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.
Brian Hague
Brian is the Vice President of Communications & Corporate Affairs for Middlesex Water Company (NASDAQ: MSEX). 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 and he continues to work closely with the region’s premiere policy makers, elected officials, and members of the media. He is a former board member of the New Jersey Consumers League, Commerce PAC NJ, and NJ Doctor-Patient Alliance.
Anthony Russo
Anthony Russo is president of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ), a business association representing the interests of more than 900 companies. In this capacity, Mr. Russo is responsible for all aspects of the association. Mr. Russo is also the CEO and Publisher of COMMERCE Magazine. COMMERCE magazine is a business to business magazine with a readership of more than 40,000 professionals. Prior to his current position, Mr. Russo served as Executive Vice President of Government Affairs and Communications for CIANJ as well as Deputy Executive Director of the National Lime Association in Washington, DC representing the interests of mining companies producing calcium oxide (aka lime) at the federal level. Mr. Russo started his career at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection as a senior engineer issuing water quality permits. He then spent 5 years as an environmental consultant working for two firms, GES and ERM. He began his government affairs career when he served as Director of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs for the Chemistry Council of NJ, representing chemical and pharmaceutical companies in Trenton on legislative and environmental matters. Mr. Russo is a graduate of the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) with a degree in mechanical engineering.