The National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities Staff and Faculty
The National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities is a project of The University of Delaware’s College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy, through the Center For Disabilities Studies, the Department of Individual and Family Studies, and the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy.
The National Leadership Consortium is co-directed by Steven Eidelman and Nancy Weiss
Steven M. Eidelman, MBA, MSW is the University of Delaware’s first Robert Edelsohn Chair in Disabilities Studies. He holds joint faculty appointments in the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy and the Department of Individual and Family Studies and is a Senior Fellow in the Center for Disabilities Studies. Mr. Eidelman is the former Executive Director of the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation, leading the organization to implement innovative projects, programs and cutting-edge policies. Prior to his appointment with the University of Delaware, Mr. Eidelman was the Executive Director of The Arc of the United States, an advocacy group for people with cognitive disabilities and their families, which has more than 900 state and local chapters and 100,000 members. Mr. Eidelman also served as Deputy Secretary for Mental Retardation in the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. (Contact Steven M. Eidelman at sme@udel.edu)
Nancy R. Weiss, MSW has worked in the disabilities field for over thirty years. Prior to her affiliation with the University of Delaware, she was the Executive Director of TASH, an international advocacy association committed to full inclusion for people with disabilities. Ms. Weiss also served as an adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins University and was the Director of Community Services for the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore. Ms. Weiss is the former Executive Director of Community Systems, Inc., an agency providing progressive supports for adults with disabilities in Delaware. Ms. Weiss advocates for person-centered, ethical, and humane supports; she has written and spoken extensively on these topics. (Contact Nancy Weiss at nweiss@udel.edu)
The faculty of The National Leadership Consortium’s Leadership Institutes includes nationally-known experts in disability services and public policy. They include:
Derrick F. Dufresne is the President of Community Resource Associates, a training and management consulting firm dedicated to promoting full community citizenship for people with disabilities. Derrick has worked in a variety of leadership positions since 1974. He is deeply committed to assisting providers, advocates, state officials and others in the implementation of the principles of full citizenship for all persons with disabilities into the mainstream of community life.
Michael Gamel-McCormick, Ph.D. is the Director of the Center for Disabilities Studies, and Professor of early childhood special education at the University of Delaware. Dr. Gamel-McCormick was a preschool teacher for 15 years for children with and without disabilities, the director of an early intervention program for children with disabilities and their families, and the director of children’s services at a large inner-city social services agency.
James Gardner is the President and CEO of The Council on Quality and Leadership in Supports for People with Disabilities. From 1977 to 1986 he served as Director of Community Programs and then as Vice President for Community Program Development at the Kennedy Institute at The Johns Hopkins University.
K. Charlie Lakin is the Director of the Research and Training Center on Community Living at the University of Minnesota. He has more than 30 years experience in services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as a teacher, researcher, consultant and advocate.
Julie Petty, Chair is an accomplished self-advocate from Arkansas and is currently the Chair of SABE (Self Advocates Becoming Empowered). She is a leader in the self-advocacy movement in Arkansas and nationally. In 1998, she established Arkansas People First and has helped it grow statewide. Julie joined the staff at HSRI (Human Services Research Institute) in April of 2007 where she will work on self advocacy projects and be Chief Editor of the Riot, an online newsletter for self advocates.
Renee Pietrangelo is CEO of the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCHOR). Her contributions include the creation of the ANCHOR Foundation, a nonprofit education and research organization, and a National Advocacy Campaign to address the critical issues of staffing shortages and inadequate reimbursement for the supports and services providers offer. Her contributions include the creation of the ANCOR Foundation, a nonprofit education and research organization, and a National Advocacy Campaign to address the critical issues of staffing shortages and inadequate reimbursement for the supports and services providers offer.
Timothy Quinn has been the Executive Director of The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region since 1990. During this time the agency has moved from facility based services to support services; accomplishments include the closing of an activity center, workshop and all group homes. He is a frequent presenter at state and national seminars and is known for his humor and hyperactivity.
Patti Scott co-founded Neighbours, Inc. in 1995. Neighbours, Inc. is an innovative agency that affords people with disabilities the opportunity to take control of their own lives; to be self-directing. Patti believes that these individualized supports are essential to lay the foundation for a meaningful life as a citizen, neighbor, and community member. She is currently Chief Executive Officer of Neighbours, which is supporting individuals and families throughout NJ and southeastern Pennsylvania. 
Michael Smull is the Chair of The Learning Community for Person Centered Practices (TLC-PCP), and Director of Support Development Associates. Mr. Smull has been working with people with disabilities for the past 33 years, and has written and trained extensively in the provision of person-centered supports and self determination.
Lynne Seagle leads Hope House Foundation an organization that supports people with disabilities in their own homes. She is experienced in fundraising, community development and partnership. Ms. Seagle provides consultation and training on progressive service delivery and participatory management throughout the United States and internationally.
Sue Swenson began working in this field when her middle son Charlie was diagnosed with a disability 25 years ago. Ms. Swenson was a Kennedy Fellow in the US Senate and served as US commissioner for developmental disabilities, executive director of the Kennedy Foundation, and CEO of The Arc US. She is currently working to bring better technology to human services management
Nancy Thaler Served as Pennsylvania’s Deputy Secretary for Mental Retardation and is currently the CEO of The National Association of State Director of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDS).
Elizabeth Vasquez has over 25 years experience as a management consultant for not-for-profit organizations, government agencies, and for profit companies in the US and internationally.
Nancy Ward is the Information Coordinator for the Medicaid Reference Desk. The website allows people to learn about their states’ Medicaid system via the internet. Ms. Ward is a tireless advocate for people with disabilities, who has many causes and works with numerous organizations that allow people with disabilities to expand their rights and freedoms by becoming an active participant in their community.