As President and CEO of the USBLN, Jill oversees the strategic direction of the organization as well as provides guidance on global disability inclusion best practices to more than 100 USBLN partners. She represents the USBLN when testifying before congressional committees, working with various government agencies and numerous other functions.
Jill Houghton’s creative spirit and passionate approach to the inclusion of people with disabilities comes from her core. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas she interned for U.S. Senator Robert J. Dole and the experience, as well as her challenges associated with having a learning disability, ignited the direction of her professional aspirations.
Ms. Houghton has more than 25 years of diverse leadership experience at the federal, state and local levels working with business to advance the inclusion of persons with disabilities. Prior to joining the USBLN, Jill served as the Executive Director of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel until its legislative sunset in January 2008. The bi-partisan panel was housed independently within the Social Security Administration and provided advice to the President, Congress and the Commissioner of Social Security on issues related to the Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare work incentives programs for individuals with disabilities.
Ms. Houghton has testified before the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives on issues related to businesses commitment to recruit, hire and retain employees with disabilities. She currently serves on the board of the US International Council on Disabilities and the New York City Comptrollers Advisory Board Council on Economic Growth through Diversity and Inclusion. Additionally, she serves on the Boston University, Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on “Improving Employment Outcomes for Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities” Knowledge Translation and Utilization Advisory Council.