WALTHAM, Mass. (June 25, 2026) – The Arc of Massachusetts, the leading advocacy organization for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and autism, today announced the appointment of Monica Garlick as the organization’s first director of external affairs. In this role, Garlick will oversee the organization’s public-facing relationships with stakeholders and donors.
“We are thrilled to welcome Monica to The Arc at such a pivotal time for our advocacy and community initiatives,” said Maura Sullivan, CEO of The Arc of Massachusetts. “In addition to her background in state policy and quality management, her authentic perspective as a sibling of an individual with IDD gives her an intuitive understanding of the families we serve. Monica represents the perfect intersection of professional expertise and lived experience.”
Garlick brings a range of experiences to the role, including several years in quality management leadership and over a decade of work and research in public policy, with a particular focus on health and community activism. Most recently, Garlick served as vice president of quality management at Riverside Community Care, overseeing the protection of patient rights for 40,000 clients. In the Massachusetts Legislature, she previously served as research director for the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies and research analyst for the Joint Committee on Public Health.
“When I was three years old, my sister Beth was born with global developmental delay. From my earliest years, I understood instinctively that inclusion is not a favor extended to those who are different – it is the foundation of a just community,” said Garlick. “That conviction has shaped every professional role I have held, and it is what draws me, with deep enthusiasm, to this position at The Arc of Massachusetts.”
Garlick has a doctorate and a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a bachelor’s degree from Smith College. She has served, for the last eight years, on the board of directors of Newton Athletes Unlimited, a nonprofit providing recreational programs to individuals with disabilities in Newton.
About The Arc of Massachusetts
The Arc of Massachusetts (The Arc) is a statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. Through advocacy, education, and outreach, The Arc works to ensure that individuals with disabilities have the opportunity to lead fulfilling lives and participate fully in their communities. Visit www.thearcofmass.org to learn more.
