For Joy and Joe Heaps, a shared commitment to building safer, more supportive communities is woven into both their personal story and their professional work at Heaps Strategy Group.

They are committed to serving their local community through volunteer tutoring with New Horizons of Southwest Florida and by mentoring professionals across the United States who are beginning or transitioning their careers.

Joy and Joe’s deepest philanthropic effort is their leadership of the National Autism Safety Council. Joy co-founded the Council with her longtime friend and mentor, Lori McIlwain, and serves as Senior Advisor. Joe is a founding Board Member and serves as Chair of the Board.

Together, they are helping build a national organization dedicated to improving crisis response and expanding safety supports for autistic individuals and those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Their work includes supporting public safety training improvements, community education, drowning prevention awareness, and the advancement of innovative technologies and tools that can help protect vulnerable individuals.

Joe and Joy’s shared vision is a safer world for children, families, and communities, and NASC reflects that commitment.