Barãta A. Bey: Driving Mission of African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania
Release Date: 02/11/2025
The Honorable Tony Coelho Shares History of the Civil Rights Legislation the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Disability Matters
Joyce welcomes The Honorable Tony Coelho, former U.S. Congressman and author of the Americans with Disabilities Act, back to the show. As celebrations around the Americans with Disabilities Act anniversary and Disability Pride month commence, it is important to recognize key advocates who led efforts to make the ADA the law of the land. Tony Coelho drafted the ADA and the ADA Amendments Act of 2007, restoring the original intent of the law. The ADA Amendments Act clarified and codified the protections of the ADA passed by Congress in 1990. During the show Mr. Coeho will...
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Jonathan Lovitz: Discusses his Work with the HRC and the NGLCC
Disability Matters
In recognition of June as Pride Month, Joyce welcomes Jonathan Lovitz, Senior Vice President of Campaigns and Communications, Human Rights Campaign (HRC). During the show he will discuss his work as a nationally recognized leader in public affairs, economic policy, and strategic communications, with deep expertise in advancing inclusive growth through both government and nonprofit leadership. Joyce A. Bender Career Highlights Serves as CEO of and Board Chair and Founder of , a non-profit organization focused on addressing the transition to work for youth and young adults with...
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Evan Low: Discusses his Work with the LGBTQ + Victory Fund and Victory Institute
Disability Matters
In recognition of June as Pride Month, Joyce welcomes Evan Low, named president and CEO of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and LGBTQ+ Victory Institute, in March 2025. During the show he will discuss his work with these organizations. Joyce A. Bender Career Highlights Serves as CEO of and Board Chair and Founder of , a non-profit organization focused on addressing the transition to work for youth and young adults with disabilities. Founding partner of iDisability, an eLearning solution. Named a 2024 Woman of Influence by The Pittsburgh Business Times and 2024 Henry Viscardi...
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Kate Musler: 2025 Pittsburgh Business Times Woman of Influence Shares Passion for Work in the Health Insurance Industry at Highmark
Disability Matters
Joyce welcomes fellow Pittsburgh Business Times Woman of Influence recipient, Kate Musler, to the show. Kate is Highmark Health’s Chief Financial Officer and will share her responsibilities in that role, and what drives her to help Highmark continue to be a leader in the healthcare insurance industry. Joyce A. Bender Career Highlights Serves as CEO of . and Board Chair and Founder of , a non-profit organization focused on addressing the transition to work for youth and young adults with disabilities. Founding partner of iDisability, an eLearning solution. Named a 2024...
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Homme/Zomp: Bender Consulting Services Sponsors Webinar on Transferable Skills for New Career Paths in Today’s Changing Job Search Environment
Disability Matters
Joyce welcomes Gerald Homme, Manager of Talent Acquisition and Technology and Jill Zomp, Talent Acquisition Coordinator with Bender Consulting Services, Inc., to the show. Joyce, Jill, and Gerald will be discussing the upcoming webinar sponsored by Bender Consulting Services, Inc., Transferable Skills for New Career Paths in Today’s Changing Job Search Environment. The webinar will be held on Monday, June 30, 2025. BIO OF GERALD HOMME Manager of Talent Acquisition and Technology for Bender Consulting Services, Inc. Has over 15 years of experience in supporting disability employment...
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Louis Olander: Disability:IN Supports Veterans with Disabilities
Disability Matters
Joyce welcomes Louis Olander, Ph.D., Director of Research and at . As a veteran and advocate, Mr. Orlander will share his work with Disability:IN, and the ways in which the organization supports veterans with disabilities, in honor of Memorial Day.
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Hammerstrom, Krause, Frazier: The Bender Leadership Academy plans for 2025’s 4th Annual Mary Brougher Memorial Golf Outing
Disability Matters
Joyce welcomes back to the show Scott Hammerstrom, Manager of Programs and Partnerships, Lisa Krause, Secretary and Board Member and Evan Frazier, Board Member of the Bender Leadership Academy. Among the topics discussed will be the mission of the Bender Leadership Academy and plans for the at River Forest Country Club in Freeport, PA on Saturday, August 16, 2025, to benefit the .
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Vesper Moore, Board Member, the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
Disability Matters
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. To commemorate this, Joyce welcomes Vesper Moore, Board Member of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, to the show. Discussed will be the mission of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health, advancements made in treating those with mental health disabilities and Moore’s advocacy for mental health awareness worldwide.
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Hammerstrom/Davis: The Bender Leadership Academy Prepares for Disability Mentoring Day 2025
Disability Matters
Joyce welcomes Scott Hammerstrom, Manager of Programs and Partnerships, the Bender Leadership Academy and Sabrina Davis, Recruitment Marketing & Brand Specialist, EQT Corporation. The guests will share details about the mission of the Bender Leadership Academy and the plans for EQT Corporations participation in Disability Mentoring Day, Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
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PA State Representative Dan Miller: Discusses Legislative Accomplishments on Behalf of Those with Disabilities and Upcoming 2025 Disability Mental Health Summit
Disability Matters
Joyce welcomes Allegheny County State Representative for the 42nd District, Dan Miller, to the show. Representative Miller will discuss his body of work as a state legislator and advocate for those with disabilities since he was elected to the PA House of Representatives in 2013. Among other topics, he will discuss his upcoming Disability & Mental Health Summit, a free event in Western PA that brings hundreds of people and participating organizations together to share information on a wide range of topics in the disability and mental health arena.
info_outlineTomorrow on Disability Matters, Joyce welcomes Barãta A. Bey, President, African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania to the show. He will share its mission and explain the ways that the organization helps African American businesses prosper in the region.
Barãta A Bey is a seasoned Community Development Officer with over 12 years of experience in DEI, community engagement, and finance within the banking industry. Skilled in developing innovative lending strategies and small business programs, Barãta has led impactful initiatives such as a Small Business Ecosystem in Washington County, PA, and a Workforce Development Ecosystem in Beaver County, PA. Notably, they played a key role in FirstMerit Bank’s response to the Flint water crisis, securing a $150K commitment for affected residents. With expertise in financial literacy, home lending, and access to capital programs, Barãta actively advances CRA and DEI strategies. They hold an MBA in Finance from Keller Graduate School of Management and a Lean Six Sigma Certification.
Joyce A. Bender is the Founder and CEO of Bender Consulting Services, Inc. as well as Board Chair and Founder of The Bender Leadership Academy. Joyce is an international leader in the area of disability employment. She speaks across the United States and internationally representing the State Department on informational exchanges related to disability employment best practices. She has represented the State Department in programming with Panama, South Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan and Tunisia. Joyce is the current Vice Chair and Past Chair of the Board of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), is on the Board of Trustees for the Bazelon Center, and a current member of Disability Rights Pennsylvania and the Epilepsy Association of Western/Central Pennsylvania.