A 1991 graduate of Occidental College, Elizabeth P. Pazdral is only the second executive director of the State Independent Living Council.

Pazdral, who has Caudal Regression/Sacral Agenesis, worked as a trainer for the National Council on Independent Living’s National ADA Peer Training Project from 1994-1996. In 1995, she testified before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Disability policy regarding the employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Pazdral worked as a vocational counselor and taught socialization and enrichment skills to people with mental illness and/or history of substance abuse, and adults with developmental disabilities in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Auburn, Washington.

She was a paratransit coordinator for the city of Hayward, California, in 2001 before becoming executive director of the Community Resources for Independent Living. She held that position from 2002-2006.

From 2006-2007, Pazdral was community resources development specialist in the state Department of Rehabilitation, where she monitored grants for 14 independent living centers and grant-funded programs qualified under the federal Rehabilitation Act.

Pazdral also serves on the Office of Disability and Health steering committee, the blue ribbon advisory committee for the Center for Personal Assistance Services at the University of  California, San Francisco, and on the board of directors for the California Alliance for Women.

Pazdral is married to Michael H. Kelsey and they have one child.

SILC Announces New Executive Director (SILC website)

Liz Pazdral (SILC website)

Liz Pazdral (LinkedIn)

Independent Living Council Director Sells San Mateo Home (Block Shopper)

Voices of Freedom: America Speaks Out on the Americans with Disabilities Act (National Council on Disability)