Diane McComb

Ms. McComb is a former Qlarant Disabilities SME who provided technical expertise on disabilities. She has broad expertise in federal and state policy, Medicaid, quality improvement, community waiver programs, intermediate care facilities, managed care, and health disparities. She also worked with the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) as their Liaison to State Associations across the country.

Prior to her work with Qlarant, she was appointed by Maryland’s governor as the Deputy Secretary of the Maryland Department of Disabilities. She oversaw the development of the Maryland State Disability Plan, covering a wide array of issues including children and families, long term services and supports, employment and training, housing, technology, Medicaid, transportation, and emergency preparedness. Ms. McComb was instrumental in initiating numerous policy shifts resulting in increasing person-directed supports and other levels of inclusion of people with disabilities in program evaluation and quality improvement.

Ms. McComb was the CEO of a statewide association of community organizations supporting people with disabilities and their families for sixteen years. She was the principal legislative advocate on behalf of Maryland’s programs and was a leader in the very strong collaborative growth of disability programs experienced in the state. The first decade of her career was devoted to building a community agency supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, including many who were deinstitutionalized.

Her career gives her the unique perspective of a private community agency, the CEO of a statewide provider advocacy organization, and as a cabinet level governmental official. She brings her extensive knowledge of the disability community, her demonstrated track record of innovative problem solving, and lifelong commitment to creating improved capacity in the systems empowering individuals with disabilities to achieve their personal and professional goals in communities where they live.

Ms. McComb holds an MS.ED. from the Johns Hopkins University in Severe and Profound Disabilities and has a long history working as an advocate for people with disabilities and nonprofit management.

She joined the Qlarant Foundation board in 2023.