Experience

UJA-Federation of New York

• United States
• Fundraising
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Senior Advocacy and Policy Advisor

  • Jan 2017 - Present

  Provided technical assistance to agencies in UJA’s nonprofit network.Managed numerous policy portfolios related to UJA’s interests including early childhood education, after school and summer programs and services for people with developmental/intellectual disabilities.Coordinated advocacy efforts within UJA and with external coalitions including the Campaign for Children.Drafted and presented budget and issue specific testimony to the New York City Council and New York State Legislature.Gathered and maintained data on issues impacting UJA’s network of nonprofit partners; drafted policy briefs on these issues and shared with policymakers. Show less

• Senior Advocacy and Policy Advisor

  • Jan 2017 - Present



Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council

• Disability Policy Specialist

  • Sep 2010 - Dec 2016

  •Managed the Governor’s Special Commission Relative to Autism, its four subcommittees, and its writing group. •Drafted portions of the Autism Commission’s final report and designed its layout. •Planned all meetings and events for the Autism Commission including a report release event for 150 people. •Performed presentations for 30 to 100 people about the Autism Commission’s findings and other disability relevant policies for state legislators, individuals with disabilities, students, and parents. •Educated federal and state legislators and state government employees about autism services, employment policies, human rights and safety concerns for individuals with developmental disabilities. •Connected individuals with developmental disabilities and their parents/guardians with their state and federal legislators and helped them craft messages explaining the impact bills could have on their lives. •Created fact sheets to display the impact of legislation on individuals with developmental disabilities. •Drafted and presented testimonies to state legislative committees on a variety of topics including expanding eligibility for adult services at the Department of Developmental Services and increasing access to mental health services for individuals with autism and a comorbid mental health diagnosis. •Participated in coalitions dedicated to increasing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and increasing access to diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. Show less



Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy

• Greater Boston Area

• Graduate Public Policy Intern

  • Sep 2009 - May 2010

  •Collaborated with the public policy team to frame advocacy messages supporting teen pregnancy prevention and teen parent programs for Massachusetts state legislators. •Discussed issues with state legislators such as increasing access to Teen Living Programs for pregnant and parenting teens at risk for homelessness. •Assisted in planning the Alliance’s Teen Parent Lobby Day by designing materials to publicize the event. •Conducted interviews with current and former teenage parents to analyze the presence of Massachusetts’s programs designed to assist young families. Show less



EMPath (formerly Crittenton Women's Union)

• Greater Boston Area

• Labor Market Analysis Intern

  • Jun 2009 - Aug 2009

  •Updated and organized Crittenton’s Hot Jobs for Women 2010 report-a report dedicated to increasing access to higher paying occupations for women living in poverty. •Researched regional specific occupations, green and biotech occupations in Massachusetts and drafted sections on each to be included in the Hot Jobs for Women 2010 final report. •Developed and drafted ‘Industry Briefs’ which summarized labor market data and detailed high demand occupations in business and financial operations, healthcare, sales, and technical and scientific industries. Show less



Indian Creek Foundation

• Lifesharing Specialist

  • Dec 2006 - Aug 2008

  •Monitored five residential placements of clients with developmental disabilities.•Drafted and organized client progress reports and medical forms.•Advocated for clients’ basic needs with representatives from the county, doctors, psychiatrists, and parents.

• Personal Care Provider

  • Dec 2002 - Aug 2008

  Provided companionship and care for people with developmental and intellectual disabiltiies including transportation, arranging meals, medication dispersion, and entertainment.



Women Organized Against Rape

• Crisis Intervention Counselor

  • May 2006 - Dec 2006

  • Coordinated and implemented 40 hour sexual assault counseling training for volunteers and staff.•Created and facilitated one to three hour presentations on sexual assault issues at local female correctional facilities and the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. •Facilitated a weekly support group for adult female survivors of sexual assault.•Served on victim advocacy coalitions including Philadelphia Coalition for Victim Advocacy and Philadelphia Women’s Death Review Team.•Coordinated coverage for Women Organized Against Rape’s 24 hour crisis hotline. Show less

• Crisis Intervention Intern

  • Jan 2006 - Apr 2006

  •Counseled victims of sexual assault and rape in emergency rooms and on a crisis hotline.•Accompanied children and adult survivors of sexual assault during their hearings in the Philadelphia court system ensuring each was prepared to testify and understood their rights as a survivor.