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, Director of Programs and Operations

Lisa Thompson is the 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.

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).