Grant Van Der Beken

Board Chair

At GSIL, our board members are more than advisors—they’re champions for inclusion, independence, and community. In this Q&A, Grant Van Der Beken shares what brought him to GSIL, the impact of lived experience, and why he’s committed to carrying our mission forward. His insights reflect not only the heart of our work, but the strength of the people who help lead it.

What inspired you or brought you to your position on the board of GSIL?

First, I love GSIL, our leadership team, our staff, and our consumers. Growing up, I had a family member that required some special services related to a disability. Watching my family members support, advocate, and then become a part of that organization through board service work, set the blueprint for what the Community looks like for individuals with a disability and how important board service work is. As a father of two young boys, I also see firsthand where GSIL’s services could be needed at some point in their lives and the need to carry on our mission.

How does GSIL’s mission align with your personal or professional values?

I summarize our mission statement with 3 words: Advocate, Engage, Support. Creating opportunities for independence in the community for individuals with disabilities is GSIL’s single focus (and we’re damn proud of it!). We know who we are, who we want to be, and who we serve. I believe advocacy, engagement, and support are traits that can create incredible organizations and incredible communities.

What unique perspective or experience do you bring to the board?

I try to live my life with gratitude, personal accountability, and leading by example. Whether it’s with my kids or in my professional life, I never ask anyone to do anything I wouldn’t otherwise do myself. I don’t think that’s innately unique, but I do think leading by doing is something that can get lost in the day to day of our lives, so I focus on it. I’m incredibly grateful to work alongside a fantastic GSIL leadership team and an incredible board. Each one brings their own unique skillset to the mission – I learn something from each of them almost daily.

What has been the most rewarding part of your involvement with GSIL so far?

Our programs. Watching GSIL fill unmet needs in the disability community – whether it’s Deb Ritcey (GSIL CEO) testifying at the capital, our IMPACCT program graduations, stories about our Attendant Care Employees and their consumers, the list of memories and experiences that GSIL has provided me is way more than anything I could give in return. These programs don’t exist without a staff that is dedicated to the people we serve, and they’re the best at what they do.

Is there a particular program or initiative at GSIL that you’re especially passionate about?

All of them. I’m passionate about all of our programs because I get to see and hear about them in action. I am extremely grateful that our IMPACCT program director allowed me to attend a graduation ceremony early in my board tenure – watching the graduates and the parents of the graduates, hearing the stories of overcoming their challenges, is something I take with me every day.

What do you wish more people understood about the challenges and strengths of people with disabilities?

How much I take for granted in my life. As an example: local elections. When I go, I stand in line at my polling location, grumble a little about the inconvenience of waiting, try to keep my kids occupied as I perform my civic duty, sit down, select my candidates, pass in my ballot, and leave. It’s 2025 and NH is still looking at passing legislation that requires accessible voting options at polling locations. Voting is a right and yet we’ve made exercising that right really complicated (at best) for a select portion of the population.

Outside of your work with GSIL, what causes or interests are important to you?

I also sit on the board of the Webster House which provides a safe home for children that are unable to live at home. In many cases, these kids come to the Webster House due to drug/alcohol misuse, neglect, or abuse from their parents. Having been fortunate to find my own gift of sobriety, and being a father, I think about a multiverse where I don’t get sober and what would happen to my own kids in that situation. I give time and energy to the Webster House as a result.

What advice would you give to someone considering joining a nonprofit board for the first time?

I think the most frequent self defeating statement I hear from someone considering first time board service is “This is my first non profit board service” like it’s some widely held belief that non profits only elect individuals that have decades of experience – nonsense! Align with the cause, align with the people you’re serving with, and speak up. If you’re new, consider board training programs like Hoffman-Haas if you want to understand the expectations. I’m a proponent of board mentorship for newly elected members. If your organization doesn’t have a formal mentoring program, consider asking someone to mentor you – it will do as much for the mentee as it does for the mentor.