LifeWorks for Autism Appoints Joanie O’Bryan to Lead Fundraising

(BOWLING GREEN, KY – November 25, 2024) – LifeWorks for Autism has named Joanie O’Bryan to the newly created role of Development Officer. O’Bryan will play a pivotal role in cultivating partnerships with businesses and individuals to secure financial support for LifeWorks and the Bridge to Independence Scholarship Fund.

LifeWorks is a supportive learning community for autistic young adults as they transition to independent living and employment.

As the Development Officer, O’Bryan is entrusted with driving growth, impact, and philanthropic donations. This position is responsible for leading various fundraising efforts, ensuring the continued success and support of LifeWorks’ mission to help young adults on the autism spectrum transition to employment and independent living.

“We are thrilled to have Joanie join our team,” said Hendrix Brakefield, LifeWorks program director. “She brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to our development initiatives, which will undoubtedly benefit our organization and the community we serve.”

O’Bryan brings 15 years of experience in philanthropic leadership, including directing annual giving and capital campaigns, securing major gifts and corporate sponsorships, and event planning, in addition to strong donor relationship building, and project management. Most recently she served as CEO of The Center for Courageous Kids in Scottsville, Ky.

O’Bryan, a Bowling Green resident, has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Transylvania University in Lexington, Ky.

About LifeWorks for Autism

As one of only a few programs across the country – and the only one of its kind in Kentucky – LifeWorks for Autism provides a person-centered approach to helping individuals develop career-readiness skills while building confidence in their abilities to independently support and care for themselves. LifeWorks for Autism includes the Transition Academy, a living-and-learning two-year program, which was established in 2020 and is designed to provide the instruction and practice necessary to equip its participants with the tools to obtain gainful employment and succeed in living on their own. The newly established LifeWorks On-The-Go is a post-secondary program serving autistic young adults living within driving distance of the main campus to assist with supported employment opportunities and a comprehensive independent living curriculum. Nearly 90 percent of LifeWorks graduates are now employed, compared to the national average of 15 percent of autistic adults with employment. For more information: https://lifeworksforautism.org/