AIIR Consulting’s Elevate Project Partners with Special Olympics Pennsylvania

AIIR Consulting is excited to announce that its pro bono initiative, the Elevate Project, launched a new partnership with Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) to provide no-cost executive coaching services to its senior leaders.

Special Olympics Pennsylvania provides year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities — fostering physical fitness, courage, and joy through the power of sport. With more than 10,000 athletes participating statewide, the organization has experienced monumental growth in recent years, expanding its impact and deepening its connection with the communities it serves.

As with leaders at all fast-growing organizations, this evolution brings new challenges. Through the Elevate Project, AIIR Consulting’s coaches will help SOPA’s leaders meet this moment with clarity and confidence — empowering them to lead with purpose, inspire their teams, and extend the organization’s impact across Pennsylvania.

“Our people are our most important asset, and investing in their leadership is essential to the future we are building at Special Olympics Pennsylvania,” said Pamela Velasquez, Chief People Officer & Executive Vice President of Operations for Special Olympics Pennsylvania. “This partnership with AIIR Consulting reflects our commitment to developing leaders who inspire, empower, and lead with clarity, compassion, and purpose. When we strengthen our leaders, we strengthen our entire movement — and the impact reaches every athlete, family, and community we serve.”

Research has shown the powerful impact executive coaching can have on leaders, teams, and entire organizations. The Elevate Project ensures that elite executive coaching — a transformative resource often reserved for corporate leaders — is accessible to the leaders of purpose-driven organizations. To date, Elevate Project coaches have given away more than $2.5 million of executive coaching services — supporting hundreds of nonprofit leaders across dozens of organizations.

“What inspires me most about Special Olympics Pennsylvania is the way their work challenges the limits we place on ourselves and others,” said Dr. Jonathan Kirschner, Founder and CEO of AIIR Consulting. “That spirit of hope and determination is what great leadership is all about, and it’s what makes this partnership so meaningful. We are honored to help strengthen leaders like those at Special Olympics Pennsylvania who are working to shape a better future.”