Kirsten Fitzpatrick, M.Ed, MS.SFBC, PPS, CESP — Deputy Director/Program Instructor

Kirsten Fitzpatrick has over 25 years of experience working with and advocating for autistic children, teens, and adults. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, a Master of Science in Education, and a Master of Science in School and Family-Based Counseling. Fitzpatrick holds a PPS credential with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and is a Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP™) with the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE). Prior to joining YIC as Deputy Director, Fitzpatrick worked in the public sector in special education and for a local state-funded nonprofit serving and advocating for individuals with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities.

In the private sector, Fitzpatrick also served in executive positions for several for-profit corporations over the last 30 years and worked as an independent strategic consultant for several multi-million dollar corporations. She provides expertise to help organizations improve their business performance in terms of operations, profitability, management, structure, and strategy. Fitzpatrick is also an international speaker, presenting on a variety of issues faced by the global autistic community, including education, civil rights, employment, and socio-sexual and relationship issues. Fitzpatrick has been featured in numerous media outlets, including People Magazine, Esquire Magazine, MTV, Women's Health Magazine, Huffington Post, HuffPost Live, PBS, Bustle, Buzzfeed, DailyRX, Lioness Magazine, and Naturally Autistic Magazine. In 2016, Fitzpatrick was awarded the prestigious International Naturally Autistic People (INAP) Award by The ANCA Foundation. ANCA's mission is to support the natural development of autistic people by providing education and training to autistic individuals, their families and the community at large.