About ForwardWorks

Established in 2016, we blend program management with inclusion practices to move disability and accessibility initiatives forward — for organizations of every size.

Our Mission & Vision

Our Mission

Advancing disability inclusion through effective project management, training, and public relations services.

Our mission is to move your disability and accessibility initiatives forward — from where you are to where you want to be.

Our Vision

A more inclusive society where everyone belongs.

Our communities — where we live, learn, work, and play — should and will be fully accessible and inclusive. That is the future we work toward every day.

SBA WOSB Certified — Woman-Owned Small Business

Built to Move Things Forward

Founded 2016

ForwardWorks is an SBA Certified Woman-Owned Small Business and a fully remote company. We were created to blend program and performance management with inclusion practices — to move policies, programs, and progress forward.

We recognize that change can be hard and that realizing cultural adoption of disability inclusion can be even harder. That's where we come in — to help our clients get from where they are to where they want to be.

We provide a customized experience, working closely with our clients to design and deliver solutions that obtain their desired inclusion outcomes and results. Our consultants bring both experience and a collaborative mindset to drive learning, growth, innovation, and transformation. We truly enjoy what we do — and we bring that satisfaction along for our clients to experience as well.

ForwardWorks by the Numbers

2016 Year established

14 Team members

10+ Years of impact

Our Values

We believe in moving disability and accessibility initiatives forward to include people with disabilities in defining their own goals and living the lives they want and deserve.

Respect

Centering the dignity and lived experience of people with disabilities in every engagement we take on. Nothing about us without us is more than a phrase — it's our practice.

Empowerment

Building the capacity of individuals and organizations to create lasting, independent change. We work ourselves out of a job — by leaving our clients stronger than we found them.

Collaboration

Partnering deeply with clients, communities, and peers to co-create solutions that stick. We also like to pay it forward — building connections that lift the whole field.

Our Approach

Our approach centers on understanding the intersection of requirements — from laws and standards to client mission and day-to-day tasks. By using proven project management disciplines, evidence-based strategies, and fostering peer support, we help our clients implement effective solutions that create lasting change.

Understand the landscape

We start by mapping requirements — laws, standards, client mission, and current state — to identify gaps and opportunities.

Design tailored solutions

We co-create customized strategies with our clients using evidence-based practices and proven PM disciplines.

Implement and support

We stay engaged through delivery — training, technical assistance, and peer support ensure the work actually lands.

Measure and sustain

We track outcomes and help organizations build the internal capacity to sustain inclusion progress long after we're gone.

Person in a wheelchair collaborating with colleagues on a whiteboard

Our Team

ForwardWorks consultants bring both expertise and a collaborative mindset — driving learning, growth, innovation, and transformation in every project.

Mary Beth Shields

Chief Executive Officer

Derek Shields

President

Kimberly Childs

Sean Keilberg

Tamara Liddicoat

Erica Monken

Ana Morales

Jayme Pendergraft

Mackenzie Shields

Patrick Shields

Kayla Smit

Sean Spence

Prabjoat Swan

Hannah Weidmeyer

Get Involved

Let's Move Forward, Together.

Whether you are a business looking for guidance on best practices or an individual seeking mentorship — or anyone in between — ForwardWorks is here to assist and support you.

Organizations

Consulting, training, and technical assistance to advance your disability inclusion and accessibility goals.

Individuals

Mentorship, Skills Lab courses, and resources for job seekers, young adults with disabilities, and career changers.

Partners

Collaborative research, co-design, and peer support initiatives that advance the disability inclusion field.