Executive Director

Kate Barrow, M.A.

Kate Barrow has served as Executive Director of the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities since January 2022. She has over 15 years of experience in disability advocacy, mental health, and nonprofit leadership. Previously, Kate worked with North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services, supporting statewide advisory committees and leading equity-focused training on mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance use. Her career also includes roles with The Arc of Indiana, the Indiana Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, and the Governor’s Council, where she managed grants and coordinated the Partners in Policymaking program.

Kate’s commitment to inclusion is deeply informed by her lived experience as a family member of individuals with developmental disabilities and neurodivergence, as well as her own experiences with ADHD and postpartum mental health challenges. She holds a Master of Arts in Applied Sociology with a concentration in Community Leadership, focusing on collective behavior, cultural studies, and social research. Kate believes systems change begins with empathy, affirmation, and community belonging.

Program & Policy Director

Desirea Island

Desirea Island serves as the Program and Policy Director at the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities, where she leads statewide initiatives designed to strengthen communities, advance disability inclusion, and expand opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With a foundation in criminal justice and a master’s degree in public administration, Desirea brings extensive experience in community development, family support, and systems level collaboration. Her career includes years in child welfare, where she partnered with families, community organizations, and service providers to enhance safety, expand resources, and improve outcomes for underserved populations. Across every role, she has been dedicated to advancing equitable, person centered systems that support the well being and quality of life of all Hoosiers.

Outside of her professional work, Desirea is active in supporting her kids in their sporting events, spending time outdoors, and experimenting with new baking recipes. Family is at the heart of everything she does, and she cherishes opportunities to create new traditions.

Systems Change Manager

J. Ryan Revell

Ryan joined the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities in September 2020 as a Systems Change Manager (SCM). Prior to this role, Ryan spent 14 years in the finance and insurance industry, gaining experience in both sales and operations. He holds a degree in Sociology with a minor in Peace and Conflict Studies from Ball State University and is a 2021 graduate of the Hoosier Virtual Leadership Institute and hold his Project Management Professional (PMP) certificate.

In his current position, Ryan leverages his academic background and passion for advocacy to empower individuals through training and self-advocacy initiatives. His servant-leadership approach reflects a deep commitment to helping people live more independent and fulfilling lives. Growing up neurodivergent himself, Ryan brings valuable perspective and understanding to the intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) community.

Outside of work, Ryan is an active volunteer with organizations such as Kids Again, Children’s TherAplay, SAWS, Special Olympics, and his local Masonic Lodge. He enjoys singing with the Murat Chanters, taking long walks, and training for his next 5K. Ryan is supported by a loving family of Alescia and two wonderful step-kids, two cats and his loyal dog, Romeo. As a passionate sports fan, he proudly cheers for the Illinois Fighting Illini, Indianapolis Colts, and Chicago Cubs.

Systems Change Manager

Allison Wymer

Allison joined the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities in October 2022. Previously, she was a teacher for nearly twenty years, specializing in gifted, special, and general education of elementary-aged students.  She was also an adjunct professor in the Special Education department at Towson University, as well as a science instructor and curriculum writer for Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth for many years.

She graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a master’s in special education and earned a bachelor’s in fine arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, with a focus in film and animation production.

Allison is neurodivergent, as well as a survivor of a traumatic brain injury. Her work with students with disabilities and her own lived experiences have made her an impassioned advocate for the community.

She is fascinated by science, particularly social science and physics. In her free time, she loves to garden, birdwatch, write and illustrate her own comics, travel, and spend time outdoors with her husband and dogs, including her service dog, Apple.

Office Coordinator

Robin Martinez

A fervent advocate for universal access to education, Robin works for the Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities as its Office Coordinator. She studied English at Goshen College and went on to earn a Master’s in Library Science from IUPUI. Prior to joining the Council, she served for many years as the Adult Learning Center Coordinator at the Johnson County Public Library where she championed literacy and English language skills for marginalized communities.

Though her time with the adult learning Center first introduced her to the reality of intellectual and developmental disabilities, it was her eldest son’s diagnosis of autism and cognitive delay that affirmed her drive to serve marginalized populations and strive to improve disability services for children and adults. Outside of her work with the Council, Robin is a licensed massage therapist, writer and poet, an artist, and animal lover.