Our Team

Dr. Suzanne Buchanan is the Executive Director of Autism New Jersey, where she leads an experienced and passionate team of clinical, legal, public policy, communications, and development professionals. Licensed as a psychologist and behavior analyst and registered lobbyist, she has worked in the autism field for more than 25 years. She and her colleagues have led multiple successful advocacy campaigns including championing a law to license the practice of behavior analysis, securing Medicaid coverage for ABA for children, removing the state’s age cap on its autism insurance mandate, and expanding housing options. She also serves on the Attorney General’s Statewide Steering Committee to Address Mental Health and Special Needs Populations and leads statewide healthcare and law enforcement initiatives to make New Jersey more autism friendly. Suzanne enjoys spending time with her family and friends, getting lost in a good book, and introducing great people to each other. Reach Suzanne at sbuchanan@autismnj.org or 609.588.8200 Extension 10042.

Dr. Joe Novak is the Director of Programmatic Impact at Autism New Jersey, where he provides clinical and communications thought leadership and helps lead the development, evaluation, and optimization of the agency’s programs. He is credentialed as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (Doctoral) and ASHA-certified Speech and Language Pathologist and is licensed in both behavior analysis and speech-language pathology in New Jersey. Joe is passionate about effective educational services, augmentative and alternative communication, and collaboration between professionals, and over the course of his 20-year career has spent considerable time in both public and private school settings. Joe is an enthusiast of all things tech, is an avid gamer and LEGO builder, enjoys traveling, and loves nothing more than watching movies at home with his husband. Reach Joe at jnovak@autismnj.org or 609.588.8200 Extension 10049.

Amy Golden is the Director of Family Wellness at Autism New Jersey, where she develops and leads programs to support families affected by autism. As a licensed behavior analyst (LBA) and national board-certified health and wellness coach (NBC-HWC), she combines expertise in these areas to address wellness both on the individual level and more broadly through Autism New Jersey initiatives. Amy has more than 25 years of experience in the field of autism across home, school, and center-based settings, and she recently contributed to the NJDOE’s Best Practices for New Jersey Public School Behavior Analysts and the Autism Program Quality Indicators. Amy enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring nature, exercising, and traveling. Reach Amy at agolden@autismnj.org or 609.588.8200 Extension 10051

Jenna Glennon, MAT, BCBA, LBA is the emerging challenging behavior manager at Autism New Jersey. Jenna works in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Health’s Special Child Health Services to provide enhanced case management with a focus on helping families with accessing resources and information related to emerging challenging behavior. Jenna is a board-certified behavior analyst and certified special and general education teacher. Jenna has 25 years of experience working with individuals with autism and other developmental and behavioral disorders. Jenna started her career teaching students with autism in the public-school setting. She was also previously the coordinator of professional services at COSAC (now Autism New Jersey), and for the last 23 years, a consultant in private practice. Jenna enjoys spending time with family and friends, listening to music, and being outdoors. Reach Jenna at jglennon@autismnj.org or 609.588.8200 Extension 10059

Jon Gottlieb, Esq. is the director of information services at Autism New Jersey, where he leads the 800.4.AUTISM Helpline team, authors website content, delivers trainings, and solves complex problems for individuals, families, and the professionals that support them. Before joining Autism New Jersey, Jon built a private law practice dedicated to helping parents of children with disabilities. His background in the law and his familiarity with the needs of the autism community enable him to explain sophisticated legal concepts in easy-to-understand ways. Jon earned his law degree from Georgetown University and is admitted to the New York State Bar. Jon lives in Austin, Texas and loves movies, hiking, and warm weather. Reach Jon at jgottlieb@autismnj.org or 609.588.8200 Extension 10026.

Sara Law is an information services coordinator at Autism New Jersey. She answers inquiries made to the 800.4.AUTISM Helpline, writes articles for the Autism New Jersey website, and has extensive knowledge about sedation dentistry for people with autism. Sara’s passion for helping and advocating for the autism community stems from her many years of volunteering and classroom work with children on the autism spectrum. That work also sparked her interest in the brain, learning, and behavior and led to her getting a master’s degree in neuroscience from Rutgers University. Sara leverages her knowledge and education to make a positive impact on both our helpline callers, and the autism community as a whole. When she’s not working Sara enjoys trying new foods, singing, and spending time with her husband, puppy, and family. Reach Sara at slaw@autismnj.org or 609.588.8200 Extension 10027.

Anastasia Sanderson is an information services coordinator at Autism New Jersey. Anastasia answers the 800.4.AUTISM Helpline, offering information, referrals, and compassionate guidance to our callers. Anastasia also attends information fairs and community events, and specializes in questions about supported employment, mental health, and post-secondary education for people with autism. A graduate of Arcadia University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and Master of Arts in Counseling, Anastasia puts her education and diverse previous work experience in mental health counseling, supported employment, and public health to good use in her role at Autism New Jersey. Anastasia loves being a twin and spending time with her family. She also has a passion for cooking and has been known to bring a treat or two into the office for her colleagues. Reach Anastasia at asanderson@autismnj.org or 609.588.8200 Extension 10052.

Claire Wieczerak, MSW is an information services coordinator at Autism New Jersey. In this role, she assists families and professionals who contact the agency’s 800.4.AUTISM helpline and provides information and referrals to parents navigating the various New Jersey service systems for children and adults, with a specialty in special education rights and adult benefits. Claire also presents workshops and authors content for Autism New Jersey’s website and publications. Prior to joining Autism New Jersey, she served as a teacher’s aide at an afterschool program for children with autism and as a child advocate at a domestic violence agency. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters in Social Work from Rutgers University. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends and living at the Jersey Shore. Reach Claire at cwieczerak@autismnj.org or 609.588.8200 Extension 10033.

Michelle Nini is an information services administrative assistant at Autism New Jersey. She serves as the operator of the 800.4.AUTISM Helpline and maintains the Autism New Jersey Referral Database. Michelle represents the organization at information fairs, helping to raise awareness and the resources available to the community. With a heart for service and dedication, Michelle is committed to providing a supportive environment for all. Reach Michelle at mnini@autismnj.org or 609.588.8200 Extension 10048.

Darren Blough is the public policy director for Autism New Jersey, where he leverages his extensive experience in the autism community to shape the agency’s public policy strategies, ensuring effective planning, execution, and assessment. With a master’s degree in social work and board certification as an assistant behavior analyst, he has more than 30 years of experience working in leadership roles with children and adults with disabilities. Darren is the former board president and policy co-chair of the NJ Association of Community Providers, past board chair of the Non-Profit Development Center of Southern NJ, and current chair of NJABA’s Adult Services Workgroup. Appointed by Governor Murphy, he served three years on the State Board of Applied Behavior Analyst Examiners and was named a 2022 Man of the Year by South Jersey Magazine. Darren is a proud husband and father who loves music, Philadelphia sports teams, and spending time down the shore with his family and friends. Reach Darren at dblough@autismnj.org or 609.588.8200 Extension 10034.

Devin Baker, as the deputy public policy director for Autism New Jersey, utilizes his legislative expertise to advance the organization’s policy initiatives, focusing on the development, implementation, and impact of key legislative efforts. Earning his master’s degree in public administration from Rutgers University, Devin has a decade of experience working in the public sector and policy realm on a municipal, county, and state level in New Jersey. He previously served as the Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to Assemblywoman Tennille R. McCoy and former Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle. In these roles he collaborated with interest groups, government entities, and other elected officials to craft significant and responsive legislation pertaining to topics such as health, human services, housing, and the environment. Devin also worked for the New Jersey Department of Children and Families as the legislative liaison where he was instrumental in shaping policies within the state’s child welfare system. Reach Devin at dbaker@autismnj.org or 609.588.8200
Extension 10058.

Doreen Yanik, Esq., is the Director of Autism New Jersey’s Law Enforcement Initiative and is committed to realizing statewide law enforcement adoption of autism-friendly practices through presentations, committee and subcommittee work, website content, and Autism New Jersey-hosted law enforcement events. Doreen brings 28 years of law enforcement experience and more than 34 years of legal experience. Doreen retired from the Union County Prosecutor’s Office where she served in numerous leadership positions, including as deputy first assistant prosecutor and first assistant prosecutor. Her subject-matter expertise has led to extensive partnerships to raise autism awareness within the law enforcement community. Doreen also serves as secretary of the Union County Bar Association and was the recipient of the UCBA 2023 Criminal Attorney of the Year Award and the 2023 Special Achievement Award from the Union County Human Relations Commission. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, loves a good laugh, and has a deep appreciation for a variety of musical genres. Reach Doreen at dyanik@autismnj.org or 609.588.8200 Extension 10054.

Kayla Torres is the community engagement coordinator at Autism New Jersey. In this role, she works to increase statewide awareness about autism and the resources that Autism New Jersey offers. This work includes a focus on reaching underserved communities in New Jersey, who often face barriers in accessing essential services and support. Kayla also plays a key role in the Law Enforcement Initiative, which seeks to ensure safe and positive interactions between law enforcement and the autism community. Previously, Kayla was the director of administration at The North Ward Center, where she was instrumental in delivering meaningful programs for urban communities. Her contributions were especially significant in the youth leadership development program and in the creation of Hope House, Newark’s first permanent group home. Kayla’s leadership helped the family success center achieve statewide recognition, highlighting its excellence as a model program in New Jersey. Kayla holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Montclair State University and a Master’s in Public Health Administration from Kean University. In addition to her professional pursuits, she loves planning and decorating events, as well as spending quality time with her friends and family. Reach Kayla at ktorres@autismnj.org or 609.588.8200 Extension 10053.

Jessica Barkosky is the Director of Digital and Creative Services at Autism New Jersey, where she leads efforts to enhance the organization’s visual identity and online presence through engaging digital campaigns and brand management. She joined the agency in 2005 when it was known as COSAC and has been a key contributor to its communications for nearly two decades. Jessica earned her bachelor’s degree in communications with a focus on television, radio, and film from Rowan University and gained valuable media experience through an internship at NJ 101.5. When she’s not crafting compelling visuals, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family — most often cheering for her children on the sidelines of soccer and softball fields. Reach Jessica at jbarkosky@autismnj.org or 609.588.8200 Extension 10025.

Jeff is the Operations Director at Autism New Jersey. He oversees both the day-to-day operations and the strategic direction of the agency’s IT, HR, and finance infrastructure and systems. Having been with Autism New Jersey since 2019, Jeff summarizes his role in one sentence: “I ensure everyone has the tools they need to do the awesome work they do.” He holds a Master of Professional Studies in Technology Management from Georgetown University and has spent most of his career in the non-profit sector. Reach Jeff at jgaither@autismnj.org or 609.588.8200 Extension 10036.

Michael is the conference coordinator at Autism New Jersey, overseeing the Annual Autism Conference held in Atlantic City each fall. He also assists with community engagement, info fairs, and agency initiatives. Michael is a member of the Meeting Planners International Philadelphia and New Jersey chapters, where he is an event speaker and a committee member for educational event planning. Michael received a B.A. in Communication and Sociology from Millersville University and is currently studying to be a certified meeting professional with the Events Industry Council. In his free time, Michael enjoys exploring the food and entertainment scene in his home city of Philadelphia and participating in the local volleyball and kickball leagues. Reach Michael at mbrockett@autismnj.org or 609.588.8200 Extension 10044.

Delmy is the operations assistant at Autism New Jersey, where she keeps things running smoothly by supporting office operations, conference planning, board activities, and communications. With a background in administrative support — from museums to locally owned businesses — she brings a strong focus on logistics and thoughtful collaboration. Delmy enjoys time with her family, listening to her son perform with the New Jersey Youth Symphony, and relaxing with films or visits to museums. Reach Delmy at dserrano@autismnj.org or 609.588.8200 Extension 10050.

Brynn Alberici is the director of development at Autism New Jersey, where she cultivates meaningful relationships with donors and supporters, leads the organization’s signature events, and oversees their cornerstone acceptance campaign, the Ambassador Program. With a Master’s in Education from Fairleigh Dickinson University, she is dedicated to advancing awareness, advocacy, and fundraising efforts for the autism community. utside of work, Brynn loves traveling, sharing good food with family and friends in her kitchen, or soaking up the sun — preferably in flip-flops on a beach. Reach Brynn at balberici@autismnj.org or 609.588.8200 Extension 10021.

Christina Toth serves as the coordinator of special events and community relations at Autism New Jersey, where she plays a key role in fundraising efforts, signature events, and awareness initiatives. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in early childhood from Arcadia University, bringing a passion for advocacy and community connection to her work. Living at the shore with her husband, two daughters, son, and Great Dane, she embraces the simple beauty of coastal life and cherishes time with family and friends. Reach Chrissy at ctoth@autismnj.org or 609.588.8200 Extension 10031

Brittany Coleman is the Development Assistant at Autism New Jersey, where she plays a key role in fundraising, membership, and donor engagement to support the organization’s mission and community impact. She brings years of administrative and managerial experience, with a background in office management, customer service, and program coordination, enhancing her ability to support Autism New Jersey’s initiatives. Outside of work, Brittany enjoys gardening, cosmetology, celebrating the holidays with family, and finding little ways to spread sunshine and happiness to those around her. Reach Brittany at bcoleman@autismnj.org or 609.588.8200 Extension 10032.

Paul Cash is General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, and Corporate Secretary of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts – the world’s largest hotel franchising company with over 9,100 hotels, based in Parsippany. Over his 18-year career at Wyndham, he has held various positions and currently leads the Company’s Global Legal, Compliance and Government Affairs functions, sits on its Executive Committee and serves as the Executive Sponsor for its Spectrum Affinity Business Group for African-American and Black team members. An attorney by background, Cash has over 27 years of domestic and foreign corporate law experience, including serving as Partner in the Mergers and Acquisitions practice group at Alston + Bird in New York and as an associate at a major law firm in Germany. Cash previously served as a board member for the New Jersey chapter of Autism Speaks. He currently serves as a member of the U.S. Travel Executive Board and the American Hotel + Lodging Association Foundation’s No Room for Trafficking Advisory Council.

Sandra LoPiccolo is the Chief Communications Officer at Bedtime Math Foundation, where she has overseen all aspects of the organization’s public relations and marketing since 2012. LoPiccolo also worked as an Emmy Award-nominated producer for CBS News Sunday Morning and currently serves as board vice-chair for the Midland Corporation, a New Jersey-based nonprofit service provider for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Angela Scheck is a 35-year veteran with the New Jersey State Bar Association, where she currently serves as Executive Director. In her role, Scheck is responsible for the strategic operation of New Jersey’s largest voluntary legal professional association, serving more than 17,000 members. Scheck has significant experience advising the state regarding unique populations through her role with the NJSBA and in educating the public about their legal rights and responsibilities through the work of the New Jersey State Bar Foundation. She furthers her outreach through community service work and as a member of the New Jersey Supreme Court Civil Commitment Working Group and New Jersey Supreme Court Mental Health Advisory Committee.

An engineer by profession, Art is currently president of Railroad Construction Company. He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the Polytechnic University of New York. Prior to his current position, Art dedicated over 40 years with Moretrench American Corporation where he served in a variety of engineering and executive leadership capacities. He’s been involved in a variety of high-profile national infrastructure projects, including the “Big Dig” in Boston, NYC’s 2nd Avenue Subway. His most memorable project was the recovery and reconstruction of the World Trade Center after 9/11. Art is active in the construction and engineering communities, serving on a variety of prestigious construction, contracting, and engineering boards and associations. He is also a Fellow in the American Society of Civil Engineers.

No stranger to board service, Art has dedicated himself to a variety of charitable causes, including service as a longtime volunteer at the Morris-County based Homeless Solutions Shelter, where he was board chair for two years. He has also served as a trustee of the Boys & Girls Club of Paterson and Passaic and the Oak Knoll School.

John Doherty is a 23-year veteran with Goldman Sachs, where he currently serves as managing director. He is a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy and holds a law degree from Fordham University and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School. Before earning his M.B.A., he was deployed worldwide as a merchant marine engineering officer and served as counsel for Navios Corporation and trustee of the Coast Guard Foundation. In addition to his storied career, Doherty is the father of five children, one of whom has autism.

Michael Elchoness is senior vice president of community relations at Your Choice Home Care and director at Momentum Wealth Partners, a financial services company. Prior to joining Momentum, he spent most of his more than 20-year career in private banking and wealth management. Elchoness earned a B.A. in communication from Rutgers University and an M.B.A. from Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business. He serves on the Board of Trustees at Rutgers Hillel and the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ and is a member of the executive committee for the Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ.

Kane brings to the board more than 40 years of experience in sports broadcasting and operations through his career as an Emmy Award-winning television producer. Demonstrating his dedication to his work, Kane has been a producer for the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 33 years, currently serving as the Senior Director of Broadcast Operations and Production. Kane, a graduate of Princeton University, previously worked as a producer for ESPN Sportscenter.

Jacqueline Kelly is a longtime advocate for individuals with autism and a former board member of Autism New Jersey. As a parent of a daughter with autism, she’s dedicated her work to building a greater understanding of autism through autism awareness with the extended Kelly family along with her husband, Anthony. Together, they have hosted various fundraisers including the Annual Spring Lake Gift Auction, partnered with restaurants and retail shops, and volunteered at countless Autism New Jersey events. Most recently, the Kelly Family provided autism awareness decals to 26 police departments throughout Monmouth County in support of Autism New Jersey’s law enforcement initiative.

Jim is chair of the Business Law and Litigation Department and Managing Principal of Davison, Eastman, Munoz, Paone, P.A. He is an experienced litigator with extensive state and federal court experience and has been designated by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Certified Civil Trial Attorney. Father to a now 20-year-old son with autism, we are excited to have Jim rejoin the board during this critical time for the agency and the world at large.

Colleen Schulz-Eskow is a state leader in education policy, currently serving as senior director of public policy at New Jersey’s Children Foundation, a Newark, NJ-based nonprofit that advocates for public education across the state. Before joining the foundation, she spent 20 years at the New Jersey Department of Education, holding a multitude of roles during her tenure, including deputy chief of staff where she was responsible for managing the department’s legislative affairs and policy development division. Most recently she led the department’s COVID-related response efforts. Schulz-Eskow received a B.A. in political science from Rutgers University and an M.A. from Rutgers Edward J. Bloustein School of Public Policy. She is also an alumnus of the Eagleton Institute of Politics.