Our staff is a team that takes OAR’s mission to heart.
Meet the staff members who drive all of OAR’s day-to-day operations:
Michael Maloney
Executive Director
@mikeatoarResponsibilities:
Chief staff executive
Business operations
Fundraising
Events
Community outreach
Adult employment initiative
Mike is part of OAR’s founding team. A native of Weymouth, MA, and a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan, he graduated from Holy Cross and later earned a master’s degree in Business Management from Central Michigan University.
Mike served 23 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, included tours in Vietnam and the first Gulf War. Before joining OAR, he served as executive director of the Marine Corps University Foundation in Quantico, Va. and the Autism Society of America Foundation.
Mike and his wife, Elaine, live in Burke, VA, and have two musician sons, Kevin, a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army Ceremonial Band, “Pershing’s Own”, and Doug, Director of Bands at Chantilly High School in Chantilly, Va.
What do you like to do outside of OAR?
In his off time, Mike enjoys: any occasion to hang out with Kevin, Doug, and their wives, being Grandpa to Maxon, Selah, and Cameron, writing, enjoying his sons’ musical endeavors, and rooting for Boston sports teams.
Kristen Essex
Deputy Executive Director
Responsibilities:
Donor outreach and relations
Planned giving
Major gifts
Foundation grants
Special events
Workplace giving
Combined Federal Campaign
Office management
Grant management
Kristen, a native of the Washington metropolitan area, spent the majority of her life in Rockville. After graduating from Randolph-Macon College, she moved to Virginia briefly before trekking halfway across the country to Dallas. Despite five great years in the Lone Star State, she missed the East Coast and moved to Alexandria in 2010.
After college, Kristen spent eight years in the insurance industry working with structured settlements. Eventually, she decided she needed a career change, and after a brief stint bartending, she ended up as Publisher and Director of Sales and Marketing for the Alexandria Times. Despite enjoying her tenure with the Times, she elected to venture away from her years of sales and find a position in the nonprofit industry, which is how she became Business Manager for the Organization for Autism Research. After three years as OAR’s Business Manager, Kristen was promoted to Deputy Executive Director in October 2018. In May 2019, Kristen graduated from Regis University with a Masters of Nonprofit Management,
What do you like to do outside of OAR?
Read, hike with my dog, and spend time with my family and friends, including my daughter Sloane, who was born in November 2018.
Rachel Luizza
Development and Marketing Manager
Responsibilities:
Marketing and Communications Management
Website Management
Special Event Marketing and Fundraising
Graphic Design
Rachel is originally from the Mile High City and graduated from Colorado State University’s College of Business in 2015 with a degree in Marketing, Management, and Human Resource Management. After graduating from CSU, she worked as the Marketing and Event Coordinator at an athletic event nonprofit and volunteered at several other local nonprofits.
After moving to the DC metro area with her partner, Rachel joined Organization for Autism Research’s RUN FOR AUTISM team as a Coordinator in March 2017 and was promoted to Senior Coordinator in January 2019.
Missing the mountain air and wanting to start a family, Rachel moved back to live and work remotely in Fort Collins, Colorado in November 2018. After three years working on OAR’s RUN FOR AUTISM team, Rachel transitioned into the role of Development and Marketing Manager in September 2020.
What do you like to do outside of OAR?
Rachel, like most Coloradoans, loves the mountains and exploring them with her husband, young daughter, and their two dogs by trail running, snowshoeing, camping, hiking, and fishing.
Amanda Rioux
Manager, Hire Autism
Responsibilities:
Hire Autism Website
Employment Initiative
Hire Autism Events
Employment Intern Management
A North Carolina native, Amanda graduated from Appalachian State University where she majored in Global Studies and Communications and later earned a master’s degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University. At Appalachian, she also minored in non-profit management.
Having worked and interned in the non-profit sector for more than seven years, Amanda has a genuine passion for giving back to others and her community. During undergrad, she volunteered more than 300 hours as a NC-ACTS AmeriCorps member and co-led two Alternative Spring Break volunteer trips. More recently, she was a participant in Arlington County’s civic leadership development program, Neighborhood College.
Amanda joined OAR in 2018 after previously working with young people involved in the juvenile justice system in Maryland.
What do you like to do outside of OAR?
Amanda loves exercising, hiking, traveling, and playing with her dog, Misha.
Kimberly Ha
Director, Research and Programs
Responsibilities:
Applied Research Competition
Education Programs and Initiatives
Webinar Program
Resource Development
The OARacle newsletter
Originally from Philadelphia, Kim studied cognitive psychology and neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh before returning to her hometown and receiving a master’s degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania. She taught students with high and low incidence disabilities as a full-time special education science teacher before she joined OAR back in 2014. Kimberly worked as a programs and outreach associate for two years before she transitioned into her current role as research and programs director.
What do you like to do outside of OAR?
Kim enjoys hiking, reading, playing badminton, and spoiling her nine-year-old corgi.
Margaret Gorman
Programs and Outreach Associate
Responsibilities:
Undergraduate Scholarship Competition
Graduate Research Competition
Resource Fulfillment
Blog & Social Media
Margaret is an Arlington native and graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 2019. She majored in Political Science with a concentration on disability, and wrote a senior thesis about the growth and impact of the disability rights movement in America. Margaret is passionate about Autism advocacy and celebrating neurodiversity.
Joining OAR’s Programs and Outreach team in August 2019 as an Associate, Margaret works remotely from New York City.
What do you like to do outside of OAR?
Margaret loves writing, reading, and cross-stitch!
Sean Flynn
Director, RUN FOR AUTISM
Responsibilities:
Overall management of endurance program and fundraising efforts
Sponsor relations
Future event planning
Originally from Florida, Sean graduated from the University of Central Florida. After two years of working as a RUN FOR AUTISM Coordinator with OAR, he held positions in Education and the Non-Profit sector. Most recently he managed the Charity Partnership Program for IRONMAN. Sean is a big supporter of all things UCF – GO KNIGHTS!
What do you like to do outside of OAR?
I enjoy being active and doing anything that is outdoors. Also enjoy taking in sporting events and other fun activities going on around the DC area.
Sarah Rodis
Senior Coordinator, RUN FOR AUTISM
Training and Events
Responsibilities:
RUN marketing and communication
Runner support and fundraising
Sarah is a native to the Northern Virginia area and a graduate from 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 March 2017. She is a certified running coach and avid runner; completing 34 marathons and 10 ultramarathons.
In spring 2019, Sarah moved to live and work remotely in Virginia Beach, Virginia with her fiancé and two dogs.
What do you like to do outside of OAR?
Sarah loves 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, and watching/playing sports.
