When Katie Nash first attended Council meetings alongside her husband, former DD Council member Anthony Nash, she noticed something that stood out: everyone had a voice. “I got to see the way everyone was treated and how everyone had a voice, no matter their role on the council,” she says.

That sense of respect and inclusion drew her to apply—and keeps her engaged. “My favorite part of the council so far has been traveling to different parts of the state…meeting new people, and creating new friendships,” Katie explains. “I now feel like I have a voice; in other disability groups I have been a part of, I never really felt like I made a difference or had a voice.”

Katie currently serves as First Vice Chair, after previously serving as Second Vice Chair. She is now in her second term on the Council—roles that reflect her steady leadership and commitment to the work.

What matters most to her is belonging. As Katie puts it, the Council is a place that “make[s] sure that you feel that you belong and that everyone is equal.”

Looking ahead, Katie is eager to help shape the next State Plan—and to make sure every voice is part of the process. “I look forward to…making sure that everyone has some input, even the shy, quiet ones like me,” she says.