Program aims to promote workplace inclusion for individuals with Autism
Autism Speaks and Wilson Sporting Goods recently brought home multiple honors at the 2025 Halo Awards. The collaboration is called the Love the Moment initiative and is a “campaign that celebrates inclusion, connection and the power of sport.”
Love the Moment was named one of the five “Best of the Best” finalists of the entire show and also earned:
- Gold in Best Disability Initiative
- Silver in Best Cause Product Initiative
From Autismspeaks.org:
The initiative — which introduced a line of sensory-friendly sports equipment and created inclusive experiences for athletes of all abilities — continues to resonate with communities and industry leaders alike. These awards are a testament to the impact thoughtful partnerships can have in creating a more inclusive world through sport.
“Congratulations to the teams at Autism Speaks, Wilson Sporting Goods, and everyone who helped bring Love the Moment to life,” according to Autism.org
Autism Speaks launched what they called the Workplace Inclusion (WIN) Program. The program aims to promote workplace inclusion for individuals with Autism by providing resources, training and support for employers and employees to create inclusive work environments.
“Win was a great fit with Wilson,” said Arianna Esposito, Vice President of Services and Supports & Lifespan Program for Autism Speaks. “They (Wilson) were really excited about the opportunity to create a more inclusive workforce and welcome more diverse candidates. And really be a model for what workplace inclusion can be.”
Michael Markovich is the Global Commercial Director of Baseball and Softball at Wilson Sporting Goods. He says Wilson was looking for a partner when the company changed leadership.
Autism Speaks fits the bill.
“To really establish a connection our community…,” said Markovich. “It was clear to me and leadership that Autism Speaks was that organization. It helps children and children are most of the people that use our products. It affects families, and it affects a lot of our employees. We wanted to be servant partners to help, not only to raise awareness and raise funds, but use our platforms to help bring the mission out and help make a difference in the community that Autism Speaks serves.”
Photo provided.
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