We proudly welcome the 33rd cohort of trainees to our LEND Program. Please take a moment to learn more about these graduate students, community professionals, advocates, and family members and what they bring to the program. We value their unique perspectives and honor their dedication to join us for a year of professional development above and beyond their studies, jobs, and family lives.
Meet our 2025 NH-ME LEND Cohort and then read and reflect upon their shared aspirations for joining our program for a year of learning and leadership development.
- Broaden personal understanding of the systems of care and public policy that affect the lives of families and children with disabilities, as well as develop confidence and skills as leaders to create change within these systems.
- Become catalysts for the implementation of positive, systemic change that promotes inclusivity, embraces diversity and creates a supportive community to empower individuals to advocate for themselves.
- Develop strong voices, challenge stigmas, start discussions and advocate for equitable opportunities while considering all the ways intersectionality affects an individual's ability to access support to get their needs met.
- Learn to view disability and issues in the field through an interdisciplinary lens in a program that encourages collaboration and out of the box thinking.
- Learn to understand the needs of those you represent through your own lived experience and by relying on the broader community to share theirs.
- Develop skills to effectively lead by creating systems in the workplace, leveraging experience in community engagement and providing access to resources to foster the growth and success of all staff.
We look forward to seeing this cohort working together and growing their skills as the next generation of leaders in the field of disability.
NH-ME LEND faculty and staff, Jen Suleski IOD Associate Director pose with the new 2025 Trainee Cohort.
