Disability Policy Consultants
Robert Ludke
Robert (Bob) Ludke’s passion is working with executives, innovators, and entrepreneurs creating long-term value for society. Over his career Bob has advised policymakers in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, taught at the United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, and provided counsel on sustainability, CSR, and ESG strategies for companies in the retail, oil and gas, transportation, and finance industries. He is the author of Transformative Markets, a book about the role of markets in fostering a more sustainable and prosperous society (published in April through the Creator Institute of Georgetown University).
Bob had the honor of starting his career as an intern for Senator Harkin where he served on the Subcommittee for Disability Policy. A few years later, Bob returned to Senator Harkin’s staff as a legislative correspondent and legislative assistant.
Ashlea Lantz
Ashlea Lantz has specialized in disability employment initiatives for the past 20 years, leading services, consulting on state and federal contracts, and building long-term partnerships with organizations across the public and private sectors. She has provided strategic advisory services to a range of organizations and decision-makers to enhance disability employment outcomes and drive systemic change.
Her expertise spans business consulting, rehabilitation services, supported self-employment, and disability benefits planning. She has partnered with organizations such as CareSource, the Council for State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR), Econsys (as a Subject Matter Expert on U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy projects), Griffin-Hammis Associates, The Center for Self-Employment, Business Ownership and Telecommuting (a Rehabilitation Services Administration Innovation and Training grant), in addition to other state and local partnerships.
SueAnn Morrow
SueAnn Morrow is semi-retired, regularly doing consultancy work with The Harkin Institute. Previously, she served as the Employment Services Specialist for Iowa’s Money Follows the Person Initiative. As such, she worked directly with individuals with disabilities participating in the program, worked with agencies to provide quality services to the individuals, and worked on policy issues that might impede quality service delivery. She has over 35 years of experience in the field of rehabilitation, including both direct service as the Executive Director of an agency she co-founded and providing training and technical assistance to community rehabilitation agencies.
Prior to receiving her doctorate, she served as a teacher of students with learning disabilities, as an AEA consultant, a Principal of a self-contained school, and a Director of Special Education. She is the past President of IA-APSE and serves as State Co-Coordinator for Iowa’s Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Project.
Address: 2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311
Phone: (515) 271-3623
Email: harkininstitute@drake.edu
Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.