Meet the Staff

Responsibilities:

Donor outreach and relations

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Planned giving

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Major gifts

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Foundation grants

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Special events

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Workplace giving

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Combined Federal Campaign

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Office management

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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.

Responsibilities:

Hire Autism Website

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Employment Initiative

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Hire Autism Events

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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.

Responsibilities:

Hire Autism Outreach

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Community Engagement

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Mentorship Program Development

Naina Narayana Chernoff is the mother of a child who has autism as well as the sister-in-law of an adult with ASD. After graduating from Penn State University with a degree in journalism and graduating from American University with an MA in communications, she worked in television news and at trade publications before moving to positions in the autism world. Before having children, she worked as the first editor of The OARacle and also served as the editor of The Advocate, a magazine published by the Autism Society of America.

Naina embraces the opportunity to serve as an advocate for individuals and families affected by ASD. In October 2017, she delivered a winning presentation on behalf of OAR that won the Encore Prize, a grant which will fund a mentor program aimed at securing jobs for young people with ASD. She lives in northern Virginia along with her husband, Steven, and their children.

Responsibilities:

Applied Research Competition

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“Autism in the Schoolhouse” initiative

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The OARacle newsletter

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Resource development & distribution

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Webinar Program

Kimberly studied cognitive psychology and neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh before receiving her master’s in education at the University of Pennsylvania.

Her service to the autism community began when she led a high school autism awareness fundraiser in 2007. A few years later, she entered the nonprofit sector as an intern at The Advisory Board on Autism and Related Disorders (ABOARD). She then taught in the special education classroom before joining OAR.

Responsibilities:

Undergraduate Scholarship Competition

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Graduate Research Competition

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Resource Fulfillment

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Blog & Social Media

Margaret is an Arlington native and a recent graduate of Bryn Mawr College.  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.

Responsibilities:

Overall management of endurance program and fundraising efforts

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Sponsor relations

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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!

Responsibilities:

RUN marketing and communications

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Runner support and fundraising

Rachel is originally from Denver, Colorado and graduated from Colorado State University’s College of Business with a degree in Marketing, Management, and Human Resource Management.  Prior to joining the OAR team, she worked as the Marketing and Event Coordinator at the Fort Collins athletic event nonprofit Green Events.   While there, Rachel gained experience working with runners, volunteers, and donors while coordinating charity running events.  

 

Responsibilities:

RUN marketing and communication

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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.  After graduating she spent a few years living the beach life and working for a community college in the Outer Banks.  Sarah moved back to Northern Virginia and before joining OAR she worked for SHAPE America focusing on professional development for physical education teachers.  She is a certified running coach and avid runner; completing over 25 marathons and is addicted to running crazy ultramarathons.