Olivia has been working with individuals on the autism spectrum for 30 years. She has worked with autistic individuals and their families in private and public schools as well as in home settings. Additionally, Olivia has consulted on a variety of recreational projects related to autism, including educational software, online games, and museum programs for neurodivergent visitors.

Jessica is Research Manager for Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Cognitive Neurology/Neuropsychology. Jessica has been a part of the Johns Hopkins team for more than 20 years and has been working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families for more than 25 years. As Research Manager, Jessica is responsible for overseeing research that involves evaluating social behaviors and cognitive functioning in adults with autism and related disorders, particularly in those adults with level 3 autism (ASD-3).

Baris Gokturk is a Turkish artist living and working in Brooklyn, New York. He is a recent graduate of Columbia University’s MFA program in sculpture and previously earned an MFA in painting from Hunter College where he taught for seven years. He has completed public commissions by Columbia University’s Butler Library and The Public Art Fund in New York, among others. Baris has shown his work in the United States and internationally in Germany, Spain, France, Korea, Turkey and Puerto Rico. When he is not creating his own works or teaching the NYLL Art Class, Baris teaches at Pace University.

Kareem Collins is a multi-sport athlete and coach as well as personal trainer. He has worked with the 92nd Street Y/Mount Sinai as well as the New York Sports Club and has experience with Intellectually Disabled clients, Parkinson’s patients, Cancer patients, and more.

Yodit Duguma is a personal trainer and group exercise leader. When she is not working with NYLL, Yodit leads classes at the New York Sports Club, including Silver Sneakers and Yoga.

Allison is a Speech-Language Pathologist with Johns Hopkins New York Educational Program. She has been working with individuals with autism and other developmental disorders for over 25 years. Allison has provided speech and language therapy in schools, adult day hab centers, and home-based settings. She has created social skills curricula for toddlers, school-aged and adult groups. Allison believes that cooking together is a wonderful way to socialize with peers while practicing important life skills.