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. “ 

“Perkins School for the Blind, founded in 1829, was the first school for the blind in the United States. Even 175 years ago, our founders were committed to opening the doors to education, literacy and independence for people who are blind, visually impaired and deafblind.” Perkins School For the Blind

In this interview, our President & Founder, Alexandra Nicklas talks with Kate Katulak and Brian Switzer, of the Perkins School of the Blind. Kate and Brian discuss the school's mission to unlock the tools and skills children and young adults need to realize their potential. Through the use of an Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) students are introduced to a more inclusive world. The ECC pairs academics with a focus on independence, assistive technology, work skills, socializing and more to prepare students to lead their fullest life. Kate and Brain explain how the ECC prepares students for college and career readiness. Through transitional programming, such as Career Launch and Compass, students are able to reach their post-secondary goals and choose career programs that are effective and equitable. 

Kate Katulak

Kate Katulak is the Associate Director of College Success at Perkins School for the Blind, the Lead Coach for Perkins’ virtual transition program, and a certified Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments. She has worked in the field of blindness education and rehabilitation for a decade. Her career started as a Research Assistant at Yale University, where she contributed to the development of a social-emotional learning curriculum, and where she discovered her passion for teaching and curriculum development. She then worked as an itinerant TVI in Connecticut, before coming to Perkins as a classroom teacher and later, an administrator. Kate became blind unexpectedly as a teenager. Since then, she has dedicated her life to helping individuals adjust to vision loss and enabling people with disabilities to create paths towards their best lives. She is living her best life in Massachusetts with her partner, guide dog, and vivacious black cat. She enjoys spending time outdoors, and has completed several triathlons, one full marathon, and many other road races of varying distances. Kate has a master’s in education with a concentration in blindness and visual impairment from Columbia University’s Teachers College and a B.A. in Psychology from Wright State University.

Brian Switzer

Brian Switzer is an Access Technology Instructor in Career Launch, a career readiness program at Perkins School for the Blind. Brian started out his teaching career as a paraprofessional in a special education classroom, ultimately becoming a high school math teacher. As someone with a visual impairment, he brings to the classroom a lifetime’s worth of experience being visually impaired. He holds a master’s degree in Public Policy, focusing on disability policy and Brian holds teaching licenses in secondary and middle school Mathematics, Biology, and English with SEI endorsement. Outside of the classroom Brian is an avid athlete and consulted on the accessibility of fitness apps such as RunKeeper and Strava. He is a published author on a book about living with deaf blindness called, “Walk in My Shoes: An Anthology on Usher Syndrome” and a second book about service dogs called “Walk in My Paws: An Anthology on Service Dogs.” 

Social Media Links

Kate Katulak LinkedIn

Brian Switzer LinkedIn

Brian Switzer-DeafBlind Athlete Facebook page