AUTISM CONNECTIONS - Key Persons
Allyson M. Khayo is currently the Assistant Vice President, Inclusion and Talent Management. Allyson joined the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati in July 2017. In this role, she has primary responsibility for planning, developing, and overseeing the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion employee programs, recruitment, performance management, training and development, and employee relations that support FHLB's strategic objectives. Allyson earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources from The Ohio State University and her Master of Education degree in Human Resource Development from Xavier University. Allyson and her husband Rami have 3 children (Brooke, RJ and Aaron), 3 grandchildren (Brayden, Demi and Bryson) and 2 dogs. Her son Aaron was diagnosed with autism in 2007 and she has been passionate about the quality of provided support since then. Allyson enjoys sports, traveling and spending time with her family.
Angelo graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in Medical Sciences and a minor in Business Administration. He worked with Autism Connections to complete his service capstone project at university in Program Development, then joined the Marketing & Development team. Angelo has previously worked in the Division of Asthma Research at Cincinnati Children's Hospital to investigate methods through which early-life eczema progressed into asthma and allergies in toddlers of the greater Cincinnati area. He always looks forward to meeting new people, learning more about the progression of autism throughout life, and helping to uplift the autistic community near and far. In his free time, Angelo plays golf and spends time with his family.
Cindy is a passionate and knowledgeable advocate committed to supporting families, children, and adults with a wide range of challenges & special needs. She is also a proud mom to a spirited 20-year-old daughter with autism and developmental challenges. Her nearly 20 years of professional experience within the disability field includes working with K-12 schools, special education students, and staff; non-profit agencies, including an Intermediate Care Facility that supports residents with complex care needs; Disability Community Provider Agencies supporting youth transitioning from school to adult life; and the Hamilton County Board of Developmental Disabilities as a Service and Support Administrator coordinating resources for families throughout greater Cincinnati. Cindy is a strong believer in future planning, encouraging families and individuals with a disability to create a vision of what their "good life" looks like. She also goes the extra mile to help families find, access, or create the necessary resources and services to ensure their special loved one can and will live their very best life! A graduate of Ohio University, Cindy is a long-time Cincinnati resident and currently lives in Montgomery with her husband, daughter and 2 golden retrievers.
Job Titles:
- Spanish Support Coordinator
Gabriela is a Chemical Engineering and MBA, she is currently a UC student in the Master of Behavior Analysis program. With nearly 20 years of experience working with international organizations and non-profits, she has held a variety of roles from program coordinator to capacity building, to developing training tools and procedures as well as finance positions. For Gabriela, it is rewarding to be part of the Autism Connections team to support families in the Hispanic Community and help to build capacity through information resources and knowledge to parents like her who support and advocate their love ones on the Autism journey.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer at Integrate Autism Employment Advisors
Ian Bazzoli is the Chief Operating Officer at Integrate Autism Employment Advisors, a non-profit focused on helping organizations identify, recruit and retain qualified professionals on the autism spectrum. As COO, Ian is responsible for driving long-term growth and efficient operations at Integrate. Previously, Ian was Head of Talent at LendKey Technologies, Inc., a lending technology company based out of New York City and Cincinnati, OH, and has worked in Human Resources roles across different industries and organizations for over a decade. Ian is President of the Advisory Board for the Summit School (NYC) Work-based Learning Program, a vocational high school internship program focused on providing work opportunities to students with learning differences. Ian has a Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Master's in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from NYU. Ian grew up in central Ohio, and in 2018 relocated back to Ohio after living in New York for 12 years. Ian and his wife Nadja enjoy spending time with their son Lucas, and fixing up their 100 year old house.
Ian Bazzoli is the Chief Operating Officer at Integrate Autism Employment Advisors, a non-profit focused on helping organizations identify, recruit and retain qualified professionals on the autism spectrum. As COO, Ian is responsible for driving long-term growth and efficient operations at Integrate. Previously, Ian was Head of Talent at LendKey Technologies, Inc., a lending technology company based out of New York City and Cincinnati, OH, and has worked in Human Resources roles across different industries and organizations for over a decade. Ian is President of the Advisory Board for the Summit School (NYC) Work-based Learning Program, a vocational high school internship program focused on providing work opportunities to students with learning differences. Ian has a Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Master's in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from NYU. Ian grew up in central Ohio, and in 2018 relocated back to Ohio after living in New York for 12 years. Ian and his wife Nadja enjoy spending time with their son Lucas, and fixing up their 100 year old house.
Job Titles:
- Board Vice President / Linden Grove School / Head of School
- Head of School at Linden Grove School
Kristin Tennyson is currently the Head of School at Linden Grove School, a K-8 independent, state-accredited program that serves children on the autism spectrum and with other related needs. Kristin has been at Linden Grove School for 26 years and worked as the Administrator for 23 years. Prior to working at Linden Grove School, Kristin worked in the DD field in ICF/MRs and Supported Living Programs. Kristin's roles and responsibilities and strengths lie in the areas of programming, strategic thinking/planning, finance management, writing policies and procedures, on-boarding and coaching staff, and board training. Additionally, she has experience with fundraising.
Job Titles:
- Financial Representative at Modern Woodmen of America Financial Group
Kristina Markiewicz is a Financial Representative at Modern Woodmen of America Financial Group and a Registered Representative* at Black Bull Capital Partners, providing comprehensive retirement, investment, and financial strategies to Cincinnati, Ohio and surrounding areas. As a parent of a special needs child, Markiewicz has chosen to focus her practice on creating long-term financial strategies for special needs individuals and their families - "Turning Special Needs Financial Strategies into Extraordinary Outcomes". Understanding the daily challenges of raising a special needs child has given Markiewicz a passion for bringing real solutions to help her clients meet their own retirement goals as well as plan for the unique long-term issues facing their child. *Registered Representative of and securities offered through OneAmerica Securities, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA, SIPC. Black Bull Capital Partners is not an affiliate of OneAmerica Securities and is not a broker dealer or Registered Investment Advisor.
Job Titles:
- Director of Business Development for VonLehman CPA & Advisory Firm
Mark is the Director of Business Development for VonLehman CPA & Advisory Firm, primarily working in northern Kentucky. A Wright State graduate, he grew up on the west side of Cincinnati, then married, which led him to the east side, and now with 3 children, they live in the northern part of Cincinnati, so he has a strong grasp of our local geography. Mark and his wife have a son with autism and started a non-profit AJTA in 2012 to help financially challenged parents of autistic children to fund visits, therapy, testing and supplements through non-traditional means (integrative & functional medicine). They are heavily involved in the autistic community and support families with the affliction. Mark and his firm take time to serve in the non-profit space by serving on non-profit boards and donating their time, energy and resources to give back to raise awareness and improve our communities.
With a Masters of Arts in Communication and a Minor in Counseling from the University of North Dakota, Mary Helen has always had a passion in serving and working with those underserved in their communities. With nearly 28 years experience working for nonprofits, she has held a variety of roles from public relations to marketing; training employees, developing training procedures, and streamlining operational processes. She spent several years in Vietnam with a relief and development organization working with indigenous artisan groups and underprivileged women and children to develop their handicrafts, teach them marketing skills, and build sustainability in their craft. Prior to moving to Cincinnati, Mary Helen led a small Connecticut based nonprofit that provided social and recreational programs to children, teens and young adults on the autism spectrum.
Mickey, originally from Gahanna, Ohio, moved to the Cincinnati area in 2000 & graduated from University of Cincinnati with a Computer Engineering Degree. Currently lives with his wife and two kids in Loveland. Mickey works in the front office of the Cincinnati Reds owning all software and data solutions for the organization. He has over 20 years' experience in IT as well as leading, building and growing teams for organizations of all sizes. Mickey has a personal connection with Autism and has experienced what advocates and positive programs can do for families facing similar challenges.
Job Titles:
- Board Treasurer / Procter & Gamble / VP Fabric & Home Care & PG Chemicals, Flavors & Fragrance Global Engineering
- Vice President of Fabric & Home Care & PG Chemicals
Mike is the Vice President of Fabric & Home Care & PG Chemicals, Flavors & Fragrance Global Engineering at P&G with responsibility for over 800 Product Supply Employees Globally. With over 30 Years of commitment to P&G and assignments in Green Bay Wisconsin, St. Louis Missouri, Alexandria Louisiana, Brockville Canada and Brussels Belgium, Mike now considers South Lebanon home where he lives with his wife Amy and pups Molly & Luna. Mike also has two daughters, Allison and Emily who are working in Physical Therapy in Washington, D.C., and Sales in Central Illinois, respectively, and a son, Evan, who is studying Computer Engineering at the University of Cincinnati. Mike is a champion of Equality and Inclusion for Everyone and participates in many P&G Initiatives. Mike is an Experienced Product Supply Specialist skilled in Innovation Management, Consumer Products, Manufacturing, Lean Manufacturing, and Product Innovation. Strong FMCG services professional with a Bachelor of Science (BS) focused in Mechanical Engineering from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Nina Britton is the P&G NA Air Care Initiative Director at Procter and Gamble, and has worked at P&G for over 17 years. Nina believes that autism is an invisible disease that many people don't know how to recognize and/or how to help. She looks forward to learning and educating her co-workers, family, and friends about autism. "The more we know, the more equipped we are to recognize the signs of struggle and take action to help those who are neurodiverse." As a huge supporter of Equality and Inclusion, Nina believes we as a non-profit can make a positive difference in the lives of children and young adults with autism.
Job Titles:
- Head
- Vice President
- Head of Data & Analytics for Fifth Third Bank
Ratan Tadiparthi is the Head of Data & Analytics for Fifth Third Bank's Commercial Line of Business. He is responsible for value-driven data strategy, governance, and driving business insights from data. Previously Ratan has served in various consulting and leadership roles across Financial Services and Healthcare organizations. Ratan has an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, a Masters in Systems Science and a Bachelors in Computer Science. Ratan and family have lived in Cincinnati for the better part of the last decade. Ratan has a family member on the autism spectrum and looks forward to helping Autism Connections deliver resources that support social immersion and long-term success, for people on the spectrum.
After 15 years as an early childhood educator in Arkansas, a location change brought Sonja Clifton a change in vocation. She has served the last three years as Chief Philanthropic Officer of Black Bull Capital Partners in Cincinnati, facilitating the private wealth management firm's volunteer, fraternal, and fundraising efforts. Through her work with area non-profit organizations, Sonja learned of the work Autism Connections is doing for and with families all along the spectrum. She is passionate about sharing the mission of Autism Connections and building relationships that will enable AC to continue providing programs and services that uplift families living with autism. Sonja holds an associate's degree in Child Development, works with (and is still happily married to) her husband of 27 years, and is her grown son's biggest fan.
Job Titles:
- Stock Yards Bank and Trust / Vice President of Commercial Banking
- Vice President of Commercial Banking at Stock Yards Bank & Trust
Tyler is the Vice President of Commercial Banking at Stock Yards Bank & Trust and has been with Stock Yards for just under 6 years. They have managed to keep the Community Bank feel through significant growth in Louisville, Indy, Cincy, and Lexington. Tyler has two daughters, 14 and 11. His 14 year old is on the autism spectrum and currently is an 8th grader at the Heidt Center for Excellence while his youngest attends Our Lady of Victory and is in 5th grade. Tyler grew up and still resides on the West Side of Cincinnati in Delhi with his significant other Erin Arnold. Tyler is excited to be a part of this great organization and help in whatever way possible.