Jawanda Mast is the NDSC Grassroots Advocacy Manager. She has been involved in disability policy advocacy since her daughter Rachel was born with Down syndrome. Jawanda has graduate and undergraduate degrees from the University of Arkansas and was honored with the 2017 Alumni Community Service Award for her body of advocacy work. She and Rachel spent eight years advocating for the passage of the federal ABLE Act and have spoken around the country on ABLE, Advocacy, and Inclusion. She has provided written and oral testimony on a variety of federal and state policy issues and has served on many state-appointed committees.

Jawanda believes we all have a story and we can use those stories to impact change at all levels. She is passionate about the meaningful inclusion of individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities in all aspects of the community and has presented at many conferences. Jawanda gives leadership to the NDSC National Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition (NDAC) and the NDSC Advocacy Training Boot Camp at the NDSC Convention. Jawanda says her work is a #laborofloveandconviction. Jawanda, her husband Jonathan, and Rachel live in Olathe, Kansas.