Sophia Townes
president and Executive Director
A native South Carolinian and former educator, Sophia received her bachelor’s degree in French Studies from the College of Charleston. On an extension program in Paris, France, Sophia attended the Sorbonne, where she earned her master’s degree in French Civilization from Middlebury College with a focus on Middle Eastern relations. Sophia was an educator of the French language in the Bluffton/Hilton Head area for several years. She aspired to work for the U.S. Department of State until her direction in life changed.
Sophia was introduced to the Lowcountry Autism Foundation in October of 2014, after her three- year-old son, Jack, received his autism diagnosis from MUSC. Sophia remembers vividly the emotional drive back home to Bluffton, with Jack asleep in his car seat. The following day, she reached out to LAF for support and guidance. Sophia became involved with LAF soon after Jack’s diagnosis by serving on the advisory council and then as volunteer program coordinator for Beaufort County. After her third son, Joseph, was diagnosed with autism in August of 2018, Sophia became the Program Coordinator for LAF, focusing on Beaufort and Jasper County and expanding LAF programming from the Charleston area into the Bluffton/Hilton Head area. Sophia was also involved with legislation to increase Medicaid reimbursement for ABA therapy in the State of South Carolina for several years.
In June 2024, Sophia became President and Executive Director of the Lowcountry Autism Foundation. Sophia is very passionate in promoting autism advocacy, awareness and support for the entire family. Together with LAF, Sophia believes that the lowcountry community can better serve those affected by autism and their families. She brings the everyday reality of autism to LAF.
When Sophia is not working at LAF or involved in her children’s therapies, Sophia enjoys being outside with her goats and chickens on her family’s farm, cooking and spending time with her family and friends.
