What does it take to create meaningful opportunities for individuals with disabilities?
In the latest episode of the Impact x The Intersection Podcast, presented by Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business in partnership with the Institute for Leadership and Social Impact (ILSI), host Prem Rupawala speaks with two leaders dedicated to expanding access to education, employment, and community support.
Joining the conversation are Nathan Heald, Assistant Director and Senior Lecturer for Georgia Tech's EXCEL Program, and Sarah Gabriel, Director of Disability Advocacy & Education at Hope Heals. Both Scheller MBA alumni, Heald and Gabriel share how their personal experiences led them to careers focused on disability advocacy and social impact.
Together, they explore how partnerships are key to expanding opportunity. Through collaborations between programs like Georgia Tech's EXCEL Program and organizations such as Hope Heals and MEND Coffee, students gain valuable workplace experience while employers learn how to create more inclusive hiring practices.
The conversation also highlights the importance of cross-sector collaboration, community partnerships, and rethinking traditional approaches to employment and inclusion. By bringing together education, nonprofits, and employers, leaders can help remove barriers and create pathways for individuals with disabilities to build meaningful careers and fully participate in their communities.
Listen to the full episode to learn how leadership and collaboration are creating lasting social impact, one opportunity at a time.
The EXCEL Program is a four-year postsecondary education program at Georgia Tech for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through academics, career development, campus engagement, and independent living experiences, the program prepares students for meaningful employment and greater independence.
The Institute for Leadership and Social Impact (ILSI) is an interdisciplinary institute at Georgia Tech dedicated to promoting servant leadership and advancing organizational practices that contribute to a more just, caring, and sustainable world. Through experiential learning, research, and community partnerships, we nurture leaders who drive meaningful social change—locally in Atlanta and globally. To learn more about our initiatives and programs, visit our website.