Meet Your Caffeinated Advocate

A servant leader dedicated to sharing stories, strategies, and solutions that empower neurodivergent and disability communities.

Hailing from a small town southeast of Pittsburgh, dubbed “the most boring town in Pennsylvania,” Catherine Hughes (hey, that’s me!) is the daughter of two English professors. I am a passionate advocate, innovative storyteller, community strategist, and the Founder and Chief Inspirational Officer (CIO) of The Caffeinated Advocate, LLC established in 2020.

For almost a quarter of a decade, I have provided comprehensive support and passionate advocacy to individuals, families, schools, businesses, grassroots organizations, and communities at large. I am a fierce servant leader — one who cultivates, develops, and maintains relationships with grace and grit in order to create, enhance, and promote services and programs that transform lives.

Stories. Strategies. Solutions.

On a personal level, my calling (not a career) allows me to give back some of what has so graciously been given to my family. Outside of my role at The Caffeinated Advocate, I proudly serve in a full time position as the Director of Family Support and Community Engagement on the core leadership team at Achieving True Self, servicing families across the Northeastern U.S. In that position, I am very fortunate to have a marketing and community engagement role with SpectroDolce, a thriving confectionery with two locations east of Pittsburgh, PA and workplace training program for neurodivergent students and adults.

I am an international best-selling author and/or editor of almost two dozen books, including Imprisoned No More: A Mother and Son Embrace Autism and Journey to Freedom.

I am a Certified Master Life Coach, with certifications endorsed by Transformation Academy of Clearwater, Florida.

Much love and abundant gratitude,
Cathy