Congratulations Douglas DiGesare, CEO, Dual Award Winner - 2026 NYAII
The Arc Erie County New York’s CEO, Douglas DiGesare, holding his two awards from the New York Alliance for Inclusion & Innovation he received in April 2026.
On April 15, 2026, at the Excellence Awards Banquet Dinner in Lake George, NY, Arc Erie County Leadership Team members cheered on our CEO, Douglas DiGesare, as he was awarded not one, but two awards from the New York Alliance for Inclusion & Innovation: The "Leadership Award" and a "Years of Service Award" to the New York Alliance! These pinnacle awards were for his unwavering dedication and commitment to positive change for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
New York Alliance for Inclusion & Innovation - Annual Excellence Awards
The New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation annual Excellence Awards celebrate the unique and extraordinary contributions made by leaders, policy and change agences in the field, public officials, self-advocates and advocates in the community. Award winners are recognized during the NY Alliance's Annual Conference where colleagues and friends join together to celebrate.
https://nyalliance.org/excellence_award_winners
The Leadership Award recognizes individuals who lead with integrity, effectiveness, deliberate focus and collaboration, making valuable contributions within the disability and human service field.
Doug is currently the Chief Executive Officer at the Arc Erie County located in Buffalo, New York. He has been with the organization for thirty-nine years and has worked in a variety of leadership positions. He began his career as a Residential IRA manager, then moved to Vocational Program Manager, Coordinator of Vocational Services, Director of Residential Services, Director of Quality Improvement, Chief Operating Officer and in his current capacity as CEO for the past eight years.
He has led a number of development / construction projects over the years, including new IRA development., leading the purchase and move of the company's new headquarters, the renovation of two day program sites and the most recent development of Black Water Acres, a sensory informed farming program located on 100+ acres in Alden, NY.
He has served on a number of Board of Directors over the past fifteen years including Developmental Disabilities Alliance of Western New York, New York State Industries for the Disables, the Collaborative New York, Person Centered Services of Western New York Care Coordination organization, Walter J Musty Foundation for Autism, and the New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation. Doug joined the NYAII Board in 2012 in the capacity of the Western Region Vice President and held that position for three, three-year terms and has been an at large board member for the past four years. He has served on the Workforce committee and Quality committee and in the last four years has been co-chair of the Government and Policy committee.
Doug will be retiring in December 2026 from a career that he found both challenging and rewarding. He will miss working with and advocating for individuals with disabilities and looks forward to traveling and spending time with his family.
