Meet Board member Patti Substelny
Patti has a lot of experience advocating for herself and other people with disabilities; she brings that wealth of experience to the MAHO Board of Directors. Patti first learned about MAHO when redesigning her kitchen to be accessible. After learning more about us, Patti decided to become a Board member. Patti has been on the Board for three years and has agreed to serve another term; Patti currently serves as Treasurer.
Patti received her undergraduate degree in Economics from John Carroll University. She subsequently studied at Cambridge University in England and Michigan State University. After receiving her Masters of Labor and Industrial Relations, she successively enjoyed more responsible positions in wage and salary administration, benefits plan design and benefits administration in the healthcare, retail, and banking industries. In 1997, right before her wedding, Patti was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Due to increasing health concerns from her disease, Patti retired from her position at KeyCorp in 2007. Patti currently team teaches Microeconomics and Macroeconomics at the college level.
In addition to her work with MAHO, Patti is an active volunteer with several organizations. Patti sits on the editorial review board for the Journal of Patient Experience. She serves on patient advisory committees for the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in the Neurological Institute and the Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis. She is currently working on a grant with the Cleveland Clinic to mine data in order to improve patient services. Patti serves on the board of We Can Code It, a non-profit that teaches computer coding and engineering to grade school girls. Patti is active in the National Multiple Sclerosis Society; she has worked with Patti’s Paladins, a bike team consisting of her family and friends, to raise over $600,000.
Patti wants to be involved with showing how accessible and universal design can look good and be beneficial to everyone, regardless of ability. Patti lives in Cleveland Heights with her husband, Michael, and their three cats. They love to entertain guests at their home and have two to three parties a week.