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Rockville, MD — June 23, 2021. APSE’s (Association of People Supporting Employment First) National Board of Directors has selected Julie Christensen, MSW, PhD, as its new Executive Director.

Julie has been serving in the Interim Executive Director role since October of 2020 and as Director of Public Policy and Advocacy since January 2019. Prior to this, Julie served on APSE’s National Board of Directors and co-chaired APSE’s Public Policy Committee from June 2017-December 2019. During her tenure at APSE, she has demonstrated the ability to develop new opportunities for the association and unparalleled enthusiasm for APSE’s efforts to advocate for inclusive workplaces for people with disabilities in every sector of employment.

In addition to her knowledge and skills around employment policy and advocacy on behalf of job candidates and workers with disabilities, Julie brings over 12 years of senior management experience in the nonprofit sector including past leadership positions as Director of Iowa’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), the Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD) at the University of Iowa; and Director of Employment Programs at Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities at the University of Rochester (a New York UCEDD).

Throughout her career, Julie has worked on behalf of organizations that seek to improve the full inclusion of people with disabilities and advance disability rights. She has demonstrated a deep commitment to APSE’s mission (to advance employment equity for people with disabilities), vision (that all people with disabilities have competitive employment in an inclusive workforce), and values (the belief that everyone can and should work, and have the dignity of determining their career path). 

ASPE and the professionals it represents have difficult and important tasks ahead as the nation begins to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, its corresponding economic downturn, and the simultaneous pandemic of racism and the resulting period of civil unrest. APSE remains committed to elevating the field of supported employment, protecting critical funding and services, and navigating the transformation process towards competitive integrated employment – all to better serve individuals with disabilities, their families, and their communities. In her new role, Julie will oversee APSE’s day-to-day and fiscal operations, including the development of new partnerships and revenue sources; manage the National Team; coordinate outreach and communications; and continue to lead policy and advocacy efforts to advance Employment First.

The Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) is the only national membership organization focused exclusively on integrated employment. Through advocacy and education, APSE advances employment and self-sufficiency for all people with disabilities.

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