Courtney Williams is an accomplished Executive Director dedicated to advancing advocacy efforts for individuals with disabilities. With a passion for creating inclusive communities, she combines extensive experience in public policy, program management, and coalition building to drive meaningful change.
As the current Executive Director of the Washington Statewide Independent Living Council, Courtney leverages her expertise in advocacy and negotiation to support legislative initiatives that impact the lives of individuals with disabilities. She is known for implementing effective departmental procedures and providing strategic support on public policy issues, ensuring alignment with regulatory goals.
Previously, as the Director of Government Affairs at the Adult Family Home Council in Olympia, WA, Courtney coordinated vital legislative activities, developed advocacy materials, and cultivated relationships with key stakeholders, including the Governor's Office and legislative staff. Her efforts were instrumental in advocating for significant policy changes, such as the elimination of subminimum wage in Washington State and the establishment of a statewide school-to-work initiative.
Recognized as one of South Sound Magazine's 40 Under 40 in 2023, Courtney is a passionate speaker who engages audiences with insights drawn from her extensive experience in advocacy, public relations, and program management. She has published research on employment and day rates for individuals with disabilities and has served on several committees to ensure that disability perspectives are included in legislative processes.
With a Master’s degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work/Civic Intelligence from The Evergreen State College, Courtney possesses a strong academic foundation that complements her hands-on experience in the field.
Courtney Williams is committed to empowering individuals with disabilities and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to create equitable opportunities. She is available for speaking engagements and workshops, where she shares her knowledge and passion for advocacy.
Jim House is a nationally recognized disability access and emergency preparedness advocate with more than four decades of experience advancing communications access, emergency planning, and disability rights. As theDisability and Access and Functional Needs (AFN) Integration Manager for theCoalition on Inclusive Emergency Planning (CIEP) with the Washington StateIndependent Living Council (WASILC), he and the Coalition collaborate withstate agencies, public health, and community-based organizations to improveaccess to emergency services for people with disabilities before, during, andafter disasters.Through CIEP, Jim helped develop innovative solutions to remove barriers inemergency planning, including gesture training workshops and the AFN ReviewAfter-Action Report following Washington's December 2025 atmospheric riverstorms, along with a plain-language version. Using the CMIST framework, thereport identified the best practices and opportunities for improvement whilepromoting accessible, inclusive emergency management practices statewide.
Rebecca is a small-town girl with a relentless "give it a try" attitude and a knack for diving headfirst into new skills—like building her own house from the ground up. Whether she’s hitting the water in her kayak, cleaning up local trails with her car clubs, or navigating the trails in her lifted Jeep, she thrives outdoors. Life is never dull, especially at home, where she wrangles a chaotic, lovely pack of four dogs: one 15-pound Miniature Pinscher and three Great Danes (including a 160-pound gentle giant).
