For Ken Bluhm, advocacy isn’t just part of his story — it is his story. At only three years old, Ken became a poster child for United Way at a Michigan auto plant, helping raise over $50,000. That early experience sparked a lifelong mission to improve opportunities for people with disabilities and build a more inclusive world.
Leading with Purpose at United Cerebral Palsy
Today, Ken serves as treasurer of United Cerebral Palsy’s (UCP) National Board of Trustees, where he helps guide financial strategy, organizational growth, and national advocacy. He also serves on the board of Michigan United Cerebral Palsy, bringing his expertise to both local and national levels to ensure disability services are effective, sustainable, and inclusive.
A Career Forged Through Resilience
Ken’s leadership has been shaped by lived experience. He’s spent his career navigating nonprofit leadership, managing funding complexities, and pushing for policy change — all while living with a disability in spaces that weren’t always built for inclusion.
“When you have a disability, it’s not just about changing minds,” he asserts. “It’s about proving, over and over again, that you belong at the table.”
From college interviews to boardrooms, Ken has experienced the bias and discrimination that too many professionals with disabilities continue to face. But instead of stepping back, he chose to lean in — working harder, achieving more, and using his platform to advocate for equity and opportunity.
Creating Truly Inclusive Workplaces
Ken is a passionate voice for transforming corporate culture and employment practices.
“There’s so much untapped talent in the disability community,” he says. “If we invest in inclusive hiring and advancement, we build stronger businesses and a better society.”
He emphasizes that inclusion goes beyond hiring — it’s about retention, growth, and recognition. For years, disability was the “silent identity” in corporate diversity initiatives. Even as employee resource groups flourish, disability-focused groups struggle to gain traction.
“Until my early 50s, I didn’t want to be labeled as disabled,” he recalls. “I just wanted to be seen as a professional. But embracing disability has become part of my purpose.”
Ken now calls on employers to recruit, support, and promote people with disabilities across all levels of leadership.
A Vision for the Future
Ken’s story is proof of what’s possible when people with disabilities are given a fair shot. Through his work with UCP and beyond, he’s pushing for:
- Equitable hiring practices
- Inclusive workplace culture
- Stronger public policy
- Greater community engagement
“All we ask for is a level playing field,” he notes.
Ken’s leadership is helping to build a future where disability is not a limitation, it’s a strength. His strategic insight, personal passion, and decades of advocacy make him an indispensable part of the UCP Board of Trustees, driving the mission forward and ensuring that every person has the opportunity to thrive.
