Guided by his personal mission to inspire, empower, and support others in the pursuit of their dreams, Chad Hershner strives to be a visionary leader who collaboratively builds strategic visions. Hershner assumed the role of president and chief executive officer of Special Olympics Wisconsin in May 2022, becoming only the fifth person to hold this esteemed position in the organization’s 52-year history.
Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy while participating in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, Special Olympics athletes and the community.
With a career spanning three decades in executive leadership across nonprofit sectors including arts, healthcare, and now Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI), Hershner was specifically chosen by the SOWI board of directors to catalyze transformative change within the organization.
Shortly after joining SOWI, Hershner initiated a comprehensive three-year strategic planning process, emphasizing its operational implementation to ensure tangible outcomes. Crucially, Hershner advocates for the integration of athlete voices across all organizational facets, advocating that true inclusion must start from inception.
“Chad’s leadership philosophy not only revitalizes SOWI’s mission but also inspires stakeholders, from staff and athletes to partners, donors, and the broader community, to actively engage in creating a more inclusive and impactful organization,” said his staff.
In the last two years, through Hershner’s leadership, Special Olympics Wisconsin has become a nationally recognized model for inclusive health education and amplification for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
By securing critical funding through the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Hershner has elevated Special Olympics Wisconsin to become a leading authority in reducing health disparities among the intellectually disabled population. This achievement underscores their commitment to advancing inclusive healthcare practices and improving outcomes for this underserved community. In addition, during Hershner’s tenure, total fundraising revenue increased by 46%.
His efforts have landed Hershner recognition with the Charles & Adele Heeter award for outstanding community service from Rotary, the standing ovation award and the servant leadership award.
“I remain grounded in our mission and work by making sure I am consistently and authentically showing up for our athletes,” said Hershner. “I am listening to our athletes and letting them lead. This is their movement. This is their organization. I am just so grateful I get to do this work every day.”