At Voya, our purpose is to fight for everyone’s opportunity for a better financial future.
To that end, Voya Financial, the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) formed the CEO Commission in October 2018 to address how individuals with disabilities can meaningfully contribute to the future of work.
The missions of Voya Cares and the CEO Commission align to focus on helping all Americans move closer to the future they envision; meaningful, valued employment is an important step to achieving that future.
Join us and together we will address how individuals with disabilities can meaningfully contribute to the future of work. For more information, visit the CEO Commission website (opens new window).
Self-advocates tell what employment means to them:
Trish McEvoy
Trish McEvoy, a Voya employee for over three decades, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2008.
“I had little knowledge of the disease a the time. I didn’t know what was ahead for me, so it was a very scary time. There’s a sense of weakness. You think people look at you as weaker, limited. I had just graduated from college, and I felt it was going to be a career killer, exposing my diagnosis,” she said.
Trish had enough courage to realize that because the Voya culture embraces and supports people with disabilities, she could publicly disclose her diagnosis, and she believes the inclusive culture at Voya makes a huge difference to her career.
“I can now stand up and say, look, I have a disability,” she said, and credits her employer as really going above and beyond to make her feel included. “I’m not separate. I’m not excluded. I don’t have limitations. They truly made me feel I am included, and my value is important to the company,” she said.
“Since I’ve first shared my story, I’ve had coworkers reach out to me and share their stories,” she added, and she provides them with recommendations for the resources that her employer provides.
Kayla McKeon
Kayla McKeon is working to change laws and attitudes as the first registered lobbyist with Down syndrome. As the manager of Grassroots Advocacy with the National Down Syndrome Society, she educates and inspires others.
As a motivational speaker with Down syndrome, Kayla draws on her experiences as an individual with a disability whose positive attitude inspires others to reach their highest potential.
“It feels so important to advocate for others, because they might not have that voice themselves, and the more we advocate our message, the louder we are,” she explains. “I hope I am helping to change things for future generations. I hope I am a role model for others just getting started in the advocacy journey. I have helped get laws enacted, which will positively affect others who have a disability or special needs. I hope with my advocacy, it encourages others to advocate for themselves.”
When she’s not changing laws for millions just like her, Kayla is a Special Olympics New York athlete. No matter what you give Kayla, a ball or a bill, she’s going to run with it.
David Egan
David Egan has always dreamed big. When he was 8, starting out as a Special Olympics swimmer, he dreamed of winning his races. As he grew, he looked to bigger goals having a job and finding ways to change attitudes toward people with intellectual disabilities. He has been living his dream — and inspiring others to live theirs. David has been working in a competitive job for the past 20 years, first with Booz Allen Hamilton as a clerk in the Distribution Center, then as a facilities coordinator for CBRE at the same Booz Allen Hamilton facility. He currently is a Community Relations specialist at SourceAmerica.
David is an eager advocate for people with intellectual disabilities at the local, national and international level focusing and imagining the possibilities.
“I am grateful, and in my 39 years, I have been blessed with many opportunities to succeed and be a leader, changing attitudes and perceptions while at the same time raising expectations for people like me,” David said. “In my view, we still have a long way to go to protect our human rights. No matter our disability, we are citizens that matter. We should be valued and given the same opportunity as anyone else to pursue our dreams and reach full potential.”
The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and CEO Commission for Disability Employment are not members of the Voya® family of companies.
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