The Pathways team is made up of dedicated advocates who believe that every person with a disability deserves the chance to lead, grow, and find their place in Arkansas’s advocacy movement. Our leadership brings years of experience in nonprofit management, youth development, and disability empowerment. Together, they ensure that Pathways remains more than just an entry point—it’s a launchpad for a lifetime of self-advocacy and leadership.
Interim Director of NextGen Pathways
Founder, President/CEO, NextGen Advocacy Arkansas
William E. Morris has spent over two decades leading the way for disability advocacy and inclusion in Arkansas. His journey began at Easterseals Arkansas in 2002, where he served as an Ambassador and later as the organization’s Youth Ambassador in 2005. By age sixteen, William became Easterseals’ first Youth Leader, taking on early responsibilities that helped him develop the leadership and communication skills that define his work today.
William’s passion for empowering others continued through his college years at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he served as Vice President of Programs for the student organization Students Beyond Barriers (SBB). His work there focused on expanding opportunities for students with disabilities, building inclusive programming, and promoting accessibility awareness across campus.
In 2015, William founded The Morris Youth Foundation, which later evolved into NextGen Advocacy Arkansas (NGAA) in 2025—a statewide nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the voices of people with disabilities.
As Director of NextGen Pathways, William leads with empathy, strategy, and a commitment to creating access for everyone who wishes to join NGAA. He oversees the vision, development, and implementation of the Pathways program, ensuring that each self-advocate is supported in finding their place within the organization. His leadership philosophy is simple: advocacy begins with opportunity—and opportunity begins with inclusion.
Director of Admissions and Orientation
Executive Vice President/COO, NextGen Advocacy Arkansas
Israela Islam brings nearly a decade of executive leadership and youth advocacy experience to her role as Director of Admissions and Orientation for the Pathways program. Before NGAA was rebranded, Israela served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of The Morris Youth Foundation, where she helped guide the organization’s growth and develop its operational framework. And before her role as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, she served as the Foundation’s first Vice President of Finance and Administration.
Her work in community engagement and youth empowerment helped lay the foundation for what would eventually become NGAA’s statewide model for self-advocacy. Israela’s leadership has always centered on inclusion and mentorship, with a special focus on helping people with disabilities navigate new opportunities with confidence and clarity.
At Pathways, Israela oversees the admissions and onboarding process for all new applicants. She ensures that every self-advocate who enters the program is welcomed, understood, and connected to the right resources and cohort. Her approach blends professionalism with compassion—making sure every participant’s story is heard, and every goal is respected.
Israela believes that orientation is more than an introduction—it’s the beginning of transformation.