation Center and Perkins Solutions
Sandy Lacey is the Executive Director of the Howe Innovation Center at Perkins School for the Blind, where she leads groundbreaking efforts to drive innovation in Disability Tech. Sandy’s work connects entrepreneurs and the disability community to co-design accessible products and services that transform lives.
With over 20 years of leadership experience in startups, corporate, and government settings, Sandy is an advocate for inclusive design and has been instrumental in bringing together key stakeholders to promote innovation that enhances accessibility and inclusion. Her leadership is reshaping the $25B DisabilityTech sector, making her a key figure in advancing accessibility and inclusion.
Jenny Lay-Flurrie – Vice President, Chief Accessibility Officer at Microsoft
As Vice President, Chief Accessibility Officer at Microsoft, Jenny Lay-Flurrie has transformed the company’s approach to accessibility, driving innovations like Seeing AI, Immersive Reader, and the Autism Hiring Program. She launched the Disability Answer Desk, which supports millions globally, and created the annual Ability Summit, advancing disability inclusion.
A passionate advocate for disability inclusion, Jenny, who is deaf, has been instrumental in driving Microsoft’s accessibility efforts, including the development of assistive technologies and inclusive design practices. She is also a recognized leader in the broader disability inclusion community, advocating for hiring people with disabilities and creating opportunities for them in the tech industry.
Jenny’s work has earned her recognition as a prominent voice for accessibility and inclusion in the corporate world. She also serves on the boards of Disability:IN and Team Gleason, continually championing inclusion and empowering people with disabilities to thrive in a more accessible world.
KR Liu – Global Head of Disability Innovation, Brand Studio at Google
As Global Head of Disability Innovation Marketing at Google, KR Liu continues to drive transformative initiatives that enable equal access and opportunities for people with disabilities.
KR’s leadership has shaped inclusive products and marketing strategies that impact millions. She played a key role in passing the Over-The-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017 and serves on boards like Deaf Kids Code and the American Association of People with Disabilities. She’s also a Presidential Appointee to the United States Access Board. Her work has set new standards for inclusion in tech and other fields, positioning her as a trailblazer in accessibility.
Chris Maher – Founder and General Partner at Samaritan Partners
Chris Maher is a Founder and General Partner at Samaritan Partners, a venture capital firm that focuses on investing in companies that serve underrepresented communities, including those with disabilities. Chris’s approach combines “patient capital” and “conscious capitalism,” meaning he seeks to drive both profit and positive social change through his investments.
Chris’s work is especially recognized for supporting DisabilityTech, with investments in companies that provide innovative solutions for people with disabilities, such as Wheel the World, which offers accessible travel experiences. He serves on the boards of ProFound, TravelAbility, BondCliQ, and mentors at Endless Frontier Labs.
Driven by personal experience supporting family members with disabilities, Chris is passionate about accelerating investment in companies that drive both social impact and financial returns.
Christopher McKelvy – Founder and Managing Partner at K. Ventures
Christopher McKelvy is a Founder and Managing Partner at K. Ventures, dedicated to investing in technology startups that focus on transforming the lives of people with intellectual, developmental, and learning disabilities.
Before K. Ventures, Christopher led Oculus VR’s partnerships and e-sports division during its acquisition by Facebook and served as an Army Ranger. His deep commitment to disability inclusion stems from his work with the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation, where he is a trustee, continuing his family’s legacy of advocacy for people with disabilities.
Ira Rubenstein – Chief Digital and Marketing Officer at PBS
Ira Rubenstein, Chief Digital and Marketing Officer at PBS, has transformed the organization’s digital strategy, launching innovations like PBS Passport, which generates $50M annually, and co-creating the KIDS 24/7 channel. With over 20 years of leadership experience, Ira has spearheaded groundbreaking projects across major brands and been a driving force behind innovative digital strategies, transforming traditional media into modern digital formats.
Ira’s leadership in digital entertainment continues to prioritize accessibility, ensuring content is inclusive for all audiences. A passionate advocate for people with hearing loss, he serves on the board of the Hearing Loss Association of America and leads fundraising efforts for Walk4Hearing.
Caroline Casey – Founder of The Valuable 500
Caroline Casey is the founder of The Valuable 500, a global initiative aimed at encouraging 500 of the world’s largest companies to commit to putting disability inclusion on their leadership agenda. Her mission is to drive systemic change in the way businesses perceive and include people with disabilities. Since its launch at the World Economic Forum in 2019, Caroline has mobilized 500 multinational companies, generating over $8 trillion in revenue, to transform corporate culture around disability inclusion and create lasting change for millions of employees.
Caroline, who is visually impaired, has been a prominent advocate for disability rights and social inclusion for over two decades. She also serves as President of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and on Sanofi’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion board.
Wrapping Up: Advancing Disability Inclusion and Innovation
These 10 leaders are pushing boundaries in disability inclusion in the workplace and demonstrating that accessibility drives both innovation and business success. By creating more inclusive places of work and investing in new technologies, they’re breaking down barriers and opening doors for everyone.
Supporting these efforts, organizations like MassChallenge—led by Caitlin Brumme—are fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs, helping to accelerate innovation in disability technologies. Together, these leaders and initiatives are shaping a future where accessibility and inclusion are the foundation for success, allowing individuals of all abilities to thrive.
NU Advisory Partners is an AI and tech-led retained executive search and advisory firm focused on senior executive, operating, and board positions. If you’re interested in learning more, get in touch here.