Susan Harrell (She/Her)

Susan Harrell has over 40 years of experience working with and on behalf of people with disabilities. Inspired by the experiences of a family member with developmental disabilities, Susan has focused her career on building the foundation and opportunities for individuals to achieve employment and economic self-sufficiency. She has a proven track record in advising on governmental and organizational service systems and structures in response to changing needs, with a deep understanding of state and federal policy, philosophical and political concerns, and organizational and consumer issues.

Susan serves as the Assistant Executive Director at the Washington Initiative for Supported Employment, where she has worked since November 2000. In this capacity, she presents at local, state, and national conferences; provides technical assistance and training nationally on public benefits, public policy, and employment; manages state and county Developmental Disabilities technical assistance contracts, budgets, and activities; and coordinates training events. Susan also advises and assists in the development of statewide benefit planning capacity for the Washington State Home and Community Living Administration (formerly the Developmental Disabilities Administration) and provides ongoing technical assistance and support to a network of specialists. Additionally, she consults with large public and private employers to design and implement initiatives focused on hiring large numbers of people into supported employment and manages programs and operations.

From 1991 to 2001, Susan worked as a private consultant, organizing and facilitating councils and groups, providing employment-related training, assisting in developing tools and processes, and reporting quality assurance activities. She also performed database design, development, maintenance, statistical analysis, and reporting on contractor outcomes, developed Supported Employment positions in state government, and facilitated person-centered planning.

Earlier in her career, Susan developed and managed an individual supported employment program at Timberland Opportunities Association from 1985 to 1991.

Susan attended Oregon State University. She holds an Advanced Professional Development Certificate in Assistive Technology from California State University Northridge and a Work Incentive Practitioner Credential from Cornell University’s Yang Tan Institute.