Executive Director

Rolling Start, Inc. is a nonprofit Center for Independent Living (CIL) that has served people with disabilities for nearly five decades. Incorporated in October 1977, Rolling Start was founded by two individuals with spinal cord disabilities, Nick Hambrick and David Ritter, and began as a grassroots advocacy organization led largely by volunteers with disabilities. From its earliest days, Rolling Start has been a strong voice for disability access and inclusion, helping achieve important community improvements such as the installation of blue curbs in downtown San Bernardino and wheelchair lifts on local public transit buses. Rolling Start’s mission is to empower and educate people with disabilities to achieve the independent life of their choice. Today, Rolling Start serves approximately 1,500 consumers annually across an expansive service region of more than 33,000 square miles, covering San Bernardino, Inyo, and Mono Counties.

Rolling Start delivers core independent living services including:

• Independent Living Skills Training

• Information and Referral

• Individual and Systems Advocacy

• Peer Support

• Transition Services

• Assistive Technology Services

• Employment Support and Job Club

• Housing Assistance and Referrals

• Personal Assistant Referrals and Training

• Transportation Advocacy and Support

Rolling Start believes in the power of advocacy, independence, and opportunity—and has earned recognition and awards from government and community leaders for its impact and leadership.

The Opportunity

This is a rare and exciting opportunity for a proven disability rights and nonprofit leader to become the next Executive Director of Rolling Start, Inc.—a respected, mission-driven Center for Independent Living with deep roots in California’s disability community.

The next Executive Director will inherit an organization with a proud history of advocacy, direct services, and community leadership. Rolling Start is well-positioned for its next era of growth and impact, and the new Executive Director will play a critical role in strengthening organizational capacity, expanding community partnerships, and ensuring Rolling Start continues to be a powerful voice for disability rights and independent living. The successful candidate will be a visionary and strategic leader who brings strong management skills, excellent communication ability, and a deep commitment to the Independent Living philosophy. Rolling Start’s Board and staff place a high value on a leader who is self-aware, committed to disability and social justice, collaborative, transparent, open to shared learning, genuinely compassionate. and dedicated to empowering both consumers and staff.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director serves as Rolling Start’s chief executive and is responsible for leading the organization in alignment with its mission, strategic priorities, and Independent Living philosophy. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will provide leadership across all aspects of the organization including advocacy, program development, fiscal oversight, staff supervision, fundraising, and external relations. The Executive Director must be an inspiring ambassador for Rolling Start, building relationships across diverse communities and serving as a trusted leader with government agencies, funders, partners, consumers, and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

The Executive Director will:

• Provide visionary and strategic leadership to advance Rolling Start’s mission and Independent Living philosophy.

• Partner closely with the Board of Directors to develop and implement organizational goals and long-term strategy.

• Oversee all Rolling Start programs and ensure high-quality, consumer-driven service delivery across the service region.

• Lead, supervise, and support staff while fostering a positive, inclusive, and accountable workplace culture.

• Serve as Rolling Start’s chief spokesperson and a visible leader in the disability rights and independent living community.

• Build and strengthen partnerships with community organizations, government agencies, funders, and key stakeholders.

• Lead systems advocacy efforts and represent Rolling Start in public policy and community forums.

• Ensure strong fiscal management, operational effectiveness, and organizational compliance.

• Support fundraising, grant development, and donor engagement to strengthen financial sustainability.

• Promote Rolling Start’s public presence through effective communication, outreach, and community engagement.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

The ideal candidate MUST have strong management and disability rights leadership experience and bring strong leadership experience and a commitment to disability justice and independent living.

1. A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.

2. Nonprofit management experience of 5-7 years is necessary, preferably in a disability rights or independent living setting.

3. Knowledge of the civil rights movement for people with disabilities, including current trends and issues, and federal civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability. Systemic advocacy experience is preferred.

4. Experience working with non-profit volunteer board.

5. Documented experience in employee supervision including a successful track record of recruiting and retaining a diverse team.

6. Strong budgeting, financial oversight, and operational management skills.

7. Lived experience with disability and deep connection to the disability community is strongly valued.

8. Demonstrated fundraising and/or grant development experience

9. Excellent coalition-building skills.

10. Excellent organizational development skills.

11. Superior communication skills, including written communication.

12. Exceptional presentation skills.

13. Strong analytic skills.

14. Ability to influence others and educate policy makers.

15. Ability to travel within the state and nationally.

Personal Characteristics

The ideal Executive Director will be:

• A mission-driven leader committed to disability rights and full inclusion

• A strategic thinker with strong organizational judgment

• An empathetic and approachable leader who listens well

• A strong communicator and relationship-builder

• A collaborative partner who leads with integrity and transparency

• A leader who values staff development and supports a healthy workplace culture

• Passionate about empowering people with disabilities to advocate for their needs and achieve independence