Laura Beth Waller, NOSSCR Interim Chief Executive Officer & Deputy General Counsel

As NOSSCR’s Interim CEO, I can confidently say that my membership in this organization has been a defining factor in my career and in building my professional community.

It all started with a simple push from my then-boss, Past-President George Piemonte, leading me to become a co-chair of NextGen. This role gave me the chance to organize a meaningful retreat in Boulder, and the connections I made there were immediate and profound. It led to new friendships, including with now-Board members Ashley Sappenfield and Christine Burnside. The best part? Though we lived just a few hours from each other, we had never met in person! Now, we serve as each other’s sounding board for tricky case issues, meet up for lunch, and even get our kids together to play.

Building my community within NextGen provided more than just networking; it gave me the courage to present on federal court issues—first at NextGen, then at the next national conference in Austin. My involvement ultimately inspired me to run for the Board. I like to joke that I started as a volunteer and got carried away!

Beyond my personal journey, I’ve seen NOSSCR’s growth over the last few years. I am incredibly proud of our advocacy accomplishments, which have made real improvements in disability practices and secured better outcomes for claimants. From friendships and mentorship to professional growth and advocacy, these building blocks are what make NOSSCR truly unique.

My journey is a perfect example of what can happen when you invest in your NOSSCR membership. Now, I challenge you to make the most of your community! Get involved by joining our Mentorship Program as a mentor or mentee, or connecting with colleagues at our local and national conferences. Submit a proposal to share your expertise in Baltimore this spring, Salt Lake City this fall, or in a webinar. Is there a community in NOSSCR you’d like to see but that doesn’t exist yet? Let us know! NOSSCR is what we make it.

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