Aspire Living & Learning names John Whittemore growth leader

Aspire Living & Learning has appointed John Whittemore as associate vice president of growth and advancement to help drive business development, advocacy and philanthropy. The move is aimed at supporting the nonprofit’s three-year plan to expand access and strengthen services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities amid funding and policy pressure. Why it matters: - Aspire Living & Learning is putting a senior leader in charge of growth at a time when home and community-based services face Medicaid funding pressure and policy uncertainty. - The appointment is meant to help the nonprofit expand access without weakening quality for the people it serves. - Aspire’s broader strategic plan ties growth to workforce strength, community connection and more reliable support. What happened: - Aspire Living & Learning appointed John Whittemore as associate vice president of growth and advancement. - The announcement was made June 15, 2026, in Leominster, Massachusetts. - Whittemore will oversee business development, advocacy and philanthropy. - Aspire said the role is designed to help advance its three-year strategic plan. The details: - Whittemore brings direct familiarity with Aspire’s programs and teams from prior work alongside them. - His portfolio connects mission and growth by pursuing partners, opportunities and resources. - CEO Erica Hare said the organization wants to grow in a way that protects what people rely on. - Hare said Aspire needed someone who could move the strategy forward while staying close to day-to-day realities. - Whittemore said he wants people to see Aspire as a community pillar, not just a place where services happen. - Aspire said community partnerships and philanthropic relationships remain central to what the organization can deliver. Between the lines: - The hire signals that Aspire sees external relationships as part of service delivery, not just fundraising. - The emphasis on advocacy suggests the nonprofit expects policy and reimbursement changes to shape its operating environment. - Positioning growth as a responsibility, rather than a vanity metric, reflects pressure across the human services sector to scale while preserving care quality. What’s next: - Whittemore will begin aligning business development, advocacy and philanthropy with Aspire’s three-year plan. - Aspire is expected to keep building community partnerships and funding relationships as it expands access. - The organization said intentional growth will be necessary to support more people without sacrificing quality. The bottom line: - Aspire is betting that a dedicated growth executive can help it expand services, defend quality and stay resilient in a harder funding climate. About Aspire Living & Learning - Aspire Living & Learning is a nonprofit human services, behavioral health and education organization with a multi-state footprint. - The organization says it has spent more than 45 years expanding person-centered services for neurodiverse children and adults. - More information: www.allinc.org - Social links: LinkedIn , Instagram , Facebook , YouTube