Special Olympics Kentucky (SOKY) provides children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities access to individual and team sports, offering life-changing benefits through athletic opportunities. Serving over 11,000 athletes across the state, SOKY fosters a community that values equality, respect, and acceptance.

In 2024, Benefactor Group supported SOKY in its search for a new Chief Executive Officer following the departure of their long-tenured leader. The firm facilitated a national search and presented a slate of candidates with extensive sector and nonprofit experience. The Board of Directors selected Angie Cruse-Tinch, whose qualifications and passion for inclusion align perfectly with SOKY’s mission.

Cruse-Tinch brings over two decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, having previously served as Chief Strategy Officer at Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness Road Council and held diverse leadership roles in various regional and state-wide organizations. Her deep commitment to empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities makes her a visionary, values-driven leader well-suited to oversee the organization’s continued growth and evolution.

This new leadership chapter comes at an exciting time for SOKY, which is building on over 50 years of success and embarking on new initiatives to increase program access, health resources, and public awareness surrounding intellectual disabilities. Cruse-Tinch has already begun driving the organization’s strategic vision, ensuring SOKY continues to deliver high-quality programs, expand partnerships, and advocate for greater opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities across Kentucky.

Joe Doren, Chair of Special Olympics Kentucky’s Board of Directors, expressed confidence in the appointment, stating,

“Angie’s vision and track record have made her the perfect leader to guide us forward. Her dedication to our athletes and her experience in nonprofit leadership will enhance our impact and position us for continued growth.”