Catalight Pathfinders: Jessica Fickle

Pathfinders is a new series created to celebrate Catalight employees. Each month, we’ll spotlight an incredible employee working in one of the many diverse roles across our organization — shining light on both their work advancing care within the autistic/IDD community and passions outside of the office.

Meet Jessica Fickle

Can you describe your role at Catalight?

If there’s one word to describe my journey with Catalight, it’s evolving. Since stepping into my first role at Catalight, I have tried to embrace growth and change at every opportunity. I started out with Easterseals as a Program Supervisor, then went on to become a Clinical Manager, then Lead Clinical Manager across multiple offices, followed by Senior Clinical Manager of the Oakland office, later taking on the role of Project Manager. Since 2020, I’ve served as a BCBA Consultant where I continue to support families and providers. In 2022, I also became a part of the JEDI team as an Inclusion Consultant.

What inspired you to join Catalight?

What drew me to Catalight in the first place was a passion for being a helper who contributes to real impact. How I started in the field is a personal journey and what has kept me here is the opportunity to grow through a variety of roles that have each added new depths to my understanding of clinical care, collaboration and leadership.

What does a typical day look like for you?

My days are anything but routine. From face-to-face sessions with families and providers to detailed report reviews and case consultations, my work is both dynamic and deeply impactful. It also plays a key role in cross-functional collaboration, regularly working with internal teams to strengthen service delivery.

What’s one thing you can’t work without?

When it comes to tools of the trade, my reusable notebook and pen are constant companions in my workflow. Whether I am capturing quick reminders, mapping out feedback or recording something to explore later, the act of writing helps me stay grounded and organized. While technology plays a role in my work, there’s something irreplaceable about putting pen to page.

Which of Catalight’s values do you connect with the most and why?

The value of being equity-informed. I strive to integrate this value into my daily work — whether it is here at Catalight or in my everyday life, by constantly asking myself how to present information in an accessible, respectful and inclusive ways. It is a value that is rooted in how I was raised, that every human should be seen, heard and respected. I have an ongoing commitment to be inclusive and equity focused. It is not about having all the answer, but about staying open, being reflective and ensuring everyone is valued on their own terms. 

What’s one thing you’re currently learning or want to learn?

I also enjoy lifelong learning. Recently, I’ve been exploring the intersection of autism and eating disorders, especially after supporting families where these concerns were front and center. This sparked my interest in diving deeper into the world of eating disorders — particularly anorexia and ARFID — and how they can overlap with neurodevelopmental differences. This has even led me to start exploring health and wellness coaching as a complementary avenue to broaden my support toolbox.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?

I often think about what super power I would have as there are many that are so fun. My answer is two-fold. For myself, teleportation so I could instantly visit my family, share new experiences and explore the world. But for others, I’d choose the ability to understand and speak every language. As someone who’s experienced the limitations of translation tools, I know firsthand how transformative clear, direct communication can be, especially in clinical and care settings.

How do you like to unwind after a busy day at work?

Outside of work, I find joy in life’s quiet rituals. My favorite way to start the day includes a warm cup of coffee or tea, a few minutes with my cats, maybe listening for birds and reading or listening to stories — a peaceful start before the busy momentum of the day. I would like to add a walk along the beach. I enjoying wrapping up my day the same way, listening to a book, rewatching a favorite TV show or doing some exercise: walking, dancing, strength training, etc.

Fun fact: I have a passion for protecting the planet — I have since I was a young child. Every time I am at a beach or hiking I pick up trash that I see. Sometimes it’s a few pieces, other times it is bags. Whether it’s with family or by myself, I love participating in beach cleanups whenever I get the chance. This is my way to combine being outside, which I LOVE, and making a positive impact. These clean-ups are not just about picking up trash; they are a reminder that small consistent actions can lead to a bigger change.