We’re thrilled to announce that Allison Perez has been appointed the new Executive Director of Ottawa Friendship House. If you’ve known Allison even a little, you already know this is the right person for the job — steady, kind, relentless in advocating for people, and the kind of leader who keeps calm and carries on (and then helps everyone else carry on too).
Allison’s journey with Friendship House is the kind of story we love to tell. She joined our family back in 2005 as a direct support professional and over the years has grown into roles of increasing responsibility — most recently serving as Director of Employment & Outreach Services, where she oversaw our community employment program in partnership with the Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services. Her near-two decades of service give her an intimate understanding of our mission, our people, and our community.
Friends and supporters may remember Allison from countless community events, partnership meetings, and fundraising efforts — she’s long been a public face for our employment initiatives and a tireless advocate for the adults we serve. Her leadership helped strengthen relationships with local partners and proved time and again that meaningful, community-based employment changes lives.
As Executive Director, Allison steps into a role that combines stewardship, strategy, and wholehearted service — everything she’s been preparing for during her years with us. We couldn’t be more confident that under her guidance Friendship House will continue to grow, serve, and deepen the sense of belonging we offer to people with disabilities and their families.
Congrats, Allison, on your well-deserved promotion. We thank you for your dedication, your compassion, and your steady leadership for many more years to come!