Leadership Academy Class of 2027

This two-year program aims to support mid-career professionals interested in building influence and thought leadership in the national I/DD community.
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President’s Award

The President’s Award recognizes the accomplishments of those in our field who have advanced leading-edge innovations.

The ANCOR Foundation President’s Award recognizes individuals who have contributed to the field of disabilities in ways which have uniquely led to leading practices and profound innovation. Recipients are thought-leaders, blue-sky thinkers and change agents whose work leaves a long-term legacy for the disability community. The first President’s Award was presented at the 2013 ANCOR Annual Conference.

Past Recipients

2017 President's Award

Clarence J. Sundram, JD, is a nationally recognized expert on conditions in institutions and community programs for persons with mental disabilities. As Special Advisor to New York Governor Cuomo, he authored a report that led to sweeping statewide reforms in addressing abuse and neglect of persons in residential care.  Mr. Sundram also served as Special Master and Court Monitor in class action lawsuits involving the rights of persons with mental disabilities under the Constitution, ADA, and other related laws. Mr. Sundram was the founding Chairman of the NY State Commission on Quality of Care for the Mentally Disabled, and served on the boards of the National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems as well as Disability Rights International where he supported international efforts to reform mental health services in 13 countries.

2014 President's Award

Dr. Charlie Lakin is recognized for over 40-year career as a researcher, educator, and advocate in services for people with disabilities. His long and distinguished career includes appointment as the Director of the National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) during the Obama Administration and serving as the Director of the University of Minnesota’s Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Community Living, in the Institute on Community Integration.  He is a prolific researcher and author with over 250 publications on a broad range of topics advocating for full community inclusion of people with disabilities.

2013 President's Award

David Braddock served as the Associate Vice President of the University of Colorado (CU) system and Executive Director of the Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities. Braddock was instrumental in establishing several innovative programs including the nation’s first PhD program in disability studies, the Illinois University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, the State of the States in Developmental Disabilities Project, the CDC-funded National Center on Physical Activity and Disability, and centers in assistive technology, aging, and the Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center on the implementation of the ADA. His publications primarily focus on long-term care, health promotion and disease prevention, and public policy toward disability. His research has influenced mental disability legislation, litigation, and appropriations decisions in many states and nationally.