Leadership Committee Member Bios

Staff:

Mark Melanson, Chief Executive Officer, California Community Living Network 

Mark is originally from the North Shore Area of MA. He has been working with people with disabilities since 1985 and has an Associate’s Degree in Human Services specializing in Counseling Psychology. In the span of his career he has worked in institutions, group homes, and 1:1 inclusionary and fully integrated settings. He has worked in a variety of settings in this field including Direct Care, Physical Therapy Aide, Recreational Therapy, Adult Day Programs, Inclusion Specialist, Family Support, Intensive Family Support, Respite Care worker, Employment, Community Services based programs and in Non-Profit Senior Management positions. After relocating to California in 2001 and working for a large Bay Area service provider for 18 years Mark became the first paid staff for the California Community Living Network as the Chief Executive Officer in 2019.

Sarah Burgett, Chief Operations Officer, California Community Living Network  

Sarah was born in Minnesota and raised primarily in Fresno, California. After moving to the Bay Area to attend Saint Mary’s College in 1993, Sarah began working in a Supported Living pilot program. For the last 22 years, Sarah has worked for Toolworks, Inc., located in San Francisco, in various roles within the Community Living Department. Sarah currently serves as Toolworks’ Vice President of Services overseeing the organization’s Community Living, Community Integration and Employment Services programs. Sarah has a SHRM-CP human resources credential and is passionate about developing workforce development initiatives and policies that both enhance an employee’s experience and strengthen our organizations as a whole.

Board of Directors:

Jacquie Foss, President                                                                                                                  

Jacquie Foss is the Founder of Strategies To Empower People (STEP), a 100% employee-owned organization providing a comprehensive range of community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including Supported Living Services, Independent Living Services, Day Services, Employment Services, and Housing Access Services. STEP also operates an interpreting program, further advancing access for individuals who are Deaf and DeafBlind. Jacquie retired as CEO in 2023 and now serves as President of the ESOP Board, continuing her commitment to workforce development and organizational sustainability.

Jacquie has been a leader within the California Community Living Network (CCLN) since 1996 and currently serves as Board President. She also chairs CCLN’s Governmental Affairs efforts, where she plays a central role in shaping statewide policy impacting Supported Living Services, workforce protections, and person-centered practices.

Throughout her career, Jacquie has been deeply engaged in California’s developmental services system. She has represented providers in key state-level discussions, including participation in budget and policy advisory efforts, and has worked collaboratively with the Department of Developmental Services, regional centers, and advocacy organizations to advance innovative service models—particularly for individuals with complex needs.

Jacquie is a recognized advocate for the direct support workforce, leading initiatives focused on fair labor standards, training, and professionalization. Her recent work includes advancing policy solutions around the 40-hour workweek, quality improvement systems, and the development of Enhanced Supported Living Services (ESLS) frameworks that maintain the core principles of Supported Living: a home of one’s own, choice, community inclusion, and dignity.

A fluent signer and passionate supporter of Deaf services, Jacquie has championed culturally and linguistically appropriate services throughout her career. Her leadership is grounded in the belief that services must be person-centered, values-driven, and built on meaningful relationships.

Carol McKinney, Treasurer 

Co-Founder, Harmony Home, Associated

Carol is the co-founder and Executive Director of Harmony Home, Associated.  She began working with people with developmental disabilities in 1976 when she was a high school volunteer in a Special Day Class.  It was during that time Carol realized her lifework would be to advocate and provide services to people with developmental disabilities.  Carol's plan was to teach; however, while working her way through college as an aide in a Special Day Class she realized the classroom was not for her; the community was where she wanted to be.  Harmony Home was co-founded in 1982, originally to provide residential services.  In 1990, Harmony Home started providing Independent Living Services.  In 1994, Harmony Home participated in the Community Supported Living Arrangement (CSLA) pilot project and began providing SLS in 1996.  Currently, Harmony Home supports approximately 300 people. Carol served as co-chair of CSLN, with Jacquie Dillard-Foss, for four years, and currently continues working with Jacquie as Governmental Affairs Co-Chair.  Carol’s education includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies, with an emphasis on Special Education, from San Francisco State University, and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from St. Mary’s College.

Kimberly Mills, Vice President & Secratary 

Chief Executive Officer,  A Better Life Together, Inc.

Kimberly Mills has over 30 year of experience providing social services to youth, adults and their families.  Kim is the founder and CEO of A Better Life Together, Inc.(ABLT) to supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to realize their dreams. Kim is the proud mother of 3 amazing sons Antoine, Naeem, and Jaleni.  Naeem passed away unexpectedly in 2016 at the age of 22 due to a seizure.  Naeem’s death reignited Kim’s passion to continue advocate for the rights of everyone. Kim believes everyone has a purpose in life and it is our responsibility to help individuals find their purpose and fulfill it.  Kim has been working to close the disparity gap amongst people with intellectual and developmental disabilities of color who are underserved.  Kim originally from Ohio and holds a Master’s degree in Community Counseling from Kent State University.

Josh Sullivan, Governmental Affairs 

Executive Director, Full Circle of Choices, Inc.

Prior to Full Circle and his service to CCLN, Josh was the Chief of Administrative Services for Contra Costa Health Services, the county's public health administrator, and had also served as the Executive Assistant to the Contra Costa Developmental Disabilities Council. In the developmental disabilities community, Josh has been lucky enough to work in a wide variety of service provider and advocacy-oriented roles since beginning work as a Direct Support Professional at the age of 14 years old. 

Additionally, during his time in government service, Josh became an avid emergency responder and has leveraged his knowledge of our community and experience as a DSP to provide specialty support in deployment to 5 wildfires, 1 flood, and throughout the pandemic. Josh has served on a wide variety of boards including the California Disability Service Institute and the East Bay Legislative Coalition. Josh has also been involved in many partnerships, which include local and state task forces, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Boards, Human Centered Design working groups and the Governmental Alliance on Racial Equity.

Aside from being a maker and all around geek, Josh is from the SF Bay Area and holds degrees in Business Administration and Biology.