Our Story

Purpose Driven Employment (PDE) was born out of one mother’s unwavering commitment to empower individuals with disabilities, helping them unlock their full potential and find meaningful employment. Her journey took on profound personal significance when her firstborn daughter was diagnosed with severe nonverbal autism—and deepened even further when her second child was also diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). These experiences ignited a mission not just of service, but of transformation: to create a world where her children—and others like them—could thrive in careers that celebrate their unique contributions.

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With nearly a decade of experience in the field, she brings a multifaceted perspective shaped by direct service and lived experience. Her work spans Independent Living Services (ILS), Supported Living Services (SLS), and Adaptive Skills Training (AST). She holds an ACRE certification in Customized Employment and formal training in Person-Centered Thinking—both of which support her belief that true growth comes when individuals are seen, heard, and supported on their terms.

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She is a proud member of Cal-APSE, actively contributing to a movement that advances inclusive employment policy and person-centered practice. Beyond the disability services field, she also works in real estate multifamily syndication, a space where she continues to explore long-term solutions that create equitable, inclusive opportunities for individuals and families.

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Her background as a former arts director and educator continues to shape her creative, strengths-based approach to workforce development. She has developed countless curricula over the years and continues to evolve them by learning from the individuals she supports and the broader community. Each lesson is treated as a living document—constantly growing, adapting, and refined through collaboration. Her use of simulations, role-play, and experiential learning tools helps prepare participants for real-world success in engaging and practical ways.

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She works closely with families, Regional Center teams, and community stakeholders to ensure that each Career Plan is more than just a form—it becomes a deeply personalized roadmap rooted in the individual’s goals, voice, and aspirations. Her love for the IDD  (Intellectual and Developmental Disability) community is at the heart of her work, and she is especially passionate about serving California’s Self-Determination Community, where person-centered planning can be applied with depth and integrity. Too often, she has witnessed agencies use these terms as buzzwords without proper understanding or training—something she is determined to change.

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To this day, she remains actively involved in coaching individuals with more complex needs, believing that direct service is essential to building the future she envisions. In her view, pushing a pencil from behind a desk while calling for change without being present in today’s service landscape is like trying to plant seeds in soil you’ve never touched—detached leadership yields shallow roots. She believes that true inclusion must be modeled from within, and that meaningful systems change begins at the ground level.

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Her work is driven by a deep belief in potential—not limitations. She challenges traditional job development models that tend to magnify hurdles rather than celebrate strengths. Through holistic programming, creativity, and unwavering dedication, Purpose Driven Employment offers something different: a space where individuals with disabilities are not only included but empowered to shine.

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Her purpose is deeply personal. Her passion is profoundly communal. And her mission is to break down barriers, shift hearts and minds, and help individuals discover careers that align with who they are and all they have to offer.

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