Ceylane Meyers-Ruff 

Senior Deputy Commissioner for Education Policy at the New York State Education Department

“I don’t just believe in inclusion, I believe very strongly that everyone has abilities, gifts and talents that, when shared, can benefit everyone in society. Special Olympics creates opportunities for differently-abled athletes to show the world that they are just like everyone else and that they have something to contribute.”

Ceylane Meyers-Ruff has over 30 years of management, leadership development, advocacy and legislative experience.  She is currently Senior Deputy Commissioner for Education Policy at the New York State Education Department. In this role, Ceylane oversees the Office of P-12 Education and the Office of Higher Education. Within this position Ceylane serves as a member of the Commissioner’s Leadership Team and provides guidance, analysis, and direction in achieving the strategic goals of the State Education Department.

Prior to working for the State Education Department, Ceylane worked at the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) where she worked in numerous legislative and programmatic capacities to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Ceylane worked at the New York State Assembly as a legislative analyst for the Ways and Means Committee and Program & Counsel.   Ceylane’s legislative experiences led to her community organizing, leadership development and advocacy work for Citizen Action of New York.

Ceylane is currently using her experiences and passion to improve the lives of others as Chair of the Board of Special Olympics of New York.

Ceylane received her Master of Arts Degree from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy and her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Utica College of Syracuse University.