The People Behind Our Purpose.

Michelle Puopolo

Co-Founder & Executive Director

Michelle Puopolo co-founded Beyond Autism with her husband in 2014 with a simple but powerful goal: to create a safe, compassionate, and engaging environment where their son—and other children with developmental disabilities—could learn the skills needed to thrive. What began as a deeply personal mission has grown into an organization dedicated to empowering children and supporting families throughout their journey.

An Army veteran and former nurse, Michelle transitioned from healthcare after her son's diagnosis and has spent the past two decades immersed in the autism and developmental disabilities community. Her lived experience as both a parent and leader shapes Beyond Autism's family-centered approach and commitment to individualized support.

As Executive Director, Michelle oversees the organization's strategic vision, program development, and community partnerships. She is passionate about building innovative educational programs that promote school readiness, independence, and meaningful opportunities for every child. Michelle also founded Exceptional Yogis, an adaptive yoga program designed specifically for children with developmental disabilities that is integrated into the daily school experience, supporting self-regulation, body awareness, and overall well-being.

Michelle's mission is to ensure that every child is seen for their potential and that every family feels supported, understood, and empowered.

Tim Puopolo

Co-Founder, CFO & General Counsel

Tim Puopolo co-founded Beyond Autism with his wife in 2014 with the shared vision of creating a safe, compassionate, and engaging environment where their son—and other children with developmental disabilities—could develop the skills needed to thrive. Since the organization's founding, Tim has remained committed to ensuring Beyond Autism provides exceptional support to students, families, and staff. His guiding philosophy has always been simple: happy staff, happy students, and happy families.

Tim brings more than 25 years of executive leadership, legal, and financial experience to Beyond Autism. He is a partner with a national turnaround and crisis management consulting firm, where he advises organizations through complex financial, operational, and strategic challenges. Earlier in his career, Tim served as General Counsel for several groups and divisions of Motorola, providing legal counsel on a wide range of corporate and business matters.

As Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel for Beyond Autism, Tim oversees the organization's financial stewardship, legal affairs, and long-term strategic planning, helping ensure the sustainability and growth of its mission.

Tim earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Boston College and a Juris Doctor from New England Law | Boston. He is licensed to practice law in both Massachusetts and Arizona.

Sam Crozier

Program Director

Sam has dedicated her career to empowering students with autism and developmental disabilities through individualized instruction, functional academics, and meaningful life skills programming. She is passionate about creating inclusive learning environments that prepare students for greater independence both in school and in their communities.

Sam earned her bachelor's degree in Inclusive Special Education from Miami University in Ohio in 2019 before relocating to Arizona to begin her teaching career. She initially served as a Special Education Teacher in an elementary autism program, where she specialized in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and functional academics. She later transitioned to a high school life skills program, designing and implementing on-campus vocational opportunities that supported students as they prepared for adulthood.

Committed to continuous professional growth, Sam earned her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Grand Canyon University in 2024. With six years of experience in special education, she collaborates closely with multidisciplinary teams to implement evidence-based instructional practices, structured teaching models, and innovative programming that expands students' functional life skills and independence.

Sam is dedicated to helping every student build the confidence, communication, and practical skills needed to achieve their fullest potential.

Soraya Smith

Director of Behavioral Services

Soraya has been dedicated to the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) since 2018, building her career around helping children with developmental disabilities develop meaningful skills and achieve greater independence. She is passionate about providing compassionate, evidence-based behavioral support that empowers students while fostering strong partnerships with their families.

Soraya began her career as a respite and habilitation provider before earning her Master of Education in Special Education with a certificate in Positive Behavior Support from Northern Arizona University. She became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2024 and is a licensed behavior analyst, bringing experience across home, clinic, and school-based settings.

As Director of Behavioral Services at Beyond Autism, Soraya leads the development and implementation of individualized behavior support services throughout the organization. She collaborates closely with educators, therapists, and families to ensure students receive consistent, high-quality behavioral programming that promotes communication, independence, and long-term success.

Soraya believes that meaningful progress is achieved through collaboration, individualized support, and a family-centered approach that enhances the quality of life for both students and those who care for them.

Tina Tang

BCBA Supervisor

Tina is passionate about helping children with autism and developmental disabilities build the skills needed to become confident, independent, and effective self-advocates. She believes meaningful progress begins by meeting each learner and family where they are, creating individualized supports that emphasize autonomy, dignity, and compassionate, evidence-based care.

After earning her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Arizona State University, Tina spent several years working in the behavioral health field before discovering her passion for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Inspired by the meaningful impact of behavioral intervention, she returned to Arizona State University to earn her Master of Arts in Special Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2024. She became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) shortly thereafter and is a licensed behavior analyst in Arizona.

Over the past five years, Tina has supported learners across clinic, home, and school-based settings, collaborating closely with families and multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized programming that promotes communication, independence, and meaningful life skills. She is committed to a compassionate, family-centered approach that prioritizes connection over compliance and empowers every learner to reach their fullest potential.

Kelly Maki

Occupational Therapist

Kelly Maki has a unique tie to Beyond Autism’s earliest days when she joined as one of the program’s first three teaching staff members serving four students. While helping build the foundation of Beyond Autism, Kelly was completing her graduate studies in occupational therapy at Northern Arizona University. In 2026, she returned to Beyond Autism full-time, bringing her extensive clinical experience and passion for supporting individuals with autism and sensory processing needs.

Kelly earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Arizona State University and her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Northern Arizona University in 2017. She completed her residency at the STAR Institute in Denver, Colorado, with a focus on Sensory Processing Disorder and has advanced training in Ayres Sensory Integration, neurodevelopmental intervention, trauma-informed care, feeding therapy, and early intervention.

Throughout her career, Kelly has supported children across a variety of settings, including outpatient pediatric clinics, schools, and early childhood programs. She has maintained a longstanding relationship with Beyond Autism by providing sensory evaluations and staff training focused on creating supportive learning environments.

Kelly is passionate about helping students develop greater independence and participation in daily activities by creating individualized strategies that honor each student’s unique strengths and needs. She is grateful to return to the community where her career began and collaborate with an interdisciplinary team dedicated to supporting individuals with autism across the lifespan.