Karen Tamley

Karen Tamley was appointed in 2020 as President and CEO of Access Living, a Chicago-based Center for Independent Living serving people with all types of disabilities to live the lives of their choosing. Prior to taking the role as CEO, Karen was appointed Commissioner of the Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities by three consecutive Mayors to serve in their cabinet, advancing accessibility in transportation, city infrastructure, technology, education, and employment.

In 2015, Tamley was appointed by President Obama to the U.S. Access Board federal agency that develops national accessibility standards and guidelines, and she served as Chair in 2019.

She has received numerous accolades, including the Motorola Solutions Excellence in Public Service Award, Leadership Greater Chicago’s Distinguished Leader Award and recognition from Crain’s Chicago Business for leadership in the social services sector for the past three consecutive years.

Tamley has held leadership roles on various government and non-profit boards, including Disability Lead, Kohl’s Children’s Museum and the Illinois Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes.

She brings her lifelong lived experience as a wheelchair user and over three decades of professional leadership in disability rights advocacy to her work in the social impact sector.

On the Pace Board, Director Tamley represents the City of Chicago. She previously served on the Pace Board from 2008 to 2020 and was reappointed in 2026.