About Us
Two Founders. One Shared Purpose.
A Brighter Future.
At Empowered Living Services Agency (ELSA), we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to build a life that is truly their own.
For co-founders Ryan Aliason-Witherspoon and Adolph Witherspoon Jr., creating ELSA was more than starting a business—it was about making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, while embracing neurodiversity and celebrating each person's unique strengths, abilities, and aspirations.
Inspired by their entrepreneurial families and a shared passion for helping others thrive, Ryan and Adolph envisioned an agency where compassion, opportunity, and individuality come together. Their mission is to nurture a team of dedicated professionals who empower individuals to pursue independence, meaningful relationships, personal growth, and joy.
Because independence looks different for everyone, ELSA celebrates each person's unique dreams, strengths, and choices. We work alongside individuals, families, and their circles of support to create opportunities rooted in dignity, self-determination, and belonging.
We're not here to decide what someone's life should look like. We're here to help them build the life they envision.
Real people. Real connections. Real possibilities.
Ryan & Adolph
Co-Founders, Empowered Living Services Agency
Ryan
Ryan carries the heart of a family legacy spanning more than 40 years in residential care. Growing up, he watched his mother and grandmother dedicate their lives to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, forming cherished memories and lifelong connections with people who helped shape who he is today. These experiences inspired his passion for making a difference and his belief that meaningful care goes beyond everyday needs—it's about dignity, compassion, creativity, and genuine human connection.
Beyond his work in care, Ryan has a lifelong love for fashion and the arts, bringing creativity, individuality, and fresh perspectives into everything he does. At ELSA, he hopes to inspire others to embrace their uniqueness, express themselves freely, and build lives filled with independence, belonging, and opportunity.
Adolph
Adolph brings 3 decades of experience in technology, customer success, and leadership, with a passion for nurturing people and helping them discover their potential. Through mentorship and encouragement, he believes in empowering both his team and the individuals ELSA serves to build confidence, embrace independence, and achieve their goals.
Beyond his professional life, Adolph loves experimenting in the kitchen, bringing creativity and joy to cooking for family and friends. For him, whether through leadership, meaningful connections, or a home-cooked meal, it's all about bringing people together and helping them thrive.
