Melwood Expands Executive Leadership Team with Chief Growth Officer Joseph Diaz

October 3, 2023

Joseph Diaz joins Melwood with a focus on strategic growth as the organization celebrates 60 years of impact and inclusion.

Upper Marlboro, Md. – Melwood, a leading national employer, advocate, and preferred provider for people with disabilities, today announced the addition of Joseph Diaz as the company’s new Chief Growth Officer. In this role, Diaz will oversee Melwood’s business development, marketing and communications, advocacy, and community engagement functions to drive its mission of creating a world where people with disabilities are fully included.

Diaz’s 25 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, advocacy, project management, and growth strategy, bring a holistic, big-picture lens to Melwood’s business development, public affairs, and community engagement efforts. Throughout his career, Diaz has championed the development of initiatives and project launches for global organizations, nonprofit providers, and public sector clients.

“I am honored to join such a strong pillar in the disability employment community and expand the impact of the organization’s expertise, workforce pipeline, and advocacy to reimagine the workforce of the future and build a more inclusive society,” said Diaz. “Melwood is leading pivotal conversations and programs at the federal level and within our communities to make inclusive change a reality. I look forward to partnering with this incredibly passionate team to build on 60 years of workforce innovation.”

Prior to joining Melwood, Diaz served as the Chief Operating Officer for Didlake, Inc. a nonprofit, and strong Melwood partner, that connects people with disabilities to employment and community engagement opportunities. Prior to his role with Didlake, he served as Senior Vice President of Operations for SourceAmerica and Executive Director for SourceAmerica’s East Region.

“Our goal is to continue to grow our workforce pipeline and employer partnerships to expand opportunities for people with disabilities to pursue meaningful careers,” said Larysa Kautz, President & CEO, Melwood. “Diaz’s deep roots in the AbilityOne federal contracting space and his vision for innovative, inclusive growth strategies that fuel economic empowerment perfectly position him to guide Melwood’s efforts to strengthen our impact across Maryland, D.C., and Virginia.”

Diaz is an active board member for Virginia Career Works-Northern Region, promoting economic growth and prosperity in Northern Virginia. Diaz holds a master’s degree in social work from Rutgers University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rowan University. Diaz also earned a Master Certificate in nonprofit management from Georgetown University, a Master Certificate in government contracting from Villanova University, and has attended the Harvard Executive Leadership Program for Advanced Negotiations training.