We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tabitha Todle a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tabitha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the story behind how you got your first job in field that you currently practice in.

My journey into advocacy and inclusive leadership began long before I had words for it. As a child, I spent afternoons in my mother’s special education classroom, where I didn’t see diagnoses or differences—only friends. That early sense of belonging shaped my lifelong commitment to empathy, dignity, and inclusion.

As I grew older, I began to recognize the barriers my friends faced, and friendship became advocacy. In high school, I joined a peer buddy program and was paired with a young woman who communicated through a speech-generating device. I learned sign language to better connect with her, and more than eleven years later, our bond remains one of the most meaningful relationships in my life. Volunteering with the Cherokee County Special Olympics further deepened my belief in celebrating every individual’s abilities.

After high school, a delayed college start date led to my first job as a direct support professional for a young woman in my community. What began as stepping in to help became a transformative experience—supporting her independence, building daily living skills, and sharing in moments of pride and joy. That role turned lifelong passion into professional purpose and laid the foundation for everything that followed.

At the University of South Carolina, I continued this commitment through Best Buddies, eventually serving as Chapter President and growing our impact. Although graduating in 2020 shifted my original career plans, it ultimately led me exactly where I was meant to be. Interviewing with Michelle for the Program Director role at Great Prospects felt like a full-circle moment—an opportunity to bring more than 18 years of advocacy into a leadership position. That first job set the stage for the meaningful work I am honored to do today.

Tabitha, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am incredibly proud to serve as Program Director at Great Prospects, Inc., a place that feels less like a program and more like a community with heart. Founded in 2010 to fill a critical gap in Metro Atlanta, Great Prospects was created for young adults who had aged out of the school system but had not aged out of their need for connection, growth, and opportunity.

At its core, Great Prospects is a bridge—between school and adulthood, between ability and opportunity, between isolation and belonging. Every day, we walk alongside adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities, nurturing their social, emotional, and functional growth. We focus not only on building life skills and independence, but also on building confidence, friendships, and a genuine sense of purpose. Watching participants discover their strengths and step more fully into their communities is the greatest reward of our work.

The organization was founded by Michelle Jericevich, whose vision was born from love for her daughter, Indya, and a desire for more—more opportunity, more dignity, more possibility—for her and others like her. That vision still guides everything we do. It reminds us that this work is personal, and that every family who walks through our doors is trusting us with something precious.

Today, Great Prospects has grown into a leading therapeutic day program, grounded in a multidisciplinary, therapy-led model. From speech, art, and music therapy to adaptive fitness, yoga, and kickboxing, our licensed professionals integrate meaningful support into each day, helping participants strengthen communication, emotional expression, self-regulation, and overall well-being.

Through our Therapeutic Day Program for adults ages 21–40, and supplemental programs like Summer Friends and Saturday Fun Days beginning at age 16, we are committed to lifelong growth and inclusion. We are not simply filling time—we are creating space for lives filled with joy, connection, and possibility.

At Great Prospects, every day is a reminder of why this work matters. We are closing gaps, celebrating abilities, and ensuring that every young adult we serve feels supported, valued, and empowered to move confidently into their future.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

If I could go back, I would say that even without the influence of COVID-19, I would still choose the same career path. While my formal education is in Sport and Entertainment Management and I hold a Master’s in Business Administration, that training mainly fuels my love for numbers, organization, and management. What I was truly seeking was a career where I could share my heart, serve others, and, in return, receive the immeasurable joy that comes from meaningful connections with people.

Today, my role allows me to do exactly that. I use my business skills every day—negotiating with local businesses to create engaging “Friday Fun Days” for our participants, managing a program budget to purchase activities that help them learn new skills and socialize, and preparing reports that ensure their safety and well-being. But the most rewarding part of my work is collaborating directly with our participants, who call themselves the GP Crew. They have welcomed me into their circle of trust, and together we create, explore, and celebrate experiences that foster growth, confidence, and connection.

I am fortunate to have a CEO who truly believes our participants deserve every opportunity to reach their full potential, and a staff who bring joy, dedication, and compassion to every interaction. With the GP Crew, I witness firsthand the laughter, friendship, and kindness they share with one another—and the trust they extend to me is a daily reminder of why I chose this work. I wouldn’t change a thing about this journey—it is exactly where my heart was meant to be.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

One book I read in high school, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, has had a lasting impact on my management philosophy. Two principles, in particular, guide my approach: “Think Win-Win” and “Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood.” I believe in fostering collaboration and creating solutions where all parties benefit. I strive to understand others’ perspectives and explore different approaches to achieving shared goals.

This mindset helps cultivate a positive and inclusive working environment, where employees at all levels feel empowered to share ideas and know that their contributions have meaning. Ultimately, this collaborative culture benefits those who matter most—our participants—by ensuring they receive thoughtful, well-rounded support from a team that works together to provide the best outcomes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.greatprospectsinc.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatprospectsinc/
• Facebook: : https://www.facebook.com/greatprospects/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/great-prospects-inc./
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@greatprospectsinc.2568