OUR COMMUNITY
Ron Davis Autism Foundation is made up of heart-centered people from all over the world who are working together and contributing their strengths and resources to create positive change in the world of autism.
We believe a strong foundation is needed to support and sustain growth. Everything we do in our heart-based work – our very essence – is rooted in this philosophy.
We are providing a strong foundation so our diverse community of facilitators, clients, supporters and partners can continue to branch out and spread its impact across the world. This cannot happen without your support.
We invite you to help us pursue and fulfil our mission to unlock the knowledge and capabilities of autistic individuals and enable them to participate in the life they choose.
Ron Davis Autism Foundation Board Members
Clinton S. Ward – ​President, Director
President of the Board, Mr. Clinton S. Ward is a Graduate of St. Mary’s College in Business Administration with over 25 years of experience in Board Management and Leadership for Non-Profits. Over the past 33 years, Clinton has been employed by a major American insurance company and belongs to the Menlo Park Business Chamber of Commerce and their networks throughout Silicon Valley. He is the father of three young men, one of which is neurodiverse and completed a Davis Dyslexia Correction Program and Concepts for Life Program.
Livia Wong – Vice President, Director
Livia started Amaze Learning Solutions, one of Hong Kong’s leading therapy centers for children and adults with learning deficits and ASD. A trained speech therapist and an audiologist, she witnessed a lot of miracles with her clients when traditional therapy fell short.
Since 2000, Livia has been a part of the bigger Davis family and unleashed the potential of many who experienced all kinds of learning challenges, including ASD. She is among the first people to use NOIT in its initial field trials and ever since, achieved amazing results. Her next goal is to share the knowledge and success of Davis Autism Approach with people across the continents.
Livia is the proud mother of two teenage boys, loves to sing, and has been conducting her church choir for many years.
Jacqueline Ward – Chief Financial Officer, Founding Director
Jacqueline Ward is a bookkeeper with over 25 years of experience helping small businesses, retired persons, and non-profit organizations. She is honored to be a Founding Director of the Ron Davis Autism Foundation, and is the Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer. Since 1997, she has been working with Davis Dyslexia Association International and later with Davis Autism International in business management and accounting. Over the years, Jackie has seen the unique transformation Davis® programs can bring to individuals and families, including her own. She is a small business owner, community volunteer, artist, wife and proud mother of three young men.
Melanie Curry – Director of Training and Licensing, Founding Director
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Melanie Curry is an experienced teacher; Licensed Davis Autism Approach® and Davis Concepts for Life® Training Supervisor, Workshop Presenter and Facilitator; and a Licensed Davis® Dyslexia Workshop Presenter and Facilitator.
Through her many years classroom teaching, it became apparent to Melanie that traditional teaching methods were not working for neurodivergent individuals. She saw many beautiful children slipping through the cracks of the education system. Melanie made it her mission to find an approach that works with the strengths of the neurodivergent thinking style to empower these individuals to unlock their potential. This led her to the Davis Autism programs, and ever since Melanie has been working successfully with clients of all ages to help them unlock their knowledge and capabilities.
Melanie is the Director of Training and Licensing, managing the training and licensing program from New Zealand. She is dedicated to the foundation’s mission of making the Davis Autism programs accessible to all and, in so doing, unlocking the gifts in each unique and beautiful mind to benefit these individuals and the wider community.
Dr Angela L. Gonzales – Director
Dr. Angela L. Gonzales (Dr. Angie) is a Pediatrician, Licensed Davis® Facilitator, Licensed Davis® Autism and Concepts for Life Facilitator, mother of neurodiverse sons, and transformational speaker. Currently, Angie owns and runs Dr. Angie’s Place in Riverside, CA. Dr. Angie’s Place is a learning and wellness facility where Angie applies her Davis® Facilitator License, medical expertise, and life experience. As a motivational and instructional speaker and educator, Angie has dedicated herself to helping people of all ages find joy and peace in their lives … especially parents. Angie works to empower clients, educators and parents with skills and techniques that help overcome the obstacles of learning and social interaction that can accompany the unique thinking styles of neurodiverse individuals.
Kathleen Harris – Director
Mrs. Kathleen Harris brings a 13-year background in early childhood education and 30 years of experience with philanthropic work. Kathleen has been pro-actively spreading the news about the Ron Davis Autism Foundation for a few years and has seen the success a Davis Autism Approach and Davis Concepts for Life program can have on an individual and their family. Additionally, Kathleen serves on other established Non-Profit Boards throughout Silicon Valley and has access to professional mentorship and local community sponsorship.
Paula McCarthy – Director
Paula is the Director of Training and Licensing for the Davis Dyslexia Association International in Burlingame, California. She began her career with “Davis” over twenty years ago, initially working for the Reading Research Council, Davis Dyslexia Correction Center. This is where she witnessed the positive and sometimes dramatic results experienced by the many adults and children, after having completed a Davis Dyslexia Correction Program.
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In her tenure with Davis, Paula has worked and given her support to the Davis Trainees in their unwavering determination in completing the Davis Facilitator Training and Licensing so that their clients would achieve success and empowerment through the Davis Programs.
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Paula has been here from the beginning, appreciating the tremendous amount of work, collaborations with Ron Davis, and the dedication of the gifted minds behind the success, not only of the Davis Autism Programs, but also of the launching of the Ron Davis Autism Foundation.
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The work of Ron Davis, whether it be for dyslexia or autism, has left a profound impression. She feels deep gratitude to both Ron and Alice Davis and is both honored and humbled to be a part of an association whose goals are to increase worldwide awareness of the perceptual gifts and talents that accompany and give rise to the neurodiverse community.
Ron Davis Autism Foundation Administration
Damaris Ramos – Officer of the Board/Secretary, Donor Relations
Rev. Damaris Ramos is an ordained minister since 2012, based in our California office. She speaks fluent Spanish as well as English and has worked advocating for parents, students, neurodiverse individuals, and LGBTQIA2s+ rights in the San Francisco Bay Area community for many years. Rev. Ramos has been involved in Donor Relations through her church and her child’s schools supporting several non-profit organizations.
Caroline Dougherty – Executive Administrator
Caroline joins us from her home in Auckland, New Zealand. She is a busy mother of 2, with a varied background including a long history of working with children both in NZ and overseas. When not spending time with her family and helping the children get the most out of life, Caroline is an avid crafter. She always has multiple knitting and sewing projects on the go at any one time. Caroline is passionate about giving back to her community and has found ways to that through her crafts. She is an active member of a social enterprise that connects people to limit social isolation while knitting hats that are donated to people in need.
Ron Davis Autism Foundation Hub Members
Community Outreach and Support
Livia Wong
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Melanie Curry
Cathie Geraci
Chantal Wyseur
Research and Development
Melanie Curry
Tessa Halliwell
Cathie Geraci
Training, Licensing and Support Hub
Melanie Curry
Anne Mataczynski
