We’re dedicated to helping our students grow into themselves, connect with others and explore what is possible for their future.
MICHELLE RUBIN
Michelle Rubin isn't just the captain of our ship, she’s also our cruise director. Michelle brings life and light into every room she enters. As founder she leads with quite a vision, challenging her team with new responsibilities every day. She is incredibly proud and trusting of them, and their genuine passion amazes her. This work is incredibly personal for Michelle, as she started it because of her experience with her son, Scott, who has autism. At the time of his diagnosis there was little information about what next steps Michelle and her family should take. She’ll be the first to say she didn’t know exactly what she was doing when she started this organization. But when Michelle see’s a need, that’s enough for her to show up and invest.
Our team mentors, educates and supports young adults through our self-advocacy and pre-employment programs, and our signature SOAR program.
ROD
When Rod Mosley puts his mind to something: It. Gets. Done. Rod is a noteworthy leader, an empathetic counselor and a big-hearted dreamer. He doesn’t just love people he also adores animals and is down to live with anything furry and cuddly (and that includes tarantulas!). Though it’s hard to choose just one, his favorite memory of his work so far is of watching the students come out of their shells at the SOAR talent show.
DARIUS
Darius Murray is king when it comes to enhancing individual experiences and developing programs. He is strategic and a connector, and loves watching his students overcome a challenge. Darius is well rooted in the community, and brings resources and people together with ease. He is inspired to meet his clients where they are, and loves that Autism After 21 operates that same way. Darius is intuitive and curious, and understands his students deeply.
LORI
Besides being incredibly talented at making the best chocolate pretzels, Lori Benvenisty serves as one of our mentors. Lori continuously learns from her peers who hold different positions in the autism field and is never one to oversimplify things, choosing rather to look at all of the dynamics of a situation to find the right solution. She is also persistent and doesn’t accept the word “can’t.” She believes everyone can learn and that people just need to put the time and effort to understand how.