Vera

Community Navigation Specialist

Vera (she/her) is the Community Navigation Specialist at AAPD. In this role, she helps individuals navigate complex systems and connect with reliable information, services, and community resources. She is certified by Inform USA as a Community Resource Specialist, Aging and Disabilities (CRS-A/D).

With extensive experience as a community organizer, Vera has demonstrated strong leadership in various areas of the social impact sector. Before joining AAPD, she worked as a Disability Rights Advocate at one of the country’s largest Centers for Independent Living. In this role, she successfully led historic campaigns focused on transportation and housing, including securing long-term funding to expand public transportation services for people with disabilities.

In 2020, she received the “Community Advocacy” award from Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc., Legal Aid of Western Ohio, and the Toledo Bar Association for her mutual aid efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, she was honored at the annual Allies & Advocates Ceremony hosted by Equality Ohio.

Vera holds a Certificate in Financial Management from Cornell University’s SC Johnson College of Business and has also pursued studies at The University of Toledo.