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.

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.

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.

·        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.

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

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

·        Serve as Rolling Start’