LaVada “Sam” Bush was born in Livermore, California. She has lived and worked in Alaska since 1980 and loves this state and the wonders in it. Sam is a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, and loves all of those roles. She is also an avid advocate for the
individuals with special needs and their families.
Sam sits on several boards across the state, and has for a number of years. She is also an active volunteer and works at the Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living. Previously, Sam has been a volunteer education surrogate for the school district and has conducted trainings for new surrogates in addition to professional trainings in the areas of advocacy, negotiation skills, and navigating for individuals with disabilities.
Sam is passionate about advocacy and can become quite frustrated with inequities and a lack of compassion and understanding. She believes that there needs to be a balance in all things including the care and services for those who experience a disability. “It is our job to see that they continue to have those services available to them.”
Sam has served on the Board of Directors in various roles since 1987.