We are not waiting for the world to become more inclusive, Joshua Fields often says. We are building the communities where everyone belongs. That declaration captures the spirit of The Next Step Programs, the organization he founded and leads as Chief Executive Officer, which has grown from a grassroots effort into a recognized leader in creating opportunities for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Over the past three years, Fields expanded the organization from primarily social and transition programs into a full continuum of services, including day programming, supported employment and in-home and community supports. This allowed The Next Step Programs to support individuals at every stage of adulthood through a coordinated, person-centered model. He invested heavily in team and infrastructure, building a staff of more than 50 professionals and strengthening systems across finance, human resources, marketing and program management.
His most ambitious undertaking is Adam’s Way, an inclusive mixed-use community in Doylestown where people with and without disabilities will live, work and belong together. What began as an idea that invited skepticism became something tangible when the organization officially acquired the land, a site in the heart of town that will one day offer meaningful housing options and genuine dignity to families who have long needed more choices.
That achievement required Fields to grow in ways he could not have anticipated, becoming more decisive, more patient and more comfortable with risk. He had to lead through ambiguity, communicate a vision still taking shape and inspire confidence even when the path forward was unclear. The accomplishment, he emphasizes, was never an individual one; it emerged from collective belief, careful planning and unwavering commitment to the people the organization serves.
Inclusive hiring stands among his strongest commitments. Roughly a fifth of the workforce consists of individuals with disabilities, including employees who serve as Community Ambassadors in structured, supported roles designed for growth. Fields believes diverse teams foster innovation and better reflect the communities the organization exists to serve.
Being named a Titan 100 Honoree has been both humbling and deeply affirming, reflecting the work of an organization built with purpose and resilience. The recognition gave him a rare moment to step back and acknowledge how far the team had come, while strengthening his sense of responsibility to lead within his community and industry.
His personal story continues to fuel the mission. The loss of his mother deepened his commitment to building something lasting that improves the lives of others, shaping how he approaches leadership and the importance of using adversity as fuel for meaningful work.
The greatest leadership lesson of his year was learning to lead through uncertainty while still projecting clarity and conviction. Fields discovered that leadership is not about having every answer but about creating confidence and direction even while working through the unknown, balancing patience with urgency and remaining steady so that his team could follow.