Rockville, MD, May 7, 2024 – The Autism Society of America is pleased to announce that Jose Velasco will be joining the organization as Senior Vice President of Strategic Operations. In this newly created role, Jose will be responsible for digital transformation, strategic planning, strategic programs – including employment initiatives – and systems design for the organizational structure and its initiatives.  

“The Autism Society is thrilled to welcome Jose in his new role as SVP of Strategic Operations, as he transitions from our Board of Directors to our internal team,” says Christopher Banks, President and CEO of Autism Society of America. “Jose has been an incredible advocate within the Autism community during his tenure at SAP and beyond. We are confident that his skillset, expertise, and passion will have a widespread impact on our organizational growth, and the greater community.” 

Most recently, Jose Velasco was the Chief Product Strategist at SAP and ‘Autism at Work’ Ambassador. From 2014 through 2020, Jose led the SAP ‘Autism at Work’ Program which yielded more than 700 opportunities for Autistic individuals. During his 26-year tenure at SAP, he occupied positions in product management, consulting, development, strategy, go-to-market and diversity functions. His extensive career in Information Technology spans private and public sectors, as well as startups to Fortune 50 enterprises.  

Jose is a celebrated advocate within the Autism community, and most notably centered his work on employment for Autistic individuals. In 2016, he launched the Autism at Work Summit, a conference series designed to foster collaboration between private and public sectors, academia, government, philanthropists, civil societies, and the Autism community — with the ultimate purpose of improving job opportunities for Autistic individuals. Jose and his wife, Deya, are proud parents of adult children on the Autism spectrum. 

Jose joined the Autism Society’s Board of Directors in January 2022, where he participated on our current Strategic Planning Committee and Employment Task Force; he also supported corporate partnership and development efforts, lending his considerable experience and network to support our mission. Jose will end his term on the Board in June 2024, and transition to his new role in July 2024. 

“I am excited to join the team at Autism Society of America as I begin the next chapter of my career in a mission-driven organization,” shared Jose Velasco. “I look forward to combining my personal and professional passions, and leveraging my strategic experience to modernize the organizational structure and continue to expand its impact. I look forward to the many opportunities to partner with private/public sector organizations as well as non-profit, education, research, sports and entertainment institutions.” 

Autism Society of America

The Autism Society’s mission is to create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully. As the nation’s oldest leading grassroots Autism organization, the Autism Society and its approximately 70+ local affiliates serve over half a million members of the Autism community each year. It envisions a world where everyone in the Autism community is connected to the support they need, when they need it – including education, advocacy efforts, and supports and services throughout the lifespan. For more information visit the Autism Society at AutismSociety.org, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.