Chris Schuster is one of the founding board members of the La Crosse Area Autism Foundation. He became involved in the foundation after his twin boys were diagnosed with autism. A group of parents of children with autism decided that we needed more resources in the community for parents, children, youth and adults. He also work in University Police Services at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse as a detective and the Air National Guard. His three boys and daughter keep him busy with hockey games and sporting events but he enjoys the chaos with his loving and supportive wife, Kara. 

Grant Mathu joined the La Crosse Autism Foundation Board in 2024. He works full-time at Western Technical College and also serves as an elected local government representative. Currently, Grant is also working towards a graduate degree in UW-La Crosse's Student Affairs Administration program. Grant is passionate about education, advocacy, and service. He is very excited to be a member of the board!

Emily is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and currently works for La Crosse County in the Children with Special Needs section.  Emily developed a passion for inclusion of individuals on the spectrum while completing her undergraduate degree at UW-Madison, and has continued to pursue that passion over the past 10 years. Emily believes that the La Crosse community has so much to offer for families, and it is an important task to help them access what is available.  Emily and her husband also have two young children.

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Kara is one of the co-founders of the La Crosse Autism Foundation. She and her husband helped start the foundation after their own two sons were diagnosed with autism in 2011.  Through firsthand experience, they recognized how overwhelming and emotionally draining the journey can be for families—and wanted to create a supportive space where others could find resources, connection, and hope.

Kara and her family have called the La Crosse area home since 2002. As a mom of four, she’s passionate about helping other families feel less alone and more empowered as they navigate the autism journey.

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Lizzi is currently a senior at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, pursuing a degree in Elementary/Middle and Special Education. She also works as a behavior technician, supporting children with diverse needs in both home and community settings. Lizzi is deeply committed to fostering inclusive environments where every student feels seen, valued, and supported. She believes that true inclusion goes beyond access—it means building classroom communities where differences are celebrated and all learners have the tools they need to thrive.​

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Melissa is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who works in a community-based setting, supporting children with diverse needs. She brings over six years of experience partnering with children on the Autism spectrum and their families. Her commitment to inclusion has grown steadily throughout her career and continues to guide her work. Melissa is especially passionate about building strong collaborations with families, educators, and local organizations to promote education, awareness, and practical tools that foster a more inclusive community. When she’s not working, you can usually find her hanging out with her golden retriever, Hazel—who tends to run the show in her free time!

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Amber joined the La Crosse Autism Foundation Board in 2024. She is married, has three wonderful sons, and works full time. Her passion for the foundation was sparked when one of her sons was diagnosed with autism at age three, and she learned about the foundation while seeking additional services to support his therapy. She is eager to share her family's experience about how their lives changed following her son's diagnosis and to highlight the resources available in the La Crosse community for other families facing similar situations. Through her advocacy, she hopes to reassure other parents that they are not alone on this journey and to express gratitude for the access to these valued local services.