Headshot LR47 1

Virginia Knowlton Marcus

Chief Executive Officer

Virginia Knowlton Marcus joined the DRNC team as the CEO in September 2018. Virginia is an attorney with lived experience who has been advocating for disability rights in multiple states, federally and internationally for the past 25 years. Her prior positions include executive director at Disability Rights Maryland, director of legal advocacy and director of public policy at Disability Rights California, executive director at the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation, and fellow with the California Assembly Ways & Means Committee.

Virginia is a National Disability Rights Network board and legislative committee member, chairs the NC Equal Justice Alliance, and is a member of the NC Equal Access to Justice Commission, NC Mental Health Block Grant Planning and Advisory Council, NC Council on Developmental Disabilities, and NC Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Council. She is a Leadership North Carolina alumnus and current Leadership Triangle participant.

Virginia completed her RYT-200 yoga certification in January 2016 and has been active in the accessible yoga movement since 2015. She earned her J.D. and B.A. in international relations at the University of California, Davis. She lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband, Michael, and their German Shepherd, Rosie.

Disability Rights NC

About Us

Disability Rights North Carolina is a legal advocacy organization that fights for the rights of people with disabilities in North Carolina.

What is a P&A?

After Willowbrook, congress made sure that every state has a Protective and Advocacy agency. DRNC is the federally mandated...

Our Team

All staff currently working for Disability Rights North Carolina, listed in alphabetical order, including titles and background info...

Board of Directors

DRNC’s Board of Directors is a diverse group of individuals who are passionate about the rights of people with disabilities. All or...

PAIMI Advisory Council

In 1986, Congress took significant action to stop abuse, neglect, and other rights violations against people with mental health disabil...

Careers

Are you interested in a job in the disability rights field?