RSA Leadership

Office of the Commissioner

Danté Allen, Commissioner 

The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) is led by a Commissioner who is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Commissioner advises the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education and Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services on programs and issues affecting individuals with disabilities.

On December 6, 2023, the Senate confirmed Danté Allen as Commissioner. Learn more about Mr. Allen here.

Carol Dobak, Deputy Commissioner

Carol Dobak has served as Deputy Commissioner since entering the Senior Executive Service in 2022 after serving as Acting Deputy Commissioner. Ms. Dobak served as Director and later Acting Director of the State Monitoring and Program Improvement Division from 2016 to 2024. From 2006 to 2016, Ms. Dobak served as Chief of the VR Program Unit and served within the Office of Assistant Secretary with responsibility for RSA’s programs from 2004 to 2006. Ms. Dobak joined RSA in 2000 as a Program Specialist with responsibility for the Client Assistance Program and the Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights program.    

Christopher Pope, Director

Christopher Pope has served as Director of the State Monitoring and Program Improvement Division since 2024. From 2019 to 2024, Mr. Pope served as Chief of the Data Collection and Analysis Unit. From 2016 to 2019, he coordinated the interagency implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act with RSA's Federal partners. Mr. Pope joined RSA as a Vocational Rehabilitation Program Specialist within the VR Program Unit in 2012. Prior to RSA, Mr. Pope served as a Rehabilitation Specialist at the U.S. Department of Labor and began his career as a Rehabilitation Counselor with the New York State Education Department. Mr. Pope holds a Master of Arts in Education and Human Development in Rehabilitation Counseling from The George Washington University and he is Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. 

Suzanne Mitchell, Chief: Vocational Rehabilitation Program Unit

Suzanne Mitchell has served as Chief of the VR Program Unit since 2016. She joined RSA in 2003 and has served in multiple positions during her tenure. Ms. Mitchell has a diverse management background spanning over four decades in rehabilitation that includes leadership positions in the private and public sectors, including as Director of Blind Services for Louisiana Rehabilitation Services from 1993 to 2003. Ms. Mitchell holds a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from Southern University. 

David Steele, Chief: Fiscal Unit

David Steele has served as Chief of the Fiscal Unit since 2011. From 2008 to 2011, Mr. Steele served as a Financial Management Specialist within the Fiscal Unit that he now leads. From 2005 to 2008, he served as an Education Program Specialist with the Office of Special Education Program's Monitoring and State Improvement Planning Division. Prior to Federal service, during his 16 years as an employee of the State of South Carolina, Mr. Steele worked in several different public service roles, including IDEA Part C Coordinator. Mr. Steele earned a Master of Arts in Public Administration and a Master of Social Work, with a specialization in administration, from The Ohio State University.

Ed Vitelli, Chief: Technical Assistance Unit

Ed Vitelli has served as Chief of the Technical Assistance Unit since 2022. Prior to joining RSA, Mr. Vitelli served as a Group Leader in the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, which administers the Equity Assistance Centers program, the Student Engagement and Attendance Center, and the Comprehensive Centers program. From 2011 to 2013 and again from 2014 to 2019, he served in the Office of the Assistant Secretary in OSERS. Prior to Federal service, Mr. Vitelli worked as a Project Director and Lecturer at The George Washington University and as a Special Education Teacher in D.C. Public Schools. He earned a doctorate in special education from The George Washington University.

Ashley Brizzo, Director

Ashley Brizzo has served as Director of the Training and Service Programs Division since 2024. From 2019 to 2024, Ms. Brizzo served as a Group Leader in the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, which administers the Education Innovation and Research program. From 2015 to 2019, she worked in the Office of State Support administering various state formula grant programs under the Every Student Succeeds Act. Prior to Federal service, Ms. Brizzo worked as an Evaluator and Technical Assistance Provider; she also taught special education in South Florida. Ms. Brizzo has Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in special education and earned a doctorate in education policy from The George Washington University.