enAble Appoints Harry Stern as New CEO

enAble of Georgia, a nonprofit organization serving individuals with special needs and their families in Roswell, has named Harry Stern as its chief executive officer.  

Stern will have responsibility for leading the organization as it expands its range of services to a wider audience of potential clients, including adults with physical disabilities, seniors, youths with developmental and physical disabilities and others with special needs, as well as their families. His accountabilities will include direct operational responsibility for the organization’s development initiatives.

Stern brings nearly 30 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and development roles to the position. Most recently he has served as director of Global Development for the WellStar College of Health and Human Services at Kennesaw State University (KSU), where he collaborated in the development of the university’s Global Center for Social Change. The Center worked with countries in North Africa and the Middle East in the area of disability programs.

He was one of the leaders in launching KSU’s Academy for Inclusive Learning and Social Growth, which offers a fully inclusive, two-year college experience to students with intellectual disabilities. The Academy is the only program of its kind in Georgia.  

Earlier he was Executive Director of the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta for 15 years. During his tenure, Stern introduced a broad offering of programs designed to enrich the lives of individuals with special needs, such as Habima Theatre, Georgia’s first theatrical company to feature actors with developmental disabilities in plays and musicals produced by professionals.

Stern also has held leadership positions with major nonprofits in Washington, D.C., San Diego and New York City and has worked as a consultant to organizations and government agencies worldwide regarding inclusive approaches for persons with disabilities. He holds both master’s and doctoral degrees in Social Welfare from Columbia University in New York.

“We are delighted to have an individual of Harry’s caliber in the top leadership role for enAble,“ said Vicki Gordon, chair of enAble’s Board of Directors. “His experience and strategic vision will be instrumental in guiding our organization as we broaden its scope in providing top-quality, comprehensive support to individuals in the Atlanta community who need help living a fulfilled lifestyle.”