Spectrum Works believes that autistic adults can be integrated into the workforce through education and opportunity.
Our vision is to change society’s perception of how companies can seamlessly employ and integrate people on the spectrum into their workplace. We provide job training, internships, and employment opportunities to young autistic adults by partnering with companies to build more inclusive workplaces.
OUR STORY
Spectrum Works is a (501)(c)(3) designated non-profit organization located in Secaucus, New Jersey dedicated to providing job training and employment opportunities for autistic high school students and other young adults on the spectrum. It was founded by Ann Marie Sullivan, an entrepreneur with two decades of experience in building and managing start-up organizations, to address a critical disconnect between an 85% unemployment rate for autistic individuals and their value to the workforce as employees with inherent skills and abilities. In 2013, she partnered with Robert Butters, founder of Green Distribution, to make the Spectrum Works vision a reality.
We are motivated every day by our students and graduates - our story is their story. Our happiest moments are seeing their self-confidence improve, their skills increase, their friendships deepen, their acceptance into college, and when they ultimately become employed.
The Spectrum Works Job Training and Employment Program incorporates on the job training, classroom based learning, and competitive employment opportunities via partnerships with participating companies.
Our model helps autistic young adults live up to their potential for stable, successful, economically self-sufficient lives and, at the same time, helps companies create neurodiverse workforces.
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Our values guide everything we do, including how we interact with our employees, our participants and their families, our colleagues, our customers and community, and our business partners.
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Integrity: We are honest, ethical, and trustworthy.
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Team: We build a positive team and family spirit where everyone is valued. We embody diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
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Empathy: We go beyond understanding another person’s perspective. We act with compassion and respect for participants and their families, colleagues, customers, and partners.
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People: We believe in people who share a passion for our mission and authentically engage with their work. We embrace and respect our participants’, colleagues’, and partners’ diverse experiences and perspectives.
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Work Ethic: We are dependable, dedicated, and motivated.
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Collaboration: We work collaboratively, welcoming open exchanges of ideas and feedback. We empower our teams and trust their decisions.
MEET OUR TEAM
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Dominick Romano
Administrative Assistant
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sedat Saka
Sedat is the President and CEO of MTS Logistics, Inc., the New York-based logistics company founded in 2000. With his energy, initiative, courage, and strong leadership, Mr. Saka has grown MTS Logistics to be one of the top logistics companies in the United States, with growth in all markets globally, and offices in NYC and LA. His leadership helped MoreThanShipping.com become one of the world's top logistics and transport blogs. He has a degree from ITU Merchant Marine Academy, where he graduated in 1986, and a Shipping & MBA degree from Istanbul University, where he graduated in 1990. In his spare time, Sedat enjoys a very active lifestyle. He works out religiously daily, does yoga several times a week, and loves the outdoors. Some of his outdoor activities include biking, wind surfing, skiing, and swimming. He also loves cooking healthy meals for his family.
Ben Horn
Ben is a sustainability strategy consultant working with a London based consultancy, Carnstone. He works across all areas of ESG, ranging from environmental issues such as carbon emissions and climate change, social aspects of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and governance standards with clients across multiple sectors. Ben started his career as an ACA Chartered Accountant focusing on audit, accounts, and business strategy. A keen interest in the entertainment business led him to specialize in Intellectual Property and Royalties for Media, Entertainment and Sports clients. Ben has a BSc in Geography with International Studies from the University of Manchester with a year at University of California Los Angeles and studied Business Sustainability Management at The University of Cambridge, CISL.
Marjorie Ramos
Marjorie is the Chief People Officer at Bergen Logistics a global logistics and order fulfilment company that provides distribution services to the retail sector including e-commerce, wholesale, & retail. She was previously the Vice President, Head of Human Resources for Joe Coffee Company, and has worked in Executive level positions for several other companies including living and working as an expat in Mexico. Marjorie is a mentor volunteer at the NYU Masters of Human Resources program offering coaching and feedback to up-and-coming HR professionals. Marjorie is a native NYer who lives in Weehawken, NJ with her wife of 13 years who is a pre-K special needs teacher in Harlem. Marjorie has served on the Board of Directors at her condo association for over 6 years now. She is a champion for autism in the workplace and has been a big supporter of the growing Spectrum Works Autism hiring program at Bergen Logistics.
Brian Hague
Brian is the Director of Government Affairs and Communications for American Dream. He has over 20 years of experience in both corporate and government relations with expertise in product branding, corporate communications, legislative lobbying, crisis management, and media training. Brian started his career as a newspaper reporter for the Star-Ledger before becoming a staff member of the Assembly Democratic Office in the New Jersey Legislature. Brian has held communications and management positions at every level of New Jersey government and the private sector -- most recently as Senior Vice President of MWWPR -- and he continues to work closely with the region’s premiere policy makers, elected officials, and esteemed members of the media. He is a board member of the New Jersey Consumers League, board member of Commerce PAC NJ, and board member of the NJ Doctor-Patient Alliance.