Rebecca Lienhard

Rebecca Lienhard is the Chief Executive Officer at Tierra del Sol Foundation. She joined Tierra in 1990.

Over the course of her tenure, Ms. Lienhard has championed inclusion and value for people with disabilities through their unique contributions to our communities. She holds a Master’s degree in Special Education, with an emphasis in Moderate/Severe Disabilities, and is a graduate of the University of Delaware National Leadership Institute on Developmental Disabilities.

Ms. Lienhard serves as the key spokesperson for the agency in local, state, and national venues. She has served on numerous community boards and committees, such as the Vendor Advisory Committee for the California Department of Developmental Services’ North Los Angeles County Regional Center, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities’ Employment First Committee, and serving as Vice President of the Board of Directors for Southern California APSE (Association of People Supporting Employment First). She is currently serving on the Board of Woodbury University School of Business. Additionally, she serves as a current member of two of California’s Department of Developmental Services Workgroups, specifically focusing on System & Fiscal Reform and Community Resources. Through these roles, she has gained a nation-wide view of services, relevant laws, and emerging trends; all in an effort to advance meaningful and inclusive lives for adults with developmental disabilities.

She has presented at numerous conferences hosted by organizations such as VEDC’s 2019 Women+Business Conference, 2017 USC UCEDD Down Syndrome Conference, Autism Society Los Angeles, Los Angeles Valley College, Reinventing Quality, APSE and TASH. These experiences have equipped her to expand opportunities for people with disabilities in workforce development, customized employment, career in the arts, self-advocacy, and college to career opportunities.