Heartland Executive Leadership Council (ELC)

Autism Speaks is enhancing lives today and accelerating a spectrum of solutions for tomorrow. We are dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.

Engaged and committed leadership volunteers working nationwide are vital to achieving this mission. Executive Leadership Councils play an integral role in raising funds, growing new relationships, and advancing Autism Speaks’ mission objectives. Council members are high-caliber leadership volunteers who partner with staff to move the mission of Autism Speaks forward.

Purpose

The purpose of the Executive Leadership Council is to advance the mission and income goals of Autism Speaks in Key Markets across the country. Aligned with the nationwide Autism Speaks business plan, the ELC offers members the opportunity to lead revenue-generating initiatives, as well as partner on priority programs and advocacy efforts.

The ELC structure provides volunteer leaders the opportunity to work together in implementing key initiatives and supporting staff in identifying, recruiting, and cultivating community influencers. ELC members serve as representatives of Autism Speaks at the market level and play a key role in connecting Autism Speaks to new individual and corporate relationships.

Members are influential leaders who possess diverse skill sets, experience, and perspectives, and have a strong commitment to the mission of Autism Speaks and the autism community. ELC members reflect the professional, geographic, and ethnic diversity of the market in which they serve. With this diversity as foundation, the ELC provides strategic counsel and support to ensure broad reach and success of the mission-delivery and fundraising efforts of Autism Speaks.

Current Members

Head Chair:

Tom Chiapelas- Managing Director at Piper Sandler

Vice Chair:

Lucy Schnuck-Schwetye- Director of many influential boards

Members:

  • Greg Yawitz, Owner, Keat Properties, LLC
  • George Bailey, President at zPODS
  • Lonnie Berg, Senior Vice President at ADB
  • Amy Blumenfeld, EdD, Special Education Administrator at Special School District
  • Bill Bolster, Attorney at Lewis Rice LLC
  • Anitra Lee-Cole, Senior Director of Human Resources at St. Patrick Center
  • Christina Coleman, News Anchor at Fox News
  • John Constantino, MD, Child Psychiatrist at Washington University in St. Louis
  • Pete Fogle, Regional Sales Director at OneAmerica
  • Carolyn Grapperhaus, CPA, Financial Analyst at IT at Nestlé North America
  • Amanda Gioia, VP/Chief of Staff, Technology Risk Management at Mastercard
  • Ellen Hager, Owner of Hager Companies
  • Dan Hebrank, VP, Commercial Sales North America at Arrow ECS
  • Jim Lammers, COO at Pharmacy Partners, LLC / Altus Biologics
  • Eric Messersmith, Sports Reporter for FOX News Radio (FNR)
  • Michael Quinn, COO at Autism Support Now
  • Anthony Traxler, Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works, City of Maplewood
  • Joe Valenti, Retired from BancorpSouth Bank
  • Robyn Weilbacher, Speech Language Therapist at RW Language Therapy and Consulting
  • Sara Wylie, Associate Director, Account Based Marketing at KPMG

 

Click here if you are interested in joining the Heartland Executive Leadership Council.