Press Releases

    Putting Personal and Professional Experience to Work

     

    October 14, 2009, Thomas H. Fanning, president/CEO of Ability Beyond Disability today announced the appointment of Julie Hipp as the managing director of Growing Possibilities. The newly formed non-profit organization was founded by Ability Beyond Disability and is dedicated to encouraging independence and empowerment by providing integrated vocational opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
     
    In her role as Managing Director, Ms. Hipp will begin by implementing business development strategies to support the first Growing Possibilities initiative, Roses for Autism, which focuses on employment for individuals on the Autism Spectrum.  Additionally, she will be responsible for expanding Growing Possibilities through the development of other similar business opportunities that will provide employment for more people on the Autism Spectrum as well as for those with a variety of other disabilities.
     
    “We are very excited about having Julie join our team,” said Thomas H. Fanning, president/CEO of Ability Beyond Disability. “Under her leadership we will be developing business models that not only allow us to generate additional income to support our future, but more importantly will allow us to provide more services to those who need our support.”
     
    Ms. Hipp is a seasoned consumer products marketing veteran with over fifteen years of product management and new business development experience and twelve years as an advocate for autism as the President of the CT Autism Spectrum Resource Center.  Her broad range included leadership positions at Procter & Gamble, Totes Umbrellas and The Gillette Company as the Director of Advanced Business Development.
     
    Ms. Hipp’s extensive knowledge of product management, marketing strategies, direct sales, category management, trade marketing, account management, advertising, promotions, supply chain and strategic planning will be instrumental in expanding Growing Possibilities to include a variety of vocational opportunities.
     
    This is a really exciting opportunity for me,” said Hipp. “It allows me to combine my experience in sales, marketing and business development with autism, which I am extremely passionate about.”   
     
     This model will enable people to develop the “toolbox of skills” required to work in inclusive, commercial businesses. Only 6% of individuals with ASD are full-time paid employees and only 12% of those with high functioning autism or Asperger’s have full time work. Transition and job placement is critical as 1 in 100 children are being diagnosed….and growing up.
     
    For Hipp the passion for helping individuals with autism is personal. She has a 16 year old son who was diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder when he was two and half years old. Hipp is also a friend of Jim Lyman, the father who developed the idea for Growing Possibilities and has played an instrumental role in getting Growing Possibilities off the ground.
     
    Ability Beyond Disability headquartered in Bethel, CT has been a pioneer for over 50 years enabling people with disabilities to live with dignity, independence and hope. Growing Possibilities brings together multiple aspects of the foundation: family members initiating and pioneering programs, expanding services to meet established needs, and helping individuals with disabilities become independent, productive, wage-earning, and integrated members of the community.
     
    The Roses for Autism Greenhouse is located at 929 Boston Post Road in Guilford, CT and is open Thursday-Friday 10AM-6PM and Saturday 8AM-4PM for retail sales. For more information please contact Kim Bragoli at 203.826.3185 or visit www.growingpossibilities.org or www.abilitybeyonddisability.org.
     
Meet Russell “Russell never complains, and I mean never, said Debra Nardello. The store gets really busy, he gets tired, someone gives him a hard time... but he never complains.”