$22 members | $27 non-members – RSVP Today

Please Note: Registration Deadline is Thursday, October 28
No Walk Up’s allowed at this time. Attendee’s must be pre-registered.

Join us for our November Health Council Luncheon discussing Autism with Michelle Dunham the Executive Director of Jacksonville School for Autism. Life in Living Color, Defining moments from Impact to Inspiration.

Guest Speaker: Michelle Dunham, Jacksonville School for Autism

Michelle is the Founder and Executive Director of Jacksonville School for Autism (JSA). Michelle developed the model for Jacksonville School for Autism (JSA) to provide her son, Nick, the best opportunity to learn. After experiencing educational programs throughout both the private and public sector, Michelle wanted to combine aspects of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech and language therapy, motor skills training, sensory integration therapy, and play and socialization with peers. Michelle applied her business background to develop an integrative approach that would combine all the critical therapeutic supports necessary for her son’s growth.

In April of 2005, Michelle met with a small group of parents to initiate discussions about starting a school for children with autism. In August of that year, Michelle and her husband Mark, along with another dedicated family, started JSA. Driven by fear and motivated by hope, Michelle has dedicated the last 17 years to building Jacksonville School for Autism as a beacon of hope for families with autism in NE Florida. In 2014, Michelle was given the prestigious honor as an EVE Award finalist in the field of Education. This award is given to individuals who have made a significant contribution to their community.

As a Florida native, Michelle received a B.S. degree in Finance from the University of Florida. She began her career with NationsBank/Bank of America and became a Commercial Banking Vice-President. During her tenure in the banking industry, Michelle was appointed to Public Relations V.P. where she began her involvement with community-based charities.

Michelle left banking to start a career with Johnson & Johnson in 1992 as a sales representative with Janssen Pharmaceutical, Inc. In a career that spans 13 years, she held many positions in CNS Sales Management and National Sales Operations. Early in her career, she was exposed to adults and children with special needs through one of her positions as a CNS sales representative selling medications to physicians treating patients with various mental and developmental disabilities like autism. Her personal fight with autism would come years later with the diagnosis of her son in February of 2000.

In her role as Founder & Executive Director, she is responsible for financial oversight, fundraising and development and overall school administration. Michelle has over 30 years of fundraising experience through her volunteer efforts with The Junior League, The American Cancer Society, and various board positions.

Web: www.jsakids.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleSchoolforAutism

Spotlight Speaker: TBA

Event Cost: $22 members | $27 non-members – RSVP Today

For assistance with a payment issue or receipt, please contact Kathy Sutton at Kathy.Sutton@myjaxchamber.com or 904-273-5367.