Please welcome Courtney Williams, MPA (she/her), as the new Washington State Independent Living Council Executive Director.

Courtney started her journey as a customer with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). She was later hired as a job coach, moving while finishing her degree, ultimately earning a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.

Courtney comes to the council with experience in the disability community, formerly serving as the Executive Director for the Community Employment Alliance (CEA). In that role, she worked with members to pass legislation that includes the Elimination of sub-minimum wages for individuals with Disabilities, Statewide School to Work, and participation in a legislative-directed rate study with DSHS and the Developmental Disability Administration.

In this new role, Courtney looks forward to building pathways with community partners to ensure that Washington can sustain independent living for individuals with disabilities.  Courtney wants to prioritize this council's essential role and looks forward to building the council, working with partners, and moving our statewide plan forward.

In her free time,  Courtney works in her local community as a Board Member for the Family Support Center in Olympia, Washington.

If you feel inclined to learn more about this Governor-appointed council, please reach out to Courtney at: Courtney.williams@dshs.wa.gov

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Jim is the lead for the Coalition on Inclusive Emergency Planning (CIEP). He is from Renton, Wash., and makes the best Norwegian Lefse.

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Rebecca is a small town girl, who is always up for learning new skills. She built her own house from the ground up, spends time cleaning up nature with her car club and enjoys taking her kayak out on the water.