CARD - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Program Director, Social Services
Job Titles:
- Research Assoc. Professor
Job Titles:
- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Professor of Speech - Language Pathology
Dr. Zangari has been a professor of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) at Nova Southeastern University since 1994. She joined the NSU CARD Satellite in 2014 and currently serves as its Executive Director. Dr. Zangari earned her master's degree in SLP from the College of New Jersey and her doctoral degree in Special Education from Purdue University. She is involved in the Language Links group with Lori Wise and runs the CARD Communication and Autism Network for SLPs who work with nonverbal or minimally verbal individuals with autism and related disabilities. Her primary area of expertise is in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and the development of literacy skills in individuals with ASD and other developmental disabilities. She blogs at www.PrAACticalAAC.org.
Job Titles:
- Program Manager, Social Services
Job Titles:
- Director, Social Services ( a )
Job Titles:
- Director
- ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR of CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY / DIRECTOR
Dr. Jennifer Durocher is the Director CARD. She has worked with individuals with autism and their families since 1992. She is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Rutgers University, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She completed her doctoral studies at the University of Miami, where she obtained both her M.S. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Dr. Durocher is also a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychology and Pediatrics at the University of Miami.
Her clinical and research interests include improving the early detection of ASD and understanding how individual differences in ASD can be used to design and evaluate more effective interventions. Dr. Durocher has published and presented locally and nationally on topics related to assessment and intervention in autism. In addition, she has received several community services awards, including the CARD Founder's Award (2010), the Tropical Nights Community Leadership Award (2017), and the In the Company of Women Award in the Education & Research category (2023). For more information about Dr. Durocher please click here.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- PROFESSOR of CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / ASSISTANT CHAIR, COMMUNITY OUTREACH and ENGAGEMENT
Dr. Michael Alessandri is the Executive Director of the CARD. Dr. Alessandri has worked with individuals with autism and their families since 1981 in various capacities. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Rochester and obtained his MS and Ph.D. in Psychology from Rutgers University. Dr. Alessandri is also a Clinical Professor of Psychology and Pediatrics and serves as the Department of Psychology's Assistant Chairman for Community Outreach and Engagement.
Dr. Alessandri has received numerous community service awards, including the Autism Society of America's Wendy F. Miller Autism Professional of the Year Award and National Autism Program of the Year for CARD. He is also the recipient of the March of Dimes Community Excellence in Health Care Award (2007), the Health Services Coalition Outstanding Community Leader Award (2009), and the Parent to Parent Excellence in Family Advocacy Award (2010). Dr. Alessandri was also named one of the Ronald McDonald House's 12 Good Men (2008) and the Dewar's 12 Man of Distinction (2007). In 2012, he was selected by the Children's Trust as the David Lawrence Champion for Children, one of South Florida's highest honors for community service. In 2016, Dr. Alessandri was named the Visionary Leader of the Year by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce; and in 2017, he was recognized by the Dade County Bar Association with the Fostering Inclusion and Diversity Award. For more information about Dr. Alessandri please click here.
Job Titles:
- Program Coordinator, Social Services
Job Titles:
- Program Manager, Social Services
Job Titles:
- Program Manager, Social Services
Job Titles:
- Coordinator of Clinical and Educational Services
Lori is the Coordinator of Clinical and Educational Services at CARD. She holds Florida teaching certificates in the areas of Special Education and Reading.
Maria completed her Ph.D. in Teaching & Learning in 2024, her B.A. in Exceptional Student Education at Miami-Dade College in 2007 and her M.S. in Elementary Special Education from Florida International University in 2011. She worked as a Special Education Teacher in MDCPS for 15 years. Most recently, she earned her Ed.S. in Special Education in 2022 from FIU and is currently a Doctoral Candidate, focusing her research on autism spectrum disorders.
Job Titles:
- Sponsored Programs Specialist
Job Titles:
- Asst. Professor of Clinical Psychology
Job Titles:
- Assoc. Professor of Clinical Psychology
Job Titles:
- DIRECTOR
- Director of the NSU Satellite Office
Mr. Luis Grana is the Director of the NSU Satellite Office. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Central Florida and his M.S. in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University. He has worked with individuals with ASD and their families for over 20 years in various capacities. Mr. Grana has held several different positions at CARD for 16 years. He currently runs the Family Support group at the Nova CARD office.
Job Titles:
- Program Manager, Social Services
Nina Garcia is a CARD Specialist at the NSU Satellite office. She holds a B.S. in Exceptional Student Education and previously taught for three years in Miami-Dade County Public Schools across resource, co-teach, and self-contained classroom settings. At CARD, Nina leads Teacher's Chat and co-facilitates Coach's Circle and Just for Moms Broward, providing support and resources for educators and caregivers in the autism community.
Job Titles:
- Research Associate
- Research Associate 1, GAB ( a )
Job Titles:
- Program Manager, Social Services
Sofia Rodriguez is a sophomore at Nova Southeastern University and is a part of the Razors Edge Shark Teach program, aspiring to be a Speech-Language Pathologist. She enjoys learning, growing, and connecting with diverse populations. She has previous experience volunteering in various settings that support individuals with autism spectrum disorder. She envisions working with pediatric patients, particularly in the areas of AAC, dysphasia, and bilingualism.
Job Titles:
- CLINICAL SUPPORT ADMINISTRATOR
Susan graduated from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey where she completed her B.S. in Psychology in 2010. She continued her education at Nova Southeastern University where she graduated summa cum laude in 2013 with an M.S. in Developmental Disabilities and a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis.
Job Titles:
- Communications Specialist
Job Titles:
- Research Associate Professor