Why This Mix Matters
Building the world we want takes a specific kind of team.
Not a support group. Not an advocacy organization. A working table of leaders who can actually change what companies and communities do next.
CEOs, operators, investors, clinicians, and advisors — most of us raising an autistic child, some raising more than one. Different industries. Different vantages. The same stakes.
The Founding Table
These are the leaders who will build that world. Each founding member carries visible responsibility in one part of life and an invisible one at home.
The founding table is small and personally invested. Some are parenting adult children on the spectrum and bring decades of perspective. Others are earlier in the journey and bring urgency, candor, and fresh questions.
The exchange between them is the point.
The founding table opens to a broader membership in 2027. Founding members hold a permanent seat.
A standing circle of researchers, clinicians, and operators have helped shape our agenda and mission. Many have already shared wisdom on our podcast, “Imperfect Leaders.”
The Brain Trust
Dr. Bradley Schlaggar
President and CEO of Kennedy Krieger Institute and professor of neurology and pediatrics at Johns Hopkins. A researcher, clinician, and father. Brings rare perspective on the science of neurodiversity — and on what it demands of the leaders raising these children.
Keivan Stassun
MacArthur Fellow and founding director of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation at Vanderbilt. Speaks about building institutions and teams that genuinely make use of neurodivergent talent. Listen to Keivan’s interview on Imperfect Leaders podcast.
Adrian Jones
Goldman Sachs leader and father of a son with profound autism. Speaks about resilience, leadership, and what this journey demands over time. Listen to Adrian’s interview on Imperfect Leaders podcast.
Ben Yalom, Ph.D.
Clinical psychologist working with senior leaders on mortality, legacy, succession, and family decisions.
Trenna Sutcliffe, M.D.
Developmental pediatrician whose work helps families think across medical, behavioral, and family systems. Listen to Trenna’s interview on Imperfect Leaders podcast.
Brian Harper
CEO and former Chair of Autism Speaks. Father of a son with profound autism. Speaks about how this journey changed him as a leader and a builder. Listen to Brian’s interview on Imperfect Leaders podcast.
Jason Karp
Founder and CEO who speaks openly about his own mental health challenges and leadership journey. Listen to Jason’s interview on Imperfect Leaders podcast.
Chris Male
Managing Partner of the Autism Impact Fund and father of a son with profound autism. Listen to Chris’ interview on Imperfect Leaders podcast.
Theresa Hamlin, Ed.D.
CEO of the Center for Discovery and co-author of Autism and the Stress Effect.
Amanda Lukof
CEO of Eleplan. Sibling of an adult brother with autism. Leading a session on care planning at the founding weekend. Listen to Amanda’s interview on Imperfect Leaders podcast.
Ling Shao
SVP, Outcomes-Based Care at CentralReach. Founder of SpectrumAI. Mother of four sons, all on the autism spectrum. Founding member.
Rita Gardner
President and CEO of Melmark. Behavior analyst by training. Four decades in the field of autism and intellectual disability services.
Why This Mix Matters
Every founding member has already had their leadership reshaped by this experience. Most have never put it into words. The world we described starts with what they decide to do next.