MIUSA - Key Persons
Ashley serves as the Executive Specialist to the CEO and is a Project Specialist with the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange at Mobility International USA. In these roles, she works with MIUSA's CEO to carry out special projects and also develops initiatives and resources
Ashley serves as the Executive Specialist to the CEO and is a Project Specialist with the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange at Mobility International USA. In these roles, she works with MIUSA's CEO to carry out special projects and also develops initiatives and resources to increase participation and inclusion of students with disabilities in international exchange. As a Rotary Group Study Exchange participant, Ashley visited disability organizations and alumni in Malaysia to learn about the country's disability rights issues and movements. Ashley graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in International Studies and Economics with a focus in International Comparative Development and Africa, which led her to intern with a non-profit organization in Dakar, Senegal.
Job Titles:
- Program Coordinator With the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange at Mobility International USA
Aubrianna (she/her/hers) is a Program Coordinator with the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange at Mobility International USA. As a 2023 Thomas J. Watson Fellow, Aubrianna was awarded a one-year international travel grant to explore disability community-building
Aubrianna (she/her/hers) is a Program Coordinator with the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange at Mobility International USA. As a 2023 Thomas J. Watson Fellow, Aubrianna was awarded a one-year international travel grant to explore disability community-building and empowerment across eight countries. Aubrianna worked to advance health justice with Be A Hero, a disability-led non-profit, as part of a summer internship with the American Association of People with Disabilities. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience with a focus on Global Health and Disability Studies. As a disabled advocate, Aubrianna aims to uplift global disability justice and co-create a future where no one is left behind.
Cindy is the Director of Programs at Mobility International USA and a senior staff with more than 20 years of experience at MIUSA. She is the co‑author and producer of numerous books and videos. Cindy spearheaded the International Symposium on Women with Disabilities at the
Cindy is the Director of Programs at Mobility International USA and a senior staff with more than 20 years of experience at MIUSA. She is the co‑author and producer of numerous books and videos. Cindy spearheaded the International Symposium on Women with Disabilities at the UN Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China, and co-created MIUSA's signature program, the Women's Institute on Leadership and Disability (WILD). She brings expertise in project management, writing, and international development; and is widely recognized as an expert on gender, development, and disability inclusion. Cindy holds a master's degree and is conversational in Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL)
As a wheelchair-riding Program Specialist at MIUSA, Jessica's primary role is to support international students with diverse disabilities before, during, and after their exchange year in the U.S. as part of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) and Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) programs.
As a wheelchair-riding Program Specialist at MIUSA, Jessica's primary role is to support international students with diverse disabilities before, during, and after their exchange year in the U.S. as part of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) and Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) programs. Prior to joining MIUSA, Jessica was a public school teacher who worked with special education students with various disabilities and support needs. Her passion for international travel and exchange began in college with a study abroad program in England and France. In addition, Jessica's family has hosted 5 international exchange students from a variety of different countries.
Justin (he/him/his) is a Program Specialist with the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange, working to increase the participation of people with disabilities in international exchange by providing information and resources to both individuals with disabilities and
Justin (he/him/his) is a Program Specialist with the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange, working to increase the participation of people with disabilities in international exchange by providing information and resources to both individuals with disabilities and higher education professionals. Previously, Justin worked for two years in disability community organizing and policy in the foothills of Northern California. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Latin American History and Spanish Literature from University of California, Berkeley. He studied abroad at the Pontifical Catholic University in Santiago Chile, where he researched and wrote a thesis on the history of the blind in Chilean society. In 2008, he spent 10 weeks immersing himself in the culture and language of Michoacan, Mexico.
Job Titles:
- Program Manager With the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange at Mobility International USA
Laurie is the Program Manager with the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange at Mobility International USA, which aims to increase participation of people with disabilities in inclusive international exchange programs.
Laurie Laird is a Program Manager with the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange at Mobility International USA, which aims to increase participation of people with disabilities in inclusive international exchange programs. She has lived experience with a disability, and her career includes positions in higher education, philanthropy, and non-profit management, with a focus on advancing human rights and social justice as the constant thread in her work. She has managed programs at the Global Fund for Women, Santa Clara University, Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest, and the University of Portland and endeavored to ensure opportunities and support for the participation of people with disabilities. Laurie's personal experience in international exchange took her to Ecuador where she studied and served as a Rotary Foundation Scholar. Since then, she has traveled extensively for work and pleasure, often on the tandem bike she rides with her partner. Laurie earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and her Master's degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
Job Titles:
- Senior Manager
- Project Manager for MIUSA 's RightsNow
Lydia is a Senior Manager and has managed multiple projects in disability advocacy and inclusion during her time with MIUSA. She is an expert in cross-disability inclusion and has managed USAID and U.S. Department of State-sponsored technical assistance projects, working with local Disabled People's Organizations
Lydia is a Senior Manager and has managed multiple projects in disability advocacy and inclusion during her time with MIUSA. She is an expert in cross-disability inclusion and has managed USAID and U.S. Department of State-sponsored technical assistance projects, working with local Disabled People's Organizations in Armenia, Guatemala, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, Peru and Vietnam to strengthen the implementation and enforcement of disability rights legislation and the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). She has also managed exchange programs for professionals, youth, and women with disabilities, and led delegations on outbound programs to Bahrain, Costa Rica, Jordan, and Spain. From 2006 - 2013 she organized MIUSA's signature international Women's Institute on Leadership and Disability (WILD) programs, which brings together grassroots women leaders with disabilities from around the world. Lydia has a degree in International Studies: Comparative Community Development from the University of Oregon. Born in the U.S., she grew up in Rotorua, New Zealand and studied in Khon Kaen, Thailand.
Lydia is Project Manager for MIUSA's RightsNow! Strong Communities through Enforcing the Rights of Persons with Disabilities project, working with a U.S. consortium of partners and stakeholders in Armenia, Guatemala, Kenya, Mexico, Peru and Vietnam to strengthen the
Megan serves as a Program Specialist, working on both Exchange Programs and Inclusive Development Programs at MIUSA. In her Exchange Programs role, she supports MIUSA's Women's Institute on Leadership and Disability (WILD) and the annual Preparatory Workshop for FLEX and YES Students with Disabilities,
Megan serves as a Program Specialist, working on both Exchange Programs and Inclusive Development Programs at MIUSA. In her Exchange Programs role, she supports MIUSA's Women's Institute on Leadership and Disability (WILD) and the annual Preparatory Workshop for FLEX and YES Students with Disabilities, both held in Eugene, Oregon. Megan also supports inclusive development projects in countries including Armenia and Nepal, and traveled to Nepal as part of a team for a technical assistance visit. Megan holds a Master's Degree in Nonprofit Management from the University of Oregon, and is actively involved in various community organizations in the Eugene area focused on inclusive sports and recreation.
Job Titles:
- Program Manager With the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange at Mobility International USA
Monica Malhotra is a Program Manager with the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange at Mobility International USA, which aims to increase participation of people with disabilities in inclusive international exchange programs.
Previously, Monica worked for 10 years at The University of Texas at Austin, where she assisted with admission, immigration, student counseling, and sponsored student programs as the Senior International Student Coordinator for ESL Services and as International Student Advisor at the International Office. Her past experience includes serving four years on the board for the Multicultural Refugee Coalition and interning with the EastWest institute in New York. Monica earned her Bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Texas at Arlington and her Master's degree in International Studies from the University of Exeter, UK.