WHO WE ARE
What started as a group of dedicated parents, has grown into an organization with a passion to create a brighter future for their children.
THE
FOUNDING BOARD
Lisa Pitell
Founding Member
Chief Executive Officer
LisaPitell@thegroundupproject.org
Lisa Y. Shorts Pitell is an attorney who lives and practices law in Niceville, Florida. Lisa and her husband are the parents of a child with autism who currently attends the Emerald Coast Autism Center.
Over the past 10 years, Lisa has focused all of her charitable inclinations toward nonprofit entities serving the autism community. As a result, she organized a group of ECAC parents into a think tank to address the need for housing scenarios for adults with autism in our community. She is a founding member of The Ground Up Project, Inc. and current Chief Executive Officer of the organization.
Kendra Brownlee
Brianna O'Brien
Founding Member
Chief Financial Officer
Founding Member
Chief Marketing Officer
KendraBrownlee@thegroundupproject.org
Kendra Brownlee served as CFO for BrownleeTenor Inc. for over a decade. In her position, she was able to assist in a variety of complex accounting, including multiple states and foreign taxes, acting as an incredible asset to her husband.
She and her husband, Larry, have two beautiful children who keep them busy with a multitude of extracurricular activities. An active mom, Kendra is a runner, who has completed a full marathon and numerous half marathons. She enjoys playing games and spending time with her family.
Kendra holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Wright State University and a master’s degree in business from Indiana Wesleyan. She is also an ordained minister.
Kendra’s goal is to encourage and uplift.
BriannaObrien@thegroundupproject.org
As an independent business owner, Brianna O'Brien is well-versed in what it takes to move the dial forward. The role as Chief Marketing Officer in the nonprofit's founding group is no different. Being a mother to a son with Autism Spectrum Disorder, she has seen the disconnect in access to independence for those with special needs. This leads to her great desire to understand the inner workings of special needs diagnoses and how to better the opportunities presented to such individuals. Brianna has spent her free time as an Army wife and mother of three, working with the PTO at the Emerald Coast Autism Center and now builds on that through The Ground Up Project. Thus, ensuring those like her son have every chance to succeed independently.
Brittany Lynch
Eric Hambright
Heidi Blalock
Founding Member
Chief Operating Officer
Founding Member
Founding Member
Secretary
BrittanyLynch@thegroundupproject.org
Brittany Lynch is a dedicated military wife, loving mother, and passionate advocate for the autism community. Brittany is a mother to two children, one of which has autism and currently attends Emerald Coast Autism Center (ECAC). Since the diagnosis of her son on the autism spectrum, Brittany has dedicated her life to learning about autism spectrum disorder, spreading awareness, volunteering, and finding creative outlets to help everyone in the autism community feel safe and accepted.
Brittany has been on the ECAC PTO for the past decade which led her to becoming a founding member of The Group Up project. The challenges Brittany has faced have shaped her into a fierce advocate and visionary. Brittany’s firsthand experiences navigating the complexities of raising a child on the autism spectrum in the context of military life make her an invaluable asset that will be influential in creating a safe haven and supportive environment where individuals on the spectrum can thrive.
EricHambright@thegroundupproject.org
Eric Hambright is the president of a small business and the father of a child on the Autism Spectrum. After looking at the options for his son's future and not finding a place with the independence, caring, and community he wishes for - he joined a group of parents to
address this need.
He is a founding member of The Ground Up Project, Inc., and the current Chief Operating Officer of the organization
HeidiBlalock@thegroundupproject.org
Heidi is a co-founder, CEO, and Treasurer of Emerald Coast Autism Center, as well as the proud parent of an ECAC student. Heidi spent seven years with Mercer Investment Consulting in Chicago. She was a Principal with Mercer and headed the US Performance and Reporting Division. Prior to this role, she spent two years working in the mergers and acquisitions division of Sara Lee Corporation. Heidi received a Bachelor's degree in economics from Duke University and a Master's in Business Administration in finance and international business from Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. Her son on the spectrum has been the driving force in her vision for the foundations she helps found. Thinking forward to his adult life and desiring an option for his independence, led her to help gather this team together and create the founding board of directors.
Heather Danos
Brandy Hambright
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Whitney Wyatt
Founding Member
HeatherDanos@thegroundupproject.org
Heather Danos is a Louisiana native and mother of three . She and her husband own a local small business. Heather and her family moved to Niceville almost seven years ago so their middle child could attend the Emerald Coast Autism Center. She is proud to play a small role in cultivating something that is near and dear to her heart!
Founding Member
BrandyHambright@thegroundupproject.org
Brandy Hambright is the mother of a teenage son with autism and sensory issues. Her concerns are his well-being and happiness in adulthood. Looking at the options that are presently available, she has joined a group of
like-minded parents to address the future of our children and others. She is proud to be a founder and board member of The Ground Up Project.
Founding Member
Haley Viel
Founding Member
HaleyViel@thegroundupproject.org
Haley Viel specializes in oral healthcare needs as a Dental Hygienist, and is passionate about educating others on the autism community. Haley is a mother to twin boys, one of which has autism and has been attending Emerald Coast Autism Center (ECAC). Since his diagnosis Haley has been volunteering at ECAC and is a member of the school's PTO. Originally born on Eglin Air Force Base, she returned to the Okaloosa County area to help receive special services for her son’s needs. With the many challenges she has faced, it has driven her to advocate others in the local area about this diagnosis and the awareness. Looking into the future she wants to help create a safe and independent environment for his adult life.