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.
- Graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Clinical Psychology, Cum Laude at University of Central Florida 2022
- In my time at UCF, I served the position of Secretary for the UCF Rock Climbing Club. I became an inducted member of Psi Chi International Honors Society for performing in the top 10 percent of my major. Later, I became a nominated member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, and gained my certification as a Registered Behavior Technician. Psychology and working with the community is a huge passion of mine!
- In my free time, I love to connect with nature through biking, hiking, rock climbing, camping or spending time with my two dogs!
Seva Reilly
Program Coordinator
“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
- Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Central Florida; Minors in Psychology, Human Resources (Certificate), and Leadership Studies (Certificate)
- Graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Burnett Honors College.
- Seva helps students enroll and register for classes, and manages the amazing volunteer/intern team at the ASD Center!
- Her hobbies include piano, writing poetry, ballroom dancing, and cooking vegan (for herself) and gluten-free (for her mom).
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!
Joseph Valencia
Pre-Press Assistant
“Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves up.” ~from the Batman Begins Movie
- A.A. in English from Miami-Dade College
- Graduate of the ASD Adult Achievement Center’s VIPworks Program.
- Joseph is a fan of retro aesthetics from the 90s and 00s.
Uma Patel
Program Coordinator
“Work hard, be kind, and amazing things will happen.”
Email me: Uma@asdachievement.org
- Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, Pre Clinical Track, from the University of Central Florida.
- Uma’s hobbies include cooking new recipes, watching TV, and traveling!
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
