We are committed to helping autistic adults amplify their voice and develop their full potential. We recognize the potential capabilities of all persons and we are committed to providing opportunities where they can grow, learn, lead and succeed.
Our VISION is to provide autistic adults the opportunity to learn, grow, lead and succeed.
Our MISSION is to serve and transform the lives of autistic adults through ongoing learning, opportunities, guidance and support.
By, With & For Autistic Adults acknowledges and recognizes that all individuals, regardless of any challenges they may face, have immeasurable potential.
Who We Are
Dave Bartek (Ally), CEO and Co-Founder
Dave is an influential non-profit and private sector leader with a successful track record in operations and service excellence, transforming and building teams, streamlining and improving business units, and developing distinctive business strategies with best-in-class approaches.
I am privileged to be a Co-Founder and the first Chief Executive Officer of By, With & For Autistic Adults. This organization is the result of a significant amount of time, sweat and tears by many engaged volunteers, board members and colleagues. It is a work of passion and excitement. Leading this organization is a culmination of my decades of experience in coaching and mentoring individuals and teams, which is my true PASSION and JOY!
Beth Kimmel (Ally), Autism Curriculum Director
Beth is a 26+ year ally in the autism community. There she has held roles as resource and referral operator and executive director of a local Autism Society of America chapter; autism specialist designing teen and adult programming for the Judson Center, (current) Support Coordinator for Community Mental Health, exclusively supporting person centered planning process in the autism community, and (current) owner of Autism ASK which focuses on providing social opportunities for teens and adults in the autism community. Promoting joy, fulfillment and belonging are elements of every support!
Alex Kimmel (Autistic Adult), Featured Presenter
Alex is an experienced speaker and autistic adult, contracted at state and national levels on key issues of Inclusion, Acceptance, Neurodiversity, Culture of Gentleness and Self-Determination. He has educated and inspired students, teachers, professionals, congregations and the general community since 2006. Alex is also a trainer for Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute for their HCBS and Empowerment initiatives. Alex also trains medical and other professionals on best practice for supporting those with intellectual and developmental disabilities and also a Certified Peer Mentor at MORC.
Katie Oswald (Autistic Adult), Facilitator
Katie Oswald is a facilitator, nonprofit founder, and autistic self-advocate. She founded Full Spectrum Agency for Autistic Adults in 2018. Through Full Spectrum Agency, she facilitates peer support groups, discussion groups, and many other programs for almost 500 autistic group members. She also advocates for autistic adults in the community through corporate workshops, conferences, presentations, and interviews. Katie learned the majority of her self-advocacy and leadership skills through world travel. She has traveled to 18 countries on all seven continents, including two years in Uganda with the U.S. Peace Corps.
Jeremy Farrell (Autistic Adult), Facilitator
Jeremy K. Farrell is a passionate Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Advocate and a proud person on the spectrum himself. He has been working with children with developmental disabilities, specializing in autism, since the age of 15, when he discovered he had a knack for it. Since graduating with a B.A. in Psych from Southern Connecticut State University, Jeremy has facilitated social skills groups for teens and kids on the spectrum out of Western Connecticut Behavioral Health, worked with the Autism Services and Resources of Connecticut (ASRC) to provide recreational resources to their clients, and traveled the state of Connecticut as the Leader of Community Outreach and Recruitment for the Listening to Faces Speech and Language research out of Haskins Laboratories and speaking of its importance to the autistic community. Jeremy has also consulted with businesses and organizations to help them understand autism and their autistic clients.
Our Board
Lisa Richer (Ally and Neurodivergent Adult), Chair
Founder: Journey2bloom ~ Neurodiversity Consulting
Lisa is building bridges between neurodivergent & neurotypical individuals to unlock the power of collaboration through authenticity.
Jim Janetzke (Ally), Treasurer
Executive Leader and Consultant
Jim is a Chief Financial and Chief Operating Officer with a proven record of transforming the finances and operations of non-profit organizations. He is a finance professional skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Budgeting, Strategic Planning, Financial Analysis, and Operations Management.
Anne Carpenter (Autistic Adult), Director
Librarian and Information and Referral
As a Librarian and Information and Referral Specialist for the Autism Society of Michigan, Anne helped to develop a growing lending library collection of books on Autism Spectrum Disorders, parenting, education, and related topics.
Claire Fierro (Ally and Neurodivergent Adult), Director
Neurodivergence Advocate and Podcast Host
Host and producer of the ADHD EA Podcast, Claire talks about living and working with ADHD, tips that have helped her, things learned about ADHD, how to support a loved one with ADHD, and neurodivergent (ND) topics in general. Claire has worked in the Healthcare, Education, Non-profit, and Government sectors, and is an Army Veteran and former Department of the Army Civilian.
Ingrid Cooper Justice (Ally), Vice Chair
Marketing and Events Professional
With an MBA and extensive marketing, project management and event execution and leadership experience, Ingrid has worked across organizations to deliver successful marketing campaigns, virtual and in-person meetings and conferences to business and non-profits.
Michael Hoffarth (Ally), Director
Principal & Senior Consultant, Core Pointe Consulting
Mike is a business professional and corporate leader working 30 years’ in industrial strategic supply chain management, business development and facility operations management.
John Tucker (Ally), Director
Executive Leader and Plant Manager
John has extensive experience in leadership development, root cause analysis, project management, effective communication with individuals and teams, and effective value stream analysis for best ROI.