Compassionate Support

Mary Anderson Hartley is a parent advocate and disability systems-change leader who for  nearly two decades, has brought advocates and organizations together to address broken policies and practices through advocacy, legislation, and innovative programs that expand inclusion.

She began as a parent volunteer with the Pittsburgh Local Task Force on the Right to Education and launched her professional career in 2007 with Achieva’s Disability Healthcare Initiative, a stakeholder effort focused on improving access to health care. Before returning to Achieva as President of The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh, Mary served as Executive Director of the PEAL (Parent Education & Advocacy Leadership) Center. Through the United Way of Allegheny County’s 21 and Able Initiative, she helped bridge the gap between youth and adult service systems, supporting more successful transitions to adulthood through employment, housing, and supportive services. She also directed #IWantToWork, a self-advocacy social media campaign that advanced employment and financial freedom through three successive legislative efforts. Mary served as Project Director for the Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium. Governor Tom Wolf appointed her to the Employment First Oversight Commission, where she served as its inaugural Chair. She has also served on the Board of Disability Rights Pennsylvania and is a past Chair of UPMC’s Disability Resource Council. Mary is the 2023 recipient of the Richard Meritzer City-County Task Force on Disabilities/ReelAbilities Award and received Achieva’s Excellence in Advocacy Award in 2018.

She lives in Pittsburgh with her husband, Bob, and has two adult children, Jack and Grace.

Eric McLaughlin is the Executive Director of The Arc Erie County.  Eric began his professional career in 2006 in the sixth largest school district in the nation, Broward County Public Schools. During his time in Broward, Eric worked directly with children with disabilities as a Behavior Specialist, Special Education Specialist, and Compliance Program Specialist. Over the course of his almost twenty-year career, Eric has been a strong advocate for children with disabilities and their families.  His various positions allowed him to act as liaison between schools, students, and their families ensuring that the educational rights of youth were prioritized. 

Eric moved back to his home state of Pennsylvania in 2022 and became the Special Education Supervisor and Assistant Principal of a private Residential Treatment Facility.  In this role Eric was able to work alongside youth with disabilities and their families, and also engage with various Pennsylvania agencies such as social services, community organizations, and healthcare providers. Eric lives in Erie with his wife, Ashley, and two sons, Brecken and Carson.