About Us
Building bridges to independence for Arkansans with autism
The Arkansas Autism Foundation (AAF) was founded in February 2017 by local Arkansas-based autism advocates who want to make a direct impact on the autism community in Arkansas.
AAF is a completely volunteer driven organization and we are committed to helping individuals and families with autism across the lifespan.
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Mission Statement: Building Bridges to independence for Arkansans with autism
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What We Do:
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Community Events
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Community Support Grants
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Project and Program Grants
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Marley Mencer II Memorial Scholarship
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Joy's Memorial Scholarship
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Fundraisers to support our mission
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Arkansas Autism Foundation - GuideStar Profile
Board of Directors
LeAndra Grant
Board Director
LeAndra is a Board Director.
Annette Mencer
Chairperson
Annette has called Arkansas her home since 1976. She graduated from UALR with 2 BA degrees and a M Ed. Counseling with a rehabilitation certificate as well as being a Certified Autism Specialist. She has been in the educational arena for the past 15 years and married for 27 years. She has a beautiful daughter who is active in the autism community and aspires to be an OT and a vibrant son who was diagnosed with ASD at the age of 9. In 2010, Autism rates were 1 in 110 and Arkansas was severely lacking in education and advocacy. Since her son’s diagnosis, she has spent every spare moment supporting, advocating, and educating Arkansas families by being a founding member of the Arkansas Autism Foundation, a parent representative on the Governors’ Council for Developmental Disabilities, and volunteering with community events.
Kally Smith
Vice President of Marketing, Secretary, and Sensory Santa Chairperson
Kally is passionate about advocating for individuals of all abilities and making the world more accessible and accepting for everyone. While she doesn’t have children of her own, she is a proud dog, cat, and plant mama. With over a decade of experience as a dedicated teacher in diverse settings, Kally brings a wealth of knowledge and resources to support school and classroom environments. She holds a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis and is deeply committed to the autism community. Kally is excited to continue building a stronger, more inclusive community across Arkansas and looks forward to connecting with each of you.
Belle Veiga
Board Director
Belle was born in Brazil and fell in love with the United States when she was an exchange student in 1994. She moved back to Arkansas in 2009 and has been a resident of Little Rock since 2011 when she married her husband Joe. She has a bachelor’s degree in nursing and has been working as an RN at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit since 2012. She has also worked as a nurse at Pediatric Plus Developmental School. She has a son on the autism spectrum and is a founding member. Belle also serves as the marketing committee chair and she feels very honored to be involved with this foundation.
Dawn Itzkowitz
Treasurer, Co-Chair of the Grants Committee, and Co-Chair of the Autism Festival and Walk
Dawn is the mother of two young men in their twenties. Her youngest son, Bryce was diagnosed with autism at the age of two and she has been an advocate for Bryce and others on the spectrum, and has been volunteering in the autism community since 2005. She is one of the founding members of the Arkansas Autism Foundation, is the Past Chairperson and currently serves as Treasurer Secretary. It is her passion to make a difference and help others. Dawn is also the inaugural chairperson of the Blue Tie Blue Jean and also serves as the co-chair of the Autism Festival and Walk. Although Dawn and her family currently reside in Charleston, SC, she continues to assist with the growth of the Arkansas Autism Foundation. Dawn is originally from Maryland, where she met her husband Brian, and has also called Arkansas, Florida and South Carolina her home.
Adrian Raney
Governance Committe Chair
Adrian spent 12 years in the Air Force as an NCO, and over 7 years in federal law enforcement as an agent in West Texas. He has experience as a PTO Treasurer, school festivals and parades, a Girl Scouts Troop Leader, a Booster Club President, and United Way Non-Profit Grant Review Panel Member. Recently graduated from the University of Arkansas in Little Rock and increasing his western Arkansas network, he continues to find and connect with other parents with children on The Spectrum and just experiencing behavioral issues. He is “Dad” to two teenage girls who both like sports, cheer, and band, Ellyana (nearly 16 and very high functioning) and Breya (13). They live together in Hot Springs Village and participate in local Hot Springs and Jessieville functions as well. Adrian likes to play basketball and sing/play an instrument in his local church when he can. Adrian works for Prudential Advisors as a Financial Advisor and specializes in families with special needs financial planning among other things.
Terri Roberts
Autism Festival and Walk Co-Chair
An Arkansas resident since 1995, Terri is one of the founding members of the Arkansas Autism Foundation. She is married to Chris Roberts and is a mother of two boys and two girls, with her youngest on the Autism Spectrum. She has worked as an Associate Wealth Management Advisor with Northwestern Mutual since 2005 but prefers to spend her time helping others in the community. She has previously served on fundraising committees for Camp Aldersgate, the Arkansas Heart Ball, the THV Summer Cereal Drive, as well as Autism Speaks but currently devotes her time solely to the Arkansas Autism Foundation.
Dr. Cindy Fong
Vice Chairperson and Co-Chair of Grants Committee
Cindy has a background in counseling psychology and is mom to three children, two of whom have an autism diagnosis. She has served in various capacities over the years, advocating for individuals with autism or other special needs. Currently, in addition to being chair of the grants committee for the AR Autism Foundation, she serves on the Lifespan Respite Coalition and is Vice-President of the Community Advisory Board at Partners for Inclusive Communities. Dr. Fong is a trained Sibshop facilitator and recently had the opportunity to travel with her son to Peru to teach workshops to families at a newly opened autism clinic in Cusco. She is honored to be involved with the Foundation and looks forward to seeing more innovative programs and opportunities developed for individuals and families with autism in Arkansas.
Peter Petropulakos
Marketing/PR Committee Co-Chair
Peter is a graphic designer and creative director, originally from New England and has lived in Arkansas since 2007. During his career in Boston, New York and Arkansas, he has been a designer, actor, improvisor, filmmaker, visual effects artist, writer and, most importantly, father to two boys on the autism spectrum. He holds a BFA in Communications Design from Syracuse University and MFA in Visual Effects from the Academy of Art. Peter is thrilled to be able to bring his extensive experience to the marketing committee for the Arkansas Autism Foundation, helping other parents of autism as advocates for their children.
Maggie Mencer, OTR/L, OTD
Board Director
Maggie has a younger brother with autism. She says that he has granted her so much in life, a passion to serve others, patience, and daily inspiration. She has volunteered with the foundation since its beginning and joined the board in 2019. Maggie recently graduated as an occupational therapist and is working at UAMS. She enjoys spending time with her family on their family farm in Little Rock.
Jill McCollum Flaxman, MD
Board Director
Dr. Jill Flaxman is one of the founders of the Arkansas Autism Foundation. She has worked for 17 years as a Cardiovascular Anesthesiologist with Southern Regional Anesthesiology Consultants (SRAC). She has served an extended term as the CEO for SRAC, and is currently serving as Chief of Staff for CHI St. Vincent Little Rock. She is also on the CHI St. Vincent Board of Directors. She and her husband (also a Board Member), Jon Flaxman, have a passion for developing a sustainable program for Arkansans on the spectrum who need help transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. They have two sons, and the oldest was diagnosed with high-functioning autism early in childhood. They are committed to improving access to resources for children and families with social and behavioral developmental delays.
Jon Flaxman
Board Director
Jon Flaxman is one of the founders of the Arkansas Autism Foundation. A long-time volunteer and board member in several charitable organizations, Jon’s livelihood is in the graphics and printing industry. He and his wife (also a Board Member), Jill Flaxman, have a passion for developing a sustainable program for Arkansans on the spectrum who need help transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. They have two sons, and the oldest was diagnosed with high-functioning autism early in childhood. They are committed to improving access to resources for children and families with social and behavioral developmental delays.
Mayra Diaz
Board Director
Mayra is married to Julian and is a Mom to three children: Julian Jr, Desiree, and Jaylen. She is originally from California and her family moved to Arkansas in her teens and this has been her home since. Her youngest son, a Halloween baby, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of two. After struggling to accept his diagnosis, Mayra decided to advocate for her son and others in the autism community.
Stacy Pomeroy
Board Director
Stacy grew up in Southeast Arkansas. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Stacy has worked with juveniles most of her professional career. She worked as a case manager for Pulaski County Juvenile Court, a case manager for a foster care agency and an adoption coordinator.
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After living in Minnesota and Tennessee from 1997-2019, she and her husband moved to Monticello and opened Pomeroy’s Hometown Ace. They have two adult children Logan who lives in Alabama and Amy who lives in Monticello. Amy was diagnosed with Level 1 Autism when she was 22. Stacy is excited to join the Arkansas Autism Board to help others and learn more about services in the community.
Kaylee Robinson
Governance Chair and Volunteer Chair
Kaylee has had a passion for serving others since she was a child. Growing up, she was greatly involved a variety of organizations that support children with a range of abilities. She finds joy in being just a small part of someone’s story. In 2021, Kaylee became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and has a mission to provide quality, compassionate, and trauma-informed care in the Central Arkansas community. Kaylee loves pouring into the lives of children in a community that has given so much to her. She wants to continue learning, growing, and advocating for the autism community in whatever capacity she can. In Kaylee’s free time, she loves reading, kayaking, hiking, and spending quality time with her baby boy and incredible husband, Greg.
Mindy Durey
Board Director
Mindy is a licensed mental health counselor practicing in Conway, Arkansas, with a specialization in working with neurodivergent clients. She lives in Greenbrier, AR, and is a dedicated single mother to three boys, two of whom are autistic. Her oldest son is non-speaking, and much of Mindy's life has been devoted to seeking out resources that support his autonomy and overall well-being.
In addition to her clinical work, Mindy is deeply passionate about advocacy, both for her clients and the broader community. She serves on the Arkansas Autism Board and is a strong proponent of amplifying autistic adult voices. As an autistic individual herself, she brings a unique and valuable perspective to her work. Outside of her professional and advocacy roles.
Jess Jennings
Board Director
Jess Jennings hails from the charming town of Cabot, Arkansas and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications. Jess has over a decade of experience in the radio industry and has been programming KSSN 96 at iHeart Radio for the past six years.
Jess and her husband, Blaine, are proud parents to three wonderful kids, all of whom call Arkansas home. Their son, Cedric, was diagnosed with Autism at 14. She's passionate about helping other parents discover local resources to support and assist their families and is thrilled to be part of the Arkansas Autism Board. When she's not on the air or advocating for autism awareness, Jess loves spending quality time with her family and exploring the natural beauty of Arkansas.