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Need a speaker on Neurodiversity? NeuroShifts can help with that!

 Speaker/Media Page

Vicky Westra brings a powerful story of resilience, transformation, and advocacy to her speaking engagements, inspiring audiences with her family's journey from struggle to triumph.

As the founder of Neuroshifts, Vicky empowers families in autism and neurodiverse communities to foster mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Her presentations focus on creating "Green Zone" spaces that support well-being for families, businesses, and the broader community, offering audiences practical tools and authentic insights.

For those ready to cultivate empowering and supportive environments, the Westras' story offers both hope and actionable guidance.

Book Vicky to inspire your audience with a journey of resilience, love, and transformative practices that create lasting change for any family or organization.

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Areas of Focus and Expertise

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Speaking Topics

Together we Thrive: Parent-Child Mental Health Interconnectedness

This presentation explores the intricate relationship between parental mental health and the well-being of children diagnosed with autism and other neurodiverse conditions. It highlights the profound influence a parent’s emotional state can have on their child's mental and emotional development. By examining this dynamic, we shed light on the importance of prioritizing parental self-care and emotional resilience. The presentation offers practical strategies and techniques for parents to nurture their own well-being, ultimately fostering a supportive and enriching environment that benefits both parent and child, promoting holistic family health.

Creating Green Zone Homes: Emotional Well-being for Neurodiverse Families

This presentation explores how to transform your home into a "Green Zone"—a supportive environment where positive emotions and well-being flourish for both parents and their neurodiverse children. We will delve into the unique challenges faced by neurodiverse families and provide practical strategies for fostering emotional resilience, effective communication, and mutual understanding. Attendees will learn how to cultivate a nurturing atmosphere that prioritizes emotional health, enhances family interactions, and empowers each family member to thrive. Through real-life examples, evidence-based practices, and interactive discussions, participants will discover how creating a Green Zone at home can lead to a harmonious and fulfilling family life.

Beyond Inclusion: Neurodiversity in the Workplace

This presentation offers a comprehensive overview of neurodiversity, delving into the latest statistics and data surrounding this important topic, particularly in relation to employment. It provides valuable insights into the key barriers that hinder the creation of genuinely inclusive work environments for individuals diagnosed with autism or who identify as neurodiverse. Furthermore, it presents effective strategies that businesses can employ to overcome these challenges and foster a truly inclusive and supportive workplace culture. Through this presentation, you will gain a deeper understanding of how embracing neurodiversity can enhance your organization and contribute to a more diverse and innovative workforce..

 

Green Zone Leadership: Cultivating a Workplace of Emotional Wellness and Inclusion

In today's rapidly evolving work environment, leaders face the challenge and opportunity to create spaces where every employee, regardless of background or neurodiverse condition, can thrive. This presentation delves into the concept of Green Zone Leadership, highlighting strategies and practices for helping leaders understand the importance and benefits of leading from a place of well-being and fostering a workplace culture centered on emotional wellness and inclusion. Participants will explore key strategies to support their own mental well-being and provide guidance to their employees to do the same.  Whether you're looking to enhance team dynamics, increase productivity, or simply create a more supportive and inclusive environment, this session provides the tools and inspiration to lead with empathy and purpose in cultivating a Green Zone workplace.

 

Unlocking Potential:  Strategies for Neurodiverse Youth Transitioning to Adulthood

This presentation is designed to empower parents, educators, and professionals with practical strategies to support neurodiverse youth as they transition into adulthood. We will explore the challenges and opportunities that come with this significant life stage, focusing on building confidence, fostering independence, self-advocacy, and creating a purpose-filled life. Attendees will gain insights into strategies to best support Neurodiverse individuals, harness their strengths, identify needs, and understand the importance of mental and emotional well-being to unlock their full potential.  Through evidence-based approaches, success stories, and interactive discussions, participants will leave with actionable strategies to help neurodiverse youth thrive in adulthood.

 

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Media Inquiries

If you’d like to feature Vicky or the Westra Family in your publication, podcast, or event, we would love to connect! For all media inquiries, including interviews, speaking engagements, or press materials, please contact Vicky at:

813-251-2787 | [email protected]

 

Bios for Media Use

Vicky Westra

With over three decades of leadership experience, Vicky Westra is a pioneer in both corporate and social enterprise sectors. As a former senior leader at a major utility company, she managed a team of nearly 400 professional with a budget in excess of $22 million. Her dynamic presentations span a broad spectrum, including appearances

before the Public Service Commission, key industry conferences, professional organizations, media events, and community groups. After a 20+ year corporate career, Vicky founded Neuroshifts, a 501(c)(3) organization, and launched a café providing training and employment for young adults with autism and other neurodiverse conditions. Her transformative programs and insights are regularly shared with non-profits, professional associations, and community gatherings. An experienced facilitator, Vicky has conducted workshops for up to 150 participants and hosts the podcast “Green Zone Life,” promoting well-being and empowerment for the Autism and Neurodiverse communities. Vicky’s accolades include Non-Profit Woman of the Year, Judges Choice Awards, and Community Hero honors from the Tampa Bay Lightning and Bank of America. She also received the People’s Choice Award from Social Venture Partners and recognition from 100+ Women Who Care South Tampa. Inspired by her daughter Gabbi, who was diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum at the age of four, Vicky's mission is to drive profound mental, emotional, and spiritual transformations for individuals and families. Through Neuroshifts, she fosters empowered advocates who champion well-being and inclusivity, transforming homes, schools, businesses, and communities. In her engaging presentations, Vicky focuses on creating "Green Zone" environments—spaces that promote well-being for everyone, including individuals from diverse backgrounds and those with neurodiverse conditions. In "her Beyond Inclusion: Creating Neurodiverse Workplaces," presentation, Vicky offers practical steps for business leaders to foster inclusive workplaces where neurodiverse employees can thrive. For booking inquiries, please contact Vicky at [email protected]

The Westra Family

The Westra Family—Vicky, Pier, and their daughter Gabbi—have faced significant challenges and achieved inspiring victories. Vicky and Pier adopted Gabbi from a Romanian orphanage at age two, not foreseeing the profound difficulties that lay ahead. Diagnosed with Autism at four, Gabbi’s condition brought stress, emotional turmoil, and financial strain as the family navigated therapies, treatments, and private schooling.

In search of relief, Vicky pursued holistic and spiritual well-being through mindfulness, meditation, yoga, journaling, and cognitive behavioral therapy. This personal transformation inspired Pier to join her, building a home of hope and joy —the "Green Zone"—where once there was anxiety and despair.

Today, Vicky, Pier, and Gabbi are passionate advocates for families facing similar
struggles. Through Neuroshifts, the non-profit that Vicky founded, they are
empowering families in autism and neurodiverse communities to create greater
mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. They provide the practical knowledge,
tools, and strategies that other families can implement to foster well-being and
positive change.

The Westras share their story, "From Red Zone to Green Zone – A Journey of Hope and Transformation,” in which they offer lessons learned from their own journey along with practical tools for participants. Their compelling narrative and Gabbi's unique perspective, provided through her letterboard/keyboard, offer authenticity and inspiration.

Their presentation includes an engaging Q&A session for deeper audience
interaction. For booking inquiries, contact Vicky at [email protected].

For those seeking to create a nurturing and empowering environment for their
loved ones, the Westra Family's story is a beacon of hope and a call to action. Their
journey is a testament to the transformative power of love, determination, and
holistic well-being practices.

 

To ignite a global movement that empowers individuals, regardless of background or Neurodiverse condition, to unleash their true potential, celebrate authenticity, and forge a joyful, fulfilling, purpose-driven life. Together, we will shatter barriers, foster inclusivity, and inspire generations to thrive.

We are igniting the power within Neurodiverse individuals and families, enabling them to unleash their full potential and embark on a transformative journey towards greater well-being. We are equipping and empowering them with the knowledge, tools, resources and a nurturing community so they can live their lives with purpose, joy and boundless possibilities.

Our unique proposition is to empower individuals and families within the Autism and Neurodiverse communities to ignite profound and enduring transformations in their mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. By fostering holistic change, we enable them to make monumental shifts that will revolutionize their lives and shape brighter outcomes.

We are spearheading a revolution for those who are ready to transform their lives, thus fostering supportive communities that champion the well-being of all. This movemet will cultivate empowered advocates, driving essential change within our homes, educational institutions, businesses, and neighborhoods, paving the way for the creation of truly inclusive communities.

 

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