The Board of Directors of the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) has announced the appointment of seasoned disability rights leader Michelle Uzeta as Interim Executive Director. Ms. Uzeta has over 30 years of experience in disability rights law and advocacy and has been with DREDF since December 2021.
“I am honored to lead this incredible organization during such a defining moment in our nation’s history. Our advocacy, organizing, and collective impact efforts are needed more than ever to center and uplift the voices of people most impacted by injustice, protect and advance civil rights, and create systems change.” said Michelle Uzeta.
Prior to her appointment as Interim Executive Director, Ms. Uzeta held the position of Deputy Director at DREDF. During her decades-long career, Ms. Uzeta has successfully led and managed advocacy teams as an Associate Managing Attorney at Disability Rights California, the Litigation Director at the Housing Rights Center and the Legal Director at the Disability Rights Legal Center. She also ran a successful solo civil rights practice for nine years. Ms. Uzeta is a skilled litigator, director, and mentor, with demonstrated experience working within cross-disability coalitions on a wide range of issues including housing, transportation, education and access to public programs and services. She holds a degree in Human Biology from Stanford University and earned her Juris Doctor and Certification in Public Interest Law from UC Davis School of Law.
“As we welcome Michelle Uzeta as Interim Executive Director, I want to express my deep gratitude to the DREDF community—staff, partners, and allies—who remain steadfast in the fight for disability and civil rights. This transition is a moment of both continuity and renewed energy. Michelle brings decades of experience, clarity of purpose, and a strong commitment to justice. I look forward to supporting her leadership as we continue advancing DREDF’s mission during this critical time,” affirmed Steve Kaye, DREDF’s Board Chair.