Regina Blye

Board Member at Women Enabled International

Regina Blye serves as the Chief Program and Policy Officer at the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation; Regina is at the forefront of steering the operations of the National Paralysis Resource Center. Her role involves strategically developing and implementing programs that aim to equip individuals with the tools and resources necessary for building healthy and independent lives. Regina’s journey to this pivotal position is profoundly personal and professionally rich. Having sustained a C6-C7 spinal cord injury at the tender age of 10, she has navigated the complexities of living with paralysis first-hand. This experience, coupled with over twenty years of dedicated work in disability policy and advocacy, has uniquely positioned her to make a profound impact in the lives of those living with a significant disability.

Before her tenure at the Reeve Foundation, Regina was instrumental in leading the Independent Living Services program at the Administration for Community Living (ACL), where she played a critical role in monitoring adherence to the Rehabilitation Act and managing oversight for 155 federal grantees. Her leadership prowess was also evident as the executive director of the Texas State Independent Living Council, where she spearheaded expanding independent living initiatives throughout Texas. Regina’s contributions to the disability community have not gone unnoticed; her efforts have positively influenced thousands of individuals and families, earning her a prestigious appointment by President Barack Obama to the United States Access Board in 2011, where she served with distinction as Vice-Chair.

Regina’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications Studies from West Texas A&M University and a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin. Her educational pursuits have laid a strong foundation for her distinguished career, enabling her to advocate effectively for policies and programs that advance the quality of life for marginalized populations and people with disabilities. Regina recently moved from Washington, DC, to Houston, Texas, to be close to her family and to have direct access to Texas BBQ and queso.