Member Spotlight: nonPareil Institute

The Plano Chamber membership team is thrilled to present our NEW monthly Member Spotlights! Each month, we will be highlighting different Plano Chamber of Commerce members to continue connecting our members with each other and the Plano community at large.

The Plano Chamber would like to welcome and spotlight one of our nonprofit members, nonPareil Institute. Heather Wagemann, our Membership Engagement Manager, asked Community Engagement Manager, Stacey Ford, a few questions about their organization, membership, and role in the community.

1. What would you like readers to know about nonPareil Institute and what you specialize in?

Building better futures for adults with autism, nonPareil builds skills to enable students to work on teams, thrive in a professional environment, create products for market release or work on third-party outsourced projects, all to help grow their potential and discover their purpose.

Meaning “no equal”, nonPareil represents how we view each person who attends, celebrating and building upon differences and strengths.  We provide proven and successful outcomes for our students with a welcoming community.  Proudly we have received the highest level of distinction possible by GuideStar and GreatNonprofits.

2. Why did you choose to join the Plano Chamber of Commerce?

For the success of our “crew” (students) and mission of our organization, it is crucial to partner with others in our community.  We are truly all in this together.   With over 85% of all adults diagnosed with autism being unemployed or underemployed, and the staggering numbers of children being diagnosed on the spectrum (nearly 1 in 30), together we can make an impact on our community.

3. Tell us about your involvement in the community.

Beyond the constituent base of those we serve each day, we are working with companies to do creative outsourcing projects, partnering with local schools and other nonprofits for both advocacy and service.  From parents to business leaders, our heart is to both share the need, offer solutions, and work with those in our community to build better futures for adults with autism.

4. What is one thing you hope to learn during your first year as a member?

Continue to meet more staff, while learning how to best support our community and organization through leadership, partnerships and lasting relationships that will make impact both now and in the future.