Laurie Chern

Laurie Chern is a longtime autism advocate, philanthropist and volunteer. She earned a Master’s Degree in Education with a concentration in learning skills. For more than two decades, Ms. Chern has spearheaded local and national efforts to improve the lives of people with autism in areas of critical need. Her early involvement with Autism Speaks from 2011-2013, played a pivotal role in increasing autism awareness through the development of a Community Ambassador Program in which she trained volunteers to educate and engage healthcare providers, medical facilities and universities about autism. From 2013-2015, she led a national Early Access to Care program involving more than 100 volunteers and 30 clinicians providing early detection screening to young families concerned about their child’s development. In 2016, with a forward thinking recognition of the need to advance employment for autistic adults, Ms. Chern assisted in the local Mid-West Small Business Accelerator program, educating community leaders and employers on the benefits of hiring autistic jobseekers. She served as Board Chair of the Autism Speaks Chicago chapter from 2015-2018 and is currently a member of the Community Engagement Committee of the Upper Midwest Leadership Council. Her passion is providing resources, services and support to families impacted by autism who find themselves without a support system. Ms. Chern and her husband, Eric, are founders of the Autism Speaks Chip In Casino Night, a Chicago event that has raised more than $3M for Autism Speaks mission work since its 2016 inception.