VersAbility Resources is celebrating a moment of well-deserved recognition for one of the region’s most dedicated community leaders.
President and CEO Kasia Grzelkowski has been named the 2025 First Citizen of the Virginia Peninsula, an honor presented annually by the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce to individuals whose leadership, service, and commitment to community represent the very best of civic life in the region.
For those who know Grzelkowski’s work, the recognition comes as no surprise.
For nearly two decades, she has led VersAbility with a steady vision rooted in compassion, collaboration, and the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a full and meaningful life.
Since becoming President and CEO 20 years ago, Grzelkowski has helped guide the organization through remarkable growth and transformation. Today, VersAbility supports more than 1,500 individuals each year through employment programs, community living services, and early childhood initiatives — creating pathways to independence and belonging for people with disabilities across the Virginia Peninsula.
Yet what truly defines Grzelkowski’s leadership is the way it reaches beyond any single organization.
Throughout her career, she has been a tireless advocate for partnerships that strengthen the entire community. As a past board chair of the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and a contributor to numerous regional and statewide initiatives, she has consistently worked to bring together nonprofit organizations, businesses, and public institutions to solve challenges and expand opportunity.
At its heart, this recognition reflects the mission that has guided VersAbility for generations — creating communities where people of all abilities are valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.
Under Grzelkowski’s leadership, that mission continues to grow in both reach and impact, ensuring that inclusion is not just an ideal, but a lived reality across the Virginia Peninsula.
A Leadership Journey Rooted in Advocacy
Accepting the award at a gala held at Christopher Newport University, Grzelkowski reflected on the early experiences that shaped her perspective on fairness, leadership, and service. Raised by parents who were sociology professors, she grew up immersed in conversations about citizenship and the responsibilities individuals share in building stronger communities.
One childhood moment offered an early glimpse of the advocate she would become. While working in her family’s apple orchard packing house as a young child, Grzelkowski discovered that her brother was being paid more for the same work. With encouragement from the women working alongside her, she created a protest sign and staged a picket for equal wages, successfully convincing her grandfather to change the pay structure.
“That determined little girl with a handmade sign and a heart for fairness grew up to become a city planner,” she told the audience during her remarks.
Her early career in planning and work with community-focused organizations ultimately led her to VersAbility nearly 20 years ago. At the time, both she and the organization’s board took a leap of faith, with Grzelkowski stepping into her first CEO role and into a field where she had not previously worked.
“Sometimes life calls us to stretch, to overcome our fears and doubts, and step up to serve at a higher level,” she said.
Advancing Opportunity for People with Disabilities
Throughout her tenure, Grzelkowski has remained deeply motivated by VersAbility’s mission to ensure individuals with disabilities have access to meaningful employment, independence, and full participation in community life.
“People with disabilities are often overlooked, their voices are not heard, and their gifts and experiences are often overlooked,” she said during her acceptance speech. “That’s the ‘why’ that drives everything we do.”
Today, VersAbility supports individuals across the full arc of life, from early childhood services to workforce development programs and community living opportunities. The organization’s work helps individuals build independence, pursue meaningful careers, and contribute their talents to the community.
Grzelkowski emphasized that these achievements are the result of a dedicated team and strong partnerships across the region.
“I accept this honor as a reflection of a team and community that believes in shared responsibility and shared success,” she told attendees.
A Vision for the Future of Inclusion
Grzelkowski is optimistic about the future of inclusion in Hampton Roads and the Virginia Peninsula. She highlighted the importance of collaboration between business leaders, community organizations, and public institutions to create sustainable opportunity for everyone.
VersAbility continues to play a vital role in that effort by expanding workforce pathways, strengthening partnerships with employers, and helping ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to dignified lives of their choosing.
“If a little girl can stand up for fairness,” she said, “then surely we, together, can build a community where dignity and opportunity belong to everyone.”
