Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) is pleased to welcome Lev Gonick, Jason Lattin, Kim Shepard and Scott Wallace to its Board of Directors. Thank you to the directors who completed terms in 2019: Amanda Aguirre, Dan Coleman, Meighan Harahan, and Jim Waring.
Lev Gonick | Chief Information Officer at Arizona State University
Lev Gonick is an educator, technologist, and smart city architect. He has been teaching, working, and living on the Net for more than 25 years. He was also co-founder and CEO of DigitalC, the award-winning nonprofit enabling and celebrating innovation, collaboration, and productivity through next-generation broadband networks, big open data solutions, and IoT for public benefit. Lev was CIO at Case Western Reserve University from 2001-13. He and his colleagues were internationally recognized for technology innovations in community engagement, learning spaces, next-generation network projects, and organizational development. Lev's innovations, including the Case Connection Zone, catalyzed national projects, including US Ignite and Gig.U Inside Business Magazine named Lev one of their Power 100 in 2015. In 2011 Government Technology awarded Lev one of their "Top 25 Doers, Dreamers.
"I embraced the opportunity to join SARRC for two reasons. I have an adult daughter on the spectrum. I have spent 30 years as a volunteer Board Member engaged with different organizations and lay leaders educating the public and advance the mission of those chartered to support the needs of individuals and families on the spectrum. Second, as a technology leader, I have been able to leverage my experience and network to advance the mission of organizations like SARRC through the more efficient and innovative use of contemporary software tools to both run the organization and serve the various communities that are at the core of the non-profit organizational mission. I very much look forward looking to join the SARRC Board to both continue my own personal and professional understanding of the state of the research and practice in the world of autism as well as to join a group of lay leaders who are committed to the specific, care-oriented, research-based mission of SARRC."
Jason Lattin, CFA | Investments at BMO Private Bank, Regional Director
Jason Lattin oversees the development and delivery of investment management and advisory services to high net worth individuals, families and organizations, including endowments and foundations, throughout the Western U.S. He joined the organization in 2015 and has 20 years of experience in financial services. Additionally, he worked as a software consultant training bank treasury departments in the U.S. and Latin America on how to use an interest rate risk management program. Jason earned a BS in Finance from Arizona State University and a master's in management in Finance from Thunderbird School of Global Management. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.
“I first became interested in SARRC as I was looking for a meaningful way to have a broader positive impact for a cause near to my heart (children with ASD). My own daughter is on the spectrum. I joined the SARRC Finance Committee three years ago and was recruited to the Board by Danny and others.”
Kim Shepard | Cigna-Arizona, President
Kim Shepard is the market president for Cigna in Arizona. She is responsible for driving market growth by creating customer value and ensuring that the local market strategy, product, and network offerings meet evolving customer and client needs. She also partners with area health care professionals and health systems including Cigna Medical Group, to help improve the health of Cigna customers and lead Cigna's efforts to serve the communities of Arizona. Kim has been with Cigna for over 18 years and has served in various leadership roles in both Texas and here in Arizona. Over the course of her 37 years in the industry, Kim has also held leadership roles at UnitedHealthcare and Hewitt Associates.
“I learned about SARRC recently through another relationship but at the same time learned that my grandson (who lives in Texas) is on the autism spectrum. That really motivated me to engage more deeply with SARRC as it enables me to impact the cause on behalf of my grandson when I can’t be as involved in his life on a daily basis.”
Scott Wallace, CPA | Wallace Plese+Dreher, Principal
With over three decades of experience as a certified public accountant, Scott specializes in litigation support services throughout Arizona. Serving as a consultant and expert witness to individuals and Arizona businesses, his experience includes more than 30 matters in state and federal courts. He has also served as an expert witness in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona. As a court-appointed expert, attorneys rely on Scott’s extensive knowledge of financial statements and customary business and accounting practices for building legal strategy. Teaming with attorneys, he aids during discovery and preparation for depositions. In matters before the court, he simplistically presents complex financial transactions, audits, budgets, and monetary impacts to the judge and jurors.
"I became interested in SARRC when I observed the powerful and positive impact on grandsons who participate in their programs. Joining the board provides an opportunity to share my forty years of non-profit finance and governance experience with my fellow board members and management. I look forward to participating in the continued success of SARRC for many years."