Yoshiko Kardell

Yoshi is a policy associate whose work is driven by a passion for supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to live a good life in the community. Yoshi is particularly dedicated to working with public agency staff to create systems of support that align with a set of core values and promote best-practice models in service delivery. She is also highly skilled in developing effective means to communicate with stakeholders around systems change. In addition to supporting clients in systems transformation efforts, Yoshi also has experience working directly with people with disabilities and supporting statewide self-advocacy organizations.

Prior to joining HSRI, Yoshi was a planning and communications coordinator at the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities, supporting their mission to improve the lives of Oregonians with disabilities. Prior to that, she worked in the disability field providing direct services to individuals with disabilities in variety of settings—including group homes, day programs, an active rehabilitation center for individuals with traumatic brain injuries—as well as in-home supports for people with disabilities living in the home of a family member. In addition to her work at HSRI, Yoshi is a yoga teacher, with a specific focus on pre- and postnatal yoga offerings.

When not at work, Yoshi enjoys practicing yoga, studying Eastern philosophy and traditions, and keeping up with her very energetic son, Elliott.

Education

• Master of Social Work from Portland State University
• Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Nebraska – Omaha