Laurie Cramer, Executive Director

Laurie Cramer is the executive director at the Autism Society of Greater Akron. Laurie started at ASGA in 2011 and was the very first staff member in what had been up to that point an all-volunteer parent organization. Previously, she was a long-time volunteer at ASGA and served as president of the board of directors. Laurie has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Florida State University and a master’s degree in organizational development from George Washington University. 

Prior to her role as executive director at ASGA, Laurie worked in the communications field as a spokesperson for the Summit County Prosecutor’s office. She has also served as director and spokesperson for two national energy-related associations, senior vice president for a public affairs firm in Washington, D.C., and press secretary to two congressmen in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Laurie and her family moved to Akron from Washington, D.C. in 2003. At that time, her family learned that their two-and-a-half-year-old son had autism. From that point forward, life changed forever for her and her family. Laurie’s drive and passion to support a better life for individuals on the autism spectrum comes from her family’s personal journey raising a child with autism.

Laurie currently resides in Fairlawn with her husband, Gregg, and their two sons, Philip and Robbie.

Lisa Thompson, Senior Director of Programs and Operations

Lisa Thompson is the Senior Director of Programs at the Autism Society of Greater Akron. Lisa has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing from Mars Hill College in Asheville, North Carolina. Her involvement in ASGA began as a volunteer camp director for iCan Bike Camp in 2011. She was then hired as ASGA’s second official employee in 2012, and she now coordinates ASGA’s programs as well as training protocols for the understanding and acceptance of autism spectrum disorders in our community.

Lisa is a mother to twin teenage boys, one of which is on the autism spectrum. She has a passion for helping families spend less time learning how to navigate the world of autism and more time making family memories. Lisa enjoys working with community partners to provide inclusive programs for those impacted by autism. 

Lisa currently resides in Copley with her husband, Greg, and their twin sons, Joshua, and Jordan. The Thompson family enjoys ski slopes, snow tubing, water parks, beaches, video games, pinball, movies, and travel.

Kamelia Fisher, Senior Director of Development and Engagement

Kamelia Fisher is the Director of Development and Engagement for Autism Society of Greater Akron. She joined ASGA in 2023. Kamelia is a graduate of Kent State University and Malone University with degrees in Business and English.

Prior to joining ASGA, Kamelia has served as Executive Director of several Ohio nonprofits where she managed complex initiatives, increased the organizations visibility as well as exceeding financial goals through fund development, corporate partnerships, and community engagement.

Kamelia left her leadership role in for profit to dedicate her skills to improving the lives of those in her community.  Her passion is helping people become strong and independent as well as helping them to improve their quality of life. Throughout her career, her focus has been on both the geriatric and youth populations either through her professional career or her volunteer service. Her personal goal is to help build collaborations in our community that strengthen children and families, increase opportunities for inclusion and acceptance of marginalized populations, and to use her voice to advocate for others.

Kamelia grew up in rural southern Ohio where services and opportunities were limited, especially for her younger sister with an intellectual disability. Her personal advocacy for her sister and her resilience to ensure she had access to opportunities, services and experiences that enriched her life became a lifelong passion that has driven her professional experiences and her volunteer work. Kamelia believes that inclusive and genuine relationships and collaborations change communities.

Kamelia moved to Summit County in 2012 and resides in Akron with her partner, Steve Emerick. Her daughter Jerrica, daughter in law Holly and granddaughter Quin reside in Canton.

Wendy Cline, LSW, Support Specialist

Wendy Cline is a Support Specialist at the Autism Society of Greater Akron.  Wendy has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Grove City College and an Ohio teaching certificate for high school science from The Ohio State University. She recently earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and is licensed through the State of Ohio.

As an educator and a parent of a child on the autism spectrum, Wendy witnessed the struggles that result because of a lack of understanding about autism in the classroom. She is a strong advocate for faculty and student-peer autism education, teen-to-adult independent living services, and opportunities that increase the quality of everyday life for those with autism and their families.

Northeast Ohio is service-rich, and Wendy can assist with identifying and navigating the maze of autism services available in the Greater Akron area - from education to employment, recreation to respite.

Wendy and her husband, Mike, currently reside in Ravenna with their standard poodles. The Clines have three married daughters, Abbey (29), Emma (24), and Natalie (23). 

Theresa Maier, Support Specialist

Theresa Maier is a Support Specialist at Autism Society of Greater Akron. She has a background in Human Resources at Cleveland Clinic and earned her Bachelor of Arts at Baldwin Wallace University. She grew up in Cuyahoga county and enjoys visiting local parks, playgrounds, and beaches with her family. Theresa currently resides in Copley with her husband and son, who was diagnosed with Autism at 23 months old. She currently volunteers as a Support Parent for P2P USA, Parent Advisor through Akron Children’s Hospital, and Parent Match through Connecting for Kids. In her free time, Theresa enjoys cooking and reading.

Suzanne Erb, Eudcation & Program Coordinator

Suzanne Erb is an Education and Program Coordinator for ASGA. She graduated with a BA in Environmental Studies from Connecticut College, and she received her MA in Education and Leadership from the University of Notre Dame of Maryland.

Suzanne was a middle school science educator for 12 years, and she and her family moved to Akron from Annapolis, Maryland. Her son, James, was diagnosed with Autism when he was 3 and half years old. “The only thing that changed that day was my husband’s and my ability to access services to better serve our son.” She came to ASGA with the desire to serve the community of people with Autism and to find a supportive community.

Suzanne is a Master Gardener in Summit County and enjoys growing vegetables and converting her yard to native plants to encourage beneficial insects. Her husband, Dan, loves to cook and eat the veggies she grows, and her son, James, enjoys watching the bees that visit the flowers. They also like to travel and enjoy the outdoors.