AbilityFirst Announces New CEO Sergio Rizzo-Fontanesi – Pasadena Now

AbilityFirst™ announced Dr. Sergio Rizzo-Fontanesi as its next President and CEO, effective June 3.

The organization said Rizzo-Fontanesi will build on the lasting impact of her predecessor, advancing the organization’s vision, mission and legacy of fostering an inclusive community that focuses on a people-centered approach the person and ensures that all participants reach their full potential.

“From our first conversation with Sergio, the board was impressed by his deep empathy, strategic thinking and deep understanding of our values. I immediately knew he was the person we needed to hire as CEO,” said Kathryn Sanders Platnick, chair of the AbilityFirst board of directors.

“As a 98-year-old organization, it is important that we recruit someone to lead who can honor our heritage while continuing to innovate and take AbilityFirst to the next level, so we can have an even greater impact on the population we serve. . I have no doubt that Sergio is the right person for this task.

Following a national search conducted by Envision Consulting that attracted more than 300 highly qualified candidates, Rizzo-Fontanesi emerged as the ideal candidate. Having worked as a licensed clinical social worker, researcher, and executive in the nonprofit sector, Rizzo-Fontanesi has innovative perspectives, broad knowledge, and strong management experience. He has expertise in program design, planning and evaluation, having analyzed the effectiveness of numerous community organizations’ programs.

Formerly executive director and CEO of Beit T’Shuvah in Los Angeles, Rizzo-Fontanesi has worked at the intersections of substance abuse and mental health treatment, reentry services and supportive housing, and education and workforce development.

“As a people-centered organization, AbilityFirst puts the needs of its members first. It’s this guiding philosophy that connects everyone in the organization,” Rizzo-Fontanesi said, explaining why the mission is close to her heart.

Although Rizzo-Fontanesi does not have anyone in his immediate family with an intellectual disability, he shared that when his sister was 13, she suffered an incomplete spinal cord injury and corresponding paralysis.

“Although she eventually regained considerable mobility, through this experience I was able to see first-hand how disability affects not only the individual but also the family unit. People with disabilities are often seen for their disability and invisible for their gifts and potential,” he continued.

“I am excited to lead and be part of an organization whose focus is on capability and opportunity, and I am committed to tackling the stigma and barriers that prevent people with disabilities from achieving their full potential .

Founded in 1926 to serve children with polio, AbilityFirst continues to evolve to meet the needs of people with developmental disabilities.

“AbilityFirst was built on the philosophy of possibility and that resonates with all of us,” said Rizzo-Fontanesi. “We all want to achieve what is possible and reach our full potential. This is what we aspire to for ourselves, for our children and for the future of the world. This is the fundamental core of AbilityFirst’s programs and services.

Rizzo-Fontanesi holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from San Francisco State University. He also holds a doctorate and a master’s degree in social welfare from the Luskin School of Public Affairs at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Working with key stakeholders, Rizzo-Fontanesi said he plans to develop a strategic plan for the organization dedicated to empowering people with disabilities. Guiding the next five to ten years, the strategic plan will define what success looks like, measure program effectiveness, improve the program’s adaptability to meet the current needs of its diverse participants, and secure additional funding streams while strengthening the reputation of the brand.

Ensuring a stable and seamless transition, Rizzo-Fontanesi is committed to honoring AbilityFirst’s legacy while guiding the organization into a future with new perspectives, new opportunities and measured growth. There will be leadership overlap with interim CEO Julie Tugend to ensure a successful transition.

To learn more about AbilityFirst, visit capacitypremier.org.