The Organization

Henry's father, serves as the Executive Director of Autism Northwest. In this role, Mark provides visionary leadership, strategic planning, and operational oversight to the organization. His personal connection to autism through his son Henry fuels his passion and dedication to making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and families affected by ASD.

Mark is a dedicated father and community advocate whose journey into autism support began when his son, Henry, was diagnosed with autism in 2022. Recognizing the need for connection and shared understanding, Mark and his wife created a local support group for families navigating similar experiences. What started as a small initiative quickly grew into a meaningful community, filled with powerful stories and mutual support.

Inspired to make an even greater impact, Mark founded Autism Northwest with the goal of helping families access critical services often delayed by long wait times for government funding. With a deep understanding of these challenges, he is committed to ensuring families receive timely support when it matters most.

Through fundraising initiatives and community-driven efforts, Mark is working to build Autism Northwest into a trusted resource, supporting families on their autism journey.

Laura is a Radiation Therapist at the Regional Cancer Centre and a proud mom to Henry, who inspired her involvement with Autism Northwest. Through her work, she is dedicated to creating a compassionate community where families can find hope, support, and meaningful connections. Outside of work, she enjoys road trips and camping with her family.

Robert brings steadiness, kindness, and quiet strength to his role as a Member at Large. Known for his warm sense of humour and thoughtful nature, he is someone people naturally feel comfortable around.

As the father of a large family, including children with additional needs, Robert understands both the joys and realities of caregiving. He knows the patience, flexibility, and resilience family life often demands, and he brings that perspective into the organization’s work.

Robert is smart, dependable, and deeply caring. He believes strong communities are built through compassion, practical support, and showing up for one another. Whether offering ideas behind the scenes or helping wherever needed, he is a valued part of the team and the mission.

Rudy brings lived experience, determination, and compassion to her role as President. Known for her honesty, strength, and deep commitment to others, she leads with both heart and purpose.

As a mother of a large family, including children with diverse and additional needs, Rudy understands the realities many families face every day. Her journey through parenting, adoption, and navigating difficult systems shaped her into a strong advocate for fairness, and meaningful support. Her best teachers call her “Maman”.

Rudy’s path has included challenges that tested her and experiences that forced her to rebuild. Those seasons gave her resilience, empathy, and a clear understanding of how isolating life can feel when families are left to manage alone.

She is especially passionate about educational and human rights advocacy, and about making sure families have real support, clear information, and someone willing to stand beside them when systems feel overwhelming.

Rudy believes there is no perfect way to do this. Families do what they have to, and that deserves respect, support, and community.

Dayle is a proud autism mom to her son, Kane, who is at the heart of everything she does and the driving force behind her advocacy. Through her lived experience raising a child with higher support needs, she has developed a deep understanding of the challenges families face, including gaps in support, limited access to resources, and the realities of navigating systems that often fall short.

In her role as Fundraising Lead with Autism Northwest, Dayle is passionate about raising awareness, promoting acceptance, and driving meaningful change for families. She is committed to ensuring caregivers feel seen, supported, and empowered, while working to build a stronger, more connected community where no family feels alone.

Karen is a devoted mother of two grown children and a proud grandmother to her grandson, JP. With nearly 40 years of dedication to her career at a local company, she brings a strong work ethic and a deep sense of commitment to her role with Autism Northwest.

A graduate of Confederation College’s Business Administration program, Karen values growth, connection, and supporting others. She is passionate about being part of a community that uplifts and supports families navigating autism.

In her spare time, Karen enjoys reading, spending time with family, staying active, and embracing anything that sparks her passion.

Kayla is the proud mom of Eli and Vayda, who are both autistic and are the driving force behind her advocacy for a more inclusive and accessible world. Through her lived experience navigating diagnoses, services, education, and everyday life, she understands the importance of community and the impact meaningful support can have on families.

Kayla stepped away from her nursing career at the end of 2023 to focus on her family. Over the last few years, she launched a business working with travel brands and destinations to help create more inclusive experiences for families navigating autism and other hidden disabilities.

She is committed to helping build a stronger, more connected community through Autism Northwest.

Outside of her advocacy work, Kayla can usually be found cuddling with her dogs at home or traveling with her husband and children. She enjoys creating meaningful memories through their family’s Dream Jar tradition and encouraging other families to embrace new experiences with confidence.