Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a child with autism. Their longtime friend Bernie Marcus donated $25 million to help financially launch the organization. Since then, Autism Speaks has grown into the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Today, we will be speaking with two members of Autism Speaks' leadership; Executive V.P. Strategic Communications Michael Rosen, and Executive V.P. of Programs and Services Lisa Goring.

Episode Segments:

Educviii: Michael Rosen Michael Rosen joined Autism Speaks as the EVP of Strategic Communications in April of 2013. In this role, Rosen manages all aspects of Autism Speaks’ communications and public relations efforts in support of its mission. He is responsible for developing and implementing communication strategies to broaden the impact of Autism Speaks’ programs in all key areas: science, advocacy, family services and awareness. He is also father of an autistic child and will share his experiences as a parent.
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Educviii: Lisa Goring Lisa Goring was named EVP of Programs and Services in February of 2014. Under Goring’s leadership, Family Services became the fourth pillar of the organization’s mission in 2007. In order to meet the needs of individuals with autism and their families, Lisa and her team have developed a wide array of resources and tools for families including a Resource Guide of over 50,000 local resources across the United States, an Autism Response Team to answer phone calls and emails from families looking for resources, and a variety of tool kits such as the 100 Day Kit for newly diagnosed families, a School Community Tool Kit, a Transition Tool Kit for families of individuals entering adulthood, an Employment Tool Kit to assist adults on the spectrum with finding a job and more. In addition, Lisa has implemented several grant programs over the years to expand services for people with autism and to increase the field of providers serving the autism community.
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Links to Related Websites:

Autism Speaks Tool Kits Tool Kits are downloadable and free and range from the Autism Speaks 100 Day Kit and Individualized Educations Program (IEP) Guide to the Transition Tool Kit and the Postsecondary Educational Opportunities Guide, just to name a few.

Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode

Michael Rosen Michael came to Autism Speaks after a career in television news. Most recently he was at CBS News, where he held several top editorial leadership positions including executive producer of CBS This Morning: Saturday. In addition to tenures as senior vice president at CSTV and senior broadcast producer at CNN (Paula Zahn NOW), Michael was a senior producer for special events at ABC News, where he helped lead the network’s coverage of the war in Iraq and ABC’s Peabody award-winning coverage of the September 11 terrorist attacks. His work has been recognized with three Emmy awards, two Peabody awards and four DuPont awards. Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College. He has three children Molly, Carrie and Nicky. His son Nicky has autism. He and his wife Jane live in New York City. Autism Speaks

Lisa Goring Lisa joined Autism Speaks as the staff liaison for the Family Services Committee in June of 2006. In May of 2007 she was appointed director of family services. n her role at Autism Speaks, Lisa has appeared on various media outlets including the Today Show, CNBC’s Squawk Box, Nightly News with Brian Williams, CBS News, CNN, the Katie Show and more. Lisa's prior work experience includes a 19 year career at Saks Fifth Avenue where she was Vice President, Divisional Merchandise Manager. In addition, she is a past president of her local School Community Association, has participated on many special education committees, is a frequent parent member of the committee on special education in her school district, has presented at several autism conferences, and has worked as a teaching assistant at Nassau Suffolk Services for Autism's Martin C. Barell School. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Boston University. She lives in Manhasset, New York with her husband Paul and two children, one of whom has autism. Autism Speaks