2024 Board of Directors

Kelli Webb, President

Kelli joined the board in 2020 but her daughter, Katie, has been enjoying JCASG activities and Camp Can Do for many years!  Katie was diagnosed with Autism at a young age but is now preparing for the transition to the workforce.  Kelli has a chemistry degree from the University of Indianapolis and spent most of her career at Eli Lilly in Human Resources.  As an early retiree, she now works part-time in executive recruitment.  Kelli loves spending time with her family, traveling, and all things Disney!

Laura Mattox, Vice President

Laura joined the board in 2023.  Prior to joining the board, Laura has worked in the education world for 15 years, spending the last 9 years as an Assistant Principal at Franklin Community High School.  Most recently, she began working for Indiana University and their dual credit program with Indiana high schools.  She spends the rest of her time with her husband and two young children, Claire and Wes, traveling or enjoying the beauty of Lake Lemon.  Laura became passionate about the autism support world after her happy, perfect son was diagnosed as a child with autism at the age of 2 in 2022.

Allison Gearries, Secretary

Allison joined the board in 2021. Allison is the Associate Executive Pastor of Family Ministries and Spiritual Formation at Emmanuel Church. Prior to joining the staff at Emmanuel, she taught Special Education for seven years in a variety of settings, including the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and MSD Washington Township. Allison graduated from Butler University with a degree in Early/Middle Childhood Education with a minor in Special Education. In her free time, she enjoys reading, going on long walks, and hanging out with her husband, Joey.

Julia Kent, Treasurer

Julia joined the board in 2023. She has worked in the finance industry for over 20 years. Julia is a graduate of Center Grove High School, and has a Bachelor’s degree from Marion University. She has completed Leadership United, United Way’s community leadership and board member development program in 2022 and is now a member of their Advisory Council. Julia enjoys spending time with her friends and family and traveling.

Carly Britt, Member

Carly joined the board in 2019. Carly is a southside native. She graduated from Center Grove High School and went on to receive her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education from Johnson University.  Carly lives in Greenwood.  Carly is an active member of Greenwood Christian Church and works full-time as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. In her spare time, Carly enjoys running and spending time with her family and friends.

Jolie Capps Renihan, Member

Jolie joined the board in 2019. Jolie has lived most of her life in Greenwood and Southside Indianapolis. She graduated from Center Grove High School and has a Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University. Jolie is an active volunteer at Indianapolis Animal Care Services and works full-time doing Waiver Case Management. Jolie developed a passion for serving individuals with disabilities working in special education during and after college. Jolie enjoys reading, music, and spending time with her husband and their dogs. She also enjoys spending free time with her extended family and friends.

Emily Behnke, Member

Emily joined the board in December 2020 after volunteering and working for the group in different capacities. She was involved in leading their summer programming for many years and regularly attended board events. Emily has worked for Johnson County schools in Special Education for the last 10 years. Emily graduated from Liberty University with a BS in Special Education and is obtaining a Master’s degree from Ball State in Special Education Administration. She is passionate about helping people with disabilities build as much independence as possible through access to services and education. Emily lives and works in Greenwood. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors hiking, biking, kayaking, and spending time with family/friends. 

Lesa Paddack, Member

Lesa is joined the board in 2021 but not new to the world of Autism. Lesa and her husband have four grown children and two granddaughters and live in Greenwood. After Josh was diagnosed with Autism, Lesa took part in JCASG activities and now she is very happy to be able to help other families through being a board member with ACC. Lesa works for IN*SOURCE (Indiana’s Resource Center for Families with Special Needs) as the IN*SOURCE Assistant Director to the Indiana Department of Education. Lesa has a bachelor’s degree in human services from Indiana Wesleyan University and is a 2009-2010 Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Family Trainee at IU School of Medicine. Lesa enjoys reading, learning more about her brand-new hobby photography and spending time with her hubby Bruce, Josh and their dog Dash.

Blake Behr, Member

Blake joined the board in 2022. Blake is the president of Ridgeline Electrical Industries. Blake isn’t the typical electrical contractor, teacher, or coach. He is focused on the competitive advantage of Ridgeline being their culture and focuses on personal growth.  Cultivating others for opportunity, and building opportunities for others. More than anything Blake is passionate about helping others find and connect to their purpose while using their unique talents.

Michael Zafiroff, Member

Michael join the board in 2023. When he moved back to Greenwood in 2020, it was with a focus of putting down deep roots in the community. He is passionate about making Greenwood not only a great place to live, but a great place to work, shop, dine, and learn. His day job is managing the Greenwood Reis Nichols, the premier luxury jeweler on the south side; a career that he has pursued for over 2 decades. He is an ambassador for Aspire Johnson County and additionally serves on the board for Greenwood Education Foundation. He spends his free time with his wife Katie and their four incredible children Miles, Wesley, Hannah, and Leighton, or in his wood shop making something beautiful (or just fooling around). Michael describes himself as a jack of all trades, in addition to woodworking, dabbling in music  (playing 7 instruments in various local and regional bands), athletics (coaching soccer and being a 3-sport athlete himself)  and a variety of other interests.

Michelle Sichting, Member

Michelle joined the board in 2023. She has been part of Autism Community Connection various group activities and subcommittees for several years as well as being a long-time supporter. Michelle especially loves working Breakfast with Santa by seeing the joy and excitement on families faces. She attended the University of Alaska Anchorage with a focus in elementary education and is a recent graduate of Leadership Johnson County. Michelle is a trusted Banking Center Manager and enjoys helping her Morgantown clients. She’s an active volunteer with Morgantown Lion’s Club, the Col Vawter’s Committee and provides support to the Morgantown Volunteer Fire Department. She is an avid reader and a Harry Potter enthusiast. Michelle has lived in Indiana for several years raising a family of four children and two dogs with her husband Kevin but will always call Alaska home.

Erica Bushnell, Member

Erica joined the board in 2024.  She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and has been working with individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities since 2012.  Erica also currently holds certifications as a Certified Trauma Specialist and a Registered Nurse.  Currently, Erica is a contract Behavior Analyst with Center Grove schools and operates her own LLC to provide consulting services to families and individuals.  When she is not working, Erica spends the rest of her time with her husband, Aaron, and daughter, Katie, as well as their two Golden Retrievers, Artie and Waffle.  Erica is passionate about helping those with disabilities develop and grow to their fullest potential while advocating for inclusion and autonomy in their everyday lives.

If you are interested being part of the Autism Community Connection Board of Directors contact us at info@autismcc-in.org to receive an application.