ADAPT Community Network’s leadership was doubly honored at the Inter Agency Council (IAC)’s 13th Annual Conference, recognizing both ADAPT CEO Linda Laul and former CEO Edward Matthews.
In 2024, ADAPT’s longtime CEO, Edward Matthews, passed away after 35 years of leading the organization. Throughout his lengthy career, he made a remarkable impact on the world of intellectual and developmental disability services. This year, IAC, which represents over 160 developmental disability service agencies throughout New York, renamed their supervisory professionals award to honor Edward Matthews.
“The recipients of this award are both recognized and honored for their compassion, commitment, and vision for excellence,” Mary Knox, Chief Operating Officer of IAC, said. “This year, IAC was proud to announce that we have renamed this award to honor our friend and colleague, Edward R. Matthews, whose life and legacy personified exceptional leadership and commitment to people with IDD (intellectual and developmental disabilities) and their families.”
When deciding who to honor with the newly renamed award, the apt choice was Linda Laul, Matthews’ successor and the first woman to lead ADAPT. Like Matthews, Laul has a 35-year tenure at ADAPT and has dedicated her career to the education and care of the disability community.
“Her ability to lead through vision, decisiveness, knowledge, and commitment to excellence helped shape the service delivery system in the IDD community throughout NYS into what it is today,” Knox said. “Linda’s high standard of excellence and commitment to people with IDD, their families, and the staff who support them is second to none.”
Thank you to IAC for its recognition of ADAPT’s leadership. Please join us in congratulating Linda on this award!
