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Policy Power Lunch: What’s in Your Advocacy Toolbox? Building the Skills to Connect with Policymakers
September 11, 2024 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Join us for a community conversation focused on empowering disability self-advocates, researchers, professionals and community-based organizations, and others who want to learn the skills needed to effectively connect with policymakers. This webinar aims to equip participants with practical tools and strategies to enhance their advocacy efforts and make real policy impact.
During this conversation, we will discuss:
- Redefining what and who can impact policy
- Key techniques for effectively communicating with policymakers
- Strategies for building and maintaining relationships with decision-makers
- Ways to use research to articulate your message and advocate for your community’s needs
- Practical tips for engaging in policy advocacy, both in person and virtually
- How to communicate issues without lobbying as a non-profit
Register Here
Nicole Jorwic
Chief of Advocacy and Campaigns
Caring Across Generations
Nicole is an experienced executive, policy expert, and advocate with over 15 years of expertise in team building, strategic planning, program management, and organizational development. She has a strong track record of helping non-profit and mission-driven organizations build diverse teams, form coalitions, and secure support for people with disabilities and family caregivers.
Nicole’s leadership is marked by her commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA), as well as her ability to drive positive change. She excels in ensuring the financial and programmatic health of organizations while advocating for policy advancements. Her skills as a compelling spokesperson for non-profits make her effective in engaging with high-profile audiences, including funders.
Nicole is adept at building relationships with cross-functional teams and stakeholders, ensuring the successful execution of strategic plans. Her areas of expertise include board governance, resource allocation, fundraising, people management, and consensus building.
Passionate about advocating for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Nicole is actively involved in various coalitions and serves as a board member of the National Association of Direct Support Professionals (NADSP). She is also a member of The President’s Committee on People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, recognized for her innovative solutions and bipartisan approach to policy challenges.
Kim Musheno
Executive Vice President of Public Policy
Autism Society
Denise Rozell, JD
Director of Policy Innovation
Policy, Innovation, and Education (AUCD)
Denise Rozell, JD, is the Director of Policy Innovation at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), where she focuses on issues impacting transition-age youth, post-secondary education, and employment. Her work includes advocating for inclusive post-secondary education for students with intellectual disabilities in partnership with Think College and supporting employment initiatives with the University of New Hampshire.
With 35 years of experience in disability policy at both federal and state levels, Denise has been involved in shaping key legislation, starting with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Before joining AUCD, she spent 15 years as Assistant Vice President for State Government Relations at Easter Seals, where she increased awareness and support for disability issues in state government, addressing areas such as autism, Medicaid managed care, vocational rehabilitation, and health delivery system reform.
Prior to Easter Seals, Denise served as Executive Director of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER), overseeing member services for 4,700 members across 44 chapters. She also held positions as Governmental Relations Representative for the American Foundation for the Blind and Director of Public Policy for the National Association of Developmental Disabilities Councils.
Denise earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Occidental College and a juris doctorate from UC Berkeley School of Law.