Catherine Bogdanski
Catherine joins PEAL with more than a decade of experience advancing disability advocacy, family engagement, student support, and community‑centered program development across Pennsylvania. She is a respected leader known for strengthening partnerships, expanding access to resources, and empowering families and youth to navigate systems with confidence.
Catherine brings significant expertise from her years at the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living (LVCIL), where she supported statewide coalitions, youth transition initiatives, and family‑focused programs. Her work elevated the voices of families, expanded cross‑agency collaboration, and contributed to long‑term improvements in disability‑related services and supports.
In previous roles, Catherine served as a career‑development professional, guiding students as they built pathways to meaningful work, civic engagement, and personal growth. She is recognized for her inclusive, relationship‑driven approach and her commitment to ensuring that students with disabilities and diverse learning needs receive equitable support. As a bonus mom to 11‑year‑old twins who have each benefited from school‑based supports — including IEP services, gifted programming, and speech therapy — she brings a personal understanding of how educational systems shape a child’s confidence, access, and long‑term success.
A long‑time resident of the Lehigh Valley/Slate Belt region, Catherine is deeply engaged in community networks that champion equity, education, and well‑being. She is valued for her collaborative leadership style, her creativity, and her ability to bring people together around shared purpose.
