As Vice President of Programs for Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas, Adam Christensen provides executive leadership and oversight for a diverse portfolio of services including Applied Behavior Analysis, Community Living, Employment Services, and Day Services. With more than 27 years of experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and other support needs, his career has been shaped by a deep commitment to creating opportunities for people to live, work, participate, and thrive in the communities they choose.
Adam's journey began in 1999 when, while attending college, he started working in the disability services field as a Direct Support Professional. What started as a college job quickly became a career and a calling. Working alongside individuals and families at the direct-support level gave him an early appreciation for the importance of quality services, strong relationships, person-centered supports, and the tremendous impact frontline professionals have on people's lives. He graduated from Southwest Baptist University with dual degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology and joined Easterseals in December 2009, where he has served in progressively responsible leadership roles across a wide range of disability and community-based services.
Adam has also been involved in broader community advocacy. He served as a member of the Forward SGF initiative in Springfield, Missouri, where he advocated for accessible community infrastructure and greater consideration of the needs of individuals with disabilities throughout Southwest Missouri.
One of the defining perspectives Adam brings to executive leadership is that his career began on the front lines. More than two decades after his first DSP shifts, he continues to draw on those experiences when making decisions that affect individuals receiving services and the professionals supporting them. With 27 years in the field and nearly 17 years with Easterseals, he remains focused on strengthening services, developing leaders, and carrying the mission forward.
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