Scott Badesch

Recently retired as the long-time CEO of Autism Society of America, the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots autism organization, Scott is one of the country’s premier experts on autism. Under his leadership at the Autism Society, Scott directed a national network of over 70 local and state affiliates that collectively served and supported close to 625,000 people a year.

Scott is passionate about ensuring that individuals with autism have the resources they need to thrive. He possesses a strong understanding of establishing stand-alone autism centers and programs at universities and how best to fund such centers. He is the past chairman of the Collaboration for Self Determination and serves as a current board member of the Autism Science Foundation.

Prior to his professional work in the autism community, Scott spent 24 years at United way, including CEO of United Way of South Carolina and CEO of United Way of Palm Beach County.

Scott holds a Master’s Degree in Social Services Administration from University of Chicago and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from University of Illinois.