Elsa Quezada Executive Director, Central Coast Center for Independent Living
Since 1993, Elsa Quezada has served as Executive Director of the Central Coast Center for Independent Living (CCCIL) located in Salinas, California on the beautiful Central Coast. Before becoming CCCIL’s Executive Director, she was the Executive Director of the Independent Living Center (ILC) in East Los Angeles. She has over 30 years of experience in the independent living movement. As a dedicated community servant, Elsa has brought her vast experience to numerous local, state, and national advisory committees with a special interest in developing independent living services for Latinos with disabilities.
Because of her expertise in multi-cultural outreach, she is a sought-after advocate on both stateside and national levels. She has also served on a number of state committees: the State Independent Living Council (SILC), the California Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, and the Olmstead Committee. She is past Chair of the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, a statewide membership organization of independent living centers. Currently, Elsa is serving a third term on the Santa Cruz/Monterey County Medi-Cal Managed Care Commission.
Throughout her years of community service, Elsa has worked on numerous disability rights issues. These include housing and community integration for people with disabilities, with emphasis on the needs of the most unserved/underserved members of our communities including people with brain injuries and veterans with disabilities.