FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2023
DREDF Initiates Search for New Executive Director
BERKELEY, CA – Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) announced today that its long-serving Executive Director, Susan Henderson, will retire once a successor has been brought on. DREDF, a leading national civil rights law and policy center directed by people with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities, makes this announcement while it is initiating a search to identify a new leader.
Susan Henderson is a seasoned leader in the disability advocacy field, possessing a remarkable knack for nurturing organizational development. With a deep passion for advocating for disability rights, she has held the position of Executive Director at DREDF since 2008. For a quarter century, Susan has led, supported, strengthened, and envisioned the future for DREDF. She has repeatedly and reliably sustained existing and new areas of work and funding for DREDF to better serve the disability community and elevate DREDF’s work and vision.
“It’s been an incredible journey being at DREDF through nearly 26 years of growth and change,” said Susan Henderson. “During this time, our board members, attorneys, education advocates, policy analysts, development, communications, and administrative staff and volunteers have continued their advocacy and activism to assist disabled people and the parents of children with disabilities to understand and use their rights. I’m deeply thankful to have been a part of these crucial efforts over the last 26 years.”
Susan’s visionary leadership extends to her involvement in the creation of the Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley, CA. The Ed Roberts Campus combines functional accessibility with structural beauty and stands as both a symbol of the disability rights movement and a hub for organizations dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities. Susan’s contributions to the realization of this landmark space underscore her unwavering commitment to building a more accessible and inclusive world for all.
“As I step away from my role as Executive Director, I know that DREDF will keep thriving and making a profound impact on the lives of the people we serve. Our team’s dedication, along with the incredible support from our partners and the larger disability rights community, puts the organization in a strong position for even greater accomplishments in the future. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together and excited to see what the future holds for DREDF,” said Susan.
“Susan Henderson has tirelessly dedicated herself to advancing DREDF’s mission for the last 26 years and has played a pivotal role in shaping DREDF into the dynamic organization it is today. Susan has made extraordinary contributions to the disability movement while working mostly behind the scenes and encouraging others to take the limelight,” stated DREDF Board President H. Stephen Kaye. “Her unwavering commitment, demonstrated through years of growth during both public policy and organizational challenges, has positioned DREDF for continued success. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for her years of dedicated service and wish her the best in the next phase of her life.”
DREDF has formed a search committee to oversee the process of hiring a new Executive Director and has retained executive search firm Vetted Solutions to coordinate the search. The search will begin in early January 2024. The job description will be posted on the DREDF website and the Vetted Solutions website with instructions regarding the application process. DREDF’s goal is to have a new Executive Director identified by April 30, 2024.
“We are committed to continuing the important work of DREDF and look forward to welcoming a new Executive Director who will harness the legacy left by Susan Henderson, taking our organization to new heights,” said Stephen Kaye.
Media Contact:
Tina Pinedo, DREDF Communications Director, media@dredf.org, 510-225-7726
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About Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) is a leading national civil rights law and policy center directed by individuals with disabilities and parents who have children with disabilities. Founded in 1979, DREDF works to advance the civil and human rights of people with disabilities through legal advocacy, training, education, and public policy and legislative development. Learn more at dredf.org.