The Arizona Achieve Team
Ryan Barry, Project Director
Ryan, an Arizona native and Arizona State University alumni, discovered the transformative power of self-advocacy years after being diagnosed with spastic diplegia at the age of nine. His journey with a disability profoundly influenced his beliefs and life purpose.
Ryan’s lived-experience quickly aligned with a passion for political advocacy. Ryan has championed legislation at both state and national levels, organized campaigns, and engaged in various roles within Arizona state politics.
Through Arizona Achieve, Ryan now uses his own story and professional background to counsel and empower others to become self-advocate leaders.
Susie Turrey, Project Assistant
Susie is a project assistant at Arizona Achieve and head of the Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program. Susie is the proud mom of a young adult with a developmental disability and has been a dedicated volunteer for The Arc of Tempe for numerous years.
Susie co-founded and served as Chief Operating Officer of Unicorn Haven, an organization that helped individuals who struggled with social skills concepts. She is a community organizer, volunteers with Raising Special Kids, and works with the University of Arizona on health-related research. In 2019, Susie graduated from the AZ Partners in Leadership program, and she was recognized for her contributions to the disability community. Currently, she is focusing on promoting self-determination with Arizona Achieve.