About Us
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit striving for social justice through autistic employment. Here is the story that started it all.
A letter from our founder
It all started with a girl. My girl. It was a Saturday in November, a typical trip to the grocery store for cereal, vegetables, and coffee. I had dragged my teenage daughter along to connect more and get her off her phone. As we turned out of our neighborhood, it happened: the conversation that changed everything and became the reason for Autism Insights Foundation.
That was the day my teenage daughter with autism told me she didn't think she would ever have a job. She couldn't picture what it would look like to have autism and be employed. She was sure she'd never be hired, because she wouldn't be able to stop stimming and answer interview questions the “right” way.
In that moment, the only examples of autistic employment I could think of were the Albert Einstein types. I imagined how it would feel if those were my only choices: invent the theory of relativity, or be unemployed. And I realized my daughter's amazing abilities might be lost to the world, along with the abilities of millions of people on the spectrum just like her, and millions more not like her at all.
It may have started with my girl, but Autism Insights Foundation is about you too. It is time for those of us who aren't on the spectrum to do more than just get out of the way. We need to welcome a different kind of brain and make room at the table, in all types of jobs.
Join me, and let's change the world.
Jackie Linstead, CEO & Founder
Our team
Jackie Linstead
Jackie has 20 years of experience in secondary education, teaching English to both neurotypical and neurodiverse students. With a master's degree in Organizational Leadership and a teenager with an autism diagnosis, she knows firsthand the struggles and the gifts that come with this journey.
Jennifer Styzens
Jennifer has worked with the neurodiverse population for over 40 years, specializing in adolescents and adults. She has presented on stress management, socialization, and sexuality, and has worked to help neurodiverse adults find employment.
J.H.
A professor in the Computer Science department at Chapman University, J.H. has dedicated his career to designing curriculum and helping students make the transition from college to the professional world. His passions include photography, 3D printing, and history.
Shelly Davison
Shelly spent 25 years in the corporate world as a procurement manager for major companies including British Petroleum and Black & Veatch. She has held countless leadership roles and volunteered with nonprofits such as Girl Scouts of America, Su Casa, and Stamp Out Hunger.
Dr. Elia Eiroa Lledo
Elia is a Computer Science professor at Chapman University and a dedicated advocate for neurodiverse inclusion. Her vision for AIF is to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity, empowering individuals to thrive in inclusive, supportive workplaces.
Stephanie Fentzke
Stephanie is a writer and an ABA therapist with a passion for helping others. She holds a BA in Psychology and a BFA in Television Writing and Production from Chapman University, and uses her background to create uplifting stories that give hope to individuals with ADHD and autism.