Senior Management Team
The day to day running of the charity is delegated by the Board of Trustees to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who is supported by the Senior Management Team in the delivery of our 5 year strategy.
Tracie Coultas-Pitman (nee Linehan) – Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Tracie has a wealth of leadership and management experience within the field of special educational needs and disability; she worked for Scope for over 20 years, where she held two headships and ultimately rose to the position of Regional Director for the South of England. More recently Tracie was Executive Head of the Autism Schools Trust where she led on setting up a Free School. Tracie has experience of developing early year’s provision, establishing outreach and training services, providing strategic leadership to schools and developing Post 19 and adult services.
Allyn Zulver – Finance Director
Allyn joined BeyondAutism in 2014, undertaking the management and financial accounting for the whole organisation. She has over 30 years’ experience in finance and accounting. Her career began at Touche Ross (now Deloitte) and her past roles have included auditing, tax and research. Allyn spent 10 years of her career teaching including 2 years teaching for the ICAEW exams.
Cameron Fontaine – Head of HR
Cameron joined BeyondAutism in September 2022. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in HR and People Management and applies 15 years of experience in HR to drive employee engagement and career development at BeyondAutism.
He is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development and also holds a BA in Politics & Business Studies. Cameron has held senior level HR positions across the charity and private sectors. Prior to joining BeyondAutism, Cameron worked at Morden College as Head of HR. Cameron is passionate about making positive changes in employees’ working lives and ensuring that every individual’s contribution to the charity is highlighted and valued.
Mike Calver – Director of Fundraising and Development
Mike joined BeyondAutism in 2018 with over 25 years of management experience in the Third Sector. His early career was spent working in the field of mental health and with people who have multiple and complex physical disabilities. He has led charities through significant growth as CEO, and been a Trustee/Director of various voluntary sector organisations. Mike previously worked as a freelance consultant providing business and strategic planning, income generation, risk management and governance, across a range of organisations. Prior to returning to the UK he worked as a counsellor in the Australian Prison Service, preparing inmates for release on licence. He holds a Master’s Degree in Disability Management in work and rehabilitation. Mike sees the charity as well positioned for continued voluntary income growth and development.
Lucy Christie – Head of Marketing and Engagement
Lucy joined BeyondAutism in 2011 as PA to the CEO and Fundraising Administrator. Prior to this Lucy had previously completed internship programmes at Save the Children and Cancer Research UK. When she joined the team there were just 31 full time staff, and 21 pupils at the school. Since then she has seen the organisation grow into the multi-service charity it is today, and her role has evolved to be marketing focused. Having been involved from the beginning in developing and establishing the BeyondAutism brand and identity, Lucy is passionate about communicating the impact of our services and raising the profile of BeyondAutism. She strives to lead the organisation in engaging our stakeholders effectively; raising their awareness of our work, values and expertise.
Leanna Maggs – Head of External Relationships
Leanna has worked in marketing and communications across a number of different areas since graduating from university in 2004. She spent 7 years working at advertising agencies including Saatchi and Saatchi Health. Here she gained knowledge in how to approach marketing in a heavily regulated industry. This has subsequently supported the work she does within the charity and education sectors.
After a short-term contract at Save the Children within their events team, Leanna spent the next 5 years in marketing and business development for an advertising, publishing and events company within the pharmaceutical industry before joining the team at BeyondAutism. She wanted to bring the skills and expertise gained in other areas to an organisation that is focused on making a real difference to the lives of autistic children and young adults.
Andy Swartfigure – Director of Research and New Business
Andy has worked in the field of behaviour analysis for over 20 years. His experience is predominantly in education, although recently he has been able to practice and consult in other fields such as the NHS and business management. He has also made contributions to research groups as well as working internationally and building networks as a strategic partner. Here he focused on developing models of education delivery and management capacity both in education and other organisations that rely on human behaviour to be effective. Andy is committed to the dissemination and progression of the science both in terms of research contribution and crucially in terms of accessibility.
Seth Bolderow – Director of Education
Seth joined BeyondAutism at the start of 2023 having gained over 20 years’ experience in education. He held senior leadership positions in three schools, including being the first Deputy Head of Harrow International School, Hong Kong and establishing Wetherby Senior School in central London, a school that focussed on giving its pupils the skills, knowledge and character to achieve their ambitions and contribute positively to society. Outside education, he has used his experience setting up schools to support growth stage businesses at a corporate finance house. Most recently he was Head of Education at Wild Search advising schools and education organisations on leadership appointments.
He is a governor of his local school and a member of the fundraising board for the charity Missing People. A Fellow of the RSA, he is also a Pathway Fellowship Councillor on their Design for Life project.
David Anthony – Head of Research and Learning
David has worked within the field of special educational needs since 2005 and joined BeyondAutism in 2015. Since then, he has worked in leadership roles in our Schools, Sixth Form and Post-19 service. He has studied at a range of institutions including the Institute of Education; The Central School of Speech & Drama; University of the Arts London; and is continuing his postgraduate studies at Queen’s University Belfast. David has experience of working within a range of schools and services, including primary, secondary, and adult provision. David is passionate about all learners having access to an education that ensures they develop the skills and knowledge to become active citizens in their communities whilst having choice and control over their own lives. With the right support and opportunity, David believes all learners can reach their individual aspirations and outcomes.
Michelle Kimberley – Head of Early Years
Michelle has worked in the Early Years sector for fifteen years. She worked for seven years as an Early Years Manager of a Special Needs Pre-School based in Bath, before moving to Shanghai where she worked as the Principal of a large bilingual Kindergarten. Michelle has worked with children aged from 0-6 years old in mainstream and SEND provision, to further enhance her understanding of child development and working in partnership with parents and carers. Her international experience has enhanced her skillset implementing, and fusing the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) with a local curriculum, staff training and parent/carer workshops.
Michelle is passionate and dedicated to providing the highest quality support and education for every child and their families.
Matthew Le Blanc – Head of Park House School
Matt first began working at BeyondAutism in 2013 shortly after graduating with a degree in Psychology with Neuroscience. He started working as a Trainee ABA Tutor and immediately became passionate about the role from witnessing first-hand how much of a positive impact Behaviour Analysis was having in the lives of the pupils he was working with. Matt progressed with the organisation to be ABA Tutor, Senior Tutor and Class Instructor before deciding to train to be a Qualified Teacher.
Matt undertook his training at the Institute of Education, and has stayed with BeyondAutism in his new role as a Qualified Teacher, predominantly working with KS2 and KS3 pupils. He is also currently taking a masters in ABA with the aim of becoming a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst. In September 2022 Matt took up his role as Head of Park House School.
Matt holds a real passion for promoting pupil independence and generalising functional skills learnt in the classroom to daily lives.
Emma Price – Head of Tram House School
Emma has over 15 years’ experience working in educational settings, with pupils from wide-ranging backgrounds. Emma started her career as a qualified English Teacher and worked for a number of years as both a Teacher and as a Head of Year in a mainstream secondary school. Emma trained and qualified as a SENCO in 2018 and is currently undertaking an MA in Inclusive Education.
Emma started her journey at BeyondAutism as the Head of Pastoral Care in 2016 before taking on her current position and role as Head of Tram House School in January 2020.
Emma believes all pupils should have access to the best education available and wants to see all pupils achieve their utmost potential within their educational setting. Emma strongly believes that with a supportive team around them, every pupil can make outstanding progress.
Elizabeth Robinson – Head of Post-19
Liza has extensive knowledge of post 16 teaching and leadership experience within the field of autism and SEN over the last 18 years. She has completed studies in Education, Social Care and in the process of completing an MBA. With her strategic leadership, she has set up the DFN Project SEARCH Supported Internship at Queen Mary University of London. A project for autistic young adults to successfully gain full-time paid employment. Liza has also established a Specialist College in Tower Hamlets, to provide Specialist Education for adults. She is committed to seeing young adults reach their full potential and live in an inclusive society.
Chloe Watkins – Head of Therapy Services
Chloe has a strong history with BeyondAutism, having first joined the charity in 2000, as an ABA Tutor. She completed an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Education before qualifying as a Speech and Language Therapist in 2004. Chloe has worked with children and young people, in a range of clinical, mainstream and specialist settings, specialising in Social Communication.
Chloe is excited to be Head of Therapy Services, working with an exceptional team. She is passionate about supporting individuals to develop the functional communication and independence skills, that enable them to confidently access and enjoy everyday activities.
James Smith – Head of Facilities
James joined the team at the beginning of 2022. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience having worked in a facilities management capacity within the education sector for the past five years. Prior to joining BeyondAutism, James worked for a multi-site academy Trust. Here he overlooked the Trust’s 15 schools (3 secondary schools and 12 feeder primary schools). He has project managed and delivered several CAPITAL projects along with a range of life cycle works. James finds working in education and helping shape children’s futures a rewarding challenge.