Lynnae Ruttledge is a Presidential appointee and serves as the Commissioner for the Rehabilitation Services Administration with the U.S. Department of Education in Washington DC. In this role, she leads the public vocational rehabilitation program that serves more than 1 million individuals with significant disabilities annually, partnering with more than 200,000 businesses across the country in meeting their workforce needs. Ms. Ruttledge actively supports strong collaborative business relationships with public sector partners.
Lynnae M. Ruttledge was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration, U.S. Department of Education, on Dec. 24, 2009. Ruttledge had served as the director of the Washington Department of Social and Health Service, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation since 2005. She was responsible for leading Washington’s vocational rehabilitation program, working annually with more than 23,000 individuals with significant disabilities to achieve their vocational goals. Previously, Ruttledge served in leadership positions at the Oregon Department of Human Services, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services for more than 17 years. Ruttledge began her public service career in Michigan as a classroom teacher in the public school system. She has received numerous recognitions and awards including serving as a Mary E. Switzer Scholar on Emerging Workforce Issues with the National Rehabilitation Association in 2000 and being honored with the Oregon Governor’s Award as Disabled Oregonian of the Year in 2000 and the Washington Governor’s Award for Leadership in Management in 2007. As a person born with a disability, Ruttledge received assistance from the vocational rehabilitation program and graduated from the Northern Michigan University with a B.S. in Education.
