St. Louis and Southern California Area Vice Presidents Push AbleLight’s Mission Forward
Shelly Dawson
AbleLight proudly welcomes Shelly Dawson as their new Area Vice President for Operations in Southern California.
In this role, Shelly will use her strong background in leadership, service excellence and community collaboration to expand AbleLight’s impact across the region and ensure high-quality, person-centered support.
Shelly brings over 20 years of experience in the developmental disability (DD) field, with a strong background in quality care, team leadership, and community engagement.
Most recently, Dawson served as Quality Assurance Director at Salem Christian Homes, overseeing care and operations for long-term care ICF/DD and CCL homes. She is skilled in working with consumers, payers, and providers, and has built strong professional relationships within the local developmental disability community, including the Regional Center for Orange County.
Shelly’s leadership and expertise will strengthen AbleLight’s presence in Southern California and ensure continued excellence in care and support.
Nicole Johnson
AbleLight proudly welcomes Nicole Johnson as the new Area Vice President for operations in St Louis, Missouri.
As a national nonprofit committed to helping people with developmental disabilities thrive through personalized care, AbleLight is growing in the St. Louis market and across the country. In this role, Nicole will help expand AbleLight’s impact by leading local teams and ensuring high-quality, person-centered services.
Nicole brings more than 26 years of experience in human services, including 17 years in nonprofit leadership, and a strong track record of program development, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Most recently, she served as Vice President of Programs at Easterseals Midwest, where she oversaw multiple departments, drove strategic initiatives, and strengthened service delivery. Her leadership will support AbleLight’s mission and ongoing efforts to reach more individuals and their families.
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About AbleLight
AbleLight is a nonprofit, national leader in providing life-changing services that empower people with developmental disabilities to thrive. Guided by Christian love and a 120+ year commitment to our mission, we provide individualized support that promotes independence and inclusion, enabling people to flourish in their communities. AbleLight’s programs ensure safe housing, reduce isolation, support employment goals, and promote health and wellness.