As we turn our focus toward more collaboration, community, and creativity in 2025, we’re asking our supporters to help us continue setting the gold standard of what autism acceptance and celebration should look like in the workplace.
Donate $10+ monthly or $100+ one time to get a colorful Aspiritech mug as a token of our gratitude!
Welcome, and heartfelt thanks to our six new board volunteers. We’re thrilled to have you join us in guiding Aspiritech’s mission.
The role of our non-profit board is crucial in ensuring we uphold our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace and meaningful employment for autistic individuals, and providing social opportunities for autistic adults in our community.
Our board’s responsibilities encompass providing strategic leadership, ensuring our financial accountability, and assisting in resource development. As board members, you’ll help shape policy, offer guidance on program development, and contribute to the sustainability and growth of Aspiritech.
We’re grateful for your passion, your expertise, and your service, and we look forward to the unique insights and diverse perspectives you’ll bring to our mission. Together, we can continue to make Aspiritech a beacon of change and a model employer in promoting neurodiversity in the workplace. Welcome aboard!
Matt Epstein
Matt Epstein is a not-for-profit staff accountant for Misericordia Home in Chicago, a job he has held since November 2008. In his position, Matt helps prepare financial statements, reconcile the bank, oversee the general ledger, and other similar duties as needed. Diagnosed with ASD in childhood, Matt’s keen eye for detail and figures has been seen as an asset to Misericordia. Matt strongly believes in Aspiritech’s mission and, admittedly, wishes it had been around when he graduated from college during the summer recession of 2008 and his subsequent job search. Since Aspiritech opened, Matt has done everything he can to be a good friend to the organization, driven by his passion for those on the spectrum to be seen as assets rather than liabilities. In his spare time, he enjoys listening to vintage vinyl records and doing the New York Times crossword puzzle. Matt prefers not to have his photo taken.
Emily Raclaw
Emily is a lifelong resident of Milwaukee, WI. As a late diagnosed ADHDer, she is a proud self-advocate for neurodiversity. She has over 15 years of experience working in disability services in education. She is the founding director of On Your Marq at Marquette University. A program that provides support to neurodivergent college students at Marquette. Prior to coming to Marquette, Emily has taught high school special education, worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor, and coordinated a college success program for students with disabilities. She is an expert in program creation and development, as well as a disability advocate and professional. She is also a licensed professional counselor and certified rehabilitation counselor. Outside of work she spends time with her son, husband, and dogs. She is an avid traveler, and loves to share her travel tips.
Mitch Greenwald
I’ve been participating on the Aspiritech business strategy committee over the last few months and am really excited about the team, the people and what the future holds. I’m looking to add value as a board member in any way I can. I believe my experience running multiple technology service companies will provide the most immediate impact. I semi-retired in 2021. One of my retirement goals is to give back some of my good fortune by helping underserved communities.
I’ve been in the technology industry my entire career. I’ve been in IT departments, product development, consulting and see business through a lens that takes all these viewpoints into consideration. I’ve been a serial entrepreneur throughout my career. I’m known for taking calculated risks, some of them have been successful, others not so much. I’m also known for being a servant leader, identifying and developing raw talent and being a great team builder. The highlight of my career was founding Cloudbakers (now 66 Degrees) in 2010. A cloud computing consultancy and one of a handful of Google Cloud Premier Partners in the US. Cloudbakers was acquired in the midst of COVID in October 2020.
I’m a life-long Chicagoan and currently live in Glenview, IL. I’ve been married for 38 years to Amy and have 3 adult children: Caitlin, Macabee, & Emma Rose, and 1 grandson, Harrison. My family always comes first. I enjoy road biking, jazz, photography, traveling, nature, reading, and socializing (I’m definitely an extrovert).
Nikhil Sonpal
Nikhil is the CEO of Mobility Quotient. He has over two decades of experience in software engineering, helping him understand the needs of the industry and his clients. At Autodesk, Nikhil worked as a Solutions Integrations Architect, designing highly scalable n-tier architecture subscriber-facing mobile and web solutions with an addressable market of 120 million mobile subscribers for transactional rates well above 1500 TPS. He has also created industry-leading real-time pricing systems for the Travel and Retail sectors; mobile applications & process automation tools for the Automotive Industry; building next-generation hyperlocal News platforms; and most recently actively involved in rolling out national peer-support platforms in the mental health space for the healthcare and public safety communities.
Nikhil wrote, “I am deeply committed to fostering an inclusive environment within organizations where every team member has the opportunity to thrive, irrespective of physical or neurodivergent conditions. The mission of Aspiritech, which focuses on empowering individuals on the autism spectrum, strongly resonates with me on a personal and professional level.”
Kelly Smith Killian
I am an experienced storyteller, critical thinker, innovator and leader. A senior editorial strategist leading print and digital content for B2B and B2C brands. A motivator with a passion for empowering and mentoring rising stars and a record of integrating diverse teams and inspiring editorial excellence. Charismatic public speaker, comfortable and experienced delivering insights at live and virtual events and conferences via webinars and on television.
Sharon Bielski
Sharon is a Registered Nurse and experienced consultant with an exceptional record of success in clinical quality assurance with special expertise in the long term care sector, ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements for multiple facilities.
Over the last thirty-five years, she has a proven record of consistently and effectively training healthcare professionals on CMS guidelines, evaluating facilities and quality of work, and guiding facilities through survey and audit preparations. Adept at preparing and delivering re-hospitalization, pressure ulcer, and other care quality reports. Previously played a key role in facilities earning 5-star quality ratings and eliminating deficiencies while improving quality metrics for acquired infections, re-hospitalization rates, and medication utilization. Adept at facilitating the implementation of specialty programs. Skilled at compiling and analyzing information from multiple sources to support decision making process. Background includes preparing a facility for JACO accreditation and aiding with the startup and implementation of 2 hospital-based transition units.
“We hired them for the mission. We’ve kept them because they are excellent.”
