Finding Purpose and Growth: Brandan Kelly’s Journey at Options for All 

From Military Service to a Career with Impact 

In 2015, after leaving the military, Brandan Kelly wanted a career where he could serve his community and make a real impact. He found that opportunity at Options for All (OFA) as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) in the community engagement program.  

“I wanted something different—somewhere I could use my leadership skills to help others,” Brandan shares. “What started as a small team has grown into a thriving group of professionals dedicated to enhancing lives.” 

A Culture of Growth and Support 

Over the years, Brandan has advanced through several roles at OFA, from DSP to Case Manager, then TDS-ILS Manager, and now Director of Operations. He credits his growth to strong mentorship and ongoing support. 

“The leadership team here has helped me understand the programs, stay organized, and improve processes. I’ve also had the chance to work on efficiency tracking and process improvements, which has been invaluable.” 

This culture of mentorship extends to all employees. OFA provides professional development opportunities, helping staff grow and make a difference. 

The Power of Hands-On Experience 

Starting as a DSP gave Brandan a unique perspective as a leader. “I know what our DSPs go through every day—what a good day looks like, what a tough day feels like,” he explains. “That understanding helps me advocate for our staff and truly support their needs.” 

A Workplace Like No Other 

What makes OFA such a great place to work? According to Brandan, it’s the culture.  

“This isn’t just a job—this is an organization that genuinely cares about its employees and clients,” he says. “I never dreaded coming to work as a DSP. It was probably the best job I’ve ever had. Where else can you play basketball, attend a Zumba class, and motivate individuals while making a real impact?” 

Brandan has also played a big role in building OFA’s workplace culture. He helped start the San Diego office’s softball team, giving staff a fun way to bond outside of work. “Having fun and staying connected beyond work helps us perform better as a team. It’s part of what makes OFA such a great place to be.” 

He also emphasizes that leadership at OFA isn’t just about business. “They truly care about making sure staff feel valued and supported. Whether it’s new technology, safety equipment, or even an updated kitchen, they want to create the best environment for both employees and clients.” 

Looking to the Future 

When asked about the future at OFA, Brandan laughs. “In 2024, our softball team won the championship—so now, my biggest challenge is making sure we win again in 2025!” But beyond softball, his goal is to keep making OFA the best place to work by supporting staff and ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed. 

“At the end of the day, if your staff are happy, then your clients will be happy. And that’s what it’s all about.” 

Join the OFA Team 

Looking for a career where you can grow, make a difference, and be part of a supportive, mission-driven team? Options for All might be the perfect fit. Check out our current job openings and start your journey today! 

With 22 years in operations, Brian Zotti, Chief Operating Officer of Options For All (OFA), shed some insight into what it means to firefight in the workplace. 

Firefighters are generally perceived to be heroic and necessary for safety in our communities. Although this is true for fires threatening our homes, this should not necessarily be the case in the workplace. Not all fires can be avoided, but you can take steps to anticipate them. 

Fires in the workplace are unplanned distractions that derail team’s focus from their goals. Ultimately firefighting can be an addiction. This addiction happens because the fire in the workplace allows employees to assert themselves to put them out. Much like our community heroes saving lives, putting out a fire in the workplace makes an employee feel like a hero. Which on its own becomes a problem that is often fanned by the praise of teammates recognizing the support and help provided in putting out nothing more than a distraction. 

“What we’re doing is rewarding the act of firefighting instead of anticipating the risks that are likely to impact us,” says Brian. 

This continued praise motivates employees to lean in and take action. We seek that recognition from our peers and feel heroic for resolving a distraction. We all know that we view our community firefighters as real heroes because they protect citizens from dangerous fires, not for rescuing stray cats in trees. We should be valuing the prevention of conflicts in the workplace, not putting them out. 

Encouraging behaviors that help prevent crises in the workplace enable companies to be better at achieving their goals. Effective organizations align the priorities and tasks of their employees with their strategic goals. Instead of trying to be heroic and dispute the problem in the office, we need to embolden the idea of how we use our time and resist the urge to engage in distractions, and instead reward and praise employees for accomplishing objectives that address organizational goals. 

To achieve their goals, organizations must avoid creating a culture of putting out fires. There’s a natural tendency to reward those that “save the day. “And while there is a need to manage risks and issues that arise unexpectedly, these situations must be the exception, not the norm. Ways in which organizations can avoid becoming engulfed in a pattern of putting out fires include empowering employees at all levels to identify and mitigate risks before they become issues. Second, organizations can and should examine problems to determine whether they could’ve been anticipated and how to put proper risk management practices into place in the future. Third, performance and recognition systems should be anchored towards adequate planning, risk management, and execution. 

“If someone more senior than you asks you to do something that is not aligned with the organization’s goals, do you have the right to push back?… and my answer is you have every right,” says Brian. 

How can you check to see if you’re spending your time advancing the right goals? Take a glimpse at your calendar from last week. What meetings did you have scheduled? Were those meetings aligned with your organization’s goals? Did you spend your time on those goal-advancing meetings? Were there unplanned meetings that you found yourself engaged in? Were those meetings aligned with advancing your organization’s goals? These questions are what you want to ask yourself to create a clear vision and strategy to stay on track. If you stay focused on your goals, fires are less likely to happen in the workplace. 

Like Smokey the Bear says – “Only you can prevent wildfires.”

Brian Zotti, our Chief Operating Officer, has contributed to our mission by developing and implementing strategies that enable Options For All (OFA) to grow at scale and deliver exceptional experiences to our consumers. We are proud to share that Brian has been elected to serve on the board of Directors for San Diego Pride, an organization dedicated to fostering pride, equality, and respect for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities locally, nationally, and globally.

As an influential leader at OFA, Brian impacts the lives of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) every day! Driven by altruism, he shares his passion for supporting underserved populations, aligning perfectly with San Diego Pride’s vision of a world free of prejudice and bias.

Brian has championed inclusion and diversity by connecting OFA and San Diego Pride to provide employment opportunities for adults with I/DD and live stream solutions for the Pride Parade during the Covid-19 Pandemic.

In addition, Brian has successfully organized and raised over $8,000 for the organization with a personal fundraiser. His dedication to inclusion makes him an excellent asset to San Diego Pride’s Board.

Brian continues his involvement in the community as a member of the San Diego Equality Business Association and Special Needs Trust Foundation. His membership on the Pride board is continuing his commitment to this community after having served on the boards of Richmond Organization of sexual Minority Youth and the diversionary Theatre. He truly exemplifies our core value “Every Person Matters” by being a genuine resource to persons and communities that often feel excluded and marginalized. We are excited to see his impact on the San Diego Pride Board and what he will bring to our community this year!