Vista Autism Services recently welcomed a new CEO, Nzenalu "Nze" Obinelo. Obinelo came to Vista from Gateways Community Services in Nashua, N.H., where she served as the organization's executive vice president of programs for the past 23 years and reported to the Gateways CEO.

In her previous role, Obinelo was responsible for the supervision and strategic direction of Gateways' Community and Employment Services, ABA Services, Early and Family Support Services, Elder Services and Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Speech Services. Her supervisory activities included six direct reports and 150 indirect reports out of 400 employees who serve 4,000 children, adults, and seniors with intellectual or developmental disability diagnoses.

In her executive vice president position, Obinelo developed numerous skills that she will use in her role as Vista's fourth CEO, including cross-functional team management, strategic planning, change management, cross-sector partnership building, budgeting and fundraising, training and development and legislative review and compliance. Prior to assuming her executive vice president position, Obinelo held multiple roles with other organizations, including being a case manager and a social worker.

Obinelo will work with Vista's former CEO and founder, Mike Jarman, over the next few months to provide her situational awareness, regulatory and financial background and introductions to Vista's diverse stakeholders. Jarman will remain a member of the agency's governing boards post-transition.

Vista Autism Services is a leading expert focused on data-driven approaches to improve the lives of individuals with autism and their families, from the time of their diagnosis through adulthood. Visit http://www.vistaautismservices.org to learn more.