Dr. Jane Leatherman is an Associate Professor and Program Director of the Special Education program at Purdue University Fort Wayne. Dr. Leatherman received her PhD in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1999. She teaches classes at the undergraduate and graduate level on inclusion, appropriate curriculum and teaching methods for students with disabilities, collaboration, and assessment. Her research interest and writing foci are inclusion best practices, and collaboration. She has worked 23 years with different agencies in 3 states to advocate for children with disabilities and their families. Currently, she collaborates with several schools and families and agencies for the best services and resources for children with disabilities. Her knowledge of school responsibilities for students with disabilities is a strong asset for the My Autism Ally organization.

Akanadi Tommy Guest is the owner of Partners in Autism, a family-owned and operated autism center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Tommy has been in the autism and disability service industry for over fifteen years. He served as the Director of Operations at a local ABA center where he participated in the creation of an autism camp and various social skills classes. Later, he created the Career Ally program for the Autism Society of Indiana, providing person-focused employment services at no charge to its participants. After creating Partners in Autism, Tommy and his wife Camile have expanded the business to include multiple programs that serve individuals with autism and different abilities of all ages. In addition, he proudly serves on the Disability Expo Committee, North East Indiana Autism Connections, Transitions Partners of Northeast Indiana, and various other groups. His efforts to promote change and inclusiveness in his community exemplify his commitment to serving individuals with varying abilities every day.

Sue Christman is a Disability Community Advocate, Retired from Easter Seals ARC of Fort Wayne. She has over 40 years of work experience with persons with developmental disabilities including those persons with autism. She has worked in collaboration to start the following in our community: Sib shops- a support network for siblings affected by disability, Adults with Asperger’s social group, Autism Support group for parent’s, Sensory movies, Middle school and high school social groups for persons with Autism and Northeast Indiana Autism Connection - a community collaboration whose mission is to educate and support. She has worked educating community organizations and families on resources and services for persons with developmental disabilities.

Ta’nisha Clements is the Behavioral Health Navigator with Aging and In- Home Services and a parent of a daughter on the autism spectrum. Ta’nisha has worked in the mental health community in Fort Wayne for over 22 years, with a recent change to partner with those in the Aging and Disabled population. Her knowledge of community resources and connections to underserved populations in our community is a tremendous asset to our organization. Ta’nisha is also part of the Allen County Systems of Care and has been instrumental to bringing CONNECT Allen County from a concept to completion with a physical location in Rudisill Plaza which opened in 2021.