Announcing Our New Executive Director: Lisa Wiederlight

April 30, 2015

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Dear Friends of SafeMinds,

I am delighted to share some exciting news with you today. We have a new executive director here at SafeMinds, Lisa Wiederlight.

Lisa brings tremendous energy, commitment, and passion in the fight to end the autism epidemic by promoting environmental research and effective treatment, as well as a wealth of experience in public affairs and development.

A resident of Maryland, Lisa graduated magna cum laude from the University of Maryland College Park, with a B.A. in Government and Politics, and earned her Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy in 1993. She has worked in the Executive Office for the President of the United States as a public affairs specialist, secured over $10 million in grants as program manager for the Center for Safe Solution’s Technical Assistance with Grants initiative, and is co-founder of the Autism-Asperger Association of Calvert County, a parent-led organization offering information, support, and assistance to Southern Maryland families.

A mom with a teenage son with autism, Lisa is a fierce champion of children’s health and well-being, and a tireless advocate for families affected by autism.

“SafeMinds has a long history of asking the hard questions about the environmental triggers of autism and related disorders, and relentlessly pursuing the answers,” Lisa says. “As a mother of a person with autism, and as a public policy practitioner, I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with such a dedicated board and staff, and so many amazing community partners.”

Lisa’s priorities include increasing research funding on the environmental contributors to chronic illness, pursuing public safety solutions that will increase the safety of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and providing education and resources to parents for preventing and treating autism and related disabilities.

“SafeMinds will continue to fund research that will help to improve the health of America’s children,” Lisa says. “Our outreach activities will continue to educate and empower individuals and families on important public health and safety issues. SafeMinds will also continue to collaborate with individuals and other organizations to identify prevention and treatment protocols for people with autism, so that all Americans can exercise their right to ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness’ to the fullest of their abilities.”

Lisa is a visionary leader. Please join me in welcoming her into our community. We are extremely pleased to have her on board.

Sincerely,

Sallie Bernard, Co-Founder & President, SafeMinds

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