Press Release
Media Contact:
Jennifer Kuper
Director of Communications
571-946-0020
Manassas, VA (1/14/2025) – The Didlake Foundation Board is thrilled to announce the selection of Kelsey DeWispelaere, CFRE, as its Executive Director. DeWispelaere, who joined Didlake on Jan. 2, will provide leadership and strategic direction for the reinvigorated Didlake Foundation. This nonprofit development arm supports Didlake’s mission — creating and promoting opportunities that enrich the lives of people with disabilities — through fundraising and community awareness efforts. Her responsibilities will encompass fund development, donor relations, grant management, program oversight, community engagement and financial management, as directed by the Foundation Board.
DeWispelaere comes to Didlake with an impressive background in nonprofit leadership and development, most recently at Community Residences, Inc. (CRi) of Chantilly, a nonprofit health and human services organ
ization supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, mental health needs and youth at risk of homelessness. Since 2016, she served as the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & Engagement, overseeing public and private philanthropic and external affairs activities, including volunteer, donor and board relations; community outreach; branding and communications; and special event fundraising.
Before joining CRi, DeWispelaere served for two years as the Vice President of Development for Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic, where she created and executed multi-year plans for increasing voluntary revenue. Prior fundraising/development roles include Associate Executive Director of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, DC Chapter; Director of Development for the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network; and Development Operations Management Support Specialist, Smithsonian Institution. DeWispelaere has a bachelor’s in business administration, management and organizational development, and is a Certified Fundraising Executive.
“I am deeply honored and excited to begin my journey as the Didlake Foundation Executive Director,” DeWispelaere said. “Together with our talented staff, passionate community partners and Foundation Board members, I look forward to continuing my support of individuals with disabilities and building on Didlake’s successes while launching innovative plans to expand opportunities and create lasting impact. This is more than a new role; it’s a shared mission and I am eager to collaborate and grow with all of you to make a meaningful difference in our community and beyond.”
“We are so excited for the relaunch of the Foundation under Kelsey’s leadership. Her expertise and visionary leadership will be instrumental as we help build inclusive communities,” said Paul Gravley, Foundation Board President and Didlake, Inc. CEO. “The revitalized Foundation marks a new chapter for our philanthropic efforts, empowering us to support operational growth and eliminate barriers that prevent individuals with disabilities from fully participating in their communities.”
About Didlake®
Didlake is a nonprofit rehabilitative services organization headquartered in Manassas, Virginia. It was founded in 1965 to create opportunities for people with disabilities through services that connect them to employment, education and the community. Through its Day Support, Employment Services, and Workforce Support and Development programs, Didlake serves over 2,000 people with disabilities annually throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Didlake is licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia, accredited by CARF, is CIMS-GB-certified, and proudly serves the nation through the AbilityOne® Program.
