Virginia Knowlton Marcus is the Executive Director of Disability Rights North Carolina. She is a nationally recognized disability rights attorney who has been advocating for disability rights at the state, federal, and international levels for nearly 25 years. Marcus comes to North Carolina from Disability Rights California (DRC), where she served as the director of legal advocacy and led a team of 125 lawyers, advocates and other staff dedicated to advancing the civil rights of people with disabilities.

Marcus spent 11 successful years as executive director of Disability Rights Maryland, and she also served as executive director of the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation in Washington, DC. She has been a board member and officer of the National Disability Rights Network and co-chaired its legislative committee. Marcus earned her J.D. and B.A. in International Relations/World Politics at the University of California, Davis.