Board of Directors

JJ Johnston

JJ Johnston, Ed D, BCBA

Board of Directors

President

Parent and Vice President, Experience & Service Delivery Easter Seals of Southern CA, Easter Seals of Southern California.  For over 20 years, J.J. Johnston has partnered with community leaders to create quality ABA programs for schools, provide consultation on behavioral services, and shape client-centered public policy regarding services for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities.

Michelle Goodrow

Michelle Goodrow

Board of Directors

Vice-President

Michelle is a passionate Special Educator with more than 20 years experience in moderate to severe classrooms.  When not in her classroom, you can find her volunteering her time with Special Needs Football and Cheerleaders, or helping with the Autism Society Outreach and Sky High Nights.

Rick Gutierrez

Rick Gutierrez, Ph D, BCBA

Board of Directors

Treasurer

Rick is currently the Regional Vice President Autism Administration and Network Provider Services, Easter Seals Southern California.  He started off his career as an in-home tutor and still has a desire to improve the lives of families affected by autism.

Kelly Londenberg

Kelly Londenberg

Board of Directors

Panel of Advisor

Kelly Londenberg, BS, COTA/L is an autistic adult and licensed pediatric occupational therapy assistant working in a school-based setting, primarily serving children on the spectrum. She has served on the boards of several autism organizations, including Autism Society Inland Empire, where she ran the teen/adult group, AAC group, family events and organized numerous trainings. Kelly speaks at local and national events educating others on topics related to sensory processing and living on the spectrum.
Nicole Aptekar

Nicole Aptekar

Board of Directors

Nicole Aptekar has over 20 years of marketing, public relations and advertising experience in business-to-business, consumer segments and non-profit organizations. She has worked for several Fortune 100 companies as Group Marketing Manager in technology and retail. She is a principal owner of  a marketing firm specializing in working with small-to-medium sized businesses and non-profit organizations.  Nicole is the proud mother of triplets, one of whom is on the spectrum.  Nicole also facilitates the monthly Advocacy for Autism support group in Pomona.

Stephani Congdon

Stephani Congdon

Board of Directors

Board Member. Community member and Non-profit consultant. Stephani has been recognized for her years she has dedicated to helping the Inland Empire non-profit community for many years and serves on countless boards and committees related to issues regarding children, poverty, and autism.

Leonard Cravens

Leonard Cravens

Board of Directors

Leonard is a practicing attorney who is certified specialist in criminal and bankruptcy law. He was officially diagnosed with autism at age 61 after noticing himself in one of his clients. He has a B.S. and M.S in computer related subjects and spent 18 years in the software industry before becoming an attorney. When in court he educates fellow attorneys and judges about autism.

Elizabeth Eubanks

Board of Directors

Elizabeth received her Juris Doctorate from Pepperdine University School of Law and a Certificate in Dispute Resolution from the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution. After graduation, Elizabeth worked in private practice, advocating for parents of children with disabilities in regional center, school district, and health insurance matters.   ​Elizabeth is an adjunct professor at the University of La Verne College of Law, teaching coursework in special education and disability rights law.

Melaura Erickson-Tomaino, Ph.D.

Board of Directors

Melaura Erickson-Tomaino, Ph.D., is the Co-Founder and Principal of Port View Preparatory® School. Her prior positions include Director of Clinical Services for Beacon Day School in La Palma, CA, and Behavior Program Supervisor for the Center for Autism Research, Evaluation, and Service in San Diego, CA. Dr. Tomaino has more than 13 years of experience serving students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. Dr. Tomaino has conducted extensive research on ASD with a focus on using communication as the basis for successful teaching and behavior strategies to eliminate the use of restraint in children with autism.

Dr. Tomaino has been an Assistant Professor in the School of Counseling/Psychology at Azusa Pacific University and has taught numerous graduate courses at Claremont University. She has published multiple articles.

Vanessa Gill

Vanessa Gill

Board of Directors

Panel of Advisor

Learning from her own experiences as an individual with Asperger syndrome, Vanessa founded Social Cipher, an empowering video game for children with Autism. Her remarkable interdisciplinary team works to develop the game’s design based on scientific research and the needs of real children and families affected by Autism.

Dr. Adwoa Osei, MD

Board of Directors

Dr. Osei specializes in pediatrics. She received her education from The University of Ghana Medical School and her board certification from The American Board of Pediatrics. Dr. Osei is an active member of the American Board of Pediatrics. She received the Berton Mathias Award in 2008 for clinical excellence and compassion in patient care, Academy Award for Excellence in Compassion in 2017, and Teaching Excellence Award in 2020 from UCR SOM Alumni.

Erin Pino

Board of Directors

Erin Pino is a proud Autism mom to her son who was diagnosed at age two with Autism.

She is a Controller for a local builder and is excited to bring her skills and experience to the Autism Society Inland Empire.

Lillian Vasquez

Board of Directors

Parent of a young man with Autism and founder of the KVCR Autism Initiative.  Lillian has developed and produced five documentaries on autism. She is currently the host of Lifestyles with Lillian Vasquez on 91.9 KVCR.