Dear Colleagues:
While we are still feeling very sad that Esmé Grant has left NACDD, we are happy to announce that a close colleague of ours, Cindy Smith, has agreed to join NACDD and serve as our new Director of Public Policy. Cindy comes from our sister
program, NDRN where she currently serves on their public policy staff. Cindy is a lobbyist, attorney, and has finished doctorate level education in special education. She brings to us a deep knowledge of developmental disability policy and expertise in key
areas such as education and employment. Cindy also previously worked at ICI Boston on data collection related to employment of people with disabilities and was a policy specialist with CHADD, Children and Adults with AD/HD. Cindy has expertise in social policy
and disability and disability and diversity. She is also a sibling and came to DC from Massachusetts. Those of you who participate in the Public Policy Committee had the chance to hear Cindy speak on a Committee call a few months back and may know that she
and Esmé collaborated on many things together. Cindy will be a true asset to our network and I am excited to have her on board.
Cindy’s first day will be February 12, 2015. In the interim please share your concerns or questions regarding public policy items with me. Our former intern Josh Rappaport will be assisting me in triaging important policy/legislative
matters over the coming weeks so please also do not be surprised if you receive emails or calls from Josh (xxxxxx@nacdd.org). We will do our very best to keep everything moving forward in the absence of a public
policy director.
Thanks so much!
Donna
Donna A. Meltzer, CEO
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
1825 K Street, NW Suite 600
Washington, DC 20006
202-506-5813 extension 103
Follow NACDD online at: