Rolling Start, Inc., a prominent and long-standing nonprofit Center for Independent Living (CIL) dedicated to serving individuals with disabilities, has officially launched a nationwide executive search for its next leader. The organization is seeking a passionate, visionary, and strategic Executive Director to steer its operations, expand its community reach, and uphold a nearly five-decade legacy of disability rights advocacy, empowerment, and direct support across California’s Inland Empire.
The search comes as Rolling Start prepares for its next era of growth and impact. While applications will continue to be evaluated on a rolling basis until the position is successfully filled, interested and qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their materials by August 31, 2026.
A Rich Grassroots History Rooted in the Disability Community
Incorporated in October 1977, Rolling Start was founded by two individuals with spinal cord disabilities, Nick Hambrick and David Ritter. What began as a humble grassroots advocacy organization driven largely by volunteers with disabilities has transformed over the past fifty years into a powerful institutional pillar for the disability community. From its earliest days, Rolling Start established itself as an uncompromising voice for accessibility, inclusion, and systemic change.
The organization’s historical impact is woven into the civic fabric of the region. Rolling Start’s early advocacy efforts directly contributed to vital community improvements, including the installation of blue curbs in downtown San Bernardino to ensure accessible parking and the implementation of wheelchair lifts on local public transit buses. These milestones helped pave the way for greater mobility and independence for residents with disabilities long before the widespread enforcement of modern accessibility legislation.
Today, Rolling Start operates as a vital resource hub, serving approximately 1,500 consumers annually. Its expansive service region covers more than 33,000 square miles across San Bernardino, Inyo, and Mono Counties. Operating in such a vast geographic area requires robust coordination, community engagement, and a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by individuals living with disabilities in both urban centers and remote rural environments.
True to its foundational philosophy, Rolling Start delivers a comprehensive suite of core independent living services designed to foster self-determination. The organization believes firmly in the transformative power of advocacy, independence, and opportunity. Over the years, its impactful work and steadfast leadership have earned Rolling Start numerous recognitions and awards from local government entities and community leaders alike.
The Opportunity: Leading the Next Era of Independent Living
The incoming Executive Director will step into a rare and exciting leadership role within California’s nonprofit sector. Inheriting an organization with a proud history of grassroots advocacy, direct services, and community leadership, the new director will find Rolling Start exceptionally well-positioned for future growth.
The successful candidate will play a critical role in strengthening organizational capacity, forging new community partnerships, and ensuring that Rolling Start remains a formidable and vocal champion for disability rights. The Board of Directors and staff are looking for a visionary strategist who brings exceptional management acumen, outstanding communication skills, and an authentic, unwavering commitment to the Independent Living philosophy.
Furthermore, the organizational culture places a high value on specific personal and professional traits. The ideal candidate will be self-aware, deeply committed to disability and social justice, highly collaborative, transparent, and genuinely compassionate. They must be equally dedicated to empowering the consumers who rely on Rolling Start’s programs and supporting the dedicated staff who deliver them day in and day out.
Position Summary and Key Responsibilities
Operating as the chief executive of Rolling Start, the Executive Director holds ultimate responsibility for guiding the organization in strict alignment with its core mission, strategic priorities, and the Independent Living philosophy. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the executive provides comprehensive leadership across all facets of nonprofit administration, including advocacy initiatives, program development, rigorous fiscal oversight, staff supervision, fundraising, and external relations.
In this high-profile capacity, the Executive Director acts as an inspiring ambassador for Rolling Start. The role requires building and nurturing strong relationships across diverse communities, serving as a trusted partner and collaborator with government agencies, funding organizations, community stakeholders, and, most importantly, the consumers the organization serves.
The day-to-day responsibilities span a wide array of administrative and strategic duties. The executive must ensure the financial health and sustainability of the organization through effective resource development and grant management. They are also tasked with mentoring and leading a dedicated team of professionals, ensuring that all programs remain responsive to the evolving needs of the disability community across the three-county service region.
Qualifications and Ideal Personal Characteristics
To meet the demands of this critical leadership role, candidates must possess a strong professional background in nonprofit management, disability advocacy, or related human services fields. While specific educational and experiential requirements guide the search, the search committee places equal emphasis on lived experience, leadership style, and cultural alignment with the disability community.
The ideal Executive Director embodies a unique blend of operational expertise and empathetic leadership. They must demonstrate a proven track record in strategic planning, financial oversight, and stakeholder engagement. Crucially, candidates must possess a profound personal or professional connection to the Independent Living movement, demonstrating a clear understanding of the systemic barriers faced by individuals with disabilities and a relentless drive to dismantle them.
Location, Compensation, and Working Environment
This is a full-time, in-office position based primarily at Rolling Start’s main office in San Bernardino. To ensure a smooth transition and deep familiarity with the organization’s regional footprint, the incoming Executive Director will be expected to conduct weekly visits to the Victorville office during the first three months of employment.
Because Rolling Start serves an expansive territory covering approximately 33,000 square miles across San Bernardino, Inyo, and Mono Counties, the executive must be capable of traveling throughout the service area as needed to engage directly with local communities, partner agencies, and consumers. On-site leadership and day-to-day operational visibility are vital components of the role.
To attract top-tier leadership talent, Rolling Start offers a competitive compensation package. The annual salary range for the Executive Director position is $90,000 to $100,000, commensurate with the selected candidate’s experience and qualifications. In addition to a generous paid time off policy, the organization provides an excellent benefits package designed to support the well-being of its leadership team.
Application Process and Equal Opportunity Commitment
Rolling Start has retained Bender Consulting Services, Inc., a certified woman-with-a-disability-owned business enterprise specializing in executive search, to manage the recruitment process.
While applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled, serious candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their application materials on or before August 31, 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received. Interested applicants must submit a comprehensive resume along with a thoughtful cover letter detailing how their specific skills, professional experience, and personal characteristics align with the requirements outlined in the job description.
Application materials, along with any requests for accommodations during the hiring process, should be emailed directly to Christine Griffin at [email protected]. Applicants are requested to include "Rolling Start Executive Director Search" in the email subject line, as well as a brief note indicating how they learned about the search opportunity.
Rolling Start, Inc. maintains an unwavering commitment to creating an inclusive, welcoming, and accessible workplace. The organization actively encourages applications from qualified individuals with disabilities, as well as candidates from diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, and lived-experience backgrounds.
As an equal opportunity employer, Rolling Start strictly prohibits discrimination of any kind. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Furthermore, Rolling Start remains fully dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities throughout the recruitment process and during their tenure with the organization.
