I strive to be the mentor I needed as a young disabled person. Owning my imperfection and humanity and creating an authentic relationship with my mentees, my hope is that through my mentorship, those I support see that a woman with a disability can lead a successful, independent life, and that they, too, have the power to give back to their communities and make a meaningful impact in the world.

Katie Shelley (she/her) is the Conda Family Manager of Access Initiatives at the Toledo Museum of Art, where she leads efforts to ensure the museum is a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible space for all visitors and staff. A passionate advocate for disability rights and access, Katie brings both professional expertise and lived experience as a person with a physical disability to her work. 

Originally from the Detroit area, Katie is now a proud Toledoan, but she will always remain a Michigander at heart. Katie earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Western Michigan University, followed by a Master of Library and Information Science from Wayne State University. Recognizing the importance of using her knowledge of disability to enact positive systemic change for others with disabilities, Katie went on to complete a Master of Liberal Studies with a focus on Disability Studies at the University of Toledo. In Fall 2022, she returned to the University to serve as an adjunct instructor in the Disability Studies program, sharing her knowledge and experience with the next generation of scholars and advocates. 

Katie is most proud of her work with Disability EmpowHer Network (DEN), a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering girls and women with disabilities through mentorship, skill-building, and leadership development. After participating in nearly every program the organization offers — including EmpowHer Expressions and serving as a mentor at EmpowHer Camp — Katie joined DEN’s Board of Directors to help further its mission. Her role as a mentor is deeply personal and purposeful; she is committed to creating a supportive space for other disabled women to grow, lead, and thrive. Through her mentorship, Katie encourages participants to embrace their identities, recognize their strengths, and become advocates in their own communities. This work is the most rewarding and impactful of her career.

In addition to her roles at the museum and with DEN, Katie is a member of the Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council, supporting centers for independent living and disability rights across the state. Whether she is designing accessible museum programs, teaching university students, or mentoring future leaders, Katie is driven by a vision of a more equitable and inclusive world.

When she’s not advocating for change or supporting young leaders, Katie enjoys exploring local arts and culture, writing, and spending time with her beloved service dog, Petunia, who is not only her constant companion but also a source of strength, independence, and joy.

Through all of her work, Katie aims to build bridges between people, communities, institutions, and systems, and strives to ensure that access and inclusion are not just goals, but shared values.