Melissa Ortiz is founder and principal of Capability Consulting, an award-winning speaker, and a self-described “relentlessly resilient warrior princess (RRWP).” At Capability Consulting she advises on ADA-compliance, accessibility, and disability policy. She served as a presidential appointee and has written op-eds for USA Today, the Washington Examiner, and other publications. She has been interviewed by numerous tv and radio outlets, including the BBC, Fox News and One America News. Melissa is listed in the Susan B. Anthony’s List Hall of Fame for her work on behalf of people with disabilities. She has also served as a visiting fellow for the Independent Women’s Forum and in 2005 served as Ms. Wheelchair New York. As the first female board member of more than one organization, she has broken glass ceilings in several arenas. Currently, she serves as the Vice-president of the Board of the Spina Bifida Patients Association. Melissa lives in the Washington, D.C. area with her husband Tony and service dog, Annie Oakley, a chocolate brindle dachshund.

Connect with her online through her website: capabilityconsulting.org or on Instagram and Twitter, where she can be found @DCBelleonWheels.