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
- Certified Life and Career Coach. Also certified in Executive Function Coaching, PEERS and Self Advocacy.
- Proud Parent of Adult With Autism
Email me: paula@asdachievement.org
MaryAnn Russell
Executive Administrator
“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
— MAHATMA GANDHI
- 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.
Email me: maryann@asdachievement.org
Olga Pierce
VIPworks Facilitator
“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”
– Albert Einstein
- Member of PTK – Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society International.
- President of IT & Programming Club at Valencia College.
Email me: olga@asdachievement.org
Videsh Ramsundar
Job Placement Coordinator / Life Coach
- Certified Life and Career Coach
- Provides Life Coaching, Job Coaching and Job Placement for our VIPworks participants
Email me: videsh@asdachievement.org
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
- 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
Email me: matthew@asdachievement.org
Bethany Emerson
Job Placement Coordinator / Life Coach
“We are in the process of positive changes.”
— LOUISE HAYS
- Certified Life and Career Coach. Also certified in PEERS & Self Advocacy.
- Husband discovered he was on the spectrum, has made great strides with some of the challenging behaviors associated with ASD.
Email me: bethany@asdachievement.org
Jane Durket
Receptionist / Admin
“Be Happy for this moment and be kind whenever possible.”
- Owned a plant nursery and landscape company in Central Florida for 20 years.
- Worked as an Admin Assistant for the Cardio Division of Medtronic for 15 years.
Email me: Jane@asdachievement.org
Sophie Wolfberg
Program Assistant / Admin
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
— MARTIN LUTHER KING JR
- Currently a senior attending the University of Central Florida with a major in Health Sciences and a minor in Psychology.
- Helps with administrative work, assists with our various programs, and designs social media posts for all platforms.
Email me: Sophie@asdachievement.org
Devin Lessne
Employment Specialist
“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear–not absence of fear.”
— MARK TWAIN
- 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
Email me: devin@asdachievement.org
Teri Hillery
Employment Specialist
“The true measures of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.”
— Samuel Johnson
- MS in Counseling & Psychology, BS in Business Management, Certified Disability Management Specialist, and Vocational Evaluator Assistant
- Loves to travel!
Email me: teri@asdachievement.org
Claire Ziegler
Employment Specialist
“There is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.”
— Amanda Gorman
- Has a Master’s Degree in Mental Health & Rehabilitation Counseling, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist (CVE), and holds a Psychometric Evaluation Certification (IPEC).
- Provides vocational evaluations, career counseling, and job placement services as well as expert testimony.
Email me: claire@asdachievement.org
Brenda Martinez Richardson
Employment Specialist
“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”
— Maya Angelou
- M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), and Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist (CVE)
- Began working in the vocational rehabilitation field in 2011.
Email me: brenda@asdachievement.org
Kris Mercado Lugo
Youth Peer Mentor
“Look for something positive in each day, even if some days you have to look a little harder.”
– Author Unknown
- Graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s of science in Health Sciences and a minor in Psychology Specialist (CVE)
- I assist with various programs at the center. I currently work as a VR Youth Peer Mentor. I work with young adults with Autism through a one-on-one mentoring relationship on how to self-advocate in their community and for social as well as professional services and supports.
Email me: kris@asdachievement.org
Julia Spence
Program Facilitator / Curriculum Creator
“The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.”
— PAULO COELHO
- A.S. Digital Media Degree and Digital & Interactive Media Certification
- Facilitates VIPworks and writes curriculum for ASD Adult Achievement Center Programs. Certified in PEERS.
Email me: julia@asdachievement.org
