After a national search, Day Spring has named Lauren Hays the organization’s next chief executive officer, effective October 25.
“We were searching for a leader who is a passionate and comfortable advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Patrick Magill, chair of Day Spring’s board of directors. “We’re confident that Lauren will take a humanistic approach to the role and serve the Day Spring community well, as we focus on delivering exceptional services to our current residents, expanding our programs, and growing the number of people we can serve.”
Founded in 1994 through a collaboration of parents of children with disabilities, HUD, state and local legislators, the Archdiocese of Louisville, Seven Counties Services, New Directions Housing, and others, Day Spring provides a variety of person-centered residential options for adults with developmental disabilities.
“As the parent of a child who is deaf, I understand the journey parents take to help their children reach seemingly impossible goals, as well as the importance of celebrating each success,” said Hays. “I’m inspired by my son and my cousin, who has Down Syndrome, to lead the Day Spring team as an advocate for people who want to live as independently as possible but also feel part of a supportive community.”
A Louisville native and graduate of Mississippi State University, Hays most recently served as executive director of the Memphis Oral School for the Deaf in Germantown, Tenn. She also has more than a decade of experience in broadcasting, having served as a reporter and meteorologist for television stations in Lexington, Ky. and Memphis, Tenn.
Hays has received recognition for community service and civic involvement, and in 2017 was featured in the Memphis Business Journal for her administrative leadership. Lauren Hays will join Day Spring as CEO on October 25, 2021.
The search for Day Spring’s CEO was led by Ashley|Rountree and Associates, a Louisville-based consulting firm that specializes in helping nonprofits build capacity through fund and campaign development, grant writing, strategic planning, interim staffing, and executive search and coaching, among other services.
