RECORDING: Disability does not exist in a vacuum: finding nuance and authenticity through an intersectional lens on disabilities

As an advocate for social justice, Krista Rae Szaflarsk began her career teaching in under-resourced schools in New Orleans, Louisiana. She gained experience recruiting for a non-profit before focusing on increasing representation in big tech as a campus recruiter. Her personal and professional passions collided at Meta where she serves as Meta’s Global People with Disabilities Recruiting Program Manager and as regional co-lead for Disability@, Meta’s employee resource group for people with disabilities and allies.

Krista Rae has had a chronic health condition since age 11, was recently diagnosed with ADHD, and thrives with mental health conditions. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and a very pampered dog.

Part of the Global DEI Recruiting team at Meta, Maria leads work to increase opportunity for historically underrepresented people, with the aim of driving economic mobility and brilliant careers. Prior to joining Meta, Maria was Head of Talent Acquisition and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at The Telegraph. She began her career as a Recruiter and, realizing that diversity needed to be a core focus for organizations, began driving DEI projects and leading Employee Resource Groups

Maria was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult following years of experience with its comorbidities. As a Black woman and a mother, she is particularly interested in the intersection of gender, race, neurodiversity and invisible disabilities, and mental health.

Maria is based in London, where she lives with her husband and 12-year-old son. She spends as much time as she can bouldering, and supporting her son in his dream to be a pilot.