Hope Services names Eric Wilfrid as new Chief Executive Officer. November 4, 2026 Former Microsoft executive and Special Olympics leader brings more than 25 years of business leadership and a personal commitment to disability inclusion as Hope Services approaches its 75th anniversary. SAN JOSE, Calif. - October 28, 2026 - Hope Services, one of the Bay Area's leading nonprofit providers of services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and mental health needs, today announced the appointment of Eric Wilfrid as its next Chief Executive Officer. Wilfrid will begin meeting the team on November 2, 2026, and officially assume the role on December 1, 2026, succeeding Interim CEO Aila Malik. The appointment follows an extensive search led by Hope Services' Board of Directors and CEO Search Committee. Wilfrid brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience, a record of driving innovation and organizational growth, and a deeply personal commitment to creating opportunities for people with disabilities. "Throughout our search, we were focused on finding a leader who could marry exceptional talent with a genuine connection to our mission," said Tom McGovern, Chair of Hope Services' Board of Directors. "Eric brings the strategic vision, operational expertise, and people-centered leadership that Hope needs for its next chapter. Just as importantly, his personal experiences and longstanding commitment to disability inclusion give him a profound understanding of the individuals and families we serve." A Proven Business Leader with a Passion for Inclusion Wilfrid spent much of his career at Microsoft, where he held senior leadership positions, including overseeing a $600 million business and leading a multidisciplinary team of 250 professionals. His experience spans organizational transformation, strategic growth, technology innovation, and building high-performing teams. Beyond his corporate accomplishments, Wilfrid has dedicated years to advancing inclusion and opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At Microsoft, he was among the first general managers to participate in the company's autism hiring initiative, helping expand employment opportunities for neurodivergent professionals. One of those hires, a Special Olympics athlete, inspired Wilfrid to become more deeply involved with Special Olympics as a supporter, coach, and ultimately Board Chair of the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games. Under Wilfrid's leadership, the 2018 USA Games brought together more than 4,000 athletes and coaches and welcomed over 100,000 attendees, while achieving the event's first operating surplus. Since 2019 he has served on the Special Olympics Northern California board of directors. Wilfrid's commitment to inclusion extends well beyond organizational leadership. He has spent years coaching Special Olympics athletes and competing alongside individuals with I/DD as a Unified Sports partner in football and golf. In 2025, Wilfrid and Thomas, a Hope Services program participant and his Unified Golf partner for the past two years, earned a silver medal in Special Olympics competition. More recently, Wilfrid founded IDD Empower AI, an initiative developing person-centered technology to help adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their job coaches navigate employment and build greater independence. A Personal Connection to Hope's Mission For Wilfrid, the mission of Hope Services is deeply personal. His son, Colin, is autistic and an independent young adult. As a parent, Wilfrid understands firsthand the challenges families face in navigating services, identifying opportunities, and planning for their loved ones' futures. His experience as both a parent and an advocate has shaped his belief that individuals with disabilities deserve meaningful opportunities to pursue independence, employment, and fulfilling lives. "Hope Services' mission resonates with me on a deeply personal level," said Eric Wilfrid, incoming Chief Executive Officer of Hope Services. "As a parent, coach, and advocate, I have seen firsthand how the right support and opportunities can transform lives. I am honored to join an organization with such a remarkable legacy of empowering individuals and families, and I look forward to working alongside Hope's dedicated staff, participants, and community partners to build on that impact." "That moment captured something truly special about Eric," said Aila Malik, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Hope Services. "He wasn't simply a prospective CEO touring our programs. He was someone who had already built genuine relationships with the people at the heart of our mission. Eric brings the business acumen and strategic thinking Hope needs, but he also brings humility, warmth, and a deep appreciation for the individuals and families we serve." Leading Hope Services into Its Next 75 Years Wilfrid joins Hope Services at a pivotal moment in its history as the organization prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2027. Founded in 1952, Hope Services has grown into a comprehensive network of programs supporting more than 4,000 individuals and families annually across nine Bay Area and Central Coast counties. Its services span early intervention, community-based day programs, employment services, supported living, behavioral health, and creative arts opportunities. As CEO, Wilfrid will guide the organization's strategic direction, strengthen partnerships, and explore innovative approaches to expanding access to services while ensuring that Hope remains grounded in its person-centered mission. "With Eric's leadership, we have an extraordinary opportunity to honor Hope's legacy while embracing the innovation and collaboration needed to meet the evolving needs of our community," McGovern added. "We are excited to welcome him as we look toward the next 75 years of Hope."

Hope Services celebrates grand opening of inclusive bocce ball courts in Gilroy. July 28, 2026 Hope Services marked a significant milestone this month with the grand opening of its new inclusive bocce ball courts in Gilroy, a project years in the making, and one built with a simple but powerful goal: to create a space where everyone, regardless of ability, has a place to belong. None of this would have been possible without the generosity and partnership of Hope Services' sponsors, Gachina Landscape Management and the Parent Family. Gachina Landscape Management went above and beyond, donating the landscaping for the entire project, a contribution that helped bring the vision to life. Hope Services also extended heartfelt thanks to its donors, volunteers, families, and staff, whose continued dedication drives the organization's mission forward every day. Participants, families, staff, donors, and community partners gathered for the celebration, which was about far more than cutting a ribbon. As Sara Grignon, Central District Director shared during the event, the day represented a broader commitment: creating opportunities, building community, and ensuring that everyone has a place to connect, compete, and have fun. "Inclusion isn't just a value we talk about. It's something we intentionally create," said a Hope Services representative during the ceremony. The new bocce ball courts stand as a tangible example of that philosophy: a space where people with and without disabilities can come together, enjoy friendly competition, build new skills, and create lasting memories. Why bocce ball? Sports have a unique power to bring people together, teaching teamwork, perseverance, encouragement, and joy. Bocce, in particular, stands out for its accessibility. Whether someone is a seasoned player or picking up a bocce ball for the very first time, the game offers a level playing field where everyone has the opportunity to participate and feel like they belong. Built with purpose. For the individuals in Hope Services' programs, these courts were designed with a clear purpose in mind. Organizers hope the space becomes one where participants build confidence, develop friendships, and celebrate victories, both big and small. "You remind us every day why inclusion matters," Hope Services shared with program participants during the event. A symbolic close. The celebration concluded with a particularly meaningful moment: a butterfly release led by Michael Gachina of Gachina Landscape Management. The release served as a symbolic celebration of transformation and hope, values that sit at the very core of Hope Services' mission. What's next. While the grand opening marks a major achievement, Hope Services' work on the courts isn't finished. The organization is currently raising $30,000 to fund two additional improvements that will make the space fully accessible and functional for participants: * An accessible walking path, ensuring every participant can safely and independently reach the courts * Shade sails, providing relief from the sun so participants can enjoy the courts comfortably, even on the hottest days Community members interested in supporting this next phase of the project are encouraged to reach out to donate via hopeservices.org/bocce. The new bocce ball courts represent more than a recreational upgrade. They're a reflection of what's possible when a community comes together around a shared belief that everyone deserves a place to belong.