The Disability Advocacy and Affinity Group (DAAG)) has a mission to destigmatize the experience of living with or being the caretaker of someone with a disability. We cherish the unique perspectives that individuals with disabilities bring to every academic, professional, and social setting, and we seek to create more space for their voices to be heard and celebrated. We know that “disability” can mean many different things and feel differently depending on the individual. We welcome anyone who identifies as being part of the disability community, either on a temporary or permanent basis.

What are our priorities? We believe there could be a stronger disability culture at HBS and in many of the spaces that we occupy professionally and personally. Our vision is to bring historically marginalized voices to the center of our experience, and to empower them with the tools and systems that can amplify them and give them greater reach. Whether you experience a physical, learning, mental, sensory, or developmental disability, or are the caretaker of someone with a disability, you have a place and a voice here!

We aim to work closely with the administration to ensure easily accessible accommodations for all current students, prospective students, alumni, and their families. We also want to create greater awareness of these issues through community events, speaker series, listening tours, and more.

Cassidy Wald (MBA 2023) - Co-President

I have always received extra time on exams to accommodate my learning differences, and I wanted to start DAAG at HBS when I realized that many classmates weren’t using accommodations available because of the social stigma. I want to create environments where each student (as well all faculty, staff, prospective students, and alumni) can thrive in their unique identity. I want this club to create greater awareness in the HBS community about the experiences of students with all types of disabilities (visible and invisible, temporary and permanent) – and to help create an environment that permeates the fabric of this institution, making it a more inclusive place on a daily basis.

Landon Hollingsworth (MBA 2024) - Co-President

I am a Co-Founder and Co-President of the Disability Advocacy and Affinity Group (DAAG) at HBS. I’m a second year MBA/MPP joint-degree student with the Harvard Kennedy School.

I was first diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD in elementary school, and became an active disability advocate while an undergrad at Georgia Tech. My vision is that everyone who has a disability of any kind can not only receive the accommodations they need, but also feel proud of their identity.

Prior to business school, I was an advocate for disability justice in the workplace, and I’m now focusing on making HBS a more inclusive place for students, faculty, and staff with disabilities.

Jeremy Fischer (MBA 2023) - VP of Academics and Research

My primary focus within DAAG is on developing and integrating disability-minded cases and other content into the HBS curriculum. I am interested in how disability is perceived in the workplace and wish to create better awareness around the unseen burdens that employees with disabilities must navigate. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in college and I am a regular volunteer with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.

Prior to HBS, I worked as a process engineer for Procter & Gamble and then in engineering and business roles at an early-stage manufacturing data analytics company. I graduated from Duke University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Laura Monacelli (MBA 2024) - VP of Marketing and Events

I’m a first-year student at Harvard Business School and my primary focus within DAAG is developing comprehensive branding and awareness of the group within the HBS community. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease in June 2022 and since then I have become passionate about disability rights and access to accommodations.

Prior to HBS, I worked in a variety of marketing roles at 3M after receiving my bachelor’s degree in Marketing Management from the University of St. Thomas. In addition to my work with DAAG, I’m currently on the board of directors of She Rock She Rock, a Twin Cities based nonprofit focused on empowering young people through music education.

Teresa Danso-Danquah (MBA 2024) - VP of Admissions and Administration

I am a disability advocate, HR professional, and aspiring VC investor passionate about creating and investing in inclusive products and startups focused on Climate Tech and Future of Work.

Prior to HBS, I was the program manager of the NextGen Initiatives at Disability:IN, the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide. In that role, I connected college students with disabilities to career development and job opportunities with leading companies. My disability advocacy stems from my time at Cornell University, where I was recognized as a Truman Scholar for my work on disability initiatives with students on campus, youth across the world, and the US Senate.

I started my career leading diversity and inclusion initiatives at Capital One and working as a field organizer on Stacey Abrams’ 2018 gubernatorial campaign. I hold a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University.

Kelsey Pfleger (MBA 2024) - VP of Academics and Accessibility

My main effort within DAAG is to ensure that the HBS classroom and broader HBS community are accessible to all. I have been hard of hearing since birth and am passionate about helping my classmates thrive at HBS both on and off campus.

Prior to HBS, I attended Wellesley College and UT Austin School of Law. I then worked in New York City and Los Angeles as an attorney specializing in the entertainment industry. My career interests lie in promoting empowering and representative content, with accurate and balanced portrayal of disability as a part of everyday life.