Meet Sandra DeMond

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sandra DeMond and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sandra, what inspires you?
I am consistently inspired and amazed by the joy, honesty, and perseverance of our disabled population. Their resilience and strength motivate me to become a better person and make a positive impact in the world. Their stories and experiences offer invaluable lessons in empathy, understanding, and the importance of celebrating diversity.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Several years ago, career path shifted from the corporate world to special education, a transition that has been both unexpected and incredibly rewarding. The skills I developed in audio-visual staging – problem-solving, project management, and attention to detail – have proven highly transferable. However, the most significant impact comes from my personal experience as the parent of a child with special needs, giving me a deep understanding of the challenges faced by these students and their families. Because of him I have been involved for over 21 years with the Exceptional Kids Organization, a 501c charity that serves over 500 special needs youth and their families and educators in the South Bay. The EKO has further broadened my perspective, allowing me to connect with other families and advocate for change. This combination of professional expertise, personal experience, and community involvement allows me to approach my role not only as a Special Education Student Information Systems Manager for a school system but as the EKO Communications Secretary and Board member of a 100% volunteer, non profit with empathy, knowledge, and a genuine commitment to supporting our exceptional students and adults.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1: We would spend the first evening in my back yard garden, having dinner, wine and catching up.

Day 2: Weather permitting, day at the beach. Breakfast at Scotty’s hang at the beach, walk the strand, then lunch maybe Hennessy’s, watch the sunset at the Top of Tony’s and home for dinner.

Day 3: Old Hollywood day. Walk of Fame, Chinese Theatre, the Kodak (home of the Oscars) then a leisurely lunch poolside at the Roosevelt a visit to the museum of her choice i.e. Max Factor, act and finally dinner at Musso and Franks.

Day 4: Breakfast at Trax at Union Station and a trip to Capistrano to visit to the Mission. Lunch TBD and walk around Capistrano and head home. Maybe dinner on Olvera Street.

Day 5: Disneyland and all-things Disney

Day 6: Relax before heading home and dinner at Blue Water Grill, walk the marina a bit after dinner and head back home.

If she came on a week where we were holding an Exceptional Kids Organization event, we would spend the evening at the event so she could experience the pure joy of our exceptional attendees. There is nothing like it to make you happy and appreciate life.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
“My shout-out is to my family, my children, and especially to my son Matthew, who has taught me that while we make plans, God sometimes laughs—and yet, we often come out better because of it.”

Website: https://www.ekpto.org

Instagram: exceptionalkidspto

Linkedin: sandra-demond

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ekpto

Image Credits
Exceptional Kids Organization annual events, Kite Day, Marching with in the El Segundo Holiday Parade, Halloween Dance, Prom 2025 and general dances. You can feel the Joy!