Community Connections, Inc. (CCI), has named disability advocacy leader Katie Driscoll as President & CEO. She brings over two decades of leadership experience in disability services and a dedication to fostering inclusion and building stronger, more connected communities for individuals with developmental and physical disabilities.
Throughout her career, Driscoll has been recognized within the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services and the provider community for her dedication to quality, excellence in leadership, strategic vision, and passion for advancing community services by bridging gaps between disability services and broader societal frameworks.
As CEO, she will lead Community Connections to even greater levels of service and visibility in providing life-enriching services promoting independence for people with disabilities and will draw on her deep networks in areas where Community Connections has a significant impact, including Fall River, the Southcoast and Cape Cod communities.
“We are excited to have Katie bring her leadership abilities and deep program knowledge, her compassion and her optimism to Community Connections. After having completed an extensive national search, the Board of Directors felt Katie was the most qualified and best cultural fit for leading and growing CCI into the future,” comments Jim Lopes, Board Chair at Community Connections
Most recently, Driscoll has served as Director of Widening the Circle: Pathways to Friendship, a collaborative statewide initiative of The Arc of Massachusetts that promotes inclusion by creating opportunities for personal relationships and community engagement for people with disabilities across Massachusetts. In this role, she has provided strategic consultation, education, and leadership, working collaboratively with individuals receiving services, their families, support staff, and community members to enhance the quality of life for all.
In addition, she has served as Director of Special Projects and Strategic Initiatives at BAMSI, which creates equal opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities and mental and behavioral health challenges. For over 15 years, she has held various leadership roles dedicated to driving innovative programs in BAMSI’s Community Living and Day Services division. With expertise in person-centered planning, social inclusion strategies, and leadership development, she has become a recognized advocate for breaking down barriers and fostering meaningful connections that promote social inclusion.
Driscoll comments: “I am deeply honored by the trust the Board of Directors has placed in me as the new CEO of Community Connection. It is a true privilege to lead such a highly regarded organization, known for its dedicated staff and unwavering commitment to supporting people with disabilities in leading full, meaningful lives within their communities.”
Driscoll is deeply engaged in community advocacy and actively serves on multiple Department of Developmental Services Advisory Councils, including the Quality Council and Human Rights Advisory Council.
She holds a Master of Public Administration from Suffolk University and a Bachelor of Arts from Plymouth State University and is a member of the Pi Alpha Alpha International Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration.
Katie’s leadership and vision align with core values of Community Connections: inclusion, respect, safety, person-centered care, stewardship, integrity, and heart. She is deeply committed to ensuring that every person served feels supported and that every family knows the agency is here to help their loved ones thrive.
Katie resides in Fall River where she and her husband are raising two school-aged children. The family stays busy with their many activities and particularly enjoy being outdoors with their rescue pup. Katie has a background in art and finds joy and balance in creative expression.
She will assume her responsibilities as President & CEO of Community Connections on January 27, 2025.
About Kittleman & Associates
Community Connections, Inc. engaged Kittleman & Associates to conduct a search for its President & CEO. Kittleman & Associates is a national executive search firm that specializes in the recruitment of CEOs for nonprofit organizations. It recruits leaders for the entire nonprofit sector including human services and social justice, disability advocacy, behavioral health, and philanthropy. For more information, visit https://www.kittlemansearch.com/
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