The Autism Inclusion Revolution - Stella Spanakos & Nicole Sugrue

The Launchcast

Welcome to the season 4 premiere of The Launchcast! Since it's National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), we're kicking this one off with the authorities on disability employment, the co-founders of The Nicholas Center Stella Spanakos & Nicole Sugrue. It's the in-depth interview that you've grown to know and love from the LaunchDad but with two guests this time. Stella and Nicole dive deep into the stories that led to TNC and do an even deeper dive into what make this incredible nonprofit succeed and help so many individuals. Welcome back to the show, fans. Buckle up for a hell of a season.

Hosted by entrepreneur and keynote/TEDx speaker George Andriopoulos.

Follow @launchpadceo on Clubhouse, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Follow Stella on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stella-spanakos-8654aa1b/

Follow Nicole on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-sugrue-14344545/

Follow The Nicholas Center's website here: https://tncnewyork.org

TNC's Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/nicholascenter/

TNC's Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/theNicholasCenter

NICOLE SUGRUE, CO-FOUNDER and Executive Director and Grant Writer, The Nicholas Center

Nicole Sugrue has 20 years of experience in the formation and development of autism-related programs. She obtained her coursework and Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis with a Concentration on Autism in Special Education through Penn State University. She has organized and hosted conferences and presented hundreds of hours of evidence-based teaching strategies to raise awareness of science-based interventions geared toward improving the outcomes of individuals with Autism Spectrum disorders. In 2010 she decided to assist Stella Spanakos in building an entity to support the growing needs of the aging autism community; particularly young adults. Nicole sits as an advisor to Nassau County’s Office of Mental Health, Chemical Dependency, and Developmental Disabilities Services and is an appointed member of a legislative committee for Assemblyman Chris Burdick . Today she serves as the Executive Director of The Nicholas Center and as the Grant Writer and Grants Administrator for both The Nicholas Center and Spectrum Designs Foundation. She has secured over a million dollars in state and local grant and contract funding for the benefit of both organizations. Her presumption is that all individuals on the Autism Spectrum can benefit from being active and participating members of society and should have opportunities to work and gain skills while being integrated within their communities.

STELLA SPANAKOS, CO-FOUNDER & PR SPECIALIST, The Nicholas Center

Stella Spanakos financed and founded The Nicholas Center and Spectrum Designs to create a future for her son Nicholas. She taught Commercial Writing and English as a Second Language for 3 years at the University of Bari, Bari Italy, and Social Studies for 15 years in New York. She helped her husband build a 12 million-dollar women’s apparel business, KB Studio in NYC. For 8 years she served as President of the Manhasset Parents Association for Special Education, helped develop the first ABA elementary classroom and Life-skills program in the Manhasset Public Schools. She was the 2007 ElIJA Foundation Parent Award recipient and the 2012 Honoree for the Long Island Chapter- Council for Exceptional Learners. Stella was a 2013 inductee to the Town of North Hempstead May Newburger Women’s Roll of Honor, 2013 Honoree -Hugs Across America. 2018 Honoree – New York Power Women In Business, and Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton’s 2020 Honoree- Nassau County Legislature Trailblazer Award. Spanakos is a member of Supervisor Judi Bosworth- Town of North Hempstead Disability Advisory Committee. She is a contributing author for Nuovo Testo Di Traduzioni Per Esercitazioni and Move with a Purpose: Addressing Behavior Issues Common to the Autism Spectrum Before they Grow out of Control. In September 2022, Stella was appointed to the newly formed Nassau County Advisory Council on People with Disabilities.

About The Nicholas Center

The Nicholas Center has received the New York Senate Empire Business Award as the most socially innovative agency of its kind in New York State and 2020 Nonprofit of the Year by Long Island Business News.

In 2018 a documentary was made about her journey entitled, This Business of Autism (https://thisbusinessofautism.com/.) The film has been screened at over 20 film festivals in the United States and abroad, including a screening in Washington, DC in the U.S. Capital.

This episode is sponsored by Launchpad 516 Studios, the new studio and production company behind your favorite podcast on the planet. Are you ready to start your new podcast and get your voice out into the world? Or maybe you're just ready to take your existing podcast to a whole new level and monetize that thing so you can go from hobbyist to professional podcaster? DM George @launchpadceo on IG or FB for details or email [e-mail]. Visit online at: https://launchpad516studios.com

The Launchcast is produced by Launchpad 516 Studios.

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