CHAIRMAN
Gov. Tom Ridge
– Former Governor of Pennsylvania and Secretary of Homeland Security
Tom Ridge, the former Governor of Pennsylvania who served as the first US Secretary of Homeland Security, joined NOD’s Board of Directors in 2006 as its Chair. Under Governor Ridge’s leadership, the organization has adopted a strategic focus on employment of people with disabilities…
VICE CHAIRMAN
LUKE VISCONTI
– Founder and Chairman, DiversityInc
“I want the most competitive team possible and that can’t be done without being vigorously inclusive…Not only has our aggregate work product and service to our customers improved (due to superior talent), the inclusion of people with disabilities has elevated the EQ of the entire organization.”
PRESIDENT
CAROL GLAZER
– President, National Organization on Disability
Carol Glazer is President of the National Organization on Disability, the nation’s oldest civil rights organization representing all of America’s 57 million people with disabilities. In her ten years as President, Carol has transformed NOD into the country’s premier resource on disability inclusion through its Disability Employment Tracker, its Corporate Leadership Council and its professional advisory services helping companies with talent acquisition.
DIRECTORS
Douglas R. Conant
– CEO, Conant Leadership + Former CEO, Campbell Soup Company
Ronald L. Copeland, M.D., F.A.C.S.
– Senior Vice President, National Diversity and Inclusion Strategy + Policy & Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Kaiser Permanente
Rhonda Nesmith Crichlow
– Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Charter Communications
Apoorva Gandhi
– Vice President, Multicultural Affairs, Marriott International
Mike Gathright
– Senior Vice President of Reservations and Customer Care, Hilton Worldwide
Laura Giovacco
– Partner, E&Y
Robert David Hall
– Actor
Why are you passionate about disability employment?
The business I’m in, entertainment, is a huge, multi-billion dollar juggernaut. People, around the globe, with and without disabilities, consume it every second of every day.
The problem is–with all the talk of “diversity”–there are precious few individuals with disabilities making a living in show business. I became passionate about the employment of disabled actors, musicians, and other creative types early in my career because of my own physical disabilities. I saw no reason why talented, hardworking people, who are viewed as “different”, should be kept out of this industry.
As with any other sub-group of people, the gifts and talents of people with disabilities belong in front of–and behind–the cameras. The work that drives NOD also drives me. Employing qualified people with disabilities is not simply a “do-gooder” impulse. It’s good business!
What effect have employees with disabilities had on your organization?
I’ve generally been the only person with a disability in most of my professional endeavors.
I’ve worked at a fairly high level in on-air radio, commercial voice overs, television, film and music. At times it’s been odd to be singled out as the “disabled” talent, but, that’s a small price to pay for the opportunity to realize a dream. I would add that my Unions, SAG-AFTRA and Actors Equity have led the fight for the inclusion of talented people with disabilities for many years. And, like a growing number of corporations (many reflected on the NOD board), my former employer, CBS, has made strides in identifying disabled talent in the myriad number of jobs in our industry.
Brad K. Hopton
– Partner, NY Metro Regional Tax Leader and Disability Inclusion Networks Champion, PwC
Michele C. Meyer-Shipp, Esq.
– Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer and Principal, KPMG
“As a person with a disability, and the mom of a son with a disability, it is personally meaningful for me to support this community. I have a passion for equality in all shapes and forms, am an advocate and work tirelessly for the underserved.”
Stephen Pelletier
– Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, U.S. Businesses, Prudential Financial
John M. Quain, Esq.
– Retired Attorney, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC
Why are you passionate about disability employment?
As a low-vision law school graduate seeking employment thirty years ago, I faced potential employers who focused on my disability rather than my ability. In recent years, I have watched and experienced positive change in the workplace in this regard, although there is still work to be done. I feel strongly that progress will continue through the impact of organizations like NOD, and I am privileged to be part of these efforts.
What effect have employees with disabilities had on your organization?
My former law firm benefitted greatly from the work and dedication of all of its employees with disabilities, from entry level to senior partners. Through their daily interaction with colleagues and clients, these employees have enlightened others on important issues such as disability etiquette and inclusion. As one of the senior partners with a disability, I always tried to keep these issues in mind in my day to day interaction with other attorneys, management and staff.
JENETTE RAMOS
Senior Vice President, Manufacturing, Supply Chain & Operations, The Boeing Company
MARK TEMPLIN
– President & Chief Executive Officer, Toyota Financial Services
COUNSEL
ROBERT J. SANER, II, ESQ.
– Principal, Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville PC
DIRECTORS EMERITUS
PHILIP E. BEEKMAN
– President, Owl Hollow Enterprises
CHARLES F. DEY
– Founder, Start on Success & A Better Chance
WHY ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT?
Twenty five years ago, the then President of the National Organization on Disability, Alan Reich, asked me to do something for high school students with disabilities, I said, “No, I don’t know enough about disability.” He said, “Find out.” Conversations with policy makers, special education teachers and parents all strongly urged, “Charley, if you do anything, introduce our daughters and sons to the workplace.” Subsequent initiatives confirmed the potential of their advice.
WHAT EFFECT HAVE EMPLOYEES WITH DISABILITIES HAD ON YOUR ORGANIZATION?
The National Organization on Disability’s demonstration projects, like Start on Success that offered paid internships for high school students with disabilities, Wounded Warriors Careers that provided proactive career preparation for veterans, and Bridges to Business’ corporate disability employment initiative – all have dramatically illustrated the talented and productive workforce contributions by employees with disabilities.
STEPHEN L. FEINBERG
– Chairman, Dorsar Investment Company, Inc
WHY ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT?
I care about our disability community and feel they deserve the same job opportunities that we all have. The companies they work for are benefitting from a loyal, talented and enthusiastic group. This helps all of us.
GAY FORSYTHE REICH
– Honorary Founder and President Emerita, National Organization on Disability
Harold W. McGraw, III
– Chairman Emeritus, S&P Global
JEFFREY P. REICH
– CEO, Bridge Street Capital Management
KENNETH ROMAN
– Former Chairman and CEO, Ogilvy & Mather
Read Ken Roman’s Dartmouth Alumni magazine article about the founding of the National Organization on Disability.
E. JOHN ROSENWALD, JR
– Vice Chairman Emeritus, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
HUMPHREY TAYLOR
– Chairman, Harris Interactive