Michele Leahy

Ms. Leahy is the founder and CEO of Leahy Life Plan, a firm dedicated to life planning for those with disabilities as well as their families. She understands disability challenges from both a professional and personal perspective. Her continuing success is helping families create a roadmap to meaningful government, community and short, mid and long term financial adult supports, and assisting with strategies for funding special needs trusts.

In 2009, Michele started her journey by obtaining her Certification in Work Incentive Planning & Assistance Program (WIPA) through an approved Social Security Administration (SSA) program established through the SSA Ticket To Work Program. Ms. Leahy has an M.S. in Non-Profit Management from Eastern University and a B.A. in Communications, Division of Humanities, from Penn State. She has 15+ years of varied professional work experience and established her own company more than 10 years ago.

Most recently appointed by Governor Shapiro to the PA Employment First Oversight Committee, she also serves on the PA Rehabilitation Council (PaRC), an advisory board for vocational service and employment. Ms. Leahy was the first non-veteran Executive Board Member of the United Spinal Association, a national disability rights organization, where she served for over 8 years. She has been a key player in organizations such as AHEDD and the Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern PA, assisted in the establishment of the Bucks County Center for Independent Living, and has served on many advisory boards advocating for individuals with disabilities.

She has spoken both nationally and locally on disability at the National Down Syndrome Congress Convention, PBI’s Special Education and Exceptional Children Conference, PaTTAN, NAMI, the Spina Bifida National Conference, FemCity, local and statewide Estate Planning Councils, VoiceAmerica, and on the floor of the Pennsylvania Senate. As Ms. Wheelchair PA 2004 she travelled across Pennsylvania advocating for people with disabilities with her slogan, ‘Say Yes To Access.’

When not working, Michele enjoys traveling, finding wheelchair-friendly hotspots, crocheting, going to the theatre, and spending time with family and friends.