News and Knowledge

At first glance, OAR’s newest member of its Board of Directors, Christine Searight, may not seem to fit. She has no direct tie to autism and she doesn’t work in an autism-related field.

Dig a little deeper, though, and you will hit a rock-solid commitment to helping people with autism and their families overcome challenges and lead successful lives. Searight is a marketing professional who has worked in the media industry for more than 20 years for companies like Discovery Channel, National Geographic, Primedia, and Gannett. In fact, she plans to put that experience and background to work for OAR. “I have an extensive background working across media platforms including digital, television, and print to grow brand awareness, create partnerships, and ultimately drive revenue. I believe that I could offer important insights about how to reach potential donors and push the organization’s message to a wider audience.”

She heard about OAR through Boardnet, an organization that helps match people with volunteer and board opportunities. “I was really drawn to OAR’s unique value proposition – using applied research to help solve the day-to-day challenges of people affected by autism,” she says, noting that she grew up in a family of medical professionals. “My father was a doctor, my mother was a nurse, and my brother is a clinical psychologist who spent many years working in a teaching hospital. Because of this, I have a natural curiosity about health-related issues, and a compelling desire to support the work of those who are advancing knowledge and making a difference in the lives of so many people.”

A resident of Arlington, Va., Searight is delighted to be working with “an organization that has clear and practical objectives and the means to achieve them. I also like the fact that OAR is providing the necessary tools and research to a broad range of people affected by autism, including parents, caregivers, and educators.”