The Washington Developmental Disabilities Council is very pleased to announce that Jeremy Norden-Paul will be assuming the position of Executive Director for the Council, effective July 1, 2019. Jeremy brings experience working in and with a broad range of service systems that address the rights and needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. He has a demonstrated passion for assuring that people with developmental disabilities are supported and living the lives they want to live.

Jeremy began his career as a special education teacher, working with students with disabilities in kindergarten through third grade. He also brought his fluency in Spanish to this and future positions, helping to facilitate communication and create inclusive environments for children and adults with developmental disabilities, and their families.

After working for several years here in Washington State, Jeremy relocated to Tennessee with his wife in order for her to attend graduate school and obtain a Master’s Degree. They have looked forward ever since to returning to Washington, and are thrilled to be, in his words, “returning home.”

While in Tennessee, Jeremy served most recently as the State Director of Employment and Day Services for the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. In that role, he and his staff partnered with provider agencies, protection and advocacy organizations, other state departments, and federal agencies. He led the governor-appointed Employment First Task Force and served as state lead for the federal Department of Labor’s Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program. Jeremy has also been an active member of the Tennessee Developmental Disabilities Council, and brought his expertise and experience to building coalitions with other state agencies on addressing housing, transportation, and other issues critical to persons with developmental disabilities.

Jeremy has a Master’s Degree in Education, with an ESL endorsement, as well as State and National certificates in Employment Services for Persons with Disabilities and Non-Profit Management. He has strong leadership experience at the local and state level, and his work experience has cultivated a strong commitment and passion for systems change and building capacity and collaboration across communities and public and private agencies.

We look forward to welcoming Jeremy to the Developmental Disabilities Council. We are confident that his enthusiasm and strong commitment to inclusive and collaborative work will further the Council’s efforts to assure that all persons with developmental disabilities have the opportunity and support to live their lives with dignity, health, independence and self-determination.