CEO Mark Whitley Reflects on 100 Years of Easterseals Southern California

As Easterseals Southern California (ESSC) celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026, it marks more than a milestone—it represents a century of progress driven by the belief that people with disabilities deserve the opportunity to live, learn, work and thrive in their communities.

ESSC CEO & President Mark Whitley is a lifelong disability advocate who has held various roles at Easterseals since 1976 and has led the SoCal affiliate for more than three decades.

For him, the SoCal centennial is both a moment to honor the past and an opportunity to imagine what the next century might look like.

“Reaching 100 years is humbling and inspiring,” he said. “It is a moment to honor the people who built this organization and the families and communities who trust us and our associates who bring our mission to life every day.”

From ‘Charity’ to Rights and Inclusion

If ESSC’s founders could see the disability community today, Whitley believes they would be amazed—not simply by advances in services but by the growing influence and leadership of people with disabilities.

ESSC leadership works with policymakers in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., in a nonpartisan capacity to advance and protect disability rights, inclusion and policies affecting people with disabilities and their families. As part of those efforts, they are often joined by participants from our service lines who meet with legislators to bring “lived experience” to the conversation.

“The conversation has moved toward rights, voice, access, equity and full participation in community life,” Whitley said. “That shift is profound and it reflects the kind of progress our founders hoped to set into motion.

“Over the past century, society’s understanding of disability has evolved dramatically. What was once viewed largely through a medical lens has expanded into a broader understanding centered on belonging and removing barriers.”

Building More Than Services

During his tenure, Whitley has witnessed ESSC’s transformation into the largest Easterseals affiliate in the country and a trusted leader in the field. But he measures success by more than growth. He believes the organization’s legacy lies in helping turn inclusion from an aspiration into something tangible in everyday life.

“One of ESSC’s greatest achievements is that we have continued to grow not just in size but in relevance,” he said. “We have expanded services, broadened access and helped change how people view disability.”

ESSC actively advances disability inclusion through a wide range of initiatives, including high-profile partnerships with sports teams, stadiums, film studios, entertainment leaders, toy makers, corporations and other influencers. 

These efforts are complemented by signature programs such as the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge; the newly launched Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards (The DARCYS); community events like the Strides: Celebrating Disability Pride 5K Run/3K Walk; public service campaigns, including the current "Every1 With Autism Belongs" initiative; and ongoing work as a trusted media resource on disability issues.

Lessons From a Century

According to Whitley, one of the most important lessons from the past 100 years is that staying true to a mission requires constant evolution.

“We have remained relevant for a century because we kept listening, adapting and responding to what individuals, families and communities actually needed,” he said. “Real progress happens when you combine compassion with innovation, quality and persistence.”

With those qualities in mind, ESSC continues to lead the way in SoCal and beyond—from one of the nation’s largest autism services programs to early childhood development services, including Head Start and preschool; from WorkFirst employment services, helping people with disabilities prepare for and secure meaningful employment, to innovative adult and senior day services that support fuller lives; and Living Options homes and services that empower people with disabilities to live more independently.

One Memory That Stands Out

In a career filled with countless meaningful moments, Whitley says one memory continues to stand out, the story of Jennifer Bleidistel, an ESSC WorkFirst Employment Services program participant with Down syndrome, who had a dream of working with young children.

Beginning as a preschool teacher’s aide, she excelled in her role and eventually became a teacher, realizing her goal of working with young children, with and without disabilities, and finding joy in helping them learn and grow.

“What truly set Jennifer apart was the impact she had on those around her,” Whitley recalls. “She frequently spoke about how meaningful it was to hear from parents of children with disabilities. “Witnessing Jennifer’s achievements inspired them to imagine new possibilities for their own children’s futures,” he said. “Her story not only brought hope to these families but also demonstrated how representation and positive role models can influence a community.

“Jennifer’s story is a wonderful example of what Easterseals is all about. When people are given the support they need—and when families and communities believe in their potential—remarkable things happen. Her journey continues to remind me why our work matters.”

The Voices Shaping Tomorrow

Whitley also sees younger generations of people with disabilities as a powerful force shaping the future.

“They are taking on leadership roles, using their voices, sharing ideas, advocating for fair treatment and pushing all of us to expect more—more access, more visibility, more belonging and more accountability,” he said.

“They remind us that inclusion is not about simply making room. It is about building a society that recognizes people with disabilities not as individuals to accommodate but as people with talents, ambitions and perspectives that enrich our communities—people seeking higher education, meaningful employment, independence and the chance to contribute fully.”

Learn about some of the young people that are helping effect change by using their voices in ESSC’s PSA campaigns:

The Next 100 Years

Asked what he hopes life will look like for the disability community 100 years from now, Whitley envisions a world where barriers no longer stand in the way.

“I hope life will look fully inclusive in the most practical sense,” he said. “People with disabilities should be able to access opportunity, community, education, housing, work and relationships without unnecessary barriers.”

In that future, Whitley sees Easterseals continuing to serve as a provider of excellent, person-centered services, which are designed around the unique goals, preferences, strengths and needs of an individual rather than expecting that person to fit into a standardized system. 

He also sees the non-profit furthering its leadership in shaping systems and changing perceptions—advancing awareness and challenging assumptions about disability so that inclusion continues to evolve and grow.

“True inclusion is possible but only if we treat it as a responsibility and not an aspiration—building it into systems, expectations and culture, not just talking about it. By being activists, we also work to protect the measures we already have in place that may be threatened by budget cuts and other factors.

“Easterseals Southern California has developed a detailed Vision and Impact Plan that outlines our mission as we look ahead. By 2030, our goal is to make SoCal the most inclusive place for people with disabilities to live, learn, work and play.”

Our Legacy

And when people gather to celebrate ESSC’s 200^th anniversary, Whitley hopes they will remember the organization not only for the lives it touched but for the expectations it transformed.

“I hope people will say that Easterseals helped change not just individual lives, but the expectations of society,” he said. 

“I hope our legacy will be that we helped build a world where disability inclusion is ordinary, where people with disabilities have every opportunity to thrive and in which Easterseals continues to lead with innovation, purpose and heart.”

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