Our Board of Directors
| Curtis Arledge Peter Bell** Sallie Bernard Jim Broder Geri Dawson** Philip H. Geier, Jr* T. Michael Glenn Gary W. Goldstein, M.D. Tom Hetzel** Adrian M. Jones Mel Karmazin* Brian Kelly* Artie Kempner Mark LaNeve Billy Mann Bernie Marcus* Gary Mayerson Kevin Murray* Alison Niederauer Andrew Robertson Holly Robinson Peete Mark Roithmayr** Chuck Saftler Jack Schneider Dan Schulman Laura Slatkin John B. Wilson Bob Wright* Suzanne Wright* *Executive Committee members **Staff Officers |
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Curtis Arledge
Chief Investment Officer of Fixed Income, BlackRock Inc. |
| Curtis Arledge is Chief Investment Officer of Fixed Income, Fundamental Portfolios within BlackRock's Fixed Income Portfolio Management Group. Prior to rejoining BlackRock in 2008, Arledge was with Wachovia Corporation for 12 years, most recently as Global Head of the Fixed Income Division and a member of the Corporate and Investment Bank's (CIB) Executive and CIB Risk/Return Committees. He and his wife, Diane, have a son on the autism spectrum.
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Sallie Bernard
Parent; Co-founder and Executive Director, SafeMinds; Co-founder and Board Chair, Extreme Sports Camp |
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Sallie Bernard joined the board of Autism Speaks in February 2007, following the merger with Cure Autism Now (CAN). Bernard previously served as board chair for CAN and executive director of the New Jersey chapter, helping to secure millions of dollars for autism research and treatment. She was also a member of the Founders Forum for The Autism Center of UMDNJ in New Jersey. She and her husband, Tom, have been major supporters of CAN's Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE), Clinical Trials Network, Autism Treatment Network and Environmental Innovators Award programs. Bernard is co-founder and executive director of SafeMinds, an organization which focuses on the role of mercury in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism. She has testified before Congress, presented to the Institute of Medicine, published a number of research papers and letters in science journals, and participates in several government committees addressing the effect of mercury on neurodevelopment. She is also co-founder and president of Extreme Sports Camp, a nonprofit summer camp for older children and teenagers with autism. The camp offers outdoor sports and recreation including hiking, rock climbing, swimming, rafting and water skiing. Bernard is the founder and former president of ARC Research, a market research and consulting firm, which she sold in 2004 and is now part of Leger Marketing. She graduated with honors from Radcliffe College, Harvard University, in 1979. She is married with three children, one of whom has autism. She resides in Aspen, Colorado. back to top |
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Jim Broder
Managing Director, Deutsche Bank |
| Jim Broder is the Managing Director in Fixed Income Sales at Deutsche Bank. Prior to joining Deutsche Bank in July 2008, Broder was with Bear Stearns for 15 years as a Senior Managing Director in the Fixed Income Sales Division. Broder and his wife, Shannon, are parents of two sons, and have been very active in the Autism Speaks community, particularly in Nantucket, Mass. Broder has co-chaired the Nantucket Walk Now for Autism Speaks for three years since its inception. back to top |
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Philip H. Geier, Jr.
Chairman Emeritus, Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc., |
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Philip H. Geier, Jr., an advertising professional, became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc., in 1980. He retired from this position at the end of December 2000. In February 2001, Mr. Geier formed The Geier Group to provide consulting/advisory services in the marketing, communications and venture capital areas. Additionally, Mr. Geier is a Senior Advisor for Lazard Frères & Co. LLC and serves on the Board of Directors for the following companies: AEA Investors, Inc., Fiduciary Trust International, and Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. Mr. Geier's philanthropic relationships as Director or Trustee include: Autism Speaks, Columbia Business School, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Save the Children Federation, Inc., The Whitney Museum of American Art, and International Tennis Hall of Fame. Mr. Geier holds a B.A. in Economics from Colgate University (1957) and an M.B.A. in Marketing and Finance from Columbia University (1958). |
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T. Michael Glenn
Executive Vice President, Market Development & Corporate Communications, FedEx Corporation |
| T. Michael Glenn is executive vice president of Market Development and Corporate Communications for FedEx Corporation, a $37 billion global transportation and logistics holding company. He is a member of the five-person Executive Committee, responsible for planning and executing the corporation's strategic business activities. Glenn also serves as president and chief executive officer of FedEx Corporate Services, responsible for all marketing, sales, retail operations, and information technology functions for all FedEx Corporation operating companies. Before FedEx Corporation was formed in January 1998, Glenn was senior vice president, Worldwide Marketing, Customer Service and Corporate Communications for FedEx, a position he held for five years. In that role, he was responsible for directing all marketing, customer service, employee communications and public relations activities for the world's largest express transportation company. Glenn joined FedEx in 1981 and has held management positions in the Sales and Marketing divisions. Prior to joining FedEx, he worked in the Sales Division of the Dover Elevator Company. Born in 1955, Glenn is a native of Memphis, Tennessee. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Mississippi and his MBA from The University of Memphis. Glenn currently serves on the board of directors for Renasant Bank and Pentair Inc. back to top |
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Gary Goldstein, MD
President and Chief Executive Officer, Kennedy Krieger Institute Professor, Johns Hopkins University's School of Medicine and School of Hygiene and Public Health |
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Dr. Gary Goldstein is the chair of the Autism Speaks scientific advisory committee, and president and chief executive officer of the Kennedy Krieger Institute, one of the nation's leading treatment centers for autism and other developmental disorders. He is also a professor of neurology and pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University's School of Medicine and a professor of environmental health sciences at Johns Hopkins University's School of Hygiene and Public Health One of the leading researchers of neurological functions and defects, Gary has helped gain international recognition for the Kennedy Krieger Institute through his studies of children with a wide range of disabilities, from rare genetic disorders to common learning problems. More than 13,000 children with disabilities visit the Kennedy Krieger Institute every year. back to top |
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Adrian M. Jones
Managing Director, Goldman Sachs |
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Adrian M. Jones is a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs in New York in the company's Principal Investment Area. He joined Goldman Sachs in 1994 as an associate of the Investment Banking Division. He has also served in the company's Communications and Media Department, on mobility assignments in Equity Capital Markets and in the Executive Office of Goldman Sachs International in London. Jones grew up in Ireland and served as a Lieutenant in the Irish Army. In 1987-88, he served in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Southern Lebanon. Jones is a 1986 graduate of University College in Galway, and earned his MBA from Harvard in 1994. He is the father of a child with autism. back to top |
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Mel Karmazin
CEO, SIRIUS Satellite Radio |
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Mel Karmazin is Chief Executive Officer of SIRIUS Satellite Radio, where he oversees all aspects of the company's operations from its New York City corporate headquarters. SIRIUS delivers to 7.7 million subscribers more than 130 channels of radio, including 100% commercial-free music channels. It also broadcasts nationwide the best and most compelling talk, entertainment, news, information, and sports programming. Previously, he was President and COO of Viacom, President and CEO of CBS Corp., and President and CEO of Infinity Broadcasting. Prior to Infinity, Karmazin spent 10 years with Metromedia. Karmazin is vice chairman of the board of trustees of The Paley Center for Media and serves on the board of Autism Speaks. He was inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame, and has received the National Association of Broadcasters National Radio Award and the IRTS Gold Medal Award. |
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Brian Kelly
Principal, Eastern Development, LLC |
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Brian Kelly is a principal and founder of Eastern Development, LLC, where he has invested in more than 100 retail and office projects totaling over 8 million square feet with a value in excess of $1 billion. Prior to Eastern Development, Kelly was the principal of Atlantic Retail Properties. Under Kelly's leadership, Atlantic Retail Properties was New England's largest and most active retail brokerage firm. Kelly lives in Montecito, CA, with his wife, Patricia, and their six children, one of whom is autistic. back to top |
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Artie Kempner
Fox Sports |
| Artie Kempner is the lead director for both the NFL and NASCAR on Fox. He joined Fox Sports in the fall of 1994 for its inaugural season covering the NFL. In 2001 Kempner and his production crew took over the number one team at Fox working with Troy Aikman, Cris Collinsworth and Joe Buck. Kempner is also the coordinating director of NASCAR on Fox, and directs the Sprint Cup telecasts. Fox took over NASCAR in 2001, and garnered an Outstanding Series Emmy in that first season. The coverage was honored twice more with the Outstanding Series Emmy in 2005 and 2007. A nine-time sports Emmy winner, Kempner is very active in fundraising efforts for Autism Delaware and the Autism Speaks organization. He is the founding president of the Autism Society of Delaware (now Autism Delaware) and a former board member of the Autism Society of America. His passion to help advocate for the autism community was motivated when his middle son Ethan was diagnosed with the disorder in 1998. Kempner was recently chosen as one of the three finalists for Home Depot's NASCAR Humanitarian of the Year award. His proudest achievements are his efforts to establish the Fox Sports supports program, and his involvement in bringing Autism Speaks and Dover International Speedway together to create the Autism Speaks 400. Kempner played football at the University of Florida and graduated in 1981 with a degree in Journalism and Communications. He lives in Wilmington, Del. with his wife Marcy (a six-time sports Emmy winner in her own right and a dynamic autism advocate), and their three sons, Matt, Ethan and Jack. back to top |
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Mark LaNeve
VP of Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing, General Motors |
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Mark LaNeve was appointed General Motors North America vice president of vehicle sales, service and marketing in March 2005. He had served as GM North America vice president of marketing and advertising since September, 2004. In 2001, LaNeve was named general manager of Cadillac, returning to GM and Cadillac, where he began his career, following a stint as president and chief executive officer at Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. (VCNA). He left GM in 1997 to become vice president of marketing at VCNA. Prior to leaving GM, he was brand manager for the Pontiac Bonneville and held several sales and marketing positions at Cadillac between 1981 and 1995. LaNeve's success with the Cadillac brand was recognized and rewarded in 2003 when he was named "Grand Marketer of the Year" by Brandweek magazine. back to top |
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Billy Mann
President of International A&R - Labels and President of Global Artist Management, EMI Music |
Billy Mann has been a successful music producer, songwriter and creative executive for 17 years. Having sold over 75 million albums with numerous Top 10 hits around the globe, Mann has produced and/or written songs for a wide range of chart-topping artists including Pink, Jessica Simpson, Martina McBride, Kelly Rowland, Art Garfunkel, Take That, Joss Stone, Teddy Geiger, Ricky Martin, and Celine Dion among others. During his career, Mann has also been a consultant to companies such as Sony Music, Zomba, Warner Chappell and Sony Pictures Television. In 2001, Mann founded independent music development company Stealth Entertainment which represents developing songwriters, producers and artists. Stealth is now owned by EMI Music. In July 2008, Mann was appointed President of EMI's International A&R – Labels and in October added on the role of building EMI's Global Artist Management division. Mann and his wife and three children reside happily in Connecticut. His oldest son was diagnosed with autism in 2003. |
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Bernie Marcus
Co-Founder, The Home Depot, Inc. Chairman, The Marcus Foundation |
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Bernie Marcus is co-founder of The Home Depot, Inc., the world's largest home improvement retailer. He served as chairman of the board until his retirement in 2002. He remains director emeritus.
Marcus serves as chairman of the board of The Marcus Foundation, which he founded in 1988. Its areas of focus include Jewish causes, children, medical research, free enterprise, and the community. In 1991, he and his wife, Billi, established The Marcus Institute, which provides programs for children and adolescents with disorders of the brain, and especially autism, and their families. In 1998, the Marcus Institute joined forces with the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore.
Marcus donated $25 million to Autism Speaks to spearhead its efforts to raise money for research on the causes and cure for autism. He is an active member of the board of directors.
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Gary S. Mayerson
Founding Attorney, Mayerson & Associates |
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Gary Mayerson is the founding attorney of Mayerson & Associates, a firm that concentrates almost exclusively on representing and advocating for children and adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. Gary is the author of How to Compromise with Your School District without Compromising Your Child: A Field Guide for Getting Effective Services for Children with Special Needs. Before founding Mayerson & Associates, he was an attorney and partner at Graubard, Mollen & Miller. Originally from Miami, Gary graduated cum laude from Syracuse University and later received his law degree from Georgetown University. Gary is married with three children, and he has a family member diagnosed with autism. back to top |
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Kevin Murray
Chief Operating Officer, Rock Ridge Advisors, LLC |
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Kevin Murray is the chief operating officer for Rock Ridge Advisors, LLC, a multi-strategy hedge fund located in Greenwich, CT. Prior to forming Rock Ridge, Kevin was most recently a partner and managing director for Muirfield Capital Management, a $700 million hedge fund that launched in 2001. Kevin also formed and operated Pilgrim Financial, a private investment vehicle, during that time. In 1997, he co-founded Convergence Asset Management, a global fixed income fund that managed over $450 million in assets. From 1988 to1997, Kevin was a managing director and partner at Cantor Fitzgerald, where he was responsible for managing the mortgage-backed trading operation. In 1997, Kevin and his wife, Susan, and other interested parents formed the Autism Coalition for Research and Education. ACRE merged with Autism Speaks in June 2005. Kevin holds a B.S. in finance from Siena College. back to top |
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| Alison Niederauer Attorney |
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A native of Montclair, New Jersey, Alison Niederauer is the daughter of the late Marguerite Smith Cooper and New Jersey Judge Peter B. Cooper. She attended Vassar College from 1982 to 1986 and graduated with a degree in Psychology. She went on to attend Fordham Law School and graduated with her J.D. in 1991, and was admitted to both the New York and New Jersey Bar Associations. Alison clerked for Federal Magistrate Judge John Caden in the EDNY from 1991 to 1992 before she and her husband Duncan moved to Tokyo. While there she worked as an adviser in the legal department of Nichimen, one of Japan's largest trading companies and studied the Japanese language. When the family returned to the US in 1995, they settled in Bernardsville, New Jersey and Alison became a full-time mother to Amanda, now 21, Liam, 10; and Eva, age 8. When Liam was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome at age four, there were few resources providing assistance. Alison educated herself by becoming immersed in the current literature and seeking out the expertise of a wide range of specialists, including neurologists, nutritionists, occupational, speech and physical therapists, ophthalmologists and behaviorists. Many of these specialists have been treating Liam over the past several years in hopes of gaining positive results through early intervention and consistent treatment. Liam now attends The Newmark School in Plainfield, New Jersey and is in the fourth grade. He is a bright, happy, wonderful little boy -- with a long road ahead. back to top |
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Andrew Robertson
President and CEO, BBDO |
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Andrew Robertson has been President and Chief Executive Officer of BBDO Worldwide since June 2004. BBDO Worldwide is the current Network of the Year for The Gunn Report, The Won Report, and at the Cannes International Advertising Festival, and has been honored as Global Agency of the Year in Advertising Age, AdWeek and Campaign since 2004. Andrew first came to BBDO in the UK in 1995, joining Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO where he ultimately served as Chief Executive. In 2001, he moved to BBDO North America to serve as President and CEO. He began his advertising career at Ogilvy & Mather as a Media Planner. He switched to Account Management and was appointed to the Board of Ogilvy & Mather in 1986. In 1989, he joined J. Walter Thompson as a member of the Management Group and began to head the largest of their five business groups. In November 1990, Andrew was appointed Chief Executive of WCRS. Andrew has his degree in Economics from London University. He currently serves on the Boards of The Advertising Council, the American Association of Advertising Agencies, Autism Speaks, The Special Olympics and the Center on Media and Child Health. back to top |
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Holly Robinson Peete
Actress, Author, Activist and Philanthropist |
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Actress, author, activist and philanthropist, Holly Robinson Peete has been touched by the entertainment industry all of her life. Her career as an actress dates back more than two decades and has led her to becoming a voice for her father, her son and her community. An accomplished author, Robinson Peete won the 2006 Quill Literacy Award with her first book Get Your Own Damn Beer, I'm Watching the Game: A Women's Guide to Loving Pro Football (2005, Rodale). She will release a children's picture book on autism called “My Brother Charlie” with co-author and daughter Ryan Elizabeth Peete, in 2010 (Scholastic). Robinson Peete had her first experience in front of the camera at the age of four when she appeared on television opposite her father, Matthew Robinson who played the original Gordon, on “Sesame Street.” While she knew even at that young age her calling was to be an actress, Robinson Peete opted to lead a typical childhood. However, upon finishing college Robinson Peete's heart led her back to entertainment. In 1986, she landed a starring role on the FOX television drama “21 Jump Street” opposite unknown cast members including Johnny Depp. She has gone on to star in three additional successful television series: “Hangin' With Mr. Cooper,” “For Your Love,” and “One on One.” She performed the theme songs for both “21 Jump Street” and “Hangin' With Mr. Cooper,” she also did her own signing as Diana Ross in the miniseries “The Jacksons: An American Dream.” It is through her successful career and longevity in the entertainment industry which continues to keep Robinson Peete in the limelight that she has been able to give voice as an activist and advocate through the HollyRod Foundation. Formed in 1996 with the mission to help improve the quality of life of people plagued with devastating life circumstances, the foundation was given life through her father's sad but inspiring battle with Parkinson's Disease. In 2000, inspired by her son, hollyrod4kids was formed to focus on children's causes and improving the lives of children affected by circumstances beyond their control. Through hollyrod4kids and her family's personal experiences, Robinson Peete has become an advocate for consistent and reliable education, treatment and support for families affected by autism. Her activism is respected around the world and she has appeared on such programs as “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” “Larry King Live,” “CNN,” “Access Hollywood” and many other news, political, informational and entertainment shows. She currently sits on the Board of Overseers of the Keck School of Medicine and the Board of Directors of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association. Robinson Peete and husband of 14 years former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete are the proud parents of four children. They currently reside in Los Angeles. back to top |
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Chuck Saftler
Executive Vice President, FX Network |
| Chuck Saftler is the Executive Vice President of FX Networks as well as the General Manager of Fox Movie Channel. Saftler was part of the team that successfully launched shows such as The Shield, Nip/Tuck, Rescue Me, and Sons of Anarchy. Prior to joining FX, Saftler worked in various program research positions at KTLA-TV in Los Angeles, as well as Columbia Pictures Television, where he participated in the successful syndicated launches of Seinfeldand Married…With Children. Saftler, his wife Colleen and their two children, one of whom has autism, live in Los Angeles. He has been a member of the Autism Speaks community since 2002, having served as a board member of Cure Autism Now, which merged with Autism Speaks in 2007. Saftler is also on the board of ACT Today! back to top |
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Dan Schulman
CEO, Virgin Mobile USA |
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Since August 2001, Mr. Schulman has served as chief executive officer of Virgin Mobile USA, a joint venture between Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Sprint Nextel with more than 4.6 million customers. From May 2000 to May 2001, Schulman was president and CEO of priceline.com. He is the former president of the AT&T Consumer Markets Division of AT&T Corp. and was appointed to the AT&T Operations Group. From March 1997 to November 1998, he was president of AT&T WorldNet Service. back to top |
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Jack Schneider
Managing Director of Allen & Co. LLC |
| Jack Schneider has been a Managing Director of Allen & Co. LLC for over 32 years. He has also been on the Board of the National Mentoring Partnership for 10 years as well as Chairman of the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis for 23 years. He is also involved in numerous charitable functions throughout the year. back to top |
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Laura Slatkin
Founder and President, Candela Group |
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Laura Slatkin is the President of Candela Group, a manufacturer and international marketer of home fragrance products. Founded in 2005, Candela Group designs and produces custom collections for high-end private label clients in luxury, beauty, fashion, media and non-profit industries. Laura Slatkin began her career in the home fragrance industry in 1992 when she and her husband, Harry Slatkin, founded Slatkin & Co., the leading home fragrance company renowned for its luxurious scents, candles, potpourri and other essentials for rooms and environments. In 2002, after their son was diagnosed with autism, Laura and Harry Slatkin founded the New York Center for Autism (NYCA), a tripartite organization dedicated to autism education, community outreach and biomedical research. NYCA created the NYCA Charter School, the first public charter school dedicated to serving children with autism which opened in 2005. In addition to Autism Speaks and NYCA, Laura also serves on the boards of the NYCA Charter School and the Henry Street Settlement House. Laura began her professional career in 1980 as a senior vice president with Lehman Brothers Kuhn Loeb after graduating from New York University. She lives in New York City with her husband and their twins, David and Alexandra. |
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John B. Wilson
President and General Partner, Hyannis Port Capital, Inc. |
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John B. Wilson joined the board of Autism Speaks in February 2007, following the merger with Cure Autism Now (CAN). Wilson is a member of the HPC LLC Management Committee and owner and president of Hyannis Port Capital, Inc. He has held several other executive positions, including Chief Operating Officer and executive vice president of Gap, Inc.; Chief Financial Officer and executive vice president of Staples, Inc.; senior vice president of Northwest Airlines; and vice president/partner at Bain & Company. He serves on the board of several Franklin Templeton Mutual Funds as well as a number of private company boards. During his tenure as COO, the Gap experienced its most successful growth period. From 1996 to March 2000, Gap Inc.'s sales tripled to $10 billion, net profits quadrupled and its stock market value increased 800%. Staples also experienced explosive growth during Wilson's tenure as CFO. Total sales between 1992 and 1996 grew 600% to $4 billion, net income rose by 700% and the company's stock price expanded by more than 600%. Wilson earned his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1983 and his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, magna cum laude, from Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute in 1981. Wilson and his wife Leslie have been married for 17 years and have three children. |
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Bob Wright
Co-founder, Autism Speaks; Senior Advisor, Lee Equity Partners |
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Bob Wright is Senior Advisor at Lee Equity Partners and served as vice chairman, General Electric, and chief executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal for more than twenty years. Wright also serves on the board of directors of the Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, RAND Corporation and Mission Product, LLC. Bob has a strong history of philanthropy and community service, for which he has received numerous awards and accolades, most recently the 2005 Humanitarian Award from the Simon Wiesenthal Center. He is a member of the board of directors of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, is on the board of governors of New York-Presbyterian Hospital, and is a member of the Society of New York Hospital Inc. He is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and received his LL.B. degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. He and his wife, Suzanne, live in Connecticut. They have three children and four grandchildren. back to top |
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Suzanne Wright Co-founder, Autism Speaks |
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In addition to co-founding Autism Speaks, Suzanne has an extensive history of being actively involved in community and philanthropic endeavors, mostly directed toward helping children. She has teamed up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York, the YMCA, and other local organizations to provide children with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, such as attending the Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. Suzanne serves on the board of directors for several organizations, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York; the Laura Pels Foundation; the Inner-City Foundation for Charity and Education; and the Philadelphia-based Champions of Caring Project; among others. Suzanne is a graduate and member of the board of trustees of Sarah Lawrence College. She and Bob live in Connecticut. They have three children and four grandchildren. back to top |
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