Lead Advocate Certification Training - Spring 2024 Cohort

Lead Advocate Certification Training - Spring 2024 Cohort

  • Registration Closed

Certified Lead Advocates build relationships with their Senators and Representative as well as their staff. They build those connections in different ways, by writing emails, picking up the phone, or visiting them in person when possible. By reaching out regularly and being a reliable resource of useful information, Certified Lead Advocates create connections and educate policymakers about what it is like to live with limb loss or limb difference.   

During the course, Advocates will have new course material to read and watch each week, with weekly AC Connect discussion posts, and a weekly live Zoom session to dive deeper into the course materials with discussions and practice sessions. Total time expected for each week is 2-5 hours. Must be able to dedicate one evening a week to a live Zoom training (exact day of the week has not been determined).  

By advocating with us, you can make sure your voice gets heard – and help others get their voice heard, too! 

  • Contains 8 Component(s)

    Put your advocacy skills into action by drafting a Letter to the Editor and participating in a mock legislative meeting.

    Module 4 will cover sections 8-10 of the Amputee Coalition Advocacy Toolkit. Lead Advocates will practice drafting a Letter to the Editor and contacting their policymakers for a meeting. This module will include a conversation with the Amputee Coalition’s lobbying firm Tarplin, Downs & Young, LLC and will share expectations of what’s next for Certified Lead Advocates.

    Whitney Doyle

    Director of Advocacy and Government Relations

    Amputee Coalition

    Whitney Doyle is the Director of Advocacy and Government Relations at the Amputee Coalition. Whitney has extensive advocacy and grassroots leadership experience and previously served as the Executive Director of the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology, Inc. Her drive for transparency and equality led to expanded outreach of assistive technology services in every county in Florida. Whitney began her career with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics from St. Petersburg College and became a certified prosthetist in 2015. Seeking a transition away from patient care, Whitney began working on projects that aligned with her passion for equitable access. 

    Her disability advocacy work started in 2008, when she joined the Florida Youth Council and became a volunteer at the Florida Youth Leadership Forum. Being inspired by others who have disabilities has led her to become an active member of the Florida Independent Living Council’s board of directors and the National Council on Independent Living’s finance committee. Whitney has a master’s degree in nonprofit management from the University of Central Florida and became a certified nonprofit professional in 2023. 

    Olivia Keller

    Public Policy Manager

    Amputee Coalition

    Olivia Keller recently joined the Government Relations team at the Amputee Coalition as the Public Policy Manager. Prior to joining the Amputee Coalition, Olivia was the Senior Public Policy Analyst at Disability Rights Florida where she worked with the rest of the Public Policy team to track and analyze the impact of relevant state and federal legislation on people with disabilities and helped set Disability Rights Florida’s legislative priorities. Being born with a physical disability herself, she previously assisted others with disabilities acquire independent living skills as the Peer Mentor at the Suncoast Center for Independent Living. Olivia also served on the Citizens with Disabilities advisory board for the City of Sarasota, FL and was a candidate for the Florida Senate in 2018. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the University of Memphis where she graduated cum laude and is currently working towards her Master’s in Disability Studies through the City University of New York. 

    Ryan Geddie

    Senior Grassroots Advocacy Specialist

    Amputee Coalition

    Ryan Geddie is a congenital amputee and Senior Grassroots Advocacy Specialist at the Amputee Coalition. He received a B.A. in Government from The University of Texas at Austin in the spring of 2022.

    Laura Friedel

    Partner

    Tarplin, Downs & Young, LLC

    Laura Friedel joined Tarplin, Downs & Young, LLC in 2023 as a partner after more than two decades in the United States SenateLaura most recently served as the Clerk/Staff Director for the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies for the past 12 yearsIn that role, Laura was at the center of developing every LHHS Appropriations bill for more than a decade, which is the largest non-defense spending bill, encompassing over $215 billion in discretionary funding and over $1.3 trillion in mandatory fundingShe was involved in virtually every aspect of the development, consideration, and passage of HHS supplemental appropriations bills, including for pandemic response, hurricane and tornado recovery, and Afghanistan and Ukraine refugees resettlementShe was at the center of increasing the National Institutes of Health’s funding by 60 percent, including establishing ARPA-H; significantly expanding mental health and substance use disorders prevention and treatment programs; and increasing annual investments in medical countermeasures and drug developmentLaura was instrumental in writing, negotiating, and passing five bipartisan COVID-19 funding bills in 2020, providing over $320 billion to the Department of Health and Human Services and establishing Operation Warp Speed and NIH’s RADx programPrior to working on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Laura worked for Senator Richard Shelby as his Legislative Director and for Senator Zell Miller. 

    Meg Joseph

    Partner

    Tarplin, Downs & Young, LLC

    Meg Joseph joined TDY as a partner in the fall of 2022. Meg brings over 15 years of bicameral experience leading moderate Democratic offices on Capitol Hill. Meg most recently served as Chief of Staff to Senator Kyrsten Sinema (AZ) where she was at the center of several historic legislative accomplishments including the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, >span class="NormalTextRun SCXW218804601 BCX0"> Safer Communities Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. A skilled strategist, Meg’s experience includes first-hand knowledge of bipartisan negotiation among the Senate, House, and administration. She also served as a Chief of Staff in the House of Representatives to then-Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09), to Congressman Jim Matheson (UT-04), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and to Congressman Bobby Bright (AL-02). For both Chief Deputy Whips Sinema and Matheson, Meg worked as the principal floor staffer for Blue Dog whip operations. Meg began her time in the House of Representatives as Clerk to the House Committee on Rules under Chairwoman Louise Slaughter (NY-25). Additionally, Meg has worked extensively in moderate Democratic politics, including in fundraising and campaigns. She served at both the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, as a Senior advisor to House and Senate campaigns, and assisted Chairs of the Blue Dog PAC. 

  • Contains 12 Component(s)

    Learn more about other ways to advocate and spread awareness with the Amputee Coalition.

    Module 3 will cover section 7 of the Amputee Coalition Advocacy Toolkit. Lead Advocates will learn about other Amputee Coalition programs such as Health Care Partnerships and how to engage with the Amputee Coalition on social media. This module will dive into the Amputee Coalition’s 2024 policy priorities and the So Every BODY Can Move legislative initiative.

    Whitney Doyle

    Director of Advocacy and Government Relations

    Amputee Coalition

    Whitney Doyle is the Director of Advocacy and Government Relations at the Amputee Coalition. Whitney has extensive advocacy and grassroots leadership experience and previously served as the Executive Director of the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology, Inc. Her drive for transparency and equality led to expanded outreach of assistive technology services in every county in Florida. Whitney began her career with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics from St. Petersburg College and became a certified prosthetist in 2015. Seeking a transition away from patient care, Whitney began working on projects that aligned with her passion for equitable access. 

    Her disability advocacy work started in 2008, when she joined the Florida Youth Council and became a volunteer at the Florida Youth Leadership Forum. Being inspired by others who have disabilities has led her to become an active member of the Florida Independent Living Council’s board of directors and the National Council on Independent Living’s finance committee. Whitney has a master’s degree in nonprofit management from the University of Central Florida and became a certified nonprofit professional in 2023. 

    Olivia Keller

    Public Policy Manager

    Amputee Coalition

    Olivia Keller recently joined the Government Relations team at the Amputee Coalition as the Public Policy Manager. Prior to joining the Amputee Coalition, Olivia was the Senior Public Policy Analyst at Disability Rights Florida where she worked with the rest of the Public Policy team to track and analyze the impact of relevant state and federal legislation on people with disabilities and helped set Disability Rights Florida’s legislative priorities. Being born with a physical disability herself, she previously assisted others with disabilities acquire independent living skills as the Peer Mentor at the Suncoast Center for Independent Living. Olivia also served on the Citizens with Disabilities advisory board for the City of Sarasota, FL and was a candidate for the Florida Senate in 2018. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the University of Memphis where she graduated cum laude and is currently working towards her Master’s in Disability Studies through the City University of New York. 

    Ryan Geddie

    Senior Grassroots Advocacy Specialist

    Amputee Coalition

    Ryan Geddie is a congenital amputee and Senior Grassroots Advocacy Specialist at the Amputee Coalition. He received a B.A. in Government from The University of Texas at Austin in the spring of 2022.

    Ashlie White

    Chief Strategy and Programs Officer

    Amputee Coalition

    Ashlie White joined the organization in September 2022. She brings a wealth of expertise to a dynamic team determined to reach out to and empower people affected by limb loss to achieve their full potential. She is responsible for leading the National Limb Loss Resource Center, government relations, community engagement, and peer support initiatives. She has a proven record of developing, implementing, and managing dynamic programs. She came to the Amputee Coalition after a successful tenure as director of health policy and strategic alliances at the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association.  

    Ashlie provides strategic vision, energy, leadership, and accountability for all program strategies, plans, goals, and outcomes, with a focus on continual improvement and development to meet the needs of the limb loss and limb difference community. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication, a graduate certificate in technology and communication, a Master of Arts in digital communication, and a graduate certificate in public health leadership from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

    Shree Thaker

    Communications & Partnership Director

    Amputee Coalition

    Shree H Thaker, Amputee Coalition Director of Communications and Partnerships, just celebrated her 1st anniversary at the Coalition and previously overlapped with the Coalition in different capacities since 2015 for advocacy efforts, event partnerships, and frequently attended National Conference! Her career has ranged from being a technician at a prosthetic & orthotic clinic to managing social media, running volunteer programs, and directing operations and sales for several non-profit organizations and startup companies in the O&P profession. She loves the outdoors and anywhere sunny!

    JaNae Fowler

    Healthcare Partners and Underserved Communities Manager

    Amputee Coalition

    JaNae Fowler serves as the Healthcare Partners and Underserved Communities Manager at the Amputee Coalition since January 2023. Her primary focus is on cultivating interest and fostering relationships to develop new partnerships, while also nurturing existing ones. With a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Ashford University, JaNae brings over 20 years of professional experience in administration, with a significant portion dedicated to nonprofit work within human services, education, and public health sectors. Passionate about serving others, JaNae thrives on establishing and maintaining healthy relationships, ultimately building a solid foundation for collaboration and community engagement. 

  • Contains 10 Component(s)

    Get ready to tell your story to "Hook, Line, and Sink" your elected officials!

    Module 2 will cover sections 4-6 of the Amputee Coalition Advocacy Toolkit. Lead Advocates will learn how a bill becomes a law, how to use your story in a meaningful way, and how to make an “ask” to a lawmaker. This module will give Lead Advocates the opportunity to research their lawmakers and practice the “Hook, Line, and Sinker” method. 

    Whitney Doyle

    Director of Advocacy and Government Relations

    Amputee Coalition

    Whitney Doyle is the Director of Advocacy and Government Relations at the Amputee Coalition. Whitney has extensive advocacy and grassroots leadership experience and previously served as the Executive Director of the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology, Inc. Her drive for transparency and equality led to expanded outreach of assistive technology services in every county in Florida. Whitney began her career with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics from St. Petersburg College and became a certified prosthetist in 2015. Seeking a transition away from patient care, Whitney began working on projects that aligned with her passion for equitable access. 

    Her disability advocacy work started in 2008, when she joined the Florida Youth Council and became a volunteer at the Florida Youth Leadership Forum. Being inspired by others who have disabilities has led her to become an active member of the Florida Independent Living Council’s board of directors and the National Council on Independent Living’s finance committee. Whitney has a master’s degree in nonprofit management from the University of Central Florida and became a certified nonprofit professional in 2023. 

    Olivia Keller

    Public Policy Manager

    Amputee Coalition

    Olivia Keller recently joined the Government Relations team at the Amputee Coalition as the Public Policy Manager. Prior to joining the Amputee Coalition, Olivia was the Senior Public Policy Analyst at Disability Rights Florida where she worked with the rest of the Public Policy team to track and analyze the impact of relevant state and federal legislation on people with disabilities and helped set Disability Rights Florida’s legislative priorities. Being born with a physical disability herself, she previously assisted others with disabilities acquire independent living skills as the Peer Mentor at the Suncoast Center for Independent Living. Olivia also served on the Citizens with Disabilities advisory board for the City of Sarasota, FL and was a candidate for the Florida Senate in 2018. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the University of Memphis where she graduated cum laude and is currently working towards her Master’s in Disability Studies through the City University of New York. 

    Ryan Geddie

    Senior Grassroots Advocacy Specialist

    Amputee Coalition

    Ryan Geddie is a congenital amputee and Senior Grassroots Advocacy Specialist at the Amputee Coalition. He received a B.A. in Government from The University of Texas at Austin in the spring of 2022.

  • Contains 12 Component(s)

    Welcome to advocacy! Learn about the Amputee Coalition and what it means to be a Certified Lead Advocate.

    Module 1 will cover the first four sections of the Amputee Coalition Advocacy Toolkit. Lead Advocates will learn about the Amputee Coalition, the National Limb Loss Resource Center, what advocacy means, and meet fellow Certified Lead Advocates.

    Whitney Doyle

    Director of Advocacy and Government Relations

    Amputee Coalition

    Whitney Doyle is the Director of Advocacy and Government Relations at the Amputee Coalition. Whitney has extensive advocacy and grassroots leadership experience and previously served as the Executive Director of the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology, Inc. Her drive for transparency and equality led to expanded outreach of assistive technology services in every county in Florida. Whitney began her career with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics from St. Petersburg College and became a certified prosthetist in 2015. Seeking a transition away from patient care, Whitney began working on projects that aligned with her passion for equitable access. 

    Her disability advocacy work started in 2008, when she joined the Florida Youth Council and became a volunteer at the Florida Youth Leadership Forum. Being inspired by others who have disabilities has led her to become an active member of the Florida Independent Living Council’s board of directors and the National Council on Independent Living’s finance committee. Whitney has a master’s degree in nonprofit management from the University of Central Florida and became a certified nonprofit professional in 2023. 

    Ryan Geddie

    Senior Grassroots Advocacy Specialist

    Amputee Coalition

    Ryan Geddie is a congenital amputee and Senior Grassroots Advocacy Specialist at the Amputee Coalition. He received a B.A. in Government from The University of Texas at Austin in the spring of 2022.