NRLI History

In 2002-2003, Fred McFarlane submitted and was awarded an RSA Training grant to establish a leadership development program for executives and management staff in the state’s VR program. The National Rehabilitation Leadership Institute (NRLI) Grant proposal was successful due in large part to Fred’s ability to establish connections and friendships with people who shared his belief that we can always do better for the people we serve.

Fred’s vision for the NRLI and its curriculum was that it would foster succeeding generations of VR Leaders competent in the areas related to the technical requirement of the VR program, managing a diverse workforce, leading organizational change, constituency building, and innovation.

An equally important part of Fred’s vision for the NRLI program was the idea that existing and future leaders of the VR Programs should be driven by a clear sense of purpose and intent. The notion being that at the end of the day, it is people who matter most.

Since its first cohort in 2004-2005, 538 VR leaders from 48 states and territories have enrolled in NRLI.  Now starting its third decade, NRLI continues to carry forward its founding commitment to strengthen current and emerging leaders in the public VR program. The passing of our founding leader, Dr. Fred McFarlane, in 2024 marked the loss of a visionary whose more than 50 years of service shaped the national VR program and the leadership community that sustains it. His belief in the power of connection, shared purpose, and continuous improvement remains at the heart of NRLI’s mission, guiding the program as it prepares the next generation of leaders to meet the evolving needs of the people we serve.

2024 NRLI Cohort (caption) 

2023 NRLI Cohort (caption)

2022 NRLI Cohort (caption)