As a person with disability, and a leader in feminist and disability advocacy for many years, Christina Ryan was well placed to recognise the enormous untapped potential of people with disabilities to be leaders in all areas of society.
Christina founded the Disability Leadership Institute (DLI) in 2016 to address the glaring gap in dedicated professional development services for people with disabilities. She recognised that the flexible thinking and problem-solving skills inherent in those with disabilities could be leveraged to benefit their chosen career trajectories.
As a UN delegate and expert witness to the Disability Royal Commission, Christina’s advocacy spans several decades and is informed by her intersectional understanding of prejudice and privilege. She advocates tirelessly for others, and through the DLI has united and empowered countless people with disabilities to fulfil their leadership potential, fighting ableism and championing a more inclusive workforce.