Katy Schmid

Katy Schmid is the Senior Director of National Programs at The Arc of the United
States, which is one the oldest national organizations focused on supporting people with
intellectual and developmental disabilities. Katy has worked with The Arc for over eight
years and has directed successful programs focused on supporting marginalized
communities through inclusion, advocacy, technology integration, and education.
In her role at The Arc, she has established numerous national programs and managed
the distribution of professional development programs to inform the public and The Arc’s
constituents on current issues related to assistive technology, mental health,
accessibility, and education. She is a leader in engaging and partnering with funders
such as Google, Amazon, Comcast NBC Universal, Meta, Apple, Walmart, The Coca-
Cola Foundation, Lids Foundation and partnering with researchers at Boston University
and University of Illinois - Chicago. Her work has been featured by National Public
Radio (NPR), NBC, Forbes, The Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual
Disabilities and the US Department of Education.
Further, she spent many years moonlighting in the hospitality industry as she built her
current career and finds great joy in planning her travel around the hidden restaurant
gems in each city she visits.