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Disability Network West Michigan hires Will Wilson as new CEO

Muskegon, MI, November 9, 2023 — Disability Network West Michigan (DNWM) hires Will Wilson as its new Chief Executive Officer.  In February 2023, Wilson most recently served as Deputy Director and Interim CEO, replacing Diane Fleser, who stepped down from her position after 5 years. Wilson has been with DNWM for 14 years.  

In his new role, Wilson will manage the day-to-day operations of DNWM which employs 16 and provides independent living resources for people with disabilities in a five-county area. He will have oversight of strategic planning, employment, finance, grants, partnerships, and related administrative duties. Under Will’s leadership, the organization recently completed strategic planning and development of a new mission statement that better reflects the future vision of the organization. 

Wilson will oversee and implement the organization’s strategy on behalf of the board of directors, ensuring that DNWM grows the service area, and continues to work to diversify the staff and board to represent better the communities that are served. “I am blessed to lead the efforts of DNWM’s mission by building and elevating our presence and services in all our communities. Being a native of West Michigan, I’m honored to work with and serve the communities in which I come from,” said Wilson. 

Lynne G. Bosma, President of the DNWM board, said Wilson is “the perfect fit to launch DNWM into the next chapter of advancing the rights of people with disabilities in the DNWM service area. Wilson is rooted in the Muskegon community and has a proven track record of building programs, securing funding, and supporting DNWM staff. We are excited to see the organization grow under his leadership.” 

Wilson’s Background 

Wilson brings 20 years of non-profit experience to his role, including serving 4.5 years with the US Air Force, in Security and Intelligence roles which featured two deployments to Saudi Arabia and Oman. 

Wilson has been with DNWM for over 14 years, most recently serving as Interim CEO for 8 months and before that the Deputy Director for 10 years. During his tenure with DNWM, he developed the robust and popular Veteran Peer Support Group and Veteran Appreciation Dinner. He is also the creator of SWAT (Simple Ways to Avoid Trouble) an anger management curriculum frequently used by Muskegon Co. Juvenile Court and local school districts. 

Wilson is an active volunteer and serves on a wide range of state and local boards and advisory councils and committees, including the Trinity Health Recipient Rights Advisory Committee, Men of Color Read, United Way of the Lakeshore, Disability Network Michigan, and more. 

Wilson is a proud graduate of Muskegon High School. He also holds a BA in Criminal Justice/Sociology from Michigan State University. He is finishing a Master of Justice Administration degree from Norwich University.  

About Disability Network of West Michigan

Since 1999, Disability Network West Michigan has been a Muskegon-based disability center for independent living. Disability Network West Michigan provides independent living resources for people with disabilities in Muskegon, Oceana, Newaygo, Lake, and Mason Counties. Resources include independent living mentoring and skills training, accessibility consulting and advocacy, disability peer support, and disability employment services and training for people with disabilities and local employers.

DNWM is one of 15 Centers for Independent Living in the state of Michigan. CILs are consumer-driven, community-based, disability organizations that promote independence and self-determination for people with disabilities.

DNWM’s mission is to equip, educate, and advocate for accessible communities for all. DNWM’s vision is equal access, opportunity, and belonging for all.

Toastmasters Speechcraft Course Hosted by Disability Network West Michigan

Come gather with us at a Speechcraft event in a fun and relaxed course setting!

Toastmasters Speechcraft speakers training

The Toastmasters Speechcraft program has designated our team with helping to roll their program into the Oceana and surrounding areas.

Do you have an upcoming job interview? Work presentation? Wedding toast?
Get the speaking skills you need now and the course if free to the public.

Coordinated by: Laura St. Louis, Community Inclusion Specialist from Disability Network West Michigan

Dates and Times: Wednesdays, April 6, 2022 – May 25, 2022 Noon – 1:00pm

Location: Virtual Classroom via Zoom – To register: https://bit.ly/SpeechCraft_April2022 or Contact Laura @ 231.683.9043

This is an 8-week on-line course to build your leadership and communication skills. We encourage people with disabilities to register to support our vision of inclusive communities. All skill levels are encouraged to register for a more diverse learning experience. Each week attendees will learn, present & receive insightful feedback from your peers. Certificate of achievement to add to your professional portfolio.

Thanks to Disability Network West Michigan 907 State St., Suite 102 Hart, MI 49420 and anonymous donor through the Oceana Community Foundation to support and invest in your communities.

If you have questions, please contact Laura St. Louis by email or @ 231.683.9043.

Different Not Less

“It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” -Maya Angelou

From a peer in the classroom to a cousin who uses a wheelchair or a character seen in their favorite TV show odds are your child is going to see a person with a disability at some point, which will pique their curiosity, which is a great time to have a conversation.

Unfortunately, the typical response to this situation is too often to shy away or dismiss the observations, but instead, I think it’s important that we don’t try to convince your child that someone with a disability is just like they are. Instead, acknowledge that just because the person might look a little different on the outside or move around differently, that doesn’t make that person bad or less.

An example of how to better handle the conversation if referring to a cousin who’s a wheelchair user is by saying, “The muscles in their legs don’t work like yours… that’s why they use a wheelchair to get around.” Or “They were born with one leg. So they have to use a prosthetic leg, which was made by a Doctor to help them get around easier.”

It’s also extremely important to try and keep emotional descriptive words out of the conversation. If you say someone’s disability is “sad” or “awful,” your child may become sad or develop a negative mindset towards differences/disabilities, and begin to feel that life with a disability is a life that is less than their own.

In closing, while these conversations can indeed be challenging to have, they not only offer valuable teaching and learning tools for both sides in the moment, but they double as an opportunity to make the world better for all generations, both current and future as every step forward is another opportunity to rid the world of the stigma surrounding such a misunderstood demographic. Disability is just another example of the human condition… just people, doing their best with what they have, which is more than enough for all of us.