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Heather Abbott |
Boston Marathon bombing survivor Heather Abbott will deliver a keynote address, Overcoming Adversity, at Raise the Bar Hire! on Oct. 25 in Norwood. The annual conference is hosted by UMass Medical School’s Work Without Limits, a statewide network of engaged employers and innovative, collaborative partners that aims to increase employment among individuals with disabilities.
Abbott was 38 years old on April 15, 2013 when a fun day with friends turned tragic. Her group attended a Red Sox game and headed over to the Boston Marathon. Shrapnel from the second bomb that detonated near the finish line struck Abbott while she was cheering for runners.
After three unsuccessful surgeries in four days, Abbott made the decision to have her left leg amputated below the knee. She resumed the activities she loves, including stand-up paddle boarding, running and wearing high heels just months after the bombing.
Abbott will be joined by fellow keynote speaker Randy Lewis, founder of the NOGWOG Disability Initiative, which assists businesses and communities developing and launching disability hiring programs. As Walgreens’ senior vice president of supply chain & logistics, Lewis pioneered a model for a more inclusive workforce. Thanks to his efforts, more than 10 percent of Walgreens’ logistics employees are people with disabilities who perform the same jobs, earn the same pay and are held to the same performance standards as other team members.
Laura Stout, director of contract operations for Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Richard Curtis, vice president of workforce development at State Street, will co-host the event.
The conference will also feature the presentation of workplace diversity awards. The Exemplary Employer Award will be presented to the Kraft Group’s TeamOps division for its leadership in hiring and supporting individuals with disabilities. William Fahey, an employee of TeamOps who has cerebral palsy, will receive the Exemplary Employee Award.
Other conference highlights include exhibitors and educational breakout sessions on a variety of topics. Additionally, five companies with local presence that made the national list for The 2016 Best Places to Work for People with Disabilities—CVS Health, EY, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, P&G, Gillette and Raytheon—will present what they are doing to drive business success through disability inclusion.
