#USA #Irvine #TACA #autism community #Mike Le

Mike Le Appointed as Executive Director of TACA

In a significant move that aims to enhance the quality of life for families affected by autism, Mike Le has been named the new Executive Director of The Autism Community in Action (TACA). Founded in 2000 and already serving over 100,000 parents and caregivers nationwide, TACA is a prominent nonprofit organization dedicated to providing education, support, and resources for individuals with autism and their families.

Le comes with over 20 years of leadership experience, initially in corporate and real estate law but more recently focusing on nonprofits dedicated to improving access to care for children with disabilities. His background enables him to bring essential operational, legal, and fundraising skills, crucial for guiding TACA into its next phase of growth.

With a firm commitment to making a difference, Le stated: “What drew me to TACA is the community. Twenty-six years in, it is still active, still trusted, still growing, and too many families are still navigating autism alone. I am here to elevate that shared voice and turn it into real change for families.” Indeed, his belief in community-building is core to his vision for TACA's future. He aims to transition from merely delivering services to driving systemic change in how families access these vital resources.

Alongside Le's appointment, TACA's founder, Lisa Ackerman, will step into a new critical role as the Director of Strategic Initiatives and has recently been appointed to the Federal Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC). This committee plays a pivotal role in advising on autism-related research, services, and policies across U.S. government bodies. With this strategic realignment, Ackerman will work on amplifying the voices of autism families at a federal level while empowering Le to oversee TACA’s ongoing initiatives and expansion.

Under Le's leadership, TACA will continue expanding its various programs, which include resources like the Monthly Learning Series, parent workbooks, family scholarships, support communities, local meetings, and parent support networks. The goal is to reach more families that rely on these services, thereby fostering a stronger network of support.

Bill Oldham, TACA's Board Chair, expressed confidence in Le's capabilities, emphasizing the thorough search process that identified him as the right leader for this crucial phase. “Mike's background as an attorney and a proven nonprofit executive gives us complete confidence. With Lisa's involvement in the IACC, TACA's influence now extends from the families to the federal policy-makers,” he noted.

In his new role, Le will execute TACA’s strategic plans focusing on operations, fundraising, team management, and national outreach. He aims to ensure that more families gain access to the community connections, education, and support TACA is known for.

As Le settles into his new position, the potential for growth and change at TACA looks promising. The nonprofit is committed to its mission of helping families navigate the complexities of autism while fostering a sense of belonging and understanding within the community.

TACA’s vision remains that every individual diagnosed with autism leads an independent and fulfilling life. With Le at the helm and Ackerman continuing to advocate at the federal level, the organization is well-positioned for its next chapter.

For more information about TACA and its offerings, you can visit TACA's official website.