Appointed as Easterseals first Chief Advocacy Officer in 2026, Cathy Brown brings more than two decades of disability policy, advocacy, and leadership experience to Easterseals Midwest. In her role, she leads the organization's State and Federal government relations, public policy and advocacy efforts.
Cathy's career in the disability field began in direct support, working as a DSP before taking on program and policy roles at the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council, where she spent more than six years. She went on to serve as Director of Independent Living Services at Delta Center for Independent Living and Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at Paraquad, building a reputation as a skilled advocate and coalition leader across Missouri.
She joined Easterseals Midwest in 2017 as Vice President of Employment and Community Services, later serving as Vice President of Public Policy before being named Executive Director of the Center for Hearing & Speech in 2021 and Chief Advocacy Officer in 2026. Cathy holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Truman State University and a Master of Social Work with an emphasis in Policy, Planning, and Administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She has also served as an Adjunct Instructor at Washington University's Brown School of Social Work, teaching Social Welfare Policies and Services to MSW students.
Cathy is widely recognized for her contributions to disability advocacy and healthcare innovation. She is a Missouri Chamber of Commerce Leadership Missouri alumna, has been honored as a Coalition Champion for Children, and led Paraquad to recognition as Advocate of the Year by the Missouri Health Advocacy Alliance. Under her leadership, the Center for Hearing & Speech received the Senator Paul Simon Award for its innovative virtual aural rehabilitation program. She has chaired the Congress on Disability Policy, the Disability Rights Legislative Day Planning Committee, and the St. Charles County Coalition of Service Providers Legislative Committee.
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