The Starkloff Disability Employment Summit is the premier gathering for allies in the workplace, like DEI professionals, HR leaders, executives, and changemakers, committed to creating inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive.

Rebecca Cokely, Program Officer, U.S. Disability Rights at the Ford Foundation, laughs while answering audience questions during her 2024 keynote address.

Claudia L. Gordon, Esq.

Senior Accessibility Strategy Partner

T-Mobile

Claudia L. Gordon is a dedicated advocate for people with disabilities with nearly 30 years of versatile professional expertise, with a personal mission to level the playing field and ensure the same opportunities are provided for all. She currently serves as the Senior Accessibility Strategist with T-Mobile US, Inc. In this role, she drives strategies for a disability inclusive culture and an accessible plus equitable work environment. Gordon has held senior leadership positions with Sprint Corporation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the National Council on Disability, and the National Association of the Deaf Law and Advocacy Center. During the Obama-Biden Administration, Gordon served as the Chief of Staff for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and the Associate Director of Public Engagement for the White House Office of Public Engagement. Adding to Gordon’s professional expertise is her lived experience as an immigrant at the intersections of race, disability, and gender, which is the foundation for the strong emphasis on disabled individuals with multiple marginalized identities that she brings to her work.

For her unrelenting commitment to advocacy, compliance, civic engagement, and mentoring, Gordon has been recognized by the American Association of People with Disabilities, National Council on Independent Living (Max Starkloff Lifetime Achievement Award) Google, AT&T Humanity of Connection, National Disability Mentoring Coalition, National Association of the Deaf, National Black Deaf Advocates, and The Root 100. Gordon is a native of Jamaica, graduate of Howard University, and graduate of the American University’s Washington College of Law.

Stephen L. Nelson, MSOL

Director, Culture & Belonging

Alaska Airlines

Steve Nelson is the Director, Culture & Belonging for Alaska Airlines. As the manager of the first Disability Office in the domestic airline industry, his responsibilities include supporting stakeholders to find more accessible travel solutions for passengers on and off the airplane, while also working to find new ways to create more inclusive employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities within this unique line of business. Steve has over 15 years of experience supporting disability inclusion; prior to his role at Alaska, Steve supported Disability Inclusion for the Walt Disney Company and also works as a private consultant and is a speaker and educator on a variety of accessibility topics. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and a Master of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership and Project Management from the University of Denver.

Steve lives with invisible disabilities and has been a passionate advocate for years. His heart for service and change led him to join Disability: IN Washington as a Board Member.

Rebecca Cokley

Program Officer, U.S. Disability Rights

Ford Foundation

Amie Fornah Sankoh, Ph.D

Senior R&D Specialist

Dow

Lori Golden

EY Global Disability Leader

EY

Dom Kelly

Founder, President & CEO

New Disabled South

Haley Moss, Esq.

Attorney, Advocate, Thought Leader

Haley Moss, LLC

Vincenzo Piscopo

President

Morgan’s Inclusion Institute

Daniel Van Sant, J.D., M.S.Ed.

The Harkin Institute

T-Mobile