Strengthening the Movement: Inside Our First SEBCM Leadership Roundtable

At So Every BODY Can Move, we believe lasting change is built from the ground up—by the advocates, clinicians, and leaders who show up every day to fight for access, freedom, and opportunity. That belief came to life at the 2025 AOPA National Assembly in Orlando, where we held our first-ever SEBCM Leadership Roundtable—bringing together the people who are powering our movement in their home states and communities.

This Roundtable was more than a meeting. It was a moment to strategize, connect, and strengthen the shared leadership driving this national effort forward.

Leaders From Coast to Coast

From Alaska to Vermont, more than 40 state leads, core team members, and grassroots advocates from 24 states gathered in one room to share lessons, tackle challenges, and build momentum toward our goal: enacting SEBCM legislation in 28 states by the 2028 Paralympics.

Kicking things off, Nicole Ver Kuilen (SEBCM Campaign Lead, Amputee Coalition Director of Impact Campaigns) welcomed attendees and grounded the session in the progress and purpose behind this growing coalition.

We were honored to be joined by Washington State Representative Monica Stonier, Majority Floor Leader and SEBCM bill sponsor. A former teacher and cross country coach, Rep. Stonier spoke passionately about why she champions access to movement and why bipartisan collaboration remains essential to achieving it. She flew across three time zones to be there—because, as she said, she believes in this work, and the people leading it.

Learning, Leading, and Listening

After Rep. Stonier’s remarks fired up the room, participants broke into rotating small group discussions led by SEBCM’s national team and state coaches, diving into the real-world issues shaping local advocacy efforts:

Breakout Sessions & Facilitators

🔹 From Draft to Done: Our Model Legislation & the Art of Strategic Compromise
Led by Maggie Baumer, JD (SEBCM Legislative Affairs Lead, State Coach, Massachusetts State Lead) & Olivia Keller (Amputee Coalition Public Policy Manager, SEBCM State Coach)
Focused on understanding our model legislation, navigating insurer carve-outs, and making strategic choices to ensure strong, enforceable policy.

🔹 Powering the Movement: Fundraising & Strategic Partnerships
Led by Kyle Stepp (SEBCM Strategic Partnerships Lead, State Coach, New Mexico State Lead) & Shree Thaker (Amputee Coalition Director of Communications & Partnerships)
Explored how to cultivate allies, attract funders, and build credibility through authentic storytelling and clear value propositions.

🔹 Building the Backbone: Advocacy Infrastructure, Core Teams & Coalitions
Led by Nicole Ver Kuilen & Angela Montgomery, CPO (SEBCM State Coach, Colorado State Lead)
Shared practical tools for creating sustainable advocacy structures, defining roles, setting team goals, and building healthy coalitions.

🔹 The Dollars Make Sense: Fiscal Notes, Billing Codes & Policy Implementation
Led by Sheryl Sachs, CPO (SEBCM State Coach, Maryland State Lead)
Demystified the fiscal and administrative side of the work—helping teams understand how to work with payors and ensure successful implementation after passage.

Why It Mattered

This Roundtable was designed as a working session—and the energy in the room reflected that. It gave leaders the opportunity to learn from each other’s lived experiences, strengthen relationships across state lines, and feel seen, supported, and re-energized. More than just a chance to connect, it offered space for advocates to leave with concrete strategies and actionable next steps.

As we closed the event, each state team shared their key takeaways and one commitment they would bring back to implement—reminding us that this movement is fueled by people taking bold, intentional action, one step at a time.

What’s Next

As SEBCM continues to grow, so does the need to invest in the leadership powering it. This Leadership Roundtable was a pilot, and it showed just how critical these spaces are for training, connection, and sustainability.

The movement to ensure So Every BODY Can Move isn’t just about passing laws—it’s about building lasting change. And that takes strong, supported leaders who can carry the torch in their communities and states.

We’re grateful to everyone who helped make this event possible—and we’re just getting started.

📩 Interested in supporting future gatherings like this or learning more about how to get involved? Contact our team at advocacy@amputee-coalition.org.

Because when we invest in leadership, every body moves forward.