Leadership & Staff

JaLynn Prince, Chair

JaLynn Prince is Founder, President and Board Chair of Madison House Autism Foundation (MHAF), one of the first and only organizations in this country working exclusively on the issues facing adults on the autism spectrum. In that role, she works on nationwide topics of housing, employment, education, awareness, medical services, safety, concerns involving individuals on the spectrum, and matters confronting family members dealing with autism. In 2014, the foundation was gifted a 400-acre farm in Montgomery County, Maryland, which is serving as an inclusive place for workforce development, respite, therapeutic riding, agricultural involvement and, eventually, housing for adults on the autism spectrum.

Mark A. Dickson, Treasurer

Mark Dickson is a Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Financial Analyst charter holder. He currently practices as a CPA and investment advisor. He is the Managing Director of Tyndale Investments LLC. For 19 years he managed corporate finance in the U.S. for TAG Group (Holdings) S.A. a diversified international company based in Geneva, Switzerland. As chief U.S. financial officer, Mr. Dickson directed significant asset liquidation and acquisition transactions.

Russ Moorehead

Russ Moorehead is the former Senior Vice President of Global Digital Operations and Strategy for the Estée Lauder Companies. He was responsible for developing and implementing the global roadmap for mobile and e-commerce as well as expanding the digital marketing capabilities across its portfolio of over thirty of the most recognized brands in the beauty industry. In addition to driving strong sales growth in the online channel, Russ has enjoyed the privilege of being a part of leveraging digital to raise awareness of the Companies’ many philanthropic initiatives such as Estée Lauder Breast Cancer Awareness, MAC Aids Fund, and Aveda Earth Month.

Russ earned his MBA at Brigham Young University. He was born and raised in the Washington, DC area. Russ currently resides in New York City.

Travis Stratford

Travis Stratford is the founding partner of Case, a New York City-based brand consultancy. He focuses on developing end-to-end marketing solutions for clients such as Estée Lauder, Pepsi, Bloomingdale’s, Johnson & Johnson, and Starwood Hotels. Prior to founding Case, he was Interactive Creative Director for Estée Lauder’s Gloss, where he helped grow the online business for top Estée Lauder prestige-beauty brands including Bobbi Brown, Clinique, MAC, and Origins. Travis began his career as an interactive strategy consultant working with Mercedes-Benz and Audi.

Travis holds a Master’s in Integrated Marketing from Northwestern University. Travis and the Case branding developed the brand strategy and visual identity for Madison House Autism Foundation.

Lori Mitchell-Keller

Lori Mitchell-Keller Mitchell-Keller is a global tech leader and strategic advisor. She has held a number of executive leadership roles at Google Cloud, SAP, JDA Software, Manugistics Software, and Allegiance Healthcare. In addition to Madison House Autism Foundation Board, she also serves on the boards of Mitratech Holdings, XTANT Medical Holdings (NYSE XTNT) and The Neighborhood of Maryland, a non-profit she cofounded to build a community for adults with disabilities. Lori holds an MBA from the J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, a Master’s degree in operations research from Stanford University, and a Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Iowa State University. Lori serves as a Commissioner on the Montgomery County Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities commission and is passionate about creating solutions that will provide adults with autism, intellectual or developmental disabilities, and other special needs the continued opportunities to be as independent as possible and to achieve to their fullest potential.

Steve Durante

Steve Durante has been in the Telecommunications Media, Enterprise & Software Services business for over 30 years and has held senior management positions at corporations such as IBM, Convergys, Marconi and British Telecom. He has also been a principal in several tech startup ventures that were sold for notable shareholder gains.

Steve is active in a variety of concentrations ranging from music entertainment, national charities to professional golf. He serves on the Advisory Committee to MRose Records and Play It Again Publishing and has been on the board of the 2011 US Open and Simpson Cup as well as chairman of the ATT National, Quicken Loans National and currently the Tiger Woods Charity Playoff. He is also active in several humanitarian and conservation charities.

Dan Verner

Dan Verner is a 30-year veteran (retired) of Marriott International, Inc. working principally in finance, supporting Marriott’s worldwide hotel development organization as a former Vice President of Finance of Marriott’s Global Development Group, in Corporate Accounting and in the North American Development Division. Prior to joining Marriott International, Inc., Dan was the Vice President and Controller of Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate and also worked with Ernst & Young.

Currently, Dan is the Board Chairman for the Marriott Employees Federal Credit Union as well as the Board Treasurer of Potomac Community Resources, named “one of the best small charities in the Greater Washington region” serving teens and adults with developmental differences.

David Perry

David Perry is the Principal and Founder of Perry IQ, a marketing and strategy consultancy serving clients in the higher education and healthcare sectors. Perry is currently serving as a Senior Advisor at Stanford Medicine in Palo Alto, California.

Prior to launching Perry IQ, in July 2018, Perry served as Chief Marketing Officer of University of Utah Health. At U of U Health, he oversaw a team responsible for the U of U Health brand, clinical and content marketing, PR, web, and thought leadership.

Matthew Herrmann

Matthew Herrmann is a senior advisor at The Roosevelt Group representing a wide range of clients on Congressional appropriations and authorization matters, federal budget process, strategic planning, strategic communications, Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC), and Indo-Asia-Pacific policy matters. Prior to joining the Roosevelt Group, in June 2017, Mr. Herrmann worked for more than 10 years on Capitol Hill and served as Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo (Guam), the Ranking Member of the Readiness Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee. He held a variety of legislative roles in Congresswoman Bordallo’s office; as a military legislative assistant, senior legislative assistant, and finally as legislative director. As Chief of Staff, Mr. Herrmann became intimately familiar with the House Armed Services Committee and its annual defense authorization bill. He has developed comprehensive legislative strategies for a variety of important initiatives and secured millions in federal funding. Furthermore, Matt has an extensive background in policy issues impacting the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. Mr. Herrmann holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a Minor in Computer Information Systems (magna cum laude) and a Master of Public Administration – both from American University. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member at American University teaching a course he developed titled “Politics & Policy in the Electronic Age”. The course gives students a unique, ‘real world’ look at how technology is impacting the entire American political system; from Congress, to Interest Groups, to Executive branch agencies.

Neal Orringer

Neal Orringer is a leader in advanced manufacturing and public-private partnerships. He has built research and development organizations in corporations of all sizes, and served as a political appointee, as Director of Manufacturing at the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), a senior manufacturing advisor to two U.S. Secretaries of Commerce, and national security aide to three U.S. Senators.

He is a recipient of the Office of the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Civilian Service Medal and the Secretary of Defense Excellence Award.

Today, Neal is president and co-founder of ASTRO America, a research institute and think tank supporting U.S. public interest through manufacturing technology/policy formulation. In this capacity, he develops and oversees the organization’s strategic vision, in concert with other members of the Board of Directors, which he chairs.

Tyler Merrill

Tyler Merrill is the Director of Business Development at Coakley Williams Construction and is responsible for the organization’s market position and driving revenue growth by defining long-term organizational strategic business development goals. He will continue to build key customer relationships, identify new business opportunities, maintain extensive knowledge of current market conditions, and coordinate with other personnel in the organization to further these objectives.

He prides himself on his ability to connect and foster reliable relationships within his network and, in turn, develops clients for life and a healthy pipeline of new clients. He has a passion for leadership and professional development. As a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Sales & Leadership Program, Tyler charged forward and became certified to train others. For more than 3 years, Tyler has been coaching groups of students on leadership, communication, and stress management.  He is active with charitable endeavors and works closely with CREW DC as the co-chair for the Community Action Committee, which focuses on philanthropic efforts to underserved women and children.

Gordon Barnaby

Gordon Barnaby is the President and CEO of BarnAllen Technologies, Inc. (BarnAllen) is a technology consulting company with corporate headquarters in Rockville, Maryland. After working in the Federal contracting arena for more than 30 years, Gordon saw the need for a solution provider who would put clients first and deliver no less than 100% for every client. With that motivation, Gordon founded BarnAllen in 2009. The mission of the company is to provide Federal agencies with “Innovative Solutions through Integrity and with the Best Value”. Since its inception, BarnAllen grew from a single employee in 2009 to more than five hundred. Over the years, clients have included the Executive Office of the President of the United States, Department of Homeland Security, FDA, NIH, NLM, HRSA, FTC, USAID, DHS, DOJ, the USGS, the Coast Guard, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and a few commercial clients. Gordon was born in Jamaica and migrated to the U.S at age 15. He credits his zeal for hard work, integrity and excellence to his parents and family, his early teen years at Munro College (boarding school) and his many teachers and mentors. Mr. Barnaby and his company has been recognized by the VP of the United States with a Hammer Award, by Inc. Magazine and the Washington Business Journal as one of the Fastest Growing Companies in America. Mr. Barnaby was recently inducted into the Montgomery County Business Hall of Fame. Favorite charities include: The International Rescue Committee (IRC), Munro College Alumni Association Scholarship Fund and several Autism Research and Assistance charities. Gordon attended McKinley High School, Howard University where he studied Chemistry and Columbia Union College where he studied Business Administration. He lives in Olney Maryland with his children and enjoys traveling and photography.

Anne Boland

Anne Boland is retired and Magna Cum Laude from Augusta College (now Augusta State University) with a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, and she earned a Masters of Health Physics in 1985 from The Georgia Institute of Technology. She worked for 33 years at the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission holding a number of Senior Executive positions in operating nuclear reactors and, at retirement, was the Director, Office of Enforcement. She has received a number of prestigious awards, including the Meritorious Service Award in 2001 and the Presidential Meritorious Service Award in 2018. She served as Board Member at Haven Universe and as Provincial Council Vice Coordinator at Faith and Light, USA East.

Del Boland

Del Boland is retired and graduated from The Georgia Institute of Technology in 1985 with a Bachelor’s of Mechanical Engineering, a member of Pi Tau Sigma.  He worked as a Manufacturing Engineer for General Motors, Project Manager for Southwire Company, Project Engineer at American Combustion, and Sales Engineer at Gardner Denver and is now retired.  Del was instrumental in winning the Atlanta Gas Light Award for Energy Innovation at Southwire and received the Project of the Year Award in 1993. He has served as Board Member at PACT, Inc., Community Board Member for Intentgen Financial, Board Member for We Grow Dreams, Chairman of The Human Rights Standing Committee at Family Service Foundation, Board Member at Haven Universe, and currently holds the position of Provincial Council Vice Coordinator Member for Faith and Light, USA East.

Prabha Pattabiraman

Prabha Pattabiraman is a retired actuarial professional with extensive experience in the actuarial field and statistics. Her actuarial career at GEICO spanned over 30 years, where she specialized in personal automobile insurance pricing. Her work involved developing pricing strategies and determining appropriate premium rates for automobile insurance policies by analyzing historical data, monitoring market trends, and adapting pricing models to reflect changes in driving behavior, vehicle technology, and regulatory requirements. Prior to joining GEICO, Prabha was an Assistant Professor of Statistics at Bangalore University in India. Prabha holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from National College, Bangalore, India, and a Master of Science in Statistics from Bangalore University. Additionally, she earned an Associate of the Casualty Actuarial Society (ACAS) designation in 1999, demonstrating her dedication and proficiency in the field through successful completion of seven rigorous actuarial examinations. Prabha and her husband, Dr. Nagarajan Pattabiraman, relocated to the United States in the 1980s. They have two children, Kartik and Kavita. Kartik is an Assistant Professor at the Yale Child Study Center and a board-certified child and adult psychiatrist, specializing in working with adults with autism spectrum disorders. Kavita, their daughter is 32 years old, has autism spectrum disorder, bringing a deeply personal dimension to their family’s life. Her presence has shaped their perspectives, fostering empathy and deeper understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by individuals on the autism spectrum.

Dr. Gregory A. Prince, Chair

MHAF Co-Founder Dr. Gregory A. Prince was born and reared in Los Angeles, California. He attended Dixie College, graduating as valedictorian. He attended the UCLA School of Dentistry, again graduating as valedictorian. He received a Ph.D. in Pathology from UCLA in 1975, studying respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the primary cause of infant pneumonia worldwide. Over a period of fifteen years at the National Institutes of Health and Johns Hopkins University, he and his co-workers developed the thesis that RSV disease could be prevented by administering antiviral antibodies to high-risk infants. He co-founded Virion Systems, Inc. to commercialize this thesis, and served as its President and CEO.

Dr. Kay A. King, Vice Chair

Dr. Kay Atkinson King worked for the U.S. Congress for 25 years. In 2007, she was appointed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to be the Director of the Office of Interparliamentary Affairs for the U.S. House of Representatives. Focusing on American foreign policy, she coordinated the Speaker’s meetings with foreign dignitaries and assisted Members of Congress with official international travel and parliamentary exchanges until she left Capitol Hill in 2010.

Prior to that, from January 2001 – March 14, 2007, Kay was Democratic Senior Policy Advisor for the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Ranking Democratic Member and Chairman Tom Lantos.

Dr. Val G. Hemming

Dr. Val G. Hemming had a distinguished career in military medicine. After graduating from the University of Utah College of Medicine, he joined the United States Air Force and spent twenty-five years as a pediatrician caring for dependents of military families. After retiring from active duty, he became the dean of the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, in Bethesda, Maryland, serving in that capacity for seven years. In addition to practicing clinical medicine, Dr. Hemming had a distinguished career in medical research, publishing over one hundred papers in the field of infectious diseases.

Dr. James Giordano

Dr. James Giordano is Chief of the Neuroethics Studies Program, Scholar-in-Residence, leads the Sub-Program in Military Medical Ethics, and Co-director of the O’Neill-Pellegrino Program in Brain Science and Global Health Law and Policy in the Pellegrino Center for Clinical Bioethics; and is Professor in the Departments of Neurology and Biochemistry at Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA. He is also Distinguished Visiting Professor of Brain Science, Health Promotions and Ethics at the Coburg University of Applied Sciences, Coburg, Germany, and was formerly 2011-2012 JW Fulbright Foundation Visiting Professor of Neurosciences and Neuroethics at the Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.

Dr. Gonzalo Laje

After completing his medical education at the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina, Dr. Gonzalo Laje moved to the U.S. and worked at the Anxiety Disorders Clinic at Columbia University. He completed his training in general psychiatry at New York University/Bellevue Hospital in New York City, and his training in child and adolescent psychiatry through the combined program NIMH/Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC.

Dr. Laje has a Master of Health Sciences in Clinical Research from Duke University.

Dr. Christopher Manente

Dr. Christopher J. Manente is s an accomplished practitioner, educator, and advocate who has dedicated his career to helping adults on the autism spectrum succeed within their homes and communities throughout the lifespan and across the contexts of school, work, relationships, leisure, and transportation.

Dr. Manente is the Founding Executive Director of the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services, he is a combat veteran of the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division, and is a prior special education student.

Dr. Daniel Fairbanks

Daniel Fairbanks is an accomplished scientist, artist, author, and teacher. He currently is Dean of Science & Health at Utah Valley University, and has been a professor at the University of Massachusetts–Amherst, Southern Virginia University, Brigham Young University, and Fulbright Professor at the Universidade Estadual de Londrina in Brazil. He is a geneticist with a wide breadth of expertise in evolutionary genetics, international scientific development, science education, and the history of genetics. His most recent book is Everyone Is African, published in 2015 by Prometheus Books.

Dr. Stephen Shore

Diagnosed with “Atypical Development and strong autistic tendencies” and “too sick” for outpatient treatment Dr. Stephen Shore was recommended for institutionalization. Nonverbal until 4, and with much support from his parents, teachers, wife, and others, Stephen is now a full time professor at Adelphi University and adjunct at NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, focusing on aligning best practice in supporting autistic people to lead fulfilling and productive lives.

In addition to working with children and talking about life on the autism spectrum, Stephen is an internationally renowned educator, consultant and author on lifespan issues pertinent to education, relationships, employment, and self-advocacy.

Dr. Faith E. Frankel

Dr. Faith Frankel is a pediatrician with special interests in autism and pediatrics. She is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Georgetown University Medical School in Washington, DC where she teaches physical diagnosis.

Dr. Frankel received her Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University (1987) where she was a member of the Ho Nun De Kah Honor Society. She received her medical degree from the University at Buffalo School of Medicine (1991) where she graduated Cum Laude and received a Woman in Medicine Award.

Dr. Douglas Frankel

Dr. Douglas Frankel trained as an internist and is board certified in emergency forensic medicine. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University (1980). Dr. Frankel completed his medical degree and residency training from the University of Mexico America, New York Hospital Medical Center of Queens-New York and the State University of New York at Buffalo, respectively. Dr. Frankel has been in practice in since 1989 and specializes in emergency medicine, internal medicine and professional sports-injuries and rehabilitation in Rockville, Maryland where he is in active clinical practice.

Vanessa Casteñeda Gill

Vanessa Casteñeda Gill is the CEO and Co-Founder of Social Cipher. Social Cipher makes video games to empower autistic youth– we imagine a future in which a diagnosis isn’t viewed as a deficit, but a superpower. Using the magic of gameplay and roleplay, Social Cipher gives neurodiverse players a safe space to practice social skills and self-advocacy. Social Cipher is currently working on Ava, another video game about an autistic protagonist who ventures into a world of feuding space pirates, exploring a vast fantasy universe, but also the closeness of human connection and emotion.

Dr. Daniel Heifetz

Daniel Heifetz is the Founder of the Heifetz International Music Institute. In a career spanning over 30 years, Mr. Heifetz has dedicated himself to the art of communication through performance and education.

Mr. Heifetz is renowned on five continents for his extraordinary virtuosity, profound artistry and charismatic stage presence. His numerous appearances include recitals and solo performances with many of the world’s leading orchestras including the Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Berlin. His concert tours have taken him throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Central and South America.

Shaun Tirrell

Shaun Tirrell is the co-owner of Piano Craft, one of the country’s pre-eminent businesses for piano restoration and sales. Located in Gaithersburg, Maryland, the company has restored pianos for, among others, the White House, the Smithsonian Institution and Harvard’s Dumbarton Oaks.

Shaun is a graduate of Oberlin College and the Peabody Conservatory. He has enjoyed a long career as a concert pianist, performing in such venues as The Kennedy Center, the National Gallery of Art (Washington, DC), Jordan Hall (Boston, Massachusetts), Great Hall (St. Petersburg, Russia), National Concert Hall, (Dublin, Ireland), and the Stradhalle and Alta Aula (Heidelberg, Germany).

Madame Fran Ichijo

Frances Drayton Ichijo began her dance training in 2nd grade in the suburbs of Philadelphia in 1960. She was also able to train in the equestrian arts through the local Bridlewild Pony Club and graduated with her “B” rating, fostering a lifelong love and appreciation of horses. After getting a degree in Dance and Art at Hamilton College and performing with Kirkland Dance Theater, she continued her classical ballet training in NY under Patricia Wilde, Michael Maule, and Nancy Clemens at the then American Ballet Theater School. After auditioning for Adrienne Dellas in New York, she went on to become a founding member and soloist with the Universal Ballet Company in Seoul, Korea, from 1978 -1986, while also assisting her mentor, Mme Dellas, as Ballet Mistress of the company.

Dr. Jeffrey Deutsch

Dr. Jeffrey Deutsch is an Aspie (one with Asperger Syndrome), who has drawn on his decades of Home-based Experiential Lifelong Learning (HELL) to help fellow Aspies better relate to neurotypicals (NTs) and vice versa. Now happily married to Emily Deutsch, an NT who first told him about Asperger Syndrome (AS), and also the father of two delightful girls, he has given life skills classes, inspirational talks, group training for Aspies’ families and partner support groups, employers, service providers, first responders and others, as well as individual life coaching for both Aspies and NTs. He has helped Aspies get along better with NTs and NTs better recognize and deal with Aspies on the job, through social situations, in personal relationships and other aspects of daily life.

Chad Hoopes

American violinistChad Hoopes is acclaimed by critics worldwide for his exceptional talent and magnificent tone and remains an impressive, consistent, and versatile performer with many of the world’s leading orchestras since winning First Prize at the Young Artists Division of the Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition.

Hoopes is a 2017 recipient of Lincoln Center’s Avery Fischer Career Grant. Former winners include Kirill Gerstein, Yuja Wang, Leila Josefowicz, Joshua Bell and Hilary Hahn.
Hoopes is a frequent guest artist at the Menuhin Festival in Gstaad, Switzerland, the Rheingau Festival, and at Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, where he was named the winner of the prestigious Audience Award. He served as Munich Symphony Orchestra’s first Artist in Residence, a position created specifically for him after his highly acclaimed debut with the orchestra.