Meet Our Team
We are a small team of talented professionals with a wide range of skills and experience. We love what we do, and we do it with passion. We look forward to working with you.
Paula Breeden
President / Founder
“There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light get in.”
— LEONARD COHEN
Email me: paula@asdachievement.org
- Certified Life and Career Coach. Also certified in Executive Function Coaching, PEERS and Self Advocacy.
- Proud Parent of an Adult With Autism
MaryAnn Russell
Program Director / Executive Administrator
“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
— MAHATMA GANDHI
Email me: maryann@asdachievement.org
- Majored in psychology in college and received Certifications as a Social Service Designee, Activity and Volunteer Director
- Worked with individuals with Down syndrome and Autism for the past 15 years in several non profit arenas.
Matthew Johnson
IT Director / Facilities Manager
“If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”
— MARTIN LUTHER KING JR
Email me: matthew@asdachievement.org
- Graduated Winter Park Tech Computer Systems Technology/Network Systems Administration in 2013.
- Inducted into the National Technical Honor Society and -voted Student Advisory Board President for the 2012-2013 school year
Videsh Ramsundar
Program Coordinator / Employment Specialist / Life Coach
Email me: videsh@asdachievement.org
- Certified Life and Career Coach
- Provides Life Coaching, Job Coaching and Job Placement for our VIPworks participants
Olga Pierce
VIPworks Program Coordinator
“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”
– Albert Einstein
Email me: olga@asdachievement.org
- Member of PTK – Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society International.
- President of IT & Programming Club at Valencia College.
Julia Spence
Website Administrator / Curriculum Creator
“The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.”
— PAULO COELHO
Email me: julia@asdachievement.org
- A.S. Digital Media Degree and Digital & Interactive Media Certification
- Writes curriculum for ASD Adult Achievement Center Programs. Certified in PEERS.
- Zoie is our PEERS Program Facilitator and a Youth Peer Mentor.
- She is currently a student at UCF pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
- She is a volunteer with Aphasia Family UCF and a committed to serving individuals with communication disorders and disabilities!
Seva Reilly
Program Coordinator / Employment Specialist
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” ~ Albert Einstein
Email me: seva@asdachievement.org
- Seva holds a B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from UCF, with a minor in psychology and certificates in Human Resources and Leadership Studies. She is a Top Honors graduate from the Burnett Honors College.
- As a program coordinator, Seva helps our participants register for and enroll in programs. She builds partnerships with university career centers, healthcare providers, and volunteer organizations in the community to build awareness of our center’s mission.
- As an employment specialist, she works with participants who are seeking guidance in their job search.
- Her hobbies include playing the piano, ballroom dancing (cha cha is her favorite) and finding tasty vegan & gluten-free recipes.
Elias Piccard
Front Desk Receptionist
“If you can dream it, you can do it.” ~ Walt Disney
Email me: elias@asdachievement.org
- Graduate of Lake Howell High School
- Graduate of the ASD Adult Achievement Center’s VIPWorks Level 1, Self-Advocacy, and PEERS.
- Elias is an active member of Feeding Kids Everywhere and Autism Speaks
- Also he is an avid fan of mixed martial arts training!
Josh Galarza
Program Coordinator
“If we wait until we’re ready, we’ll be waiting for the rest of our lives.” -Lemony Snicket
- Josh is a 2023 graduate from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Health Science – Pre-Clinical Track. His career goal is becoming a physician practicing Emergency Medicine here in Florida.
- Josh’s hobbies and interests include video games, running, geocaching, and archery.
Lee Palmer
Program Coordinator
- Lee is a Clinical Psychology major, graduating from University of Central Florida with her Bachelor’s degree and now pursuing a Master of Social Work. She has a background and A.S. Degree in New Media Communications.
- She has volunteered with the Mental Health Association of Central Florida as a Guardian Advocate and previously worked as a Registered Behavior Technician for Autistic children. Lee plans to one day have her PhD in Clinical Psychology and her own practice for diagnostics.
- Lee has 2 children who she homeschools and loves to travel with. Her hobbies are video gaming, crafting, and hiking.
Amber Heinig
Program Coordinator
- Amber is graduating this semester with a bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology.
- She is a member of the Burnett Honors College and she has participated in research.
- Her hobbies include rock climbing, drawing, and hiking and spending time outdoors. and draw.
Devin Lessne
Employment Specialist
“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear–not absence of fear.”
— MARK TWAIN
Email me: devin@asdachievement.org
- Started in the rehabilitation field early in life working for Rehabilitation Services, Inc a company founded by Mr. Lessne’s parents in 1974.
- Holds a Master of Science Degree and Master of Arts Degree
- Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist (CVE), holds a Psychometric Evaluation Certification (IPEC).
- CDMS, ABVE/F, PVE, ICVE
Teri Hillery
Employment Specialist
“The true measures of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.”
— Samuel Johnson
Email me: teri@asdachievement.org
- MS in Counseling & Psychology, BS in Business Management, Certified Disability Management Specialist, and Vocational Evaluator Assistant
- Loves to travel!
Beth Leitman
Employment Specialist
“If people are doubting how far you’ll go, go so far that you can’t hear them anymore.”
~ Michele Ruiz
Email me: bethl@asdachievement.org
Paul MoranSeptember 27, 2021.I'm currently a part of the VIPWorks program, started going a few weeks ago. Everyone I met there has been amazing, very friendly and helpful too.
Scarlett FlamesAugust 30, 2021.I’ve been taking the task masters program for seven weeks and it has helped me a lot with my daily life. I’m really happy to be here.
Elias PiccardAugust 30, 2021.I am currently in the Taskmasters program and I am learning a lot about myself and being able to share my goals and have great instructors teaching me the fundamentals and getting to where I want to be in the future.
Priya ChobeJuly 12, 2021.I can confidently say that this organization is one of the best places you can sign up with if you are an adult on the spectrum who needs help with developing any kind of area in your life, including: social skills, independent living skills, self-advocacy, job readiness skills and vocational skills, and much more! I have personally seen dozens grow from joining and participating in these programs. In addition, every single staff member—as well as the founder herself—put every fiber of their being towards helping clients and creating a safe, positive environment for everyone.
Ryan StaufferJune 23, 2021.ASD Adult Achievement Center is truly a remarkable place to work at. There, I've met a lot of people that go through similar challenges that I also face. Here, I've learned all sorts of new techniques that will help more when I'm in a workplace to improve from the struggles that I have been going through and I have made many designs of creativity in the working environment.
Bella Lavoie (MarieWalker14)January 20, 2021.Amazing. Very kind people who want to help. Wonderful atmosphere.
Jeffrey KorenturNovember 24, 2020.There are not enough superlatives to describe the amazing work that Paula, MaryAnn, and the entire staff do every day. Our son found a community, friends, life skills, and new found optimism for his future. This organization is more than worthy of your attention, inquiry, and support. Thank you to the entire team for the positive, life changing mission that you embody and share everyday!
Lori DahanNovember 24, 2020.I cannot rave enough about this organization! Kudos to Paula and all the staff for creating an incredible environment filled with warmth, kindness, and programs perfectly suited for the needs of young adults on the spectrum.
