Katy Beh Neas is Easter Seals’ point person on public policy for people with disabilities and their families. As Executive Vice President, Government Relations, Neas leads a staff of lobbyists to develop and achieve Easter Seals’ federal and state public policy goals. Neas has been a member of Easter Seals’ Government Relations team since January 1995, and a member of the Easter Seals management team since 2011. She develops and implements strategies to influence Congress, federal agencies, and others to increase opportunities for children with disabilities and their families.
Mrs. Neas also serves as the chair of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, a coalition of more than 110 national organizations that engage in concerted advocacy for national public policy that ensures the self-determination, independence, empowerment and inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in all aspects of society; that enhances the civil rights and quality of life of all people with disabilities and their families; and that reflects the values of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Prior to Easter Seals, Neas was the associate director of the American Association of University Affiliated Programs for persons with Developmental Disabilities. She also was legislative staff to Chairman United States Senator Tom Harkin of the Senate Subcommittee on Disability Policy between 1987 and 1991, where she worked on all disability legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). She is a graduate of Georgetown University and the proud mother of a high school daughter.