Keynote Speaker

Commissioner Lynnae Ruttledge, head of the Rehabilitation Services Adminstration (RSA), will be the opening keynote speaker at this year's conference.

Commissioner Ruttledge, nominated by President Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, has served as head of RSA since January 2010. She previously served as the director of Vocational Rehabilitation for the state of Washington beginning in 2005. Prior to that, Lynnae served in leadership positions in Oregon's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services for more than 25 years.

Lynnae began her service career in Michigan as a public school teacher. In the early 80's she worked for then MARF (now MARO) as the first MIOSHA Safety Project director. She was also executive director of the Capital Area Center for Independent Living

Lynnae has received numerous recognitions and awards for her service including the Washington Governor's Award for Leadership in Management in 2007. As a person born with a disability, Lynnae received assistance from Michigan Rehabilitation Services and graduated from the Northern Michigan University with a B.A. in Education.