Our Board of Directors

President
Kelly Backes, Milliman

Kelly is a Principal and Consulting Actuary at Milliman.  Kelly assists their clients in developing and pricing Medicare Advantage plans. Kelly joined Autism United of Wisconsin’s Board of Directors in January 2019, was elected Co-Vice President in May 2021, and was elected President in May 2023.  They also serve on Autism United of Wisconsin’s Fund Development and Autism Gala committees.  Kelly earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Mathematics – Actuarial Science and Economics, as well as an Honor’s degree, from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.  They are a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries. 

Kelly first became connected with Autism United of Wisconsin when their son was diagnosed autistic in 2014, at the age of two.  Like many parents, Kelly and their husband didn’t know where to go or what to do next – Autism United of Wisconsin provided them with knowledge, resources, and a support system to help their son live his best life.  Kelly began volunteering at Autism United of Wisconsin early on in their son’s journey to give back and support other parents, families, and individuals.  In an interesting turn of events, Kelly was also diagnosed autistic in 2022.   With these two experiences, as both a parent to a young child and an autistic individual themselves, they are passionate about advocating for, and supporting, autistic individuals throughout their entire life.  

Vice President
Matthew Griffin, Kohler Inc.

Bio Coming Soon

Treasurer
Rebecca “Riv” Goldman, Rockwell Automation Retiree

Riv has recently retired as General Counsel and SVP of Optimas Solutions, after having retired from Rockwell Automation.  She joined the board of Autism United of Wisconsin shortly after moving to Wisconsin in 2017.  Having previously served on the board of Autism Society of Ohio, she was eager to contribute to the autism community in Wisconsin. Riv also serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Centers for Independence.  Riv has a BA in Economics from Stanford University, an MBA from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University, and a JD from the University of Dayton.

Riv has long been an advocate for the disabled.  She established the right to an inclusive education for those with autism in Ohio through a successful federal court case on behalf of her son with classic autism.  After her victory in court, parents of children with many different disabilities in Centerville, Ohio spoke of the “Goldman effect” in achieving inclusion for their children.  Riv continues to advocate for children and adults who are significantly impacted by autism but who nonetheless deserve full and meaningful lives and friendships.

Secretary

Dr. Jill Rudman, Psychologist

Bio Coming Soon

Nathan Abrahamson, US Bank

Nathan is a Senior Vice President- Financial Advisor at RBC Wealth Management. He joined Autism United of Wisconsin Board of Directors in December 2019 and serves on the Advocacy Committee. Additionally, Nathan serves on the Board of Directors for Best Buddies Wisconsin. He is an alumni of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a Chartered Financial Analyst, CFA.

Nathan is an advocate for neuro-diverse individuals and those connected to Autism as his brother was diagnosed with Autism early in life. Nathan was nominated for a position on the Autism United of Wisconsin Board of Directors with a focus on advocacy to simplify the complexity for parents and guardians.

Amy Gaeth, WISN-TV 12

Amy Gaeth is executive assistant to Shawn Oswald, President and General Manager at WISN-TV 12, Milwaukee’s no. 1 news station in southeastern Wisconsin. In that role, she plans WISN’s employee events, coordinates travel for the station’s talent and participates in the station’s community service activities. Amy also serves as WISN’s Wellbeing champion, manages the station’s internship program and produces the employee newsletter, WISN 12 Connect.

Amy joined Autism United of Wisconsin’s Board of Directors in May 2025. Amy serves on the association’s Advocacy and Autism Gala committees. She also assists with Zoofari Stroll, Autism Acceptance Night sporting events, Sensory Friendly Holiday Tree Lighting at Mukwonago Community Library, and other AUW activities.

Amy and her husband, Dave, have an adult son on the Autism Spectrum. Amy began volunteering at Autism United of Wisconsin in 2018 as an opportunity to give back and support other parents, families and individuals. With her experience as a parent and guardian to a son with Autism, Amy is passionate about advocating for, and supporting, Autistic individuals across their life span.

Bridget Grams, Mspark

Bridget is a Senior Account Executive at Mspark and a graduate of University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She is a mother to two children; one is a child on the Autism Spectrum(Creed). Bridget is just beginning to research further the supports and services that accompany Autism diagnosis for her son Creed while he attends AbleLight College at Concordia University. Bridget has volunteered at the Autism Society Gala and Hive Golf outing in the past. She is a passionate advocate and lives by her personal motto to “Help Everyone Live the best possible life!” She loves to meet new people and is personable, kind and cares deeply for marginalized populations.

Erin Miller, People First Wisconsin

Erin Miller is an Advocate Specialist at People First Wisconsin. Advocacy by and for people with disabilities. Additionally, she serves on Alianza Latina Aplicando Soluciones (ALAS) board of directors, and on the Constituent Advisory Committee(CAC). Erin is an autistic woman who advocates for herself and with other disabled people. She is dedicated to passing the microphone to people with 24-hour care needs to communicate *their* wants and needs to their families. She is passionate about housing and long-term care. Particularly for supports that allow people who need 24-hour care, are non-speaking, and/or have complex medical needs to live in their own homes. As an autistic adult daughter, she voices that disabled, autistic offspring may want very different things for our lives than our parents. Erin continues to talk with parents and professionals about implementing supports for people with 24-hour care needs–so they are able to live in their own homes. We may disagree, and relationships with family are sometimes complicated–but we can come to mutually agreeable compromises. She wants parents and professionals to know; it doesn’t take a genius level IQ to want something different than our parents want. People with 24-hour care needs can want something very different from their parents. Non-speaking people, and people with complex medical needs may have *very* different ideas about how they want to live than their parents. Being unable to speak is not the same thing as having nothing to say.

Andrea Nelson, Unisource Insurance

Andrea is the owner and CEO of Unisource Insurance Associates and leads a team of twenty-five insurance agents and staff specializing in home, auto, business and Medicare insurance.  Andrea has been a board member at Autism United of Wisconsin (AU) since July of 2012.  She serves on the Fund Development Committee and has served on the Gala Committee.  Andrea also serves on the Board of Directors for the Independent Insurance Agents of Wisconsin (IIAW) and is an active volunteer at Trinity Academy in Pewaukee and St. John Vianney in Brookfield.  Andrea earned her BA from St. Norbert College and earned the Senior Professional of Human Resources (SPHR) designation from The Society of Human Resource Management.

Andrea’s daughter was diagnosed with autism eighteen years ago at the age of four.  Her daughter participated in Autism United of Wisconsin’s bike camp and joyfully learned how to ride her bike by the end of the week-long camp.  Bike camp opened up a whole new world for her daughter and their family along with active participation in many other family friendly programs sponsored by Autism United of Wisconsin.  Joining the board has been a way to give back to the autism community and continue to contribute through advocacy and resources to the life journey that is autism.

Katelyn A. Pellitteri, Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP

Katelyn Pellitteri is a healthcare attorney at Michael Best & Friedrich LLP. Katelyn assists healthcare industry clients navigate transactional, governance, regulatory and information security issues. She leverages a deep understanding of the complex issues healthcare organizations face to provide tailored, actionable counsel. Katelyn is a graduate of Arizona State University and Emory University School of Law. She is a member of the American Health Law Association.

Katelyn joined Autism United of Wisconsin Board of Directors in 2023. She is passionate about improving health outcomes for Wisconsinites and is committed to supporting efforts related to access and inclusion for those with autism.

Dayna Miller, Landmark Credit Union

Dayna Miller has been in banking for over 25 years and has been a successful business lender in the Metro Milwaukee area for over 10 years.  She currently works as a Business Lending Officer at Landmark Credit Union.  In 2021, She joined the board of Autism United of Wisconsin.  Dayna holds a Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where she majored in Management.

Dayna was introduced to Autism United of Wisconsin in 2021 after working for many years with kids with various disabilities through the Waukesha County Foster Care Program, and continues to be an advocate for children with disabilities through her work with Autism United of Wisconsin.

Bill Robarge, Customer Success Executive

Bill Robarge, a Customer Success Executive in the Healthcare IT space, is a father to a child (Susie) on the Autism Spectrum. With an early diagnosis, Bill and Erica (spouse) dove head first into learning everything they could about Autism. Bill concentrated on fundraising and advocacy while Erica tackled early intervention and the crazy world of getting services for their daughter.  Bill loves golf and enjoys all things bourbon. He loves to meet new people and share his story in hopes it helps others through their own journey.

Chris Krasovich, Governor’s Autism Council of Wisconsin

Chris Krasovich has a BA in Psychology and is a proud Autism mom with more than a decade’s experience working with the county, Autism providers, and school districts to collaborate and optimize services for her son. She has been serving as a governor-appointed parent representative since 2019 on the Governor’s Autism Council of Wisconsin and serves as the Pewaukee Village Trustee.

Dr. Alexandria Robers, Children’s Wisconsin

Bio Coming Soon