Our staff is a small, dynamic group of passionate individuals who work to make a meaningful impact on the lives of autistic individuals and those who support them. With diverse backgrounds and experience, the OAR team takes OAR’s mission to heart and puts ideas into action.
Meet the team that drives all of OAR’s day-to-day operations.
Kristen EssexEmail Kristen | (703) 243-9717 | LinkedIn
Kristen came to OAR in 2015 with an extensive professional background that included insurance sales, the restaurant industry, and newspaper and small business management. In her initial role as Business Manager and later with her 2018 promotion to Deputy Executive Director, she managed OAR’s day-to-day operations, human resources, and finances. As of December 2022, Kristen is proud to serve as OAR’s Executive Director.
Kristen is a native of the Washington metropolitan area. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics/Business from Randolph-Macon College and a Master of Nonprofit Management and Master of Business Administration from Regis University.
What do you like to do outside of OAR?
Read, hike with her dogs, and spend time with family and friends.
Sally TranSally started with OAR in April 2023 with over a decade of experience in small businesses and startups. Before joining OAR, she was the Director of Operations for a series of indoor family play spaces in Washington D.C., New York City, and Connecticut. As the Business Manager, she works closely with the Executive Director to direct and manage day-to-day operations and finances.
Sally is a native of Northern Virginia and a mom of a child on the spectrum. She graduated from The Ohio State University (Columbus, OH) with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and is a Certified Scrum Master.
What do you like to do outside of OAR?
Sally loves to spend quality time with family and friends. When she’s not planning her next trip to Disney World, she enjoys pilates and cycling, mahjong nights, and watching college football (go Bucks!) and all San Francisco sports teams.
Kimberly HaEmail Kimberly | (703) 243-9762
Kimberly Ha is a certified autism specialist and an integral member of OAR’s executive leadership team. She directs OAR’s strategic vision while providing oversight and direction for the grant programs, scholarship programs, resource developments, webinar series, OARacle newsletter, and community outreach initiatives implemented by the Programs Team. Kim received her master’s degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania and has over a decade of work in service to the autism community.
Prior to joining OAR in 2014, Kim taught science and transitions skills to students with high and low-incidence disabilities including autism. She previously collaborated with social workers, parents, and school staff to develop quality IEPs and ensure students received the special education services they deserved. Kim has a continued commitment to providing quality access to autism research, information, and education through OAR’s wide-ranging program activities.
What do you like to do outside of OAR?
Kim enjoys hiking, reading, and playing badminton.
Cate HickmanEmail Cate | (571) 977-5393 | LinkedIn
Cate joined the OAR team in August 2022 after graduating from James Madison University where she studied psychology and humanitarian affairs. During college, Cate was a leader in several different campus organizations, completed research in the field of cognitive development, and interned for a non-profit organization called the P.U.S.O. Foundation, or Purposeful Unconditional Service to Others.
Through her volunteer experience with organizations like P.U.S.O. and UNICEF USA, Cate has grown an appreciation for working with nonprofits that are dedicated to improving the lives of others. This, along with her passion for helping those in the autism community led her to join the OAR team.
What do you like to do outside of OAR?
Cate’s hobbies and interests include baking, swimming, traveling, and spending time with her friends and her Samoyed puppy, Daisy.
Brittany ShortEmail Brittany | (571) 384-1821
Brittany started with OAR and the Hire Autism program in 2022 and is dedicated to supporting Hire Autism’s mission to improve employment opportunities for autistic individuals and help businesses create more inclusive workplaces. Before joining OAR, Brittany worked in the research field as an operations manager, managing a diverse team and multiple projects. As the Manager of Hire Autism, she works closely with the Executive Director to oversee all aspects of the program.
Brittany is a native of the Washington metropolitan area and is a proud big sister to her sibling on the spectrum. She graduated from James Madison University (JMU) in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.
What do you like to do outside of OAR?
Brittany loves spending time with her family and friends, being in nature, and having creative hobbies such as painting and photography.
Jessica NewellEmail Jessica | Office: (703) 497-3438
Jessica joined OAR in 2025 following seven years of experience in public outreach, event coordination, and research. After graduating summa cum laude with a BA in Communication Studies and a minor in Spanish from Rowan University in her home state of New Jersey, she earned her MA in Strategic Communication from American University and has remained in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area ever since.
She is not the first in her family to serve the autism community. Jessica’s grandfather was Camp Director with Easterseals PA for more than a decade, and her mother co-coordinated a program where high school students on the spectrum could volunteer at a local farm. These examples led Jessica to join her high school’s ‘Friends of OTP’ (Occupational Training Program) club, which enabled her to coordinate crafts, school dances, and volunteer activities for students with cognitive disabilities. During her graduate studies, she had the opportunity to help shape an inclusive and accessible classroom environment for undergraduates. In this role, she lectured on the topic of disability as part of one’s identity, encouraging students to examine visible and invisible components of disability and language used to describe physical and cognitive differences.
What do you like to do outside of OAR?
Jessica loves to attend live concerts and theatrical performances, unwind by the ocean, and explore D.C.’s culinary and literary scenes with her friends.
Ben VanHookEmail Ben | (703) 243-3466 | LinkedIn
Ben is from Harbin, China, but has been a long-time resident of Northern Virginia. He earned his bachelor’s degree with a double major in political science and psychology at Mercyhurst University and is currently pursuing his master’s at George Mason University in public policy with an emphasis in education policy.
Being autistic himself, Ben has partaken in numerous conferences, panels, and summits to discuss the equitable inclusion of autistic individuals in education and employment.
What do you like to do outside of OAR?
Ben likes to play music (piano and guitar), write and perform poems, and watch soccer.
Rachel LuizzaEmail Rachel | (571) 977-5392 | LinkedIn
Rachel joined the Organization for Autism Research in 2017 and currently serves as Director of Development and Marketing. In this role, she leads OAR’s marketing and communications strategies, working to grow donor engagement, expand the organization’s reach, and share the impact of OAR’s mission with new and existing audiences.
Originally from Denver, she graduated from Colorado State University’s College of Business with degrees in Marketing and Management. Prior to joining OAR, she worked in marketing and events at a Colorado-based nonprofit. She began her OAR journey on the RUN FOR AUTISM team and transitioned into the development and marketing role in 2020 before being promoted to Director in 2024.
Rachel currently lives and works remotely from Colorado.
What do you like to do outside of OAR?
Rachel, like most Coloradoans, loves the mountains and exploring them with her husband, young children, and dog by trail running, snowshoeing, camping, hiking, and fishing.
Lorraine ParteeEmail Lorraine | (703) 243-8020
Lorraine has over 10 years’ experience in special events and fundraising, with a deep commitment to building meaningful connections with donors and supporters. With degrees in communication and sociological analysis, Lorraine has worked with organizations like Friends of Cancer Research and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, where she has helped raise funds for cancer research and provide care for families affected by the disease.
Lorraine is passionate about creating inclusive and welcoming environments, particularly for neurodivergent learners, which is reflected in her approach to fundraising and community outreach.
What do you like to do outside of OAR?
Beyond her professional endeavors, Lorraine is interested in little league spectating, chauffeuring, and doting on her children. She reads, volunteers, and spends time with friends whenever she can.
Sarah CulverSarah is a native to the Northern Virginia area and a graduate of East Carolina University with a degree in Recreation Management. Before joining OAR She worked for SHAPE America focusing on professional development for physical education teachers.
Sarah has been a part of the OAR’s RUN FOR AUTISM team since April 2017. She is a certified running coach, certified race director, and avid runner; completing over 42 marathons and 15 ultramarathons.
Sarah lives and works remotely in Virginia Beach, Virginia with her husband and two dogs.
What do you like to do outside of OAR?
When she’s not running, Sarah loves hiking, stand-up paddle boarding, snowboarding, and anything outdoors, the higher the adrenaline factor, the better! She also enjoys traveling to new places, playing fetch with her dogs on the beach, and watching/playing sports.
Cora BentleyFrom a young age, Cora has been passionate about helping people with disabilities. This passion began when her brother was diagnosed with autism, grew in college through her studies and work experience, and finally led her to join OAR’s RUN FOR AUTISM team in 2022. In her position, she works closely with the other RUN staff members to help execute the overall RUN FOR AUTISM strategic plan and annual goals through a marketing lens.
Cora has lived in seven different states but feels most at home near mountains. She graduated from Utah State University (Logan, UT) in 2021 with a degree in special education and a minor in psychology.
What do you like to do outside of OAR?
Cora’s hobbies and interests include running, taking ballet classes, sewing, fashion and spending time exploring Washington DC with her friends.
Email Adeline | (571) 977-5394
Originally from Montana, Adeline graduated from Brown University in 2023 with degrees in International and Public Affairs (with a health policy focus) and Business. She moved to the DC area in Fall 2023.
During college, Adeline worked for a variety of organizations, including a youth education non-profit and a congressional campaign. She also served as a student peer advisor and president of a musical group. Through work and extracurriculars, she discovered a love of organizations that seek to improve the lives of others, leading her to OAR’s RUN program.
What do you like to do outside of OAR?
Adeline enjoys being outside, from running to hiking to kayaking. She loves traveling to and exploring new cities, spending time with friends, baking, and jigsaw puzzles.
