Norma Israel has worked in the intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) field for more than 30 years. She is guided by a strong belief that people with disabilities deserve the same rights, roles, and responsibilities as anyone else.
A New York native, Norma earned her degree in music therapy from Florida State University and began her career with Sunrise Community, Inc. in Tallahassee. Since 1987, she has served in many leadership, teaching, and advocacy roles — most of them with Sunrise — where she has helped build programs that focus on dignity, inclusion, and quality outcomes.
Her experience includes teaching math to exceptional students, leading Quest, Inc. as Executive Director, and providing behavioral analysis services with Mentor (now Sevita). At Sunrise, she has also led turnarounds for struggling organizations in Florida and helped expand residential programs in Virginia.
Today, Norma serves as Director of Quality Enhancement and Interim Compliance Officer at Sunrise. She holds a Certification in Healthcare Compliance and is a Certified Praesidium Guardian.
A graduate of the ANCOR Foundation Leadership Academy, Norma continues to stay connected to the Academy community. She serves each year as a judge for the Direct Support Professional of the Year awards and mentors new Academy participants within Sunrise.
