Laura Slatkin is the CEO of NEST Fragrances, a luxury home fragrance company. NEST Fragrances is a luxury lifestyle brand for scent lovers that includes candles, diffusers, and fine fragrance. Outside the world of fragrance, Laura is a mother and an advocate. In 1999, shortly after giving birth to twins, Alexandra and David, the Slatkin's son was diagnosed with severe autism. In 2003, along with her husband, Harry, and closest colleagues, she co-founded NEXT for AUTISM, an organization that transforms the national landscape of services for people with autism by strategically designing, launching and supporting innovative programs.

In addition to serving as Board Chair of NEXT for AUTISM, Laura serves on the Board of Directors of Autism Speaks, New York Center for Autism (NYCA), NYCA Charter School, New England Center for Children and the Henry Street Settlement House. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and on the Board of Directors of Columbia University Department of Psychiatry, Hunter College Autism Research and Policy Board, and the Henry Street Settlement House. Laura is also involved with the Alzheimer's initiative. 

Interviewed by our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas, Laura shares David’ s story and his diagnosis and challenges with nonverbal autism. She also discusses David's communication strategies, how David is burgeoning into his adult life, and why her scent Apple Blossom is near and dear to her heart. In addition, Laura speaks about the future focus of NEXT for AUTISM, which is now focusing on changing the standard for how adults with autism thrive. As the website states, “NEXT for AUTISM addresses the needs of people with autism and their families across the country, right now. “ 

Will Reeve is a graduate of Middlebury College in Vermont and holds a B.A with honors in English and American Literature. He is known as a journalist, sports broadcaster, actor, media personality, philanthropist, and as the son of Christopher and Dana Reeves. Will is a multi-platform commentator for ESPN, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, for which he has the role of multi-generational ambassador and community advocate.  At ESPN, Will appears on platforms including, but not limited to, SportsCenter, E: 60, and ESPN Radio. He also hosts the weekly MSG Hockey Show on the MSG Network in New York City. Will’s role with both ESPN and MSG Networks is to bring his perspective to potential stories and present them in his unique style, appealing to younger sports fans yet resonating with all viewers.

Will speaks nationwide on behalf of his family and the Reeve Foundation to harness support and mobilize community involvement around critical advances in the field of spinal cord research, and to honor the legacy of his late parents, Christopher and Dana Reeve. Will is also the captain of and board liaison for Team Reeve, the Foundation’s athletic events-related fundraising arm.  He has dedicated much of his life's work to preserving his parents' legacy through their foundation, the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. 

Interviewed by our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas, Will discusses overcoming such tremendous grief at a young age, pursuing a career in sports journalism, and continuing his parents' work to cure paralysis. He also talks about how he is carrying forward the significant journey in the search to find a cure for paralysis. Will’s passion can be summed up in a quote by his late father, “What you do is based on powers we all have inside us; the ability to endure; the ability to love, to carry on, to make the best of what we have — and you don’t have to be a ‘Superman’ to do it.”