Samantha Wellnitz didn't set out to build an organization — she set out to solve a problem she couldn't stop thinking about. After more than 15 years working in special education, Sam had seen firsthand what happened when students with disabilities crossed the stage at graduation. The support, structure, and community they had known their entire lives? Gone. For so many families, the question of "what comes next" had no good answer.

So she built one.

Armed with a bachelor's degree in Communicative Disorders and a master's degree in Special Education, and fueled by an unshakeable belief that every person deserves belonging, Sam co-founded Adaptive Alliance in 2016 alongside a fellow educator. What started as a small summer program with a handful of participants has grown into a thriving, full-time community serving adults with disabilities and their families throughout the Beloit region.

As Executive Director, Sam leads with both her head and her heart. Her background in trauma-informed practices, crisis prevention, and Mental Health First Aid means she understands the full picture of the individuals she serves, and her leadership reflects that depth of care every single day. She doesn't just run a program. She cultivates a community where every participant is known, valued, and empowered to live a full and meaningful life.

When she's not at Adaptive Alliance, you'll find Sam running her own business, working her farm, and raising her two daughters, because apparently she does everything with her whole heart.

We are so lucky to have her leading the way.