Katy Stafford-Cunningham Joins the INARF Team

Katy Stafford-Cunningham, INARF's Vice President of Public Policy

INARF welcomes Katy Stafford-Cunningham as its first Vice President of Public Policy. After a thorough and competitive search process, the INARF Board and Staff are delighted to have her joining the team. In this new position, Katy will work closely with the Governmental Affairs Committee and INARF PAC to develop comprehensive strategies to address legislative and regulatory issues. She will serve as a primary contact with the Indiana General Assembly, state agencies, the press, and other interested in INARF's advocacy efforts.

Stafford-Cunningham said, “I am pleased to be joining INARF and I look forward to the opportunities to help our member organizations and the clients they serve. The work they do is essential to the betterment of our state and I am eager to be the liaison between government and Hoosier disability service providers.” 

Katy comes to INARF from Greater Fort Wayne, Inc., where she served as the Vice President of Business Advocacy. In this position, she coordinated grassroots legislative efforts and advocated on such issues as the passage of Right to Work in Indiana, the decrease of the corporate income tax, the appropriation of funds for higher education capital projects, equitable funding for K-12 education, and tax credits for businesses. 

Prior to her work with Greater Fort Wayne, Inc., Katy was engaged in government affairs for a multi-client government affairs firm in Indianapolis. In that capacity, she focused on a variety of issues including education, non-profit, general business, and agriculture. She has a degree in Political Science from Wittenberg University and is completing the thesis segment of a Masters in Public Policy from New England College. Katy is a member of the Government Affairs Society of Indiana, and a registered lobbyist in the state of Indiana. In 2013, Katy was named one of the 40 Under 40 in Fort Wayne. 

Katy brings a wealth of governmental affairs experience and knowledge to the table. She will be a tremendous asset to the organization and critical to our success during the next session and for years to come. Please join us in welcoming her to the INARF family!