Our Team
MOLLY COLE
Executive Director
Molly Cole is the Executive Director of the CT State Independent Living Council. She has over 40 years of experience in the field of developmental disabilities and non-profit management. She comes to this position with an array of leadership experience, including serving as the Associate Director of the University of Connecticut Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and the Director of the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities. She is the past president of the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, a founding member of Family Voices, a national grassroots organization, and past president of the National Family Voices Board of Directors. She has published articles on leadership and family support, and written and directed numerous grant funded projects.
She is the former Executive Director of FAVOR Inc., a statewide family advocacy organization, and directed the Family Center at CT Children’s Medical Center. Ms. Cole is the parent of three children and has had personal experience with an array of services and programs in Connecticut. Her middle child, Mariyama had significant disabilities and complex medical needs, and passed away at the age of 18.
MICHELE DUBOIS
Office Administrator / Data Coordinator
MOLLY COLE
Executive Director
Molly Cole is the Executive Director of the CT State Independent Living Council. She has over 40 years of experience in the field of developmental disabilities and non-profit management. She comes to this position with an array of leadership experience, including serving as the Associate Director of the University of Connecticut Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and the Director of the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities. She is the past president of the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, a founding member of Family Voices, a national grassroots organization, and past president of the National Family Voices Board of Directors. She has published articles on leadership and family support, and written and directed numerous grant funded projects.
She is the former Executive Director of FAVOR Inc., a statewide family advocacy organization, and directed the Family Center at CT Children’s Medical Center. Ms. Cole is the parent of three children and has had personal experience with an array of services and programs in Connecticut. Her middle child, Mariyama had significant disabilities and complex medical needs, and passed away at the age of 18.
MICHELE DUBOIS
Office Administrator / Data Coordinator
CT State Independent Living Council Members
As of 02/28/2025
Chris Blake
Wallingford
Role: Vice President
Appointed Date: 7/2023
Term Expires: 2026
1st or 2nd term: 1st
Represents: Individual with a Disability
Voter status: Voter
Part of majority: Yes
Carmen Correa-Rios
New Haven
Role: CIL Designated Rep.
Appointed Date: 10/2021
Term Expires: 2027
1st or 2nd term: 2nd
Represents: Designated CIL Director (CDR)
Voter status: Voter
Part of majority: No
Melissa Cullen- Carter
Stratford
Role: CIL Designated Rep.
Appointed Date: Pending
Term Expires:
1st or 2nd term: 1st
Represents: CIL Employee (AI)
Voter status: Voter
Part of majority: No
Farrah Garland
Stonington
Role: Director
Appointed Date: 1/2023
Term Expires: 2026
1st or 2nd term: 1st
Represents: Individual with a Disability
Voter status: Voter
Part of majority: Yes
Michelle Johnson
Manchester
Role: Director
Appointed Date: 10/2021
Term Expires: 2027
1st or 2nd term: 2nd
Represents: Individual with a Disability
Voter status: Voter
Part of majority: Yes
Gretchen Knauff
Old Lyme
Role: President
Appointed Date: 5/2022
Term Expires: 2025
1st or 2nd term: 1st
Represents: Disability Advocate
Voter status: Voter
Part of majority: No
Corey Lee
Bloomfield
Role: Director
Appointed Date: Pending
Term Expires: 2028
1st or 2nd term: 1st
Represents: Individual with a Disability
Voter status: Voter
Part of majority: Yes
Mark Linabury
West Hartford
Role: Director
Appointed Date: 7/2023
Term Expires: 2026
1st or 2nd term: 1st
Represents: Disability Advocate
Voter status: Voter
Part of majority: No
Rich Luby
Seymour
Role: Director
Appointed Date: 12/2021
Term Expires: 2027
1st or 2nd term: 2nd
Represents: Individual with a Disability
Voter status: Voter
Part of majority: Yes
George Michna
Broad Brook
Role: DSE
Appointed Date: 10/2022
Term Expires: 2025
1st or 2nd term: 1st
Represents: DSE Rep.
Voter status: Non-voting
Part of majority: No
Jaclyn Pinney
Wethersfield
Role: Director
Appointed Date: 12/2021
Term Expires: 2027
1st or 2nd term: 2nd
Represents: CIL Employee (IU)
Voter status: Voter
Part of majority: No
Darrell Ruopp
Southbury
Role: Director
Appointed Date: 10/2021
Term Expires: 2027
1st or 2nd term: 2nd
Represents: Individual with a Disability
Voter status: Voter
Part of majority: Yes
Ron Sparks
Hamden
Role: CIL Designated Rep.
Appointed Date: 02/2025
Term Expires: 2028
1st or 2nd term: 1st
Represents: CIL Employee (IN)
Voter status: Voter
Part of majority: No
Kim Smith
Bozrah
Role: CIL Designated Rep.
Appointed Date: 07/2023
Term Expires: 2026
1st or 2nd term: 1st
Represents: CIL Employee (DNEC)
Voter status: Voter
Part of majority: No
Melissa Thompson
West Hartford
Role: Director
Appointed Date: Pending
Term Expires: 2028
1st or 2nd term: 1st
Represents: Individual with a Disability (CIL Staff)
Voter status: Voter
Part of majority: No
Emily Zambrello
Wethersfield
Role: Director
Appointed Date: 10/2022
Term Expires: 2025
1st or 2nd term: 1st
Represents: Individual with a Disability
Voter status: Voter
Part of majority: Yes