Paddle For Autism Awareness

Our Team

Each of this summer’s seven cities has a city leader, who is responsible for coordinating all aspects of their local event. But they’re not working alone! They’ve enlisted the help of a committee of five individuals to work on specific aspects of the event’s organization. The committee consists of a marketing coordinator, a fundraising manager, a kayak event director, a kick-off event director and an honorary chair. For more information on how you can get involved, please email your city’s leader!


	Molly Ola Pinney Founder and CEO Molly holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Columbia University, where her research focused primarily on autism in underserved populations as well as sustainable development. She has worked with children with autism and other developmental disabilities in various capacities for more than ten years. These diverse positions include serving with City Year Seattle/King County, working as a leader and division head at Camp Takodah, mentoring 'disengaged' youth, and directing Dublin Summer Playground. In 2001, Molly began working as an ABA Therapist and classroom aide for children with autism and has worked in both the United States and Ghana, where she lived when she founded the Global Autism Project in 2003. Molly has presented the Project and her clinical work in a wide range of state, regional, national and international forums. These include The Association of Behavior Analysis Conference, the Global Health and Innovation Conference held at Yale, the Neurofest Seminar in NYC, the Autism Speaks Walk Now for Autism in NH, the US Peace Corps Volunteers’ Close of Service Conference in Accra, Ghana and many others. She is a member of the Association for Behavior Analysis and Society for Precision Teaching.

	Amanda LaRussa Seattle, WA My name is Amanda LaRussa and I am a Junior at Seattle University pursuing my marketing major through the Albers School of Business. I have enjoyed my time at Seattle University for many reasons, especially the first class education and all the wonderful people I have encountered, but most importantly the University’s mission. They have taught us to promote awareness and guided us towards creating a just world for all.

	Jayshree Patel San Francisco, CA Formerly a resident of New York City, Jayshree moved to San Francisco in August. As a teacher to kids with Autism in school, home, and community environments for the past 5 years, she is now expanding her skills as City Leader of our first ever San Francisco Paddle for Autism Awareness event. Jayshree is particularly interested in working closely with families and small communities, and hopes to join the Global Autism Project in one of our upcoming service trips.