MyWhy: Tanya H.
By PPL on October 28, 2026
Meet the PPL Behind the Mission
Our “MyWhy” series highlights stories from our PPL employees, sharing the personal motivations behind their commitment to helping others access in-home care through self-direction. Hear directly from the individuals who bring our mission to life, and be sure to check back regularly as new stories are released.
A Conversation with Tanya H., California Community Liaison
Before joining PPL, Tanya worked as an early intervention specialist for a provider and then service coordinator at a California regional center. Those experiences gave her a personal understanding of the importance of choice, independence, and ensuring people have access to the services they need.
Today, that perspective continues to shape her approach to her work and reminds her why even the smallest interactions matter.
What first drew you to a career supporting people with disabilities?
I was originally interested in speech-language pathology and decided to work at my local regional center to gain case management experience. While I was there, my supervisor recommended a book called Laughing at My Nightmare by Shane Burcaw. It completely changed the way I thought about the work I was doing.
That was in 2017, and I’ve been in this field ever since.
How did your early experiences shape the way you approach your work today?
As a service coordinator and early intervention specialist, I had the privilege of going into people’s homes, developing individualized program plans, and providing direct intervention services to individuals from birth through age 21. I got to know people and their families on a personal level. In some cases, I even watched children grow up.
Those experiences are a big part of why I take my work so personally. I saw firsthand how the decisions we make can affect someone’s life.
You’ve spoken about the importance of self-determination. What does that mean to you personally?
To me, self-determination means having the authority to make decisions about your own life. It’s being able to decide what you want to do, or don’t want to do, without someone else’s personal opinions determining your choices.
These are the decisions that people without disabilities often don’t have to think twice about. I believe everyone deserves that freedom, including my own family and the people we serve.
Can you share a moment at PPL that reminded you of the impact you’re making?
At a Pacific Rise meeting, a colleague approached me and shared something I hadn’t realized. She told me that people I had referred to our outreach team had mentioned how helpful I was in their decision to choose PPL.
That meant a lot to me.
In California, families can choose from approximately 30 different financial management services providers. They have options and earning their trust matters. It’s one reason why integrity and accountability are so important to me.
I also have opportunities to see participants at different events and follow up with them about how their services are going. Those conversations help me stay connected to the people behind the work.
What’s something about your role that people might not realize?
There’s a lot of listening involved!
At an event, I might speak with anywhere from five to 40 people, all with different backgrounds, questions, and experiences and I’ll admit that sometimes my social battery is completely drained by the end of the day!
There’s also the physical side of the job, carrying materials and information from one place to another. Some days I’m talked out or just plain exhausted. But then I think about the people we serve and how important it is that everyone has access to this information and it gives me the boost I need to keep going.
When the work gets challenging, what keeps you motivated?
I think about the people we serve, the friends I’ve made along the way, and the individuals I’ve helped enroll in services throughout my career.
In California, people have choices about who provides their financial management services. If we want PPL to stand out, we have to make sure we’re putting the people we serve first, always.
Families often ask me what makes PPL different from other providers. I think a big part of that comes down to how we treat people.
For me, that’s what this work is about. It’s the responsibility we have to the people who trust us, and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in their lives.
I feel fortunate to be part of an organization that can make that kind of impact, even if my contribution is just one small part of it.
Continue reading: More MyWhy stories from PPL employees
