Shelley Hendrix spent about 15 years working in hospitality and sales before merging her career with her true passion: assisting those with autism spectrum disorders and raising awareness about the conditions.
Shortly after her two-year-old son was diagnosed in the late ’90s, she co-founded Unlocking Autism. She later worked with Autism Speaks for nearly a decade before launching her own consulting firm in 2015 with a unique focus on autism awareness, Different Beat Consulting. “My goal is to find companies that want to market to families who march to the beat of a different drum, and find solutions for our families living with autism to improve quality of life,” she says. “Working on the pieces of the puzzle is great—assembling the pieces of the puzzle is even more fun!”
Read the full Executive Spotlight Q&A with Hendrix. Here’s a sample of what you’ll find:
What’s something about your job that might surprise people?
My job is fueled by a passion that I cannot seem to outrun—even when I want to just sit down. After 20 years, I am constantly overwhelmed, exhausted and saddened by politics that emerge when navigating systemic changes necessary to help improve the lives of those living with autism—whether it is government bureaucracy, members of society, or our own community members. Consistent renewal is essential to keep going regardless of the roadblocks and perseverance required to stay in this race. But my kids’ future is what cheers me on and this is a race I intend to run until I take my last breath—and I’m in it to win it whether stumbling or sprinting.
