NOSSCR’S Director of Government Affairs Elected Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Chair of the Board of Directors

Click here for a PDF of the full press release. 

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 16, 2019 – The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), the largest coalition of national organizations advocating for inclusive federal policies for children and adults with disabilities, voted unanimously today to install NOSSCR’s Director of Government Affairs, Lisa Ekman, as the new Chair of the Board of Directors.

“I am very honored to have been chosen by my colleagues as the 2019 Chair of the CCD Board of Directors. I look forward to continue working with my colleagues in this new role to advocate for the full inclusion, integration, and economic self-sufficiency of Americans with disabilities,” says Ekman.

Lisa Ekman has been working with the CCD for over a decade and served as a Vice Chair prior to this election. She has been a disability rights advocate focused on improving the economic security of people with disabilities for nearly two decades.

“I am so pleased that Lisa Ekman has been elected chair of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) today. CCD is fortunate that she is willing to serve in this important role. As a trained attorney, former Hill staffer, and long-time disability advocate, she brings incredible talent, expertise, and passion to this leadership post. I look forward to continuing to work together to advance the mission of CCD,” says Kim Musheno, Vice President of Public Policy at the Autism Society of America and CCD’s outgoing Chair.

The CCD is comprised of over 100 organizations – from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – that work together to shape public policy through research, testimony, working closely with members of Congress, and encouraging grassroots advocacy efforts among people with disabilities.

Barbara Silverstone, Executive Director of NOSSCR, says, “I have been privileged to work with Lisa as NOSSCR’s Director of Government Affairs for over 5 years and am confident that, with her knowledge, experience, dedication and ability to work with all personalities, CCD is in excellent hands. Congratulations to Lisa on being elected as Chair of CCD. This is a well-deserved honor. The advocacy done by CCD is invaluable for all people with disabilities and for American society.”