Guest Speaker - Kathy DiRusso

Kathy DiRusso joined Best Buddies International in 2016, after 12 years volunteering for the organization’s national fundraising events. A Leominster resident, wife and mother, Kathy previously served as an Executive Search Consultant for one of the premier retained search firms in the Northeast.  As a member of the National Jobs Team, Kathy combines her 30+ years of expertise in employment and staffing, with her passion for social justice and overall love for humankind, by promoting, driving and expanding the Jobs program, offering sustainable employment opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental differences, (IDD). Kathy supports 35 Jobs offices within 18 states, offering support during onboarding, and continuous programmatic support with a specific focus on compliance, data-driven improvements, and professional development of the Jobs field staff. Kathy’s strengths in recruiting and identifying talent have helped to create a cohesive hiring strategy that is adding dynamic talent while delivering the BBI Jobs Program and mission of inclusion.  In her spare time, Kathy leads a large walking team that has raised over $1.5Million toward a cure to breast cancer.