Drew Valladares

 Drew has been working with individuals on the autism spectrum since 2019. Before joining Beacon, he held multiple roles at Talisman Summer Camp—including Direct Care Counselor, Logistics Supervisor, and Program Supervisor—gaining hands-on experience in both leadership and support roles. He first joined Beacon as our Community Living Manager and currently supports Beacon Transitions part-time while serving as Assistant Camp Director at Talisman.

Drew’s passion for this work began as a participant in Talisman’s Leadership and Krewe Programs. His personal journey through the program ignited a deep commitment to supporting the autism community—especially in helping others build vocational and social skills through role modeling, experiential teaching, and shared connection.

In addition to his work in the field, Drew brings a wide range of job experience to the table—from morning manager at several gyms, to order fulfillment associate at Home Depot, to driver/dispatcher with Amazon Logistics. He uses these experiences to help clients explore what’s possible, sharing the belief: “There are tons of jobs out there—and there’s a perfect one for everyone!”

Outside of work, Drew enjoys hiking, canoeing, bouldering, and video games. A devoted fan of Baltimore sports, he also has a deep love for music and can get into just about any genre. Originally from New Jersey—“a pretty okay place to grow up,” as he proudly puts it—Drew brings humor, heart, and authenticity to everything he does.