Diane Gould, LCSW, BCBA, will provide guidance in behavioral therapeutic strategies, staff training and clinical supervision. Diane has over 25 years experience providing therapeutic services to children and adults. Her unique combination of being a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst enables her to very effectively determine the needs of not just the child on the spectrum but the needs of the entire family.

Tamar Heller, PhD, is the Director of the Department of Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She also directs, the Advanced Training for Disability and Rehabilitation Scholars program, the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Aging with Developmental Disabilities, and projects on support interventions for individuals with disabilities and their families. She also directs the University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities for the State of Illinois.
Dr. Heller has written over 125 publications and presented over 200 papers at major conferences on disability policies and interventions. She has co-edited two books (Health of Women with Disabilities and Older Adults with Developmental Disabilities: Optimizing Choice and Change) and edited special issues of Technology and Disability, American Journal on Mental Retardation, Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, and Family Relations.
Previously, Dr. Heller directed a Family Studies and Services Program, which included an interdisciplinary diagnostic clinic serving nearly 1,000 families each year from the inner city, a family support program and studies on lifespan family support. Dr. Heller has served on the boards of the American Association on Mental Retardation, the European Course on Mental Retardation, and the boards of several leading national and international journals on disability issues.

Micki Moran is the founding partner of the Child and Family Law Center of the North Shore, Ltd., a for-profit law firm that focuses exclusively on the legal needs of children and their families. For over 15 years, the firm has practiced in the areas of special education, juvenile law, custody litigation, and mental health law. She is a member of the National Association of Counsel for Children, the ABA Section of Children’s Rights, and other organizations. Before assuming her present position, she practiced in the areas of litigation and corporate law, and she was the Assistant Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law of Cleveland State University. She has helped hundreds of families on education and family issues for children with special needs.

Alan Rosenblatt, MD, will provide advice on early diagnosis, clinical issues, advocacy, education and pharmacology. Dr. Rosenblatt is one of a small number of neurodevelopmental pediatricians serving the Midwest. He is a professor at the Feinberg Medical School at Northwestern University and developed his expertise in autism at the Kennedy Krieger Institute of Johns Hopkins University. He serves as a member of the Autism Subcommittee of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Dr. Henry Hollander has a deep and broad experience in healthcare management. Dr. Hollander is a graduate of the University of Illinois and earned his doctoral degree from Loyola-Stritch with a certification in internal medicine. After having a highly successful career as an internal medicine physician, Dr. Hollander got involved in the business of healthcare. He created and implemented strategies for physician practices and served as chief medical officer for Prucare, the second-largest private insurer in the Midwest.
Later Dr. Hollander was a key principal with Medical Management Inc and Alexander & Alexander Consulting Group. Most recently he was Vice President of Medical Services for the Harmony Health Plan, an HMO that expanded from Illinois to multi-state services before selling the firm to a public company. He has also served as chief medical officer for several startup healthcare insurance companies.

Scott Baum has an extensive background managing successful start-up, business turn-around and high-growth environments. His industry experience includes technology, internet, travel, manufacturing and pharmaceutical. Most recently he was COO for four years at CarePages.com, a healthcare social networking site with over 4 million members and 700 hospital customers. Before that Scott worked for Bombardier for 7 years in 4 different countries, and held leadership roles in various global organizations, including Caremark and Sheraton Hotels. Scott holds a Bachelors in Labor & Human Resources and a Masters in Human Resources and International Business from The Ohio State University.

Alan R. Meyer, MBA, has experience in startup strategies, financing and business development. Mr. Meyer started his career at Baxter in corporate finance and business strategy development. He then helped launch Healthtech, a high-tech startup that developed the first FDA approved robot for home care use. He then joined PathoGenesis as executive vice president and chief financial officer where he helped grow the company from startup to a successful IPO. Alan is also the father of a child on the autism spectrum.

Steve Kaufman, Founder, Chief Technology Officer, has a long history of creating business ideas, patents and solutions, as well as over 30 years of experience in manufacturing, technology development and business start-ups. He is the inventor of HANC (Home Assisted Nursing Care), the first home telemedicine device to obtain FDA approval. HANC allows frail, elderly people to live at home independently by monitoring their vital signs, charting their medication and helping them maintain their scheduled activities. He is also regarded as the father of the hospital pharmacy automation business.
While working for Baxter as Director of Advanced Technology, he developed the first pharmacy automation technology (ATC212) by forging a relationship between Baxter Healthcare and Sanyo. The ATC212 generated over $200 million in revenue for Baxter. Steve has over 20 healthcare patents and more than 50 manufacturing processes to his credit including manufacturing processes developed while serving as VP of operations for Estee Lauder, Fowler-ware Ceramics and Baxter Australia. Steve has been an advisor to Panasonic, the FDA and Focused Health Solutions.
Since 2001, Steve has been working on innovative solutions in the field of special education. Steve’s joined Ombudsman Educational Services, a computer education based company based in Libertyville with 90 locations throughout the country and served as technology infrastructure consultant, VP of Operations and eventually as Chief Operating Officer. Immediately prior to launching Autism Home Support Services, Steve was Chief Information Officer/Chief Technology Officer at ESA (Educational Services of America). He joined ESA when they acquired Ombudsman in 2006. Educational Services of America is a privately held company that owns and operates over 120 private educational facilities in 17 states. ESA is the leading provider of special education services in the nation.

Laura McKee leads the organization as the CEO. Laura joins AHSS from the HAVI Group where she led Strategy, supporting HAVI clients including McDonald’s. Laura previously was an executive for Sears Holdings, including leadership roles in Sears Home Services, Sears.com and Sears Portrait Studio. She began her post-MBA career as a consultant with McKinsey & Co. Laura’s education includes an undergraduate degree with honors from Swarthmore College and an MBA with honors from the J.L. Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. Laura’s interest in autism comes from close friends who have walked the autism journey and experienced the need for quality professional services. She also served 2 years in the U.S. Peace Corps as a Mathematics Education Volunteer in Central African Republic.

Andrew J. Oleszczuk, Chairman, brings deep experience in venture investing to the AHSS Board of Directors. Andy is a seasoned executive with experience in the media and online industries as well as a broad array of entrepreneurial ventures. His media industry resume includes his current role as Chief Executive Officer of Home Preview Channel and leadership roles in Tribune Company Development as well as the President of Tribune Ventures, a division of Tribune Co., from August 1998 to May 2000. Mr. Oleszczuk served as a Director of Varsity Group Inc., (formerly Varsitybooks Com Inc.) since September 1999. Mr. Oleszczuk received a B.A. from Northwestern University in 1978 and an M.B.A. from the Wharton Graduate School of Business in 1980.

Judith E. Hicks is the founder and president of Focused Health Solutions. As a member of the AHSS Board of Directors, Ms. Hicks provides insight into the company’s business strategy and growth plans, applying her in-depth experience in new business development, alternate site care and proven health care models. Prior to her appointment at Focused Health Solutions, Ms. Hicks served for 16 years as president of CM HealthCare Resources, a for-profit subsidiary of Children’s Memorial Medical Center providing comprehensive home care services in the Midwest. She has also served in management positions at Children’s Memorial Medical Center and Northwestern’s Prentice Women’s Hospital, both in Chicago.
Ms. Hicks actively participates in professional organizations, including the Midwest Business Coalition and on the board of the Infant Welfare Society. In 1998, she was one of the premier recipients of the March of Dimes Jonas Salk Health Leadership Awards. The UIC Nursing Institute recognized her as their Outstanding Illinois Nurse Leader in 1999 and in 2006 she received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Ms. Hicks received her M.S. in nursing from the University of Illinois Medical Center and her B.S. in nursing from St. Xavier College, both in Chicago.

Kenn Miller is Vice President, Community Relations for AHSS.  Kenn is a versatile and highly effective entrepreneurial executive with a proven record in strategic vision, operational management, sales and marketing in start-up and high growth biomedical products, healthcare and education services. Recently Mr. Miller has been consulting in interim management, strategic planning, business development, sales & marketing, venture capital search, and merger & acquisition for billion dollar companies, mid-tier firms and startups. His previous experience was as Vice President of Ombudsman Educational Services, an education firm for at-risk students. In the past Mr. Miller formed a startup medical company, taking it public and also working for American Hospital Supply/Baxter Healthcare for 22 years.

Donna de St. Aubin is recognized as a leader in human resources and management consulting, including expertise in the health care, insurance, financial and manufacturing industries. Donna is lending her considerable entrepreneurial experience to the AHSS Advisory Board. Ms. St. Aubin is co-author of the book 50 plus one Tips When Hiring & Firing Employees and is co-author of 50 plus one Tips for Attracting, Engaging and Retaining Top Talent. Ms. St. Aubin received a M.B.A. from the J.L. Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, and a B.A. from the College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Maryanne Nugent has significant experience in the autism community, including serving as Co-President of the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Learning Disabilities Association and Facilitator of the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Circle of Moms support group for children with special needs. Ms. Nugent also volunteers as a board member of the North Shore Special Education District (NSSED) Association of Parents and Staff. Ms. Nugent has worked as a substitute teacher for NSSED, and held sales and marketing positions for Connecting Neighbors and Platinum Financial Group.
For many years, Ms. Nugent had a successful marketing career as a national account manager for Dell Computer, VisionTek, ASAP Software and Airborne Express. Ms. Nugent received a BA in Political Science from Northwestern University and lives in Lake Bluff with her three children, one diagnosed with autism.

Lisa Dworkin is Clinical Director at Autism Home Support Services.  Lisa Dworkin, MA, BCBA, has more than thirty years experience serving people with disabilities.  She is knowledgeable about all aspects of autism and developmental disabilities and has a passion for providing intervention to assist children in achieving their full potential.  She has worked both inside and collaboratively with organizations including Little City Foundation, Glenkirk, Center for Independent Futures, Countryside Association for People with Disabilities, CARF, and various local and regional mental and behavioral health agencies.  Lisa is an expert in linking individuals with a network of supports and has worked energetically on transition issues for teenagers and young adults.

Lisa graduated Magna Cum Laude from Macalester College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and holds a Masters in Behavior Analysis and Therapy from Southern Illinois University.

Samantha, BCBA, is Chief Technical BCBA at Autism Home Support Services. Ms. Baker completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology along with an Associate of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Evansville, Indiana. She holds a Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis from Spalding University (Louisville, KY) as well as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst certificate.

For the past ten years, Sami has been providing in-home and classroom ABA therapy to a broad range of children on the spectrum. Most recently, she provided clinical behavioral oversight to ten clinicians at the Carriage House Preschool and Educational Services facility in Louisville, Kentucky. Prior to working in the school environment, she served as the Lead Interventionist at a leading Applied Behavior Analysis provider in Louisville. She has presented to parents and clinicians on Autism and Related Disorder topics including Verbal Behavior Training, Strategies and Supports for the Individual with Autism in the Early Childhood Classroom, Reducing Challenging Behavior by Increasing Communication and Toilet Training for Children with ASD.

Leigh Stewart is Autism Home Support Services Director of Operations. Leigh is an accomplished business leader who held roles across a number of Baxter Healthcare Corporation divisions from Corporate to Fenwal, Health Tech Services, IV Therapy, and Medication Delivery. Her scope included regional, US and Global roles and functionally included project management, product management, business development, marketing, and finance.
Ms. Stewart graduated Magna Cum Laude from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical and Chemical Engineering and was awarded an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She began her career as a project engineer with Cordis Dow Corporation and also holds the PMP certification.

Jan Hamilton is Autism Home Support Services Director of Medical Billing.  Jan has more than 30 years experience in medical billing and administration. She has worked for home healthcare providers such as Walgreens Home care, Advocate Home Health Service, and Homedco/Glasrock Home Healthcare.  Her expertise includes reimbursement systems and processes and managing insurance claims and processes.  She has worked across all aspects of healthcare organizations including billing, collections, training, and corporate accounting related with billing and administration.

Natalie Forburger is a skilled member of Autism Home Support Services and works as Family Support Coordinator. Natalie holds an LPC certification in addition to a Masters in Clinical Psychology and a BA in Psychology from Purdue University. She is currently pursuing an additional Masters of Sciences in Clinical Research and is Director of the Rush University Medical Center Autism Resource Center as well as a Skills Coach for Autism Home Support Services. Natalie has presented autism papers at national conferences and more importantly has demonstrated incomparable energy and focus in working with children on the spectrum. She has experience working with children of all ages and is invested in supporting and strengthening the families of our clients.  She is a great resource for our families in explaining ABA and assuring they get quality care for their children.