| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | MEDIA CONTACT: Andrew Wilinski, Director of Development 703-451-8881 | awilinski@braininjurysvcs.org |
NATIONAL DISABILITY LEADER DONNA MELTZER TO TAKE REINS OF
BRAIN INJURY NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
New CEO Will Help Strengthen Important Free Services for
Northern Virginians Coping with Concussion & Acquired Brain Injury
Fairfax, VA (January 2, 2024) – In an effort to strengthen its impact across the region and nationally, Brain Injury Services, the foremost nonprofit resource in Northern Virginia for people coping with brain injury, has named national disability leader Donna A. Meltzer as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Meltzer brings to Brain Injury Services a wealth of experience and expertise in disability and nonprofit management, community engagement, and organizational development. She has held leadership positions for over three decades, including the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, The Epilepsy Foundation and the Association of University Centers on Disabilities. Her work to create inclusive opportunities for people with disabilities to live their best lives also includes serving on the national boards of Access Ready and RespectAbility.
“To have a nationally prominent disability rights leader take the helm of our regional organization is game-changing,” said Erin O. Mattingly, Brain Injury Services Board Chair. “Adding a CEO of Donna’s caliber, vision, and expertise will not only help expand our innovative and free programming to the tens of thousands of people around Northern Virginia who need support on their injury recovery journeys but also help strengthen our model programs and share our voice on brain injury issues nationally.”
“Brain injury has been a hugely overlooked disability, and this organization has been a hidden gem, Meltzer said “I’m looking forward to helping BIS grow and serve the tens of thousands of people, families, employers, and educators in this region who all must cope with the emotional, physical and economic impacts of concussion and other more acute brain injuries in their homes, schools and workplaces.”
Brain Injury Services empowers adults, teens, and children impacted by brain injury, supporting individuals and their caregiver families recovering from acquired brain injury and traumatic brain injury. Its free programs include case management, the Adapt Clubhouse for adults, ComPASS (Community Participation And Skill-building Services) to guide clients in regaining abilities and developing practical skills for everyday living, and veterans support with case managers trained in military culture. The nonprofit also offers information and guidance through its Brain Injury Awareness Project podcast series featuring national experts. For more on the support Brain Injury Services provides or to learn about ways to support its programs, visit www.braininjurysvcs.org.
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