*Please download the Position Profile (to the right) to read the full version.
The Arc of Lehigh & Northampton Counties, Chief Executive Officer, Bethlehem, PA
About The Arc of Lehigh & Northampton Counties
Lehigh and Northampton counties are part of a diverse, prosperous, and growing region in eastern Pennsylvania close to Philadelphia and New York City. An appealing blend of urban, suburban, and rural spaces, the counties make up the third most populous region of Pennsylvania, with outstanding school systems, 11 colleges and universities, large, and well-regarded healthcare networks, plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities, and exceptional arts, entertainment, and historical assets.
The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton Counties (The Arc) was started in 1967 by Parke and Helen Speary and a group of concerned families who sought new opportunities for their children to lead fulfilling, engaged, inclusive lives. At that time, little was known about people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and there was virtually no support or programs to serve people with IDD and their families in their communities.
Like every parent, our founding families wanted more for their children. Instead of shuttering their loved ones away in an institution, as was the standard recommendation by doctors in the mid-1900s, the Spearys and The Arc’s founding families were determined to advocate for their children and help them achieve their life’s goals as fully included members of their communities. What began as a handful of families coming together to support their children and others quickly evolved into something much bigger – a powerful movement.
These founding families were resolutely focused on helping their children continue to learn and grow. In time, more and more families and people joined hands with the Spearys and the other founders to act as a voice for change. In that spirit, The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton Counties was born!
Today, The Arc continues to operate with the same individual and family-focused values that formed its humble beginnings. It is important for people with IDD and their families to have the necessary supports, guidance, and resources to help them live their fullest life. That’s why we’re here… to help individuals with IDD and their families thrive!
For more information on The Arc, please visit The Arc’s website.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Arc will bring demonstrated organizational leadership and a deep commitment to serving individuals and families in Lehigh and Northampton counties, focusing on inclusion, opportunity, and equity for people with IDD through advocacy, education, and support.
As The Arc looks to the future, it is seeking a CEO who will provide strategic thought leadership around future areas of growth and is excited to lead the organization with a solid foundation toward new possibilities.
The ideal candidate will be a proven and respected leader and outstanding communicator whose skills will inspire continued growth, stakeholder engagement, fundraising, and community engagement. Internally, the CEO will attract, motivate, and retain a top-notch staff, work closely with the executive team, and maintain excellence in the content and delivery of The Arc’s programming and services, ensuring that it continues to adapt and innovate to best meet the needs of the community it serves.
They will be an effective motivator and support a positive and productive internal culture, as well as be a trusted leader externally and a fixture of the local community as well with The Arc network statewide and nationally.
Contact
Liz Lombard and Angie Sessoms of Koya Partners have been exclusively retained for this search. To express your interest in this role please submit your materials via the Talent Profile or to Angie directly at [email protected]. All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.
Koya Partners is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
About Koya Partners
Koya Partners, a part of Diversified Search Group, is a leading executive search and strategic advising firm dedicated to connecting exceptionally talented people with mission-driven clients. Our founding philosophy—The Right Person in the Right Place Can Change the World—guides our work as we partner with nonprofits & NGOs, institutions of higher education, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.
At Koya, we don’t just accept difference—we celebrate it, support it, and thrive on it for the benefit of our team, our clients, and the communities we serve.
For more information about Koya Partners, visit koyapartners.com.