Team

Dr. Doris A. Trauner has served as Interim Chair of the Department of Neurosciences as well as Chair of the Health Sciences Faculty Council, Vice Chair of the Department of Neurosciences, and Chief of Pediatric Neurology at UCSD.

Widely recognized and respected for her academic leadership, Dr. Trauner has held a joint appointment in Neurosciences and Pediatrics since 1977. Her research emphasizes the cognitive consequences of conditions that alter brain development early in life. These include both structural and metabolic disorders affecting the developing brain. Her study subjects include children with neurodevelopment, genetic, and metabolic disorders.

Marilee Burgeson, MA, CCC-SLP, has been a Speech Language and Hearing Consultant for the San Diego County Office of Education since 1987 in a 0-3 early intervention program.  She has been instrumental in developing  an Autism Services team model that is transdisciplinary and has been recognized by the State of California as an exemplary program. She also has a small private practice. She has continued to be a lifelong learner and is trained in ABA and is a Hanen trained speech pathologist.

Lisa Kaufmann, a native of Seattle, Wasahington, earned her B.A. in Social Work from the Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego. Lisa has over ten years of experience in nonprofit management. Lisa joined the ATPF team in June 2008 and is the organization's only full time employee. Kaufmann oversees each of our 20 programs along with running the daily operations of the ATPF office, co-writing grant requests, producing all fundraisers and program events, maintaining ATPF daily social media and managing all ATPF website updates and manages over 200 interns and volunteers. She works directly with Dayna Hoff, ATPF Executive Director and the ATPF Board of Directors.

Bobbi Hanna recieved her associate of science degree in occupational therapy in 1997. She has over thirteen years of experience as a certified occupational therapy assitant working in private pediatrics practices, schools, and mental health settings in the San Diego community. She is a co-owner of Kids on the POINT OT, Inc.

Karen Morrissey has been working for AKA Head Start for over 22 years. Her passion has always been helping families. The last 6 years has been focused on children with Special Needs and helping those families to navigate the complicated system of getter their children services. Karen joined the ATPF team in 2014 when ATPF partnered with AKA Head Start to provide free preschool screenings to more than 1,200 Head Start students. Karen works to "hold the hand" of any new families who are referred on for further evaluation through the ATPF Free Early Intervention Preschool Screening Program.

Kelly Greene is part of the ATPF Founders Committee and owner of Kelly Greene Design (www.kellygreenedesign.com). She has been the ATPF Graphic Designer & Art Director since the inception of the foundation 10 years ago. Kelly has created most of the foundation's important collateral materials and continues to serve ATPF in our marketing and branding efforts.

Tracy has been a Parent Mentor with the Autism Tree for several years. Her family first connected with the Autism Tree in 2008, and initially participated in the Parent Mentor Program as Mentees. Over the years, as her situation has changed, she has served as a Parent Mentor and has found that role to be very rewarding. As a parent of a child on the Autistic Spectrum, she is very aware how isolating parenting a child with Autism can be. The Parent Mentor events are a great way to fellowship with other parents, enjoy adult time, and receive support and guidance from our team of Parent Mentors.

Sandi Anderson has been an active Autism Tree Project Foundation volunteer since its inception 9 years ago. She and her husband, Jeff have two adult sons on the autism spectrum. Her many years of experience advocating, homeschooling, and special needs trainings in academics; health and life skills enable her to encourage others in their journey with a vast resource of connections and creative solutions. Sandi is a founding member/chairman for Jeremiah's Ranch, a group home community being established in Fallbrook, CA.

Helen Ghio, Esq.

A 2001 graduate of the University of San Diego School of Law, Helen began her law career in real estate has worked at Luce Forward Hamilton & Scripps, Chicago Title Company, and Hovey & Kirby. She has been advocating for her son since he was born with cerebral palsy and other disabilities in 2002. Helen and her husband Chris Ghio have been involved with ATPF since its inception in 2003. She previously served on several nonprofit boards of directors and currently is involved with various other nonprofit organizations. Helen has also been a mentor in ATPF’s Parent Mentor Program for several years. She joined forces with Cara Lucier’s firm in 2015.
HiHelen.com | 619-222-8300

Jon Hickey is the ATPF Co-Director for the USD Mentor Program have been married for 13 years to his wife Fran Pritchard, also Co-Director. They have two boys, Lawson currently 12, was diagnosed PPD NOS / ADHD at the age of 5. Their other son, Levi is currently 8. Shortly after receiving their son's diagnosis Jon found a way to support the autism community with his skills.

In 2003, Garret's parents, Todd and Dayna, founded ATPF when he was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2 1/2.  Since then, Garret has played a key role in growing ATPF to the incredible organization it is today-- providing more than 20 free programs to children and families impacted by autism in San Diego County and the Bay Area.  Since 2007, Garret has been a dedicated ATPF volunteer and wholeheartedly devoted himself to giving back to ATPF children and families. 

Michelle S. Connelly, M.A., CCC-SLP is a licensed speech-language pathologist and member of ASHA and CSHA with over 20 years’ experience. She is the founder of Connelly Speech & Language Clinic in the San Francisco Bay Area. Michelle is the Director of the ATPF Early Intervention Screening Program in the San Francisco Bay Area.

ATPF is happy to announce the newest addition to our team: Manny Alefor, our offical ATPF DJ! Thank you Manny for your huge heart and passion for our kids and families. Manny has 20+ years of experience as a ROCK STAR DJ. Manny has been an International DJ everywhere from Manila, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.