Roy Gerstenberger

Background

About Roy Gerstenberger

As a leader in the field of developmental services I have dedicated my professional life to advancing the management and policy excellence in systems that support whole communities. My goal is to foster effective collaborations between all stakeholders that hold a shared vision of inclusion and to add value to the vital work of direct support staff, partners and friends of people who experience disability. I have learned that the core elements of a successful human service venture is to begin with a person-centered design, a focus on discovering and appreciating the gifts that exist in all people and a curiosity in discovering the capacities of our communities to support all of its members. Over the past 35 years my work has included direct care in institutional environments of the late 1970's, management of community residences in the early years of community service development, and roles in case coordination and program development. My greatest teachers have been people who experience disabilities, their families and the early pioneers of the principles of community inclusion. My work has also been informed by the training that I experienced through the participation in The Learning Community for Person Centered Practices, the summer institute at the Gamaliel Foundation for community organizing, the Executive Education program at the Harvard Business School and the Vermont Medicaid Academy.