Katie Brendli Brown

Katie Brendli Brown, PhD, is an extension associate for Cornell University’s Yang Tan Institute (YTI) on Employment and Disability in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations. Her research interests include promoting positive transition outcomes for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), self-determination/self-advocacy, and promoting positive health and wellbeing for people with IDD.

Currently at YTI, Dr. Brendli Brown supports a range of initiatives that tap into the breadth of her skill sets. This includes serving as a core member of Project ATTAIN’s [Autism Transition to Adulthood Initiative] research team and particularly supporting the team’s research dissemination efforts. She also conducts program evaluation for a model demonstration project by Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), called the Inclusive Career Advancement Program (ICAP) and serves as the lead qualitative researcher for a multi-year person-centered planning training intervention study. Finally, she is an associate in the Technical Assistance Partnership for Data (TAP for Data) within the New York Office of Special Education’s Partnership, where she assists in the development of evaluation measures, co-leads the creation of the TAP for Data’s professional development (PD), conducts PD across New York State, and provides technical assistance to two regions within the state to support greater data-based decisions within school districts to improve educational experiences and outcomes for youth with disabilities.

Dr. Brendli Brown also enjoys working with and supporting students. She serves as the academic advisor for two Cornell student organizations, an Autism Awareness club and Cornell’s Best Buddies Chapter. She was formerly involved with Best Buddies chapters as a student throughout her undergraduate and master’s education.