Autistry Board of Directors
Janet Lawson, LMFT - President
Janet has worked with teens and young adults for many years. She has a master’s degree in Library and Information Science from Indiana University and an M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Dominican University. She worked for years in the film industry and was a Producing Fellow at the American Film Institute. She graduated from UC–Berkeley with a major in Film Studies. As co-founder of Autistry Studios and its CEO/Executive Director, Janet is responsible for the organization’s consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives.
Chris Ingoldsby, CFA - Treasurer
Chris Ingoldsby is Vice President and Treasurer of National Veterinary Associates. Prior to NVA, Chris was VP/Treasurer at Riverbed Technology in San Francisco while it was both a public and private company. He has worked in a range of professional environments, from expansive start-up ventures to Fortune 500 corporations.
Chris was also a board member and treasurer of Love Without Boundaries, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on the well-being of orphaned and impoverished children worldwide.
Chris holds a BA in Economics from the University of Colorado, Boulder, an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, and is a CFA charterholder.
Dan Swearingen - Secretary
Dan Swearingen is the co-founder of Autistry Studios and currently serves as COO and CFO of Autistry. Janet Lawson and Dan founded Autistry Studios in 2008 after recognizing the lack of appropriate post-secondary opportunities for their autistic son, Ian. Since then, Dan has helped shape and grow Autistry from a small home-based program to a multifaceted organization with a fully equipped workshop, full-time programs, and a downtown San Rafael facility featuring a retail store and coffee shop. His expertise in technology and systems has helped shape Autistry’s unique project-based learning approach, empowering autistic individuals with real-world skills and independence.
Gordon Lithgow, PhD
Gordon is a scientist and an expert on growing old. His research into cell proteins and aging is changing how we understand longevity and also how we view cancer growth. Gordon received his PhD in Genetics from the University of Glasgow, Scotland. He completed postdoctoral training at the Institute for Behavioral Genetics at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He is the Chief Academic Officer and the Director of the Buck Institute’s Interdisciplinary Research Consortium on Geroscience. Gordon lives with his family in Novato where his Scottish accent does not go unnoticed.
Cliff Saron, PhD
Cliff is a neuroscientist at the UC Davis Center for Mind and Brain and the Mind Institute. He specializes in the training of attention and emotion regulation. His research and study focus on sensory and cognitive processes in humans – including those with autism spectrum disorders. He received his PhD in Neuroscience from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and he is a leading scholar on the tangible effects of meditation. Cliff is an international speaker and lecturer and a first-class global thinker.
Barbara Waite
Barbara is a human resource professional with more than 30 years of experience across multiple industries, including financial services, life sciences and health insurance. Most recently she was Managing Director and Head of Talent Management for the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Florida International University. Barbara is currently an active volunteer with Welcoming Home and formerly served on the board of a human resources professional association and on the parent leadership teams of various public schools, including president of the San Rafael High School public education foundation.
Darius Dunlap
Darius is the co-Founder and President of the Board of Square Peg Foundation, which operates two ranches serving the Autism Community and caring for 25 rescued and donated horses, mostly Thoroughbreds. Darius also supports mission-driven companies and non-profits in program development and technology strategy. He is a veteran of four high-tech firms, including 13 years at Silicon Graphics in services and support. Darius has managed large teams, run multi-million dollar operations, and developed and run programs with global reach. He’s adept at building sustainable businesses and replicating successful programs and ideas into new environments.
Michael Breard, MEd
Michael brings a unique blend of expertise in special education and business to the Autistry Board. His deep understanding of the special needs community, combined with strong leadership and operational skills, allows him to contribute meaningfully to the organization’s mission. For over 13 years, Michael was a leader at Oak Hill School. Michael also currently serves on the Board of Transcribing Mariners, a nonprofit providing braille services for schools and individuals. He also served for six years on the Board of Cedars of Marin, which supports adults with developmental disabilities.