Press Release  Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council Welcomes New Member Natalie Burgo

Quincy, Mass. — Governor Maura T. Healey has appointed Natalie Burgo as a citizen member of the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council.

Burgo is a dedicated parent, public servant, and community advocate who brings both lived experience and professional insight to the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC.) As a parent of a child with special needs, she has spent years navigating intervention, school-based services, and complex healthcare systems, giving her a deep, practical understanding of what families need to feel supported, informed, and included. Through this journey, Burgo has become a strong voice for family-centered care, equitable access to services, and meaningful inclusion of children with developmental disabilities in their schools and communities.

In addition to her lived experience, Burgo has built a career in public health and environmental protection, working in communities that often face overlapping challenges related to health, disability, and environmental burdens. This work has strengthened her belief that disability policy must account for the full context of people’s lives, including housing, transportation, and neighborhood conditions. She is committed to bringing these perspectives together on the MDDC, where she aims to elevate family voices, promote equity for historically marginalized communities, and help build a more inclusive Massachusetts in which individuals with developmental disabilities can thrive across all stages of life.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Natalie onto our Council,” said Craig Hall, Executive Director. “Her expertise will prove to be a valuable asset to our team as we move towards wrapping up our current 5-year State Plan cycle and begin to finalize and implement our 2027-2031 State Plan.”

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