HireAble is an innovative regional collaborative of nonprofits, school districts, companies, and funding and referral agencies that work to connect people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) with employers who need competent, qualified employees. HireAble offers training, transition services, and support to create a more inclusive community through employment.

Our Services

HireAble’s collaborative of nonprofit human services agencies provides programs that offer employment support to both employees and businesses. These services include:

Training to prepare employees with I/DD for the workforce;
Long-term support services for employees with I/DD to help ensure they are successful throughout their careers;
Pre-screened candidates for employers to hire, making the process easy and successful for both the employer and employee.

HireAble works with all kinds of organizations and businesses in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, including restaurants and hospitality, the film industry, government agencies, and manufacturing, among others.

woman-making-small-balls-of-dough-on-table-in-kitchen-apron-background-bake-baker-bakery-ball-bread_t20_monyaE.jpg

Our Staff

DONNA FEINGOLD, CEO, HireAble

Donna Feingold is the former Executive Director of the Adaptive Learning Center (ALC), a nonprofit in Concord serving adults with neurodevelopmental and autism spectrum disabilities. Prior to ALC, she was the Executive Director of Moving Forward from for almost ten years. Moving Forward is a nonprofit in Napa that provides independent living skills to young adults with disabilities. Before Moving Forward, Donna was the Executive Director of Toolworks, a human service agency that creates social and economic opportunities to over 500 individuals with disabilities each year in the San Francisco Bay Area. Toolworks, which was founded in 1975, has had from its inception the vision to be a self-supporting nonprofit. While she was at Toolworks, the agency managed several businesses, and approximately 70% of the organization’s 7 million dollar budget was generated from earned income.

Ms. Feingold has over 30 of experience working with individuals with disabilities. After college, she worked for several human service agencies in the Boston area. In addition to her current duties as executive director of ALC, Donna participates in many collaborations and committees, and has served on the Boards of the Napa Nonprofit Coalition and the Treasure Island Homeless Development Initiative. Ms. Feingold is a graduate of Leadership San Francisco, Class of 1999, a program that educates community leaders on the complex social and economic issues of San Francisco.

Donna received her Ed.M from Harvard University and her BA from the University of Pennsylvania.

Our Board of Directors

Jamie RentoN

President of the Board | Adults with Disabilities Transition Specialist for Pleasanton Adult & Career Education

Jamie Renton is the Adults with Disabilities Transition Specialist for Pleasanton Adult and Career Education. She coordinates a paid internship program for adults with disabilities. Jamie loves working with community partners to develop job opportunities for people with disabilities. She is enthusiastic about helping interns explore their skill sets and interests to find employment opportunities in their community.

Jamie previously worked as a librarian in both school and public libraries. She found great joy in helping kids who didn't like to read find books they enjoyed, and in public libraries, she loved to assist returning citizens (formerly incarcerated) in finding jobs and gaining independence.

Jamie serves on the City of Pleasanton Housing Commission, is an ambassador for the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce, and is a board member of Tri-Valley REACH. She is passionate about expanding employment opportunities for people with disabilities and advancing development of affordable housing in all communities (especially for people with disabilities). Jamie feels fortunate that she can focus on employment and affordable housing in her professional, nonprofit, and volunteer endeavors. She has earned several awards for her work in K-12 and Adult Education.

Tom Heinz

Treasurer of the Board | Executive Director of East Bay Innovations

Tom founded East Bay Innovations (EBI) in 1994. As a child of a person with a disability, Tom learned at an early age that your physical limitations do not define your value as a person. This continues to be his personal philosophy, as well as the philosophy of EBI. Tom is constantly inspired by the people EBI serves, who overcome so many barriers to be able to live on their own or to have a job. He will never forget seeing the first people EBI served move into their new homes.

Tom has a Master’s in Rehabilitation Administration from University of San Francisco. He was the first Chairperson of the California Supported Living Network 1996-1998, and was a co-founder of the Housing Consortium of the East Bay and of HOUSE, Inc. In 2005 he won The Bill Rosenberg Memorial Award from Cal-TASH and in 2014 he won the Bernie Graf Excellence in Service Award. Outside of work, Tom enjoys listening to American roots music and playing baseball with his three boys.

Terry Goodwin

Secretary of the Board | Director of Workforce Projects Toolworks

Terry has had an extensive career working with people with disabilities in Workforce Development/Supported Employment Services, with The Arc San Francisco for 35 years, and as of 2017 joined the amazing bay area nonprofit, Toolworks.

She obtained her Elementary and Special Education teaching credentials from San Francisco State University. She spearheaded one of the state’s first supported employment programs at The Arc in the early 1980s resulting in hundreds for jobs for people with disabilities and establishing business partnerships with many key companies such as Salesforce.com, Zen Desk, Deloitte, PG&E, Hanson Bridgett, Morrison & Foerster, Fenwick and West, to name a few. She also developed and maintained an active Business Advisory Council, which established and produced an annual WorkLife Awards event, highlighting the successes of the clients with disabilities and the companies that employ them.

Community involvement includes a variety of memberships including the following: San Francisco’s Jobs Group, (association of local non- profits who work with Department of Rehabilitation) BNI networking, Northern California Industrial Liaison Group, SF & Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce, The SF Mayors Committee on Employment of Persons with Disabilities, the Association of Persons in Supported Employment, SF Local Partnership Agreement and Internship Task Force, SF ReServe, and HireAble.

While at Toolworks Terry continues to work on many workforce projects primarily to increase job and internship opportunities for people with disabilities but also to build new business partners, maintain Toolworks Business Advisory Council, and provide education and outreach to employers. Following are some of the new employer partners established: Pinterest, Marriott Walnut Creek, East Bay Municipal Utility District, YMCA, Grocery Outlet, Red Bubble, ABM, Finix Payments, and First Republic Bank.

In commenting about her work. Terry says, “It is profoundly moving to see how a job can change an individual’s life. Our clients acquire such self-confidence and increase in self- esteem from gainful employment—and that has kept me in this field for so many years – it is very moving to see such transformation in individuals when given work opportunities.”

CRAIG ROSE

Member-at-Large | Program Director of Commercial Support Services

Craig comes from a background in education; having received his Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts and teaching credential from CSU Fresno. In the early 1990s, he changed paths to focus on supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and has been providing services for over 30 years; as a direct support professional, program director, and regional director. He has focused on creating work opportunities for individuals with a wide variety of needs, especially those with significant behavioral challenges. Craig has developed and implemented programs that focus on inclusion, engagement, and community access.

In 1993, Craig got his start with Community Integrated Work Program where he fulfilled many roles; ultimately serving as their Regional Director for the East and South Bay regions. Leading up to the closure of Sonoma Developmental Center, Craig worked closely with staff from SDC, RCEB, and enhanced behavior home agencies to develop a community based program for individuals moving from the developmental center into the community. In 2018, he launched CIWP's community based enhanced behavior management program. In 2019, Craig joined VistAbility as the Program Director of Commercial Support Services Antioch. He was also tasked with designing the program for individuals transitioning from the work activity centers to programs based in the community. In addition to guiding the new program, he is supervising CSS's supported employment services which provides job coaching for both individual placements and small work groups.

Along with his role at VistAbility, Craig currently serves on the Board of Directors for both the RCEB Provider Vendor Advisory Committee and the Contra Costa Developmental Disabilities Council.

Karen Lingenfelter

Member-at-large | Program Coordinator of Mt. Diablo Adult Education in Concord

Karen has worked in the DD/ID field for over 35 years and is currently the Program Coordinator for the Adults with Disabilities Program at Mt. Diablo Adult Education in Concord. She manages three programs including; Life Skills for adults with DD/ID; the Transition Options Program (TOPS) for adults with ASD, and the On Track Program for adults recovering from an acquired or traumatic brain injury.

She is a strong advocate in the DD/ID community and currently sits on the Contra Costa County Developmental Disabilities Council Board, Transition Task Force of Contra Costa County, and co-chairs the Adults with Disabilities Workgroup for the Contra Costa Adult Education Consortium.

Karen has over 25 years of experience in employment services and coordinated the WorkAbility II program for 17 years. She founded and chaired the East Bay Employment Network, a non-profit organization of Bay Area job developers who promoted the hiring of individuals with disabilities and provided disability awareness training for employers.

In 2017, she partnered with Commercial Support Services, Department of Rehabilitation, Regional Center of the East Bay and the Embassy Suites by Hilton, Walnut Creek to launch the first Project SEARCH program in Contra Costa County. The success of this program lead to a collaborative withToolworks to launch a paid internship program (PIP) at the Marriot Walnut Creek in 2018.

When Karen isn’t working, she spends lots of time enjoying her sweet golden retriever buddy, Duke and going for hikes.

Karen Smith

Member-at-Large | Executive Director of Futures Explored

Karen Smith has been a finance executive, an educational leader, a career coach and consultant, and now an Executive Director. But through all of these roles, she has been a champion for inclusion, a listener, and a learner. Karen is a passionate leader that uses strategic thinking, system analysis, and talent development to lead change. She currently serves as the Executive Director for Futures Explored, a non-profit that provides services and supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Karen has over 35 years of successful leadership experience, including twelve years as a CPA and over 25 years as an Assistant Superintendent for both school districts and County Offices of Education. She is known as a creative, collaborative leader with strong interpersonal skills and a solid grounding in finance. In May 2018, she earned her Masters in Organization Development with a focus on culture change with an interest in diversity and inclusion.

Karen has been the Executive Director of Futures Explored since August 2020. Joining this organization during the middle of the pandemic provided a unique opportunity to lead a significant reorganization and to create a new strategic plan forward with a recommitment to a mission that drives that all decisions are to be led by participants in the Futures Explored programs.

Karen serves on many boards including HIREABLE, PBLWorks, the Sonoma Valley Young and Family Services. She also enjoys running, just completing her first marathon in October 2021, along with hiking and traveling with her husband.

sandi soliday

Member-at-Large | Retired

Sandi Soliday retired as the Coordinator of the Alameda County Developmental Disabilities Council in 2020 having spent 30 years working in the disability field. She began her career as a job coach, and feels employment is an essential key to community inclusion and essential in addressing institutionalized poverty. In her spare time Sandi enjoys volunteering, playing Pickleball, Pilates classes and spending time with her daughters.

Business Advisory Committee

Mr. Charles Brown III is a Business Services Representative, responsible for a wide range of activities within the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County’s (WDBCCC) business services team.

His portfolio of experience includes business development related to partnerships with post-secondary education, community-based organizations, and other major stakeholder groups.

Mr. Brown works on many special projects being led or supported by the WDBCCC, particularly those benefiting youth, returning residents, veterans, and other high-priority populations.

Mr. Brown is also the WDBCCC's Rapid Response Coordinator, responsible for providing customized, confidential, and convenient outplacement services for local Contra Costa County companies who are engaged in workforce reductions and strategic downsizing.

Alameda County Workforce Development Board (ACWDB) Business Services Coordinator David Dias has nearly 20 years’ experience in workforce development and vocational education.

For the past five years, David has been employed with the ACWDB, having spent over four years as a Career Center Coordinator before having recently moving into the Business Services Coordinator position in July 2022. Prior to ACWDB, David worked as an Employment Services Manager with Abode Services, as well as previous employment as a Green Jobs/Life Skills/Career Development Specialist with JobTrain, in Menlo Park.

David also served in the capacity of Human Services Supervisor with the County of San Mateo Office of Workforce Development, following nearly five years in vocational education at City College of San Francisco.

Hello! My name is Monique Patton, and I am currently the Recruiting Team Lead for Chevron Stations Inc. I have personally worked with Chevron Stations Inc. and Chevron Corporation for over 22 years, starting at the company owned, company operated gas stations & convenience store level. As a Team Lead, my Recruiters support 301 service stations working in three west coast states: Oregon, Washington, and California.

Chevron Stations Inc. operates ExtraMile convenience stores, and we sell Chevron or Texaco branded fuel. When I joined in September 2000, I started as a graveyard cashier and quickly climbed the ladder to become Station Management, a Corporate Trainer then moved into Corporate Recruiting. I enjoy collaborating with customers and station staff as well as meeting new job seekers during career fairs and events.

I also support the Chevron Stations Inc. Neurodiverse Hiring Program, successfully hiring 56 Station Support Representatives as well as one newly promoted Customer Service Representative, in forty-five separate locations. I am a co-partner with Training Specialist Julie Beltran, and I manage the pre-employment / hiring actions for our neurodiverse hires. I have been with the program since we started in 2019 and am proud that we offer the program in two out of three states we operate in. We are working to hire in Oregon starting in January 2023. I enjoy sharing business practices with others so they can support their community to hire neurodiverse and disabled job seekers as well.

Bahar Abullarade is a dedicated HR professional with experience across both the grocery and fitness industries.

As a Senior Certified Professional with the Society of Human Resources, Bahar is a life-long learner who gained the education and experience to work her way up from an entry-level position and is fueled by giving others the opportunity to do the same.

Her passion for collaborating with business partners to cultivate an inclusive workplace is what brings her to HireAble to help us make jobs accessible for all.

My name is Marques Hancock and I am the CVS Health Workforce Initiative Manager for Northern California.

I am from Richmond, CA. I come from a background of employer and business development, sales, marketing, and consulting.

I have been in my role for a year and half and have a strong passion to help people achieve a high level of resolve and help them in the workforce!

My name is Andrea Bradford and I am the Inclusion Navigator for BANANAS. I have been working with children and adults with disabilities for 7 years.

Previously, I was a Program Manager for a Day Program where I facilitated skill building for adults with disabilities and behavior challenges.

I earned a Masters in early childhood education and trauma studies from Pacific Oaks college. I am passionate about inclusion of all people.

Our Story

worker-at-the-factory-holds-his-hand-on-the-handle-of-the-truck-industry-industrial-techniques_t20_wlBBnL.jpg

In California, a staggering 85% to 92% of adults with autism and intellectual disabilities of working age are unemployed. This chronic unemployment has a significant effect on the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities, their families, and our society. Without jobs, these individuals often live in poverty, their families struggle to help financially, and our society falls short when it comes to providing community and opportunity for this population.

Funded by the Thomas J. Long Foundation, HireAble was formed to demonstrate how employment can break the cycle of poverty for people with intellectual disabilities. HireAble is a collaboration between three non-profit human service agencies: Contra Costa ARC, Futures Explored Inc. and East Bay Innovations.