BP Staff Feature: Sylvia Owens
In conversation with Sylvia Owens about her role at Brainstorm Productions, one can quickly assess her heart-centered nature. She thrives on supporting those around her to be their best. This includes being a dedicated mother to twin boys and a committed Outreach Coordinator within Brainstorm Productions’ dynamic educational and employment programs. Sylvia walks her talk, caring deeply about neurodiverse individuals being respected as smart, attentive, collaborative, and loyal people who deserve to have their value recognized by employers, community organizations, and society at large.
The Kleenex box sat at an arm’s length as Sylvia occasionally reached for a tissue to wipe away a budding tear from beneath her eye. She was tenderly reflecting on her 20-year background teaching students with disabilities. What began as an employment-driven classroom at the Southern California Regional Occupational Center, for students on the autism spectrum and other special needs, led to developing a work training program at South Torrance High School, a position she founded and led for 15 years. That program provided hands-on vocational training and connections with community resources for high school and transition students, many who were gainfully employed as a result of the program. Sylvia's current joy is helping neurodiverse adult clients expand their artistic abilities and soft skills through Brainstorm Academy and Brainstorm Productions Studio, where she has worked since 2019. Throughout her impressive career, Sylvia has encouraged her students through wisdom inherited from her mom: You can do anything you put your mind to. As another tear wells up, and she pauses to wipe it away, she proudly shares how incredibly inspiring her clients are.
In addition to Sylvia’s daily operations overseeing a blossoming program, she is expanding her role as the voice of Brainstorm Productions. In recent years, she has worked hard to develop relationships within the Torrance community, bringing autism awareness to local businesses and community organizations, thereby opening eyes and hearts to the life-changing program Brainstorm Productions has pioneered. Recently, the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce recognized Brainstorms’ impactful work by presenting them with the “2025 Nonprofit of the Year” award. While Sylvia was honored that the relationships she built contributed to this accolade, what matters more to her are the new perspectives she’s fostering by encouraging local citizens to be inclusive with the autistic population. Though most people at the Chamber of Commerce gatherings are networking for their business, Sylvia is spreading the news about Brainstorms’ vision. As she works to dismantle autism stigmas, she’s hopeful more individuals will feel confident about including neurodiverse people in their businesses and communities.
Many people make an organization great, and Sylvia is credited with helping Brainstorm grow into its greatness. As Brainstorm Productions stretches outward to new sites like Cerritos, Sylvia’s role is mirroring that stretch as she embraces even more community outreach. With plans to engage the Cerritos Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club as well as Cerritos businesses and community groups, she’s hopeful the news about Brainstorms’ accomplishments will be welcomed with enthusiasm.
Recently, at Brainstorm’s Torrance location, Sylvia hosted a tour for several Service Coordinators with Harbor Regional Center (HRC), a South Bay nonprofit whose mission is “to provide innovative and person-centered services, support, and information that empower people with developmental disabilities and their circles of support to live their best lives in their culturally diverse communities.” During this gathering, one HRC Service Coordinator acknowledged Brainstorms’ program as long overdue for the neurodivergent community. This individual also mentioned knowing one of Brainstorms’ clients, revealing that the “difference in him is immeasurable.” Hearing such affirming feedback is what fuels Sylvia’s passion to make the world a better place for individuals on the autism spectrum. It fills her heart with joy and brings more tears to her eyes.
If your business or community organization would like to learn more about partnership or sponsorship with Brainstorm Productions, please contact Sylvia Owens via phone (424) 369-8913 or via the contact form on the Brainstorm website.