Jill Houghton, CEO of Disability:IN, Named Chief Influencer

The Communications Board names Jill Houghton, President and CEO of Disability:IN, a Chief Influencer.

What does it take to reframe disability as a competitive business advantage? In this episode of Chief Influencer, Jill Houghton shares her journey from advocating for the Americans with Disabilities Act to leading the world’s foremost nonprofit dedicated to disability inclusion in business. With clarity, purpose, and lived experience, she outlines how inclusion starts with authenticity and gains traction through data, visibility, and corporate commitment.

Houghton reflects on the evolution of Disability:IN’s mission and why the private sector has become the most powerful force in accelerating disability inclusion. From launching the Disability Equality Index to advising Fortune 500 CEOs, she offers a blueprint for how influence grows through collaboration, transparency, and persistent advocacy.

This episode offers a rich look at how cross-industry partnerships, storytelling, and courageous leadership are reshaping how companies see talent, culture, and innovation. Jill reminds us that influence is not about authority, but rather it is about listening, building trust, and using your voice to create space for others.

Host: Anthony Shop
Guest: Jill Houghton
Producer: The Communications Board
Sponsor: The George Washington University College of Professional Studies

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