Board of Directors

Michelle Nitz-Weiss | Board Chair

With 20 years of experience as a non-profit executive and management consultant, I enjoy strengthening non-profit organizations to help them more effectively achieve their mission and to maximize their impact in our community. When my son was diagnosed with Aspergers, I was able to put my professional experience together with my passion for advocating for children with autism by founding the Schools for Spectrum Foundation. I am the mother to two elementary school age children. Both of my children attend a school where I am active as a volunteer. In addition, I have been involved with numerous community and civic organizations including Seattle #4 Rotary, City Club, Executive Alliance, Washington Autism Advocacy, and as an Advisory Board member for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. I was also recognized for my leadership as a “40 Under 40” by the Puget Sound Business Journal in 2008.

Julia Hokanson | Board Secretary

As a communications professional, I opened my independent public affairs and public relations consulting business, Julia Hokanson Consulting, in November 2007. For more than a decade, I have been providing strategic solutions for a variety of corporate, philanthropic and nonprofit organizations. Although I’ve worked both as a staff member and volunteer for a number of nonprofits focused on youth, it was the birth of my son Oscar that really catapulted me into becoming a fervent advocate for children. Two months premature and weighing only 2.5 lbs. at birth, Oscar spent his first seven weeks of life hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It was there, seated beside his incubator day and night, that my husband Arvid and I realized with even greater resolve that all kids deserve the best - no matter who they are.
When we’re not working or napping, Arvid, Oscar and I are often found laughing with (err… at?) our corgis Murray and Gladys.

Jennifer Girard | Board Treasurer

I founded Orion Resources LLC in January 1998. I have 20 years of business, recruiting and accounting experience. I received my B. A. in Accounting and Art from Rocky Mountain College and practiced as an Audit Professional with Deloitte & Touche LLP. I served a variety of Puget Sound based clients ranging from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies. I also am an active supporter of Women’s Enterprises, NBIS, Prosper, Kiva, and Pat Graney. I am a past board member of the Central Neighborhood Association and Artists Unlimited. I am interested in sustainable business, environmental issues, and micro-financing. I also enjoy boxing, hiking, mountaineering, biking, motorcycling, scuba diving, dog parks, and boomeranging.

Lee Fine | Board Member

In 1998, I moved to Seattle from Toronto, where I worked as a film editor. Since living on the West Coast, I have spent the last 10 years working in sales and marketing. In October 2007, I co-founded FiveHumans. Leveraging my promotional and brand development experience, I launched a company focused on raising awareness surrounding a variety of causes. As a type 1 diabetic, I know firsthand how important it is to educate people about the many misconceptions concerning my disease, and autism is certainly no different. With my free time, I’m usually chasing two things: my 2 ½ year old daughter, Emerson, and my never-gonna-happen dream of playing professional hockey. I’m honored to be involved with the Schools for Spectrum Foundation, knowing my efforts will build positive influence on educators, children and their families.

Sarah Jung Evans | Board Member

I have been working as an attorney for the past five years. My practice is varied, ranging from advising corporations on general business matters and personnel concerns, to defending corporations in lawsuits involving employment discrimination, construction defect, and products liability. I have an elementary-school-age stepdaughter who inspires and challenges me to help make the world we leave for her a better place, which is one reason for my involvement with this Schools for Spectrum Foundation. In my spare time I enjoy running, reading, and taking in the natural beauty of the Northwest.

Aaron King | Board Member

I am a business professional with more than 10 years of experience building teams, organizations and companies in the banking, technology and e-commerce sectors. I am currently an e-commerce consultant and co-founder of FiveHumans, a cause-based clothing company working to cure ignorance around various causes affecting the world today, including autism. When I’m not spending time with my 1-year-old son, I like to sit in the Seattle rain and dream of sunny days.
Through FiveHumans, I have spent months educating myself about autism through research, interviewing those affected and having countless discussions about the many theories, problems and issues surrounding autism. While many things about autism are debatable or even controversial, one thing that is not is the fact that our schools are ill prepared to give children on the autism spectrum the tools and resources they need to be successful in school.

Sheryl Stiefel | Board Member

As a nonprofit executive and management consultant, my greatest professional triumphs have involved taking Seattle-area biomedical research centers, hospitals, and museums to new levels of financial and operational success by providing “out-of-the-box” solutions that create productive partnerships among civic and corporate leaders, employees and volunteers. What drives me is a passion for making a difference by helping people in need. My results-orientation focuses on analyzing data, discerning patterns, and effectively matching staff and volunteers’ interests in a way that engages everyone involved. It has to be focused and fun for success! Through the years, I have come to know many special needs children with learning issues. These experiences genuinely motivate my involvement with Schools for Spectrum Foundation. I have been married for 26 years to Seattle-native Mark Stiefel, and we have two young adult daughters.