Upper Midwest Leadership Council
Autism Speaks is dedicated to creating an inclusive world for all individuals with autism throughout their lifespan. We do this through advocacy, services, supports, research and innovation, and advances in care for autistic individuals and their families.
Engaged and committed leadership volunteers working nationwide are vital to achieving this mission. Executive Leadership Councils are integral 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 Executive Leadership Council's purpose is to advance Autism Speaks' mission and income goals 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 and partner on priority programs and advocacy efforts.
The Leadership Council structure allows volunteer leaders to collaborate on key initiatives and support staff in identifying, recruiting, and cultivating community influencers. 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.
Leadership Council members are influential leaders who possess diverse skill sets, experience, and perspectives and are firmly committed to the mission of Autism Speaks and the autism community. Members reflect the professional, geographic, and ethnic diversity of their market. With this diversity as a foundation, the Leadership Council provides strategic counsel and support to ensure the broad reach and success of Autism Speaks' mission delivery and fundraising efforts.
Current Members
- Kyle Gardner, Leadership Council Chair, CEO & Co-founder, Dobson Avenue Capital Partners, LLC,
- Colleen Kelty, Leadership Council Secretary, Treasury Management Sales Consultant, Northern Trust
- Stacy Lutgier-Kultgen, Leadership Council Former Chair, Manager, Process Improvement Operations, USG
- Tricia Brouwers, Area Manager Vice President/Mortgage, Wintrust Bank
- Eric Chern, Founder, Former CEO, Chicago Trading Company
- Christina Kelly, Senior Tax Manager, DB Tax & Accounting, LLC
- Andrew Lehrer, Engineering Market Leader, CannonDesign
- Matt Leibing, EVP, ECI, Executive Construction, Inc.
- Jim Lyke, Senior Vice President, Network Sales, ARIE Radio Networks
- Michael Redmond, Director of Infrastructure, Chicago Trading Company
- Colleen Szarek, autism advocate
- Dr. Latha Valluripalli Soorya, Director AARTS Center, Associate Professor, Clinical Psychologist, Rush AARTS