Visit us at Homesteads for Hope on Saturday 8/30 at their Bicentenial Jam on the Canal. Stop by our table, enjoy food trucks, live music, activities and more.
OUR TEAM
Rich Serapilio — Founder & Chief Operating Officer
Blue Heron Collective
As Founder and Chief Operating Officer of the Blue Heron Collective. I bring over 20 years of experience in education, youth programming, and community development, along with a lifelong passion for creating spaces where everyone — especially neurodiverse individuals — can succeed.
Throughout my career, I’ve served as Director and Operations Manager for large-scale youth camps focused on building inclusive environments centered around acceptance and growth. I’ve had the opportunity to plan and lead major public events, as well as design and implement innovative STEM programming to prepare young people of all abilities for future success.
I hold a Master of Science in Childhood Education from Saint John Fisher University, a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology from Buffalo State College, and an Associate of Science in Human Services from Erie Community College.
Neurodiversity has touched my life in very personal ways, inspiring a deep commitment to empowering this incredible community. It has always been a personal dream of mine to create a business dedicated to inclusion. As the needs of neurodiverse individuals and families continue to grow — and with limited supports available — founding Blue Heron Collective was a natural and necessary next step.
At Blue Heron Collective, my goal is simple and clear: to create a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive through meaningful employment, life skills development, and innovative, community-driven programming.
Maggie Serapilio-Founder & Chief Executive Office
Blue Heron Collective
My journey with Autism Spectrum Disorder began about 15 years ago, when I was handed a pamphlet and wished “good luck” after my almost 3-year-old son received his diagnosis. About two years later, my oldest son was also diagnosed at the age of 6. Their story — our story — is my favorite to tell. It has been a journey filled with learning, hope, understanding, patience, and advocacy.
Learning about ASD became my second full-time job, all while I was navigating the world of education professionally. It was when the education system turned its back on my sons that the real work began. For me, it was never about "fixing" them — it was about helping the world figure out how to meet them where they were, with the ultimate goal of acceptance. This has been my greatest and most rewarding challenge, and in many ways, my life’s mission.
As I transitioned into the professional world of supporting adults on the autism spectrum, it became clear that there is still so much work to be done. Neurodivergent individuals deserve acceptance, understanding, and appreciation for their unique skills and talents. The traditional systems and ways of thinking continue to confine the neurodiverse population, and it’s time for that to change.
About 12 years ago, a school professional challenged me — almost daring me — to open my own school. While it was a dream, I never truly believed it could happen. Yet today, that dream has evolved into something even better.
Blue Heron Collective ~ Center for Neurodiversity — it is a community, a movement, a place where neurodiverse individuals have a voice. Here, they are supported, included, empowered, and celebrated for exactly who they are.