Dr. Rachel Payne has been nominated for the 2026 Prince William Living Influential Women Awards for her leadership, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to expanding opportunities for people with disabilities throughout Greater Prince William and Northern Virginia.

As Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy at Didlake, Dr. Payne plays a critical role in advancing the organization’s mission of creating and promoting meaningful employment for people with disabilities. Over her 12-year career with Didlake, Dr. Payne’s path reflects both deep expertise and hands-on service. She began as a job coach supporting young adults with autism in Project SEARCH internship programs and steadily advanced into executive leadership, where her work now shapes training, advocacy, and policy initiatives with far-reaching community impact.

Read the full story in Prince William Living: Dr. Rachel Payne: Championing Inclusive Employment and Advocacy Across Greater Prince William  | Prince William Living