My Story

Mak is a one-of-a-kind worker who is wholly dedicated to being a strong advocate and force of change in his community. He has extensive experience in this realm, even though never having a full-time job yet. But, don't let that overshadow everything he has to bring to the table. 

Growing up in rural Indiana’s Amish Country, and later moving to a family ranch in Oregon at age 11, Mak encompasses the value of hard work, never forgetting that we get what we work for, not what we wish for. 

In the face of experiencing developmental disabilities or mental health challenges, he is no stranger to bringing people together. He has been awarded Youth of the Year by The Arc of Oregon for his extensive advocacy and accomplishments for the disability community, as well as honored as a Silent Servant by the Peter R. Marsh Foundation for his selfless, wide-ranging acts of service to his community.

In January of 2020, Mak began his governmental systems change advocacy work and was appointed by Governor Kate Brown as a member of the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities, where he ensured that all Oregonians experiencing disabilities are heard and supported, our needs and wishes are met, and those needs and wishes are relayed to community partners and government agencies. 

Through his partnerships and with his growing alliance of fellow advocates, he has helped bring about many changes such as work with the Center for Youth Voice Youth Choice on a nationwide community of practice surrounding guardianship alternatives, advocating the importance of lived experience and bringing people who use services to the decision making table with meaningful and paid roles, aiding in the Oregon Individualized Service Plan redesign, and collaborating with the Oregon I/DD Visioning Summit where he joins stakeholders from around the State focused on creating a vision for future DD services given workforce and housing shortages. It would elevate and build a vision for supports in DD services that supports community living, explores use of technology, supports families, and gives feedback for DD Services to do better 

In high school, Mak also utilized his extensive experience by serving as the Community Relations Specialist for Aloha High School’s journalism program. He sent bi-weekly reports to the Aloha Business Association, implemented new ways to maintain and strengthen our crucial relationship with the community, and reached out to individuals and businesses for speakers and presenters who could help enhance the team’s experience as developing journalists and as members of their community.

He has been rigorously trained and certified in Leadership Skills, Goal Setting, Time Management, Project Development, both child and adult First Aid/CPR/AED through the American Red Cross, Food Handling through the State of Oregon and Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association, Prescription Drug Safety, and Alcohol Education. Mak has done public speaking engagements for non-profits, governmental bodies, legislative/policy advocacy, schools, and fundraising events.

By now, you must be seeing that Mak has accomplished a lot for his age and has selflessly served his community in so many ways. He possesses the qualities and experience to prove that he is devoted to being a difference-maker whose passion rests with serving the people which he has helped, is helping, and will help in the future. This is who he is, and he won’t let any voice be unheard.

Extensive Service, Proven Leadership, Effective Activism, Relentless Effort. 

This is Mak Beatty, and he is the difference-maker that the workforce has been looking for.