We are excited to introduce Patricia Powell, Executive Director of National Autism Peer Support in Nashville, as a new member of our Community Action Council! Patricia brings a unique perspective and deep commitment to advocacy and community service.
Originally from Santa Ana, California, Patricia has lived in various states before moving to Nashville in August 2012 to serve with AmeriCorps. In 2017, she discovered Nashville Autism Peer Support and quickly became involved, eventually becoming its executive director when the group transitioned into the nonprofit National Autism Peer Support. Patricia holds a master’s in public affairs in nonprofit management from Indiana University and actively volunteers with the Junior League of Nashville, Saddle Up!, and the Volunteer Tennessee Commission. She is also a ministry partner at The Fellowship at Mt. Juliet church.
As a self-advocate, Patricia joined Tennessee Nonprofit Network to be a voice for other members of the autistic community who need advocacy or resources to effect change. She also aims to inspire others to become their own advocates on a larger scale.
For Patricia, the nonprofit sector in Tennessee signifies people passionately providing resources to those in need and supporting their neighbors when they lack resources or require help in other areas of their lives.
During her time with Tennessee Nonprofit Network, Patricia hopes to make a positive difference in people’s lives and represent the autistic community in ways that dispel misunderstandings and stereotypes for the general public.
Patricia’s parents reside in Sun City West, Arizona, and her older sister lives in Australia. She has other family members spread across Arizona, California, Mexico, and Montana, making her the only one in her family to live in Tennessee. She does not have pets, but her parents have a rescue dog named Gator.
In her role as executive director of National Autism Peer Support, Patricia loves leading an organization whose mission is to unite people with autism, help them accept and understand their diagnosis, and provide a safe space where they can be themselves without feeling the need to mask who they are or how they’re feeling, as they might around neurotypical peers. Witnessing attendees connect with each other and the group’s discussions is a profound source of joy for her.
While not a recent read, Patricia recommends “The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It” by Michael E. Gerber. This impactful book redefined the path to success for small business owners, with lessons applicable to personal relationships as well. It emphasizes that a business sells the impact of its product on the customer, and entrepreneurs venture into business for their customers, not just themselves.
Patricia appreciates the opportunity to make an impact through the Junior League of Nashville. Her all-time favorite movie is “Dirty Dancing,” which she has always loved, citing Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey’s great on-screen chemistry.
A surprising fact about Patricia, though not hidden, is that she has written six books and self-published two of them: “Cowboy Dreams” and “Endless Nightmare: Revised Edition (2020),” both available on Amazon.com under her pen name, Patricia L. Powell.
If she could travel anywhere, Patricia would go to The Holy Land to walk where Jesus walked, and to Italy, inspired by her Grandma Helen’s travels there and her love for Italian food and history.
Her advice for those starting a nonprofit career is to “give yourself grace.” She stresses that mistakes will happen, and the best response is to learn from them. Grace and forgiveness are valuable gifts to give oneself and others, as “only Jesus was perfect.”
Outside of her work with Tennessee Nonprofit Network, Patricia is particularly passionate about advocating for the truth about autism. She notes that many people only know the misconceptions and stereotypes, leading to negative stigma that deters learning, self-acceptance, or treating autistic individuals with respect.
A fun fact about Patricia that most people don’t know is that she has adapted “Cowboy Dreams” into a film screenplay.