Latsoha R. Fowlkes, LCSW

President and CEO

“Disability is the only minority class any of us can find ourselves in at any time. Nearly one in four Americans lives with a disability, making it the largest minority group in the country. People with disabilities and their families represent enormous economic strength and civic influence, including significant voting power across our nation.”

Latosha R. Fowlkes, LCSW, serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Paraquad. She leads a bold and transformative vision centered on expanding opportunity, strengthening independence, and advancing dignity for people with disabilities. At Paraquad, Latosha is focused on positioning the organization as a national leader in disability advocacy, independent living, and inclusive community development. Her leadership is grounded in a strong belief that systems should center people, and that communities thrive when access, choice, and equity are prioritized.

With nearly two decades of experience leading equity-driven systems reform, Latosha is guiding Paraquad into its next chapter as a comprehensive hub supporting mental and physical health, employment, advocacy, and community access for people with disabilities and their caregivers.

Her commitment to disability equity is both professional and deeply personal. Through her work in community-centered care, she has witnessed firsthand how access to adaptive health and wellness spaces—like Paraquad’s Stephen A. Orthwein Center—can dramatically improve a person’s healing journey and expand what is possible for individuals and families navigating disability.

Latosha is a licensed clinical social worker in Illinois and Missouri and has more than 20 years of service and leadership experience in the nonprofit space. Prior to joining Paraquad, Latosha served as President & CEO of The Core Collective at Saint Vincent, where she led the transformation of a 175-year-old institution into a hub for health equity, youth justice, and generational opportunity. Throughout her career, she has led multi-million-dollar organizations, advanced state and federal policy initiatives, and partnered with coalitions representing billions in economic impact across Missouri. Her leadership consistently centers lived experience, community voice, and long-term systems change.

When not working at Paraquad, Latosha enjoys spending time with her husband, Javan, family, and friends, gardening, and reading.