Michelle Colvard is the Executive Director of the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, and an active advocate for the rights and needs of all people with disabilities. In this capacity, Ms. Colvard advises city leaders, formulates policies and legislation related to disability issues, and helps develop and coordinate policies and programs for people with disabilities in the City of Houston.
Prior to her appointment as Executive Director of the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, she was appointed by Mayor White as Chairperson of the Houston Commission on Disabilities, and also served on the Mayor's Wellness Council and the City's Parking Commission. Ms. Colvard previously worked in the health research field at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas Medical School. Ms. Colvard earned her Bachelor's of Science from the University of Houston, and her Master's degree in Health Promotion from The University of Texas School of Public Health, where her thesis work examined physical activity participation by women with functional limitations. In June of 2007, Ms. Colvard received the Jefferson Award in recognition of her volunteer service and civic advocacy efforts on behalf of people with disabilities.
A native Houstonian, Ms. Colvard was born with spina bifida and has used a wheelchair for mobility full-time since the 6th grade. She stays active with daily exercise at her gym, and participates in a variety of activities such as wheelchair basketball, swimming, kayaking, and snow skiing. She is a self-proclaimed “motorhead” and races her MINI Cooper in autocross competitions in her spare time, even taking 1st place in her class and receiving the 2006 Driver of the Year award. This past October, she and her husband Brian celebrated their 11-year wedding anniversary. In July 2008, Ms. Colvard was crowned Ms. Wheelchair America 2009, having previously served as Ms. Wheelchair Texas 2008.
Prior to her appointment as Executive Director of the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, she was appointed by Mayor White as Chairperson of the Houston Commission on Disabilities, and also served on the Mayor's Wellness Council and the City's Parking Commission. Ms. Colvard previously worked in the health research field at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas Medical School. Ms. Colvard earned her Bachelor's of Science from the University of Houston, and her Master's degree in Health Promotion from The University of Texas School of Public Health, where her thesis work examined physical activity participation by women with functional limitations. In June of 2007, Ms. Colvard received the Jefferson Award in recognition of her volunteer service and civic advocacy efforts on behalf of people with disabilities.