NeuroShifts
Vicky Westra is the Chief Executive Officer of NeuroShifts since January 2010, focusing on creating transformative opportunities within the Autism and Neurodiversity Community by providing access to education and resources that promote well-being and inclusive workplaces. Prior to this role, Vicky founded Artistas Cafe and Art for Autism, which aimed to empower individuals with autism to leverage their unique abilities for employment and independence. Vicky's earlier experience includes serving as Customer Service and Marketing Director at Tampa Electric Company from 1984 to 2006, where considerable achievements included managing a substantial budget and improving service levels and cost efficiency. Vicky holds two Bachelor of Science degrees in Marketing from the University of Tampa.
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NeuroShifts
The vision of Shifting the outcome for those diagnosed with Autism came through Vicky Westra, who is the mother of a young adult who was diagnosed with autism at the age of four. After 22 years in Corporate America, Vicky left her senior leadership role and opened the first Artistas Café on January 2011 through a partnership with Mercedes-Benz of Tampa. Artistas Café is a first-of-its-kind Café employing a front line team who have all been diagnosed with autism. Artistas has developed a proven, unique and comprehensive Autsim Employment training program that helps to overcome the challenges faced by people with autism, including modules such as: learning and interpreting social cues, teamwork and multi-tasking skills, strengthening communication skills, emotional and social awareness which all lead to self-confidence and empowerment. Because of the success of the Artistas Café program, the vision is now to expand the program and create the first Autism Ready community. This vision will entail involvement from four key groups: 1. Young Adults with Autism –Will learn job skills that match their unique talents and abilities and then be matched to local internship and employment opportunities with local businesses. At the same time, through the Co-Living Center, they will learn the skills necessary to live independently 2. Parents/Caregivers – Will receive education/training to promote an environment that will maximize the success of their loved one with autism 3. Businesses – Will receive education/training to become ‘Autism-Ready’ and successfully employ young adults with autism 4. Community at Large – Will receive education/training about Autism and the shift we can create to better serve the Autism Community