Team

Our Talented Staff

Susan Osborne is the Executive Director of Autism Unites. Susan is passionate about finding solutions to the challenges faced by individuals on the autism spectrum.  Out of a need to support her own son she founded Full Spectrum Life Coaching,.. more…

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Monique Golis PhD  is the Program Director of the Santa Ynez Academy of Arts & Sciences. Her contributions will include the implementation of an all-inclusive Residential-Vocational and Community program. Her background with Equine Therapy, Mindfulness Training,  Dance Movement Therapy and Psyco-Drama among other modalities provides a strong foundation for implementing mind-body principles in all of our programs.  More…

Elena Alexandra is the creator of Autism Unites’ Match-A-Friend program, co-founder of Autism Unites, and Manager of Match-A-Friend Services. She is the producer of three successful Broadway-cast dance productions to raise autism awareness. She is in charge of developing programs and services based of the Art of Connection, the guiding principle of Autism Unites. ..  more…

Micha Alexander is the Manager of the Autism Unites Los Angeles residential program. Mischa has extensive experience working with individuals on the autism spectrum. Mischa’s expertise is in administering daily coordination of activities and nutritional programs for Autism Unites.  more…

Freddy Loaiza is the Facilities Manager of Santa Ynez Academy of Arts & Sciences.  Freddy comes from the area of the Sacred Valley of the Incas near Cusco, the Imperial City of the Incas in Peru.  There, he grew up on his family- run agricultural estate  more…

Arman Khodaei provides training services for the  Autism Unites staff and employers.  Arman is a young adult with autism and founder and program director of Empower Autism Now, and the subject in the documentary “Autism in Love.” Arman helps empower  individuals with Autism and Asperger’s to reach their fullest potential. more…

Barbara Luoma Hays CMSW 
Barbara brings over 40 years of executive and field experience and will be a facilitator and advisor to Autism Unites in the formation of the Santa Ynez Academy of Arts and Sciences, which will be an all-inclusive, self-sustainable community. More… 

John A. Thomas, Music/Education Facilitator
John brings his experience as a singer, composer, actor, director and teacher to the Santa Ynez Academy of Arts and Sciences. John has designed and implemented his own curriculum in drama and music for students in grades K-12. More…

Alicia Thomas, Dance/Movement Facilitator
Alicia began her early life as a dancer at age 4 and trained at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts from 1975 to 1977 where she learned all aspects of Acting/Dance-Movement/Stage Managing/Design/Theatre Business Management & Public Relations. More…