Lowcountry Autism Foundation elects four to board and creates advisory council
Charleston, S.C. – The Lowcountry Autism Foundation (LAF) has elected four new members to its Board of Directions: David Hoyle, Cynthia Maxwell, Molly McGuire and Allison Nesser. The members will be serving on the board for a three-year term to support the Lowcountry Autism Foundation located in the Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Specialty Clinic at the Medical University of South Carolina. In addition, LAF has developed a new advisory council comprised of six members throughout the Lowcountry and led by former board member, Elizabeth Boineau. The advisory council members are: Nancy Appel, Catherine Bradley, PhD., Jane Charles, MD, Brandon Clark, BCBA and Sophia Townes.
Each member provides diverse perspectives and experiences from their work in philanthropy and the Autism community that will enhance our efforts to serve individuals and families living with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The new members of the Lowcountry Autism Foundation’s board include:
- David Hoyle
David Hoyle is a Member Attorney at Motley Rice LLC where he represents victims of corporate wrongdoing and negligence in litigation ranging from catastrophic incidents to asbestos exposure and environmental contamination.
Hoyle received a juris doctorate, with honors, from the University of South Carolina School of Law and a B.A. from Wofford College.
Cynthia Maxwell
Cynthia Maxwell has over 15 years of research management experience and as a Research Grants Manager has written, negotiated and secured contracts ranging from several thousands to several million dollars.
Maxwell graduated from the Medical University of SC with a Health Science Bachelor’s degree and a MBA from Columbia Southern University with an emphasis on Project Management.
Molly McGuire
Molly McGuire is a special education teacher in Summerville, S.C., and is the lead teacher of a middle school program specifically designed to serve students with autism. McGuire was awarded Rookie Teacher of the year in 2013 and Teacher of the Year in 2016. Molly graduated from the College of Charleston in 2013 with a degree in special education and a focus in mental and emotional disabilities.
Allison Nesser, LISW-CP
Allison Nesser is the Coordinator of Counseling services at JSS Behavioral Services. She is a South Carolina Licensed Independent Social Worker with a focus in Clinical Practice.
She has been trained in several evidenced based practices including Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Play Therapy.
Nesser received a BA in Psychology from Miami University of Ohio and completed a dual masters program in Chicago, IL where she earned a Master of Science (MS) in Child Development and Master of Social Work (MSW) focusing on clinical practice.
The new members of the Lowcountry Autism Foundation’s advisory council include:
Elizabeth Boineau, Chairman
Elizabeth Boineau is founder and principal of E. Boineau & Company, based in Charleston, S.C., and a 35-year veteran of the marketing communications and public relations industry with extensive senior management experience in the marketing communications field, with an emphasis on public relations, media strategy and crisis communications for professional service firms, tourism/hospitality and destination entities. Elizabeth graduated from Randolph–Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, Va., with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.
Nancy Appel
Nancy Appel is the Development Director at the Coastal Conservation League. With more than 15 years of fundraising experience, Appel previously worked as the director of philanthropy at The Trust for Public Land and director of development at the Hazelden Foundation and at several nonprofit organizations in Baltimore, Maryland. Nancy is a certified fund raising executive (CFRE). She graduated from the University of Minnesota, Duluth with a degree in chemistry and has a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Baltimore.
Catherine Bradley, PhD
Dr. Bradley received a B.A. in Psychology and Child Development from Vanderbilt University and a Ph.D. in Clinical-Community Psychology from the University of South Carolina. She completed her clinical internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) with a focus on autism spectrum disorders (ASD). She is currently an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics at MUSC.
Jane Charles, MD
Dr. Jane Charles is a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, S.C., specializing in the fields of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), intellectual disabilities, and genetic disorders. Dr. Charles has a B.S. degree in biology from the College of Charleston and a medical degree from Medical University of South Carolina. She is board certified in developmental/behavioral pediatrics.
Brandon Clark
Brandon Clark is the founder of Progressive Behavior Consulting LLC in Bluffton, South Carolina. Clark is a board-certified behavior analyst who treats children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University, and earned his master’s degree in applied behavior analysis from Ball State University.
Sophia Fakoury Townes
Sophia Fakoury Townes received her Bachelor’s degree in French Studies from the College of Charleston. On an extension program in Paris, France, Townes attended the Sorbonne, where she earned her Master’s Degree in French Civilization from Middlebury College. Sophia has been an educator of the French language in the Bluffton/Hilton Head area since 2000.
The Lowcountry Autism Foundation is committed to enhancing the lives of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families through individually designed programming, advocacy and awareness efforts.
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