Dr. Nygren is the Executive Director of AAIDD, the oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization of professionals and others concerned about intellectual and related disabilities. Her previous positions include Associate Executive Director for Program Development at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), a Fellowship in the Disabled and Elderly Health Programs Group at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Director of the Center on Aging and Disabilities at the Lieutenant Joseph P. Kennedy Institute, and Director of Family Support Services and Director of Mental Retardation Services at Kit Clark Senior Services in Boston. From 2008-2010 she served as the AUCD project coordinator for the Consortium to Enhance Post-secondary Education Opportunities for Youth and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities. She earned a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, a MA in Clinical Psychology from West Virginia University, and a BA in Psychology from Beloit College.