The Barbara Stone Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of local individuals with disabilities and their families, has selected Mike Teachey to be its first executive director in its 27-year history.

Teachey will also lead Greenville CAN (Collaborative Action Network), which is a network of self-advocates, service providers, families, caregivers, and professionals committed to making the local community a better place for individuals with disabilities. The Barbara Stone Foundation provided the first grant to Greenville CAN in 2013 after a needs assessment was conducted to identify opportunities to strengthen systems of support for the disability community. The Barbara Stone Foundation will officially serve as Greenville CAN’s new ‘home’ under Teachey’s leadership and direction.

“Mike has done an incredible job leading Greenville CAN’s efforts towards reducing barriers to employment, increasing recreational opportunities, improving accessibility, and advocating for affordable housing and accessible transportation for individuals with disabilities,” said Karen Krulac, Barbara Stone Foundation board president. “He was the perfect person to be Barbara Stone Foundation’s first executive director to lead and take our organization forward.”

Prior to serving as Greenville CAN’s lead facilitator, Teachey was the director of community relations for the Greenville County Recreation District and director of community engagement for Thrive Upstate.

Teachey has been an organizational consultant and community development specialist for most of his career and provided training and facilitation services to nonprofit organizations across the country.

“I consider it an honor to lead an organization that has been a fearless advocate for change in Greenville,” said Teachey. “The Barbara Stone Foundation gives Greenville CAN historical relevance because Greenville CAN is essentially an extension of the work Barbara Stone started almost fifty years ago. I look forward to moving the foundation and Greenville CAN forward together to create a fully inclusive community where individuals with disabilities flourish.”

Teachey developed a passion for individuals with disabilities as a volunteer with Special Olympics. While working with the Greenville County Recreation District, he led a capital campaigns to build a new facility for Camp Spearhead.