Teresa Becerra

Ms. Becerra lives in Miami with her husband Robert. She has three children Natalee (28), Karlee (27), and Robert (11). Robert was diagnosed with autism at 23 months. Teresa is the founder of I Know Someone With Autism-Now You Do Too, a Dade County School program. She is also the president of the Autism Society of Miami-Dade and of Parents for Exceptional Progress, S. Florida Chapter. In addition, she lectures at FIU, UM, and Barry and St. Thomas Universities. She currently sits on the following boards: The Miami-Dade Transition Task Force, CSPD of Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties, FIU Dept. of Special Education, St. Thomas University Department of Special Education, UM-NSU CARD Constituency, UM-NSU CARD Safety & Risk Management, The Autism Society of Dade, The State of Florida Autism Society, and the Georgiana Institute.

Bruce A. Blitman

Mr. Blitman lives in Cooper City with his wife, Shari , and two sons, Andrew, 17, and Jonathan, 15. Bruce is an attorney and certified County, Circuit and Family mediator with a solo practice in Pembroke Pines. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida (1978) and his law degree from the University of Miami School of Law in 1981. He frequently writes and lectures about the benefits of using mediation and alternative dispute resolution to resolve personal and professional conflicts.

Jorge L. Colona

Mr. Colona, born in Peru, resident of Dade County for over 30 years, has five children, two of them currently at home: John Matthew (8), diagnosed with autism at age of 3, and Giancarlo (6). Jorge studied Business Administration at Biscayne College (now St. Thomas University) and has over 20 years experience in the Hospitality Industry (Airlines, Cruise Lines, Hotels and Convention Bureau). Currently, Jorge is Director of Sales for the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau, Regional Sales Office in Miami. Since his son's diagnosis, Jorge and his wife, Jackie, have been very involved in assisting autism organizations, including UM-NSU CARD. In particular, he has been actively involved in raising funds for "Tropical Nights" for the past three years; presently he is the Co-Chair of the TN 2006 Silent Auction Committee.

Michelle Cruz

Ms. Cruz resides in Coral Gables with her husband, Rafael. They are the proud parents of three children, Michael (17), Ralphy (15) and Misha (9). Ralphy was diagnosed with autism at age 3 and is currently in the 8th grade at Cutler Ridge Middle School. Michelle has worked extensively with NAAR (Autism Speaks), chairing their inaugural Miami-Dade Walk FAR for NAAR in 2000. She also Co-Chaired the 2003 inaugural UM CARD “Tropical Nights” and has Co-Chaired the “Tropical Nights” Silent Auction 2004 - 2007, and was a member of the 2003 Fairchild Tropical Gardens Committee. She has worked on the Annual Fund Committee at Ransom Everglades School from 2001-2004 and Co-Chaired the Ransom Auction in 2005. In 2004 she was a nominee for the United Way of Miami-Dade’s Dorothy Shula Award for outstanding volunteerism in the community. In 2005 she was honored with the inaugural “Cruz Whitehurst Autism Advocacy Award” by UM-NSU CARD.

Jennifer Feinstein

Ms. Feinstein has a Masters Degree in Social Work from Barry University and has worked with various populations including homeless mentally ill individuals, welfare families, and children with varying special needs. She is currently staying at home to raise her three children, including an 8 year old son with Asperger Syndrome and two girls, ages 2 and 5. Her husband is a Family Law Attorney in Miami Beach who also volunteers on the board of the Douglas Gardens Community Mental Health Center. Jennifer is an active volunteer at her children’s schools and is on the board of the South Florida Preschool PTA.

Craig A. Garcia

Mr. Garcia lives in Coral Springs with his wife Danielle, and two sons, Billy (5) and Nicholas (2). Nicholas was diagnosed with Autism at 18 months. Craig studied business and finance at Florida State University and currently owns Bridge Capital Lending, LLC - a mortgage and investment company in Weston. He serves on the committee for Insync With Autism, a free, interactive concert series benefiting families touched by Autism. Craig and Danielle enjoy sports, the outdoors, and having as much fun as possible with their incredible boys.

Ysela Heim

Ms. Heim lives in Pembroke Pines with her husband Carl. They have two children, Chandler (7) and Ethan (4). Carl also has a son Taylor (16) who is very close to his brothers. Chandler was diagnosed with Autism at 28 months. Since the diagnosis, Ysela has taken on an active role in the community by educating and supporting families as well as advocating for children in Broward County Schools. She attended Broward Community College and Florida Atlantic University. Her studies included Liberal Arts & Social Work. She is employed with Family Network on Disabilities of Broward County. She currently sits on the UM-NSU Constituency Board, Autism Society of America-Broward Chapter Board, and was co-chair of the 2006 Autism Speaks walk in Broward County. She is very active in her children’s schools as well. She has been room parent for the last 2 years. She hopes to continue being active and helping families with the many struggles that they face in raising children with disabilities.

Mona M. Nasser

Ms. Nasser resides in the city of SW Ranches with her husband Moustafa and their four kids Adnan (15) Adla (14) Zainab (8) and Yusuf (6). Adla was diagnosed with autism at age 3. Mona and her husband have developed a successful aviation company in Miami, APC Inc., which sells and repairs airplane parts for airline companies worldwide. Mona is the founder of the International Autism Resource Foundation that has provided educational and living assistance to individuals with autism and developmental disorders since 2001. The Autism Society of Boward County, The Lebanese Autism Society and Special Olympics International are some of the organizations to which Mona volunteers her time. Motivated by her beautiful daughter she began and facilitates a support group designed for females with autism and developmental disabilities at the UM-NSU CARD Center. She has also been a guest speaker at lectures regarding a parent’s perspective on living with a child with autism and communication disorder for Nova Southeastern University. Currently she is the president of the PTO, involved in the SPEC group and ESE committee of her children’s school. Recently she was asked to sit on an advisory board for a private school NUIA in Cooper City. She loves the time she spends with the UM-NSU CARD Center encouraging its continued growth and developing as constituency board co- chair. Mona hopes to continue to assist the autism community to grow and become stronger and to guide children and families touched by autism to lead a meaningful and happy life.

William "Max" Wyler

William “Max” Wyler lives in Coconut Grove. He has four children Samantha (17), Carly (14), Alexandra (12) and William “J.C” (6). Alexandra was diagnosed with autism at 25 months. Max has a B.S. in Finance from Kansas State (Fort Hays) University. Max is Co-Founder (1988) of Accord Productions which is now one of the largest production companies in Florida. He has received many production related awards including the Angel Award for “Easter Seal” Documentary (1989), Vision Award for “Corporate Imagination” (1995), Telly Award for “The Victory School” (2002, and a Telly Award for “Takin It to Tempe” (2003). He has served on the Board of the Victory School for Children with Autism, volunteered for various projects for Miami Children’s Hospital, United Way and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He enjoys running 5k’s and coaching kids’ basketball at the Coral Gables Youth Center.

Carmen L. Zaldivar

Ms. Zaldivar and her family are residents of the City of Miramar. She and her husband, Fernando, are both graduates of the University of Florida, and are registered pharmacists in the State of Florida. Her husband is the Systems Director at Mercy Hospital in Miami. Their three children are Monica (21), Fernando II (18), and Jorge (13). Carmen serves as the UM-NSU CARD Legislative Chair. She is also the Chapter Advocacy Chair (CAC) for Autism Speaks in Broward County. She works on a part-time basis and volunteers at her youngest son's school, Glades Middle School, where she serves as the School Advisory Council (SAC) Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Representative and the Chair of the School Advisory Forum (SAF). Carmen is an active Florida PTA member, and serves as the Legislative PTSA Chair for Glades Middle School. She has been active in PTA legislation since 2000 and attends Florida Legislative Conference in Tallahassee annually, where she actively advocates for children, education and the disabled. Carmen is an appointed member of the City of Miramar Education Committee. She sits on the Executive Board of the Hollywood Beach Latin Festival (HBLF), and is a member of the Dade County Pharmacy Association.