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About the Founders
Annette Jett Beth Gallagher Kirk Hinkleman

Building a Bridge to a World That Works for Everyone

Three Voices. One Mission.

The founding members of the Alliance of Change (AoC) share a deep, unified vision: to center the voices and choices of people with disabilities, their families, service providers, and community members—and to reimagine a future that works for all.

Together, we believe in values-driven action, collaborative leadership, and inner transformation as the foundation for systemic change.

The Story Behind AoC

Our journey began in 2015, when three passionate leaders met at a conference. We bonded over a shared commitment to inclusion, a drive to challenge the status quo, and a desire to build something better.

From coast to coast—from California to Kentucky—and even through the height of the pandemic, we stayed connected. We hosted gatherings, led trainings, and asked hard questions:

  • How do we cultivate a person-centered culture?
  • How do we listen deeply and act with intention?
  • How do we help people uncover their highest potential?

In answering those questions, we discovered something bigger than ourselves. Together, we formed the Alliance of Change—a movement and platform for professionals, parents, advocates, and organizations who believe change is not only necessary, but possible.

Meet the Founders

Beth Gallagher

CEO of Life Works | Author | Parent | Visionary Facilitator

Beth is the founder and CEO of Life Works in San Diego, CA. She’s worked in the disability field since 1986, creating customized, person-centered support strategies for people often overlooked by traditional systems.

She co-authored Intentional Teaming: Shifting Organizational Culture and co-created the Liberty Plan, a facilitation tool for individuals, families, and teams.

Beth’s work centers on curiosity, collaboration, and honoring the unique gifts of each person. Her philosophy: “We want to help people create fully realized lives—one person at a time, in ways that make sense for them.”

LEARN MORE ABOUT BETH

Kirk Hinkleman

Director of Creative Design & Wellbeing | Mindfulness Teacher | System Disruptor

Kirk is a speaker, author, and mindfulness teacher committed to dismantling outdated structures and helping people find purpose through awareness-based action.

With experience across many sectors since 1998, he’s become a champion for real community inclusion—viewing people not as clients, but as citizens with gifts to share.

Kirk is co-author of Intentional Teaming, co-creator of the Liberty Plan, and a founding member of AoC. His mission is simple and profound: “Authentic teaching. Aligned vision. Inner work as the path to outer change.”

LEARN MORE ABOUT KIRK

Annette Jett

Chief Innovation Officer, Build Inclusion | Policy Advocate | Parent | Systems Change Leader

Annette is the co-founder of Build Inclusion, a Kentucky-based nonprofit focused on community access and opportunity. She’s a curriculum designer, community inclusion expert, and parent advocate who brings lived and professional experience to every conversation.

Her work has influenced statewide systems, including authoring legislation that unanimously passed in 2025 to improve accountability and oversight in vocational rehabilitation.

She’s a bridge between policy and practice, always asking the hard questions and pursuing what’s possible. “The answer is always ‘no’ unless you ask,” Annette says—and she asks.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ANNETTE

Meet the Founders

Beth Gallagher

CEO of Life Works | Author | Parent | Visionary Facilitator

Beth is the founder and CEO of Life Works in San Diego, CA. She’s worked in the disability field since 1986, creating customized, person-centered support strategies for people often overlooked by traditional systems.

She co-authored Intentional Teaming: Shifting Organizational Culture and co-created the Liberty Plan, a facilitation tool for individuals, families, and teams.

Beth’s work centers on curiosity, collaboration, and honoring the unique gifts of each person. Her philosophy: “We want to help people create fully realized lives—one person at a time, in ways that make sense for them.”

LEARN MORE ABOUT BETH

Kirk Hinkleman

Director of Creative Design & Wellbeing | Mindfulness Teacher | System Disruptor

Kirk is a speaker, author, and mindfulness teacher committed to dismantling outdated structures and helping people find purpose through awareness-based action.

With experience across many sectors since 1998, he’s become a champion for real community inclusion—viewing people not as clients, but as citizens with gifts to share.

Kirk is co-author of Intentional Teaming, co-creator of the Liberty Plan, and a founding member of AoC. His mission is simple and profound: “Authentic teaching. Aligned vision. Inner work as the path to outer change.”

LEARN MORE ABOUT KIRK

Annette Jett

Chief Innovation Officer, Build Inclusion | Policy Advocate | Parent | Systems Change Leader

Annette is the co-founder of Build Inclusion, a Kentucky-based nonprofit focused on community access and opportunity. She’s a curriculum designer, community inclusion expert, and parent advocate who brings lived and professional experience to every conversation.

Her work has influenced statewide systems, including authoring legislation that unanimously passed in 2025 to improve accountability and oversight in vocational rehabilitation.

She’s a bridge between policy and practice, always asking the hard questions and pursuing what’s possible. “The answer is always ‘no’ unless you ask,” Annette says—and she asks.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ANNETTE

Why We Do This Work

We do this because we’ve seen what happens when people live lives designed by others:

Boredom.

Disconnection.

Loneliness.

Being “othered.” 

We believe in a different way forward—one where people have the right to choose their path and are supported by communities that see their value.

We act because:

Families are still fighting for basic rights.

Providers are exhausted, underfunded, and undervalued.

Outdated systems continue to restrict, rather than uplift.

New leaders are emerging—and need real mentors and tools.

We’re at a tipping point. And the time to act is now.

Our Mission

To build a values-driven, best practice learning platform and foster a community of change agents committed to personal and professional growth, innovation, and systemic impact.

The Alliance of Change exists to help disability professionals, families, advocates, and service organizations:

Build person-centered supports

Cultivate long-term vision

Align with higher purpose and possibility

All rooted in dignity, inclusion, choice, awareness, and compassion.

Our Core Beliefs

  • Every person has the right to choose their own life. 
  • Inclusion should be intentional, not incidental. 
  • Systems are broken—not people.
  • Real change is born of collaboration, not competition. 
  • Inner work is the first step to meaningful organizational
    and systemic change.