The award honors an individual of any age on the autism spectrum who is a catalyst for a program or event that creates a more beautiful future for people with ASD through character, positive attitude, and contribution
Jupiter, Fla. (November 17, 2016) – Els for Autism presented the 2016 Autism Spectrum Award to Gloria Mendoza, SAP Autism at Work team member, on November 5, 2016. Gloria was honored at the Las Vegas Grand Finale which concluded the 2016 Golf Challenge Series, the sixth annual largest international charity-driven amateur golf tournament. The Spectrum Award honors an individual with autism spectrum disorder who has shined a positive light on autism through her character, positive attitude and contribution.
Gloria Mendoza is an amazing exemplification of these qualities. As a toddler, Gloria struggled with communication skills, but excelled in music. She demonstrated a keen interest in all types of music, so her mother enrolled her in piano and voice lessons at the age of seven years old. To the surprise of Gloria’s piano teacher, he discovered that she could easily sight read music with no previous training. He also discovered that she had perfect pitch. Gloria pursued her passion of music in college and earned a dual degree in Computer Science and Music from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. After graduation, Gloria joined SAP as an intern though the SAP Autism at Work program. After five weeks of Social and Enterprise Readiness training, Gloria joined SAP’s Mission Control Center Team.
Rob Enslin, President of Global Customer Operations describes Gloria’s responsibilities at SAP – “if you can imagine NASA [at] Cape Canaveral, we have a center in Newtown Square we call the Mission Control Center. It’s here that we monitor all our customer’s systems and when our customers need assistance, our engineers get engaged directly with them. This person is part of that team. Simply amazing. She has done an incredible job uplifting SAP, uplifting her colleagues, and being an amazing credit to society.”
Following her acceptance of the Spectrum Award at the 2016 Golf Challenge Finale Awards Ceremony, Gloria Mendoza performed Mozart’s Voi Che Sapete, commanding a standing ovation from all attendees. SAP’s Autism at Work Program plans to have 1% of the SAP workforce represented by people on the autism spectrum. The initiative currently includes over 100 colleagues in Australia, Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, India, Ireland, and the United States.
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Media Contact:
Jackie Gilliland, Marketing Associate 561-320-9515
jackie.gilliland@elsforautism.org
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The Els for Autism Golf Challenge
The Els for Autism 2016 Golf Challenge is the largest international charity-driven amateur golf tournament in history. The Golf Challenge was created by World of Golf Hall of Famer and four- time Major Champion, Ernie Els. It consists of a series of Super Regional events at top-rated courses across the United States and Canada from May through October. Since its inaugural 2011 series, the Els for Autism Golf Challenge has raised over $15.5 million for autism thanks to 9,800 rounds of golf and over 40,000 donations. The series has also helped raise awareness of autism spectrum disorder, which affects a staggering 1 in 68 children and 1 in 42 boys. For more information about the Golf Challenge, the Finale event, sponsorship opportunities, and registration information visit: www.e4aGolf.com
The Els for Autism Foundation
THE ELS FOR AUTISM FOUNDATION WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2009 BY PGA TOUR GOLFER ERNIE ELS AND HIS WIFE LIEZL (RESIDENTS OF JUPITER, FL) SHORTLY AFTER THEIR SON BEN WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM. THE FOUNDATION’S MISSION IS TO HELP PEOPLE ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM FULFILL THEIR POTENTIAL TO LEAD POSITIVE, PRODUCTIVE AND REWARDING LIVES. ELS FOR AUTISM HAS OFFICES IN THE U.S., CANADA, SOUTH AFRICA, AND THE UK. TO HELP FULFILL ITS MISSION, ELS FOR AUTISM IS BUILDING A STATE-OF-THE-ART CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN JUPITER, FL, WITH A LOCAL, NATIONAL AND GLOBAL REACH.
Donations can be made online at www.e4aannualgiving.org and by check (made payable to ‘Els for Autism’) and addressed to: Els for Autism Foundation, The Els Center of Excellence, 18370 Limestone Creek Rd, Jupiter, FL 33458.