Our Team

Precious Amoako (she/her; self-diagnosed with ASD) is a business development professional with over 11 years of diverse experience in community advocacy, behavioral healthcare, program management, and global health research. Precious has a passion for harnessing the power of innovation to bring about transformative change and make the world a better, more equitable place.

Jessalyn Smiley Clark (she/her; late-diagnosed dyslexic + auditory processing difficulties) is an expert in disability services with 19 years experience in training, accommodations, adaptive technology, compliance, and mobility assistance.

Lorien Dana (she/her; parent, self-diagnosed with ASD) is an expert in learning differences with over 15 years teaching experience with children with ADHD, dyslexia, and ASD.

Morénike Giwa Onaiwu (she/they) is a global advocate, educator, disabled person of color, non-binary woman, and parent in a neurodiverse, multicultural, twice-exceptional serodifferent biological and adoptive family. A prolific writer and social scientist/activist whose
work focuses on intersectional justice, meaningful community involvement, human rights, and
inclusion, Morénike is recognized as a leader in various disability justice endeavors, including serving as founder/principal consultant of Advocacy Without Borders.

Jo (she/they; late diagnosed ADHD/ASD) is a learning strategist with a passion for workforce programming development & community engagement, focusing mainly on the fashion industry. Her overarching mission is to champion inclusive education, design, and business practices within the fashion industry & beyond. 

Dr. Shannan Palma (she/ her; late-diagnosed Autistic + ADHD) is an experienced nonprofit administrator, product developer, and computer science educator, and an award-winning expert in how and why people become invested in stories, symbols, and ideas that are not in their own best interests. The concept of mythos at the core of her academic work correlates to general-to-specific neural processing (neurotypical thinking).

Ash Steward (they/them) is an arts advocate from Columbus, Ohio with a background in Fine Arts from The Ohio State University and a 10-year career in marketing servicing B2B, B2C, SaaS, and higher ed industries. They have been an enthusiastic volunteer at 934 Gallery for 7 years, currently serving on the advisory board. Additionally, they serve on the board of Matter News, advocating for investigative journalism. While coaching and consulting for startups and creatives, Ashley also serves as the Gallery Director for Project Unicorn, a pop-up gallery and events space in Franklinton. Ashley also covers art news and beverage news for Columbus Underground.

Tye Tavaras (she/her; neurospicy) is a seasoned strategy leader with experience expanding university global partnerships and study abroad opportunities. She has spearheaded diversity initiatives, monitored elections abroad, and published research on human rights and surveillance law. Outside work, she is a sommelier who serves on nonprofit boards focused on green/ethical consumerism and wine education.

ASDirect was established in 2019 as a Discord-based chat network for individuals on the autism spectrum. They only admit those who either suspect they are on the spectrum or have a confirmed diagnosis. The moderation team vigilantly ensures that those chatting are doing so in a way which shows respect for each other and doesn’t make anyone feel uncomfortable. They host regular virtual activities.