Since 1988, Essie Pederson has served in a variety of roles with the RRTC on Aging and DD: Director, Principal Investigator, Consultant, liaison to Self Advocates Becoming Empowered along with Tia Nelis and most recently as a member of the RRTC Advisory Committee. Currently she is the co-director of the National Technical Assistance Center for Voting and Cognitive Access, a national advisor to Self Advocates Becoming Empowered, and co-statewide coordinator for Ohio Partners in Policymaking. She is also a founding member of the Ohio SIBS and the National Sibling Leadership Network. Ms. Pederson has extensive experience in supporting self-advocate led initiatives and has been working closely with self-advocates across the country on issues related to the right to vote, board/committee leadership, teaching 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, health and wellness, community involvement and full inclusion for all people in the democratic process. She has working partnerships with numerous state and national organizations, including several P&A’s, UCEDDs, and Developmental Disability Councils. She has extensive experience in training, leadership development, collaboration with generic agencies to integrate people with disabilities in their decision making process, board leadership, systems improvement and outreach aimed at individuals with developmental disabilities and their family members, policymakers and professionals. She attributes her best education being provided by her older brother who happens to have Down syndrome.