Executive Team

Daniel Engel

President

Born in Palos Heights in March 1975, Daniel grew up in Justice and Bolingbrook, Illinois, until he graduated from Romeoville High School in 1992.  After high school, Daniel joined the United States Marine Corps until 2001. Earning the title Marine, he performed many duties including supply warehouseman, unit admin clerk and later unit admin chief, information systems management officer and operations chief, where he also designed personnel tracking systems earning him several achievements and commendations. He served in Okinawa, Japan as well as many different stations in the United States including Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calfornia; Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, California; Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina; Biggs Army Airfield in El Paso, Texas; Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona and the Military Entrance Processing Station Chicago, Illinois. Following his time in the Marines, he attended Northeastern Illinois University, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. He currently resides in Chicago, Illinois.

Daniel was named President of Chicago Autism Resource & Education (C.A.R.E.), Chicago’s only autism resource, education and advocacy organization, in September 2015. Since its inception, C.A.R.E. has raised and invested more than $90,000 in its mission, the majority to support other Autism related services. As the first president of the organization, Daniel's main focus has been to ensure that the vision of the founders is met by organizing and registering C.A.R.E. to become a legal entity focused on assisting those affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder and their loved ones.

Nikki Schulz

Vice-President

Born in 1970 and raised in Wheeling, IL, Nicolett Schulz is a graduate of Wheeling High School’s class of 1988. As a child, Nikki spent a great deal of time with a neighborhood family that had a son who had MS. She learned at an early age that disabilities can afflict any of us at any time and it is through the love and support of family and community that people can overcome these “obstacles” and enjoy life to the fullest.  Roots for charity work run deep. Before she was old enough to have a paying job, Nikki volunteered her time working at the Indian Trails Public Library in her neighborhood and spent Saturday afternoons reading to small children. As she grew she donated her time to assist her dance instructor with the beginner classes and offered one on one help to those that were having trouble. The need to help has carried on into adulthood and her interest in our cause began at the 2nd annual Breaking the Silence where she attended as a patron, but quickly jumped in and gave her time to sell raffle tickets. Her involvement grew each year and she now is the founders' right hand when it comes to our annual fundraiser as well an active member of our board. In her spare time she participates in 5Ks and enjoys taking road trips and exploring new places whenever possible!

Nikki was named Vice-President of Chicago Autism Resource & Education (C.A.R.E.), Chicago’s only autism resource, education and advocacy organization, in September 2015. Since its inception, C.A.R.E. has raised and invested more than $90,000 in its mission, the majority to support other Autism related services.

Susan Fumo

Born in May of 1967 to Eleanor and Joe Fumo. Susan was raised with her three siblings in Mt. Prospect, IL. She graduated from Prospect High School in 1985 and continued her academic career, earning her B.A in Education from Elmhurst College. Susan began her teaching career with Chicago Public School at Bernhard Moos Elementary School in the Humboldt Park neighborhood where she taught grades 3 thru 8 over the next thirteen years. Shortly after starting her career as a teacher, Susan earned her Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University as well as earning her Reading Specialist Degree from Northeastern University in Chicago. She left Bernard Moos and began her new position at Hanson Park Elementary where she taught 8th grade literature as well as the Talented and Gifted program. Susan has spent three terms on the Local School Council at Hanson Park where she was appointed, Secretary. She wanted to be a part of working with others to ensure the budget was well spent for the betterment of the students. Susan, still employed at Hanson Park School, is continuing to live her dream educating students.

Susan and her daughter, Gabriella have lived in Lombard, IL since 2003. Her daughter will be graduating with her MSW in 2021 from Loyola University of Chicago. Susan’s passion for education and love of children brought her to the C.A.R.E. organization where she volunteered for Breaking the Silence. After being involved in this event, she knew she needed to become part of the C.A.R.E. Board. In 2017 she was elected to the Board and was appointed Secretary.

Tony Engel

Treasurer

Born in 1972, Tony grew up in Justice and later Bolingbrook, Illinois until he graduated from Romeoville High School in 1990. Tony started his own business in Michigan in 1996 and after selling it, moved back to Illinois and attended Lewis University in Romeoville, getting an undergraduate degree in Accounting. Still unsure of his career path, he continued his education by receiving his MBA in Finance from Keller Graduate School of Management in 2003. Tony joined Chicago-based rock band Veilside in 2006 as their lead vocalist, and in 2010 became the Finance Manager for one of the largest steel distributors in the United States. In 2013, Tony married fellow board member Megan Engel, and they currently reside in Plainfield, Illinois with their son, Gavin.

Tony was asked to become a board member for Chicago Autism Resource & Education, Chicago’s only autism resource, education, and advocacy organization, in September 2015 due to his involvement with “Breaking the Silence”, a concert series Veilside hosts annually to raise autism awareness. He was elected Treasurer in 2018. Since its inception, C.A.R.E. has raised and invested more than $90,000 in its mission, the majority to support other autism-related services.

Jean Thomas

Executive Director

Born in the summer of 1971, Jean is a Chicago native. After attending various high schools, Jean completed her High School Diploma in 1990 and began working as a Licensed Cosmetologist. In April of 1994, she married her high school sweetheart and began to start a family. In 1999, her middle child was diagnosed with a seizure disorder for which she knew nothing about. Because of his illness and the birth of her 3rd child, she decided to return to school and become a licensed Medical Assistant. But after working for a couple of years in pediatric offices, she was forced to quit and care for her ailing son. It was during that time that she and her husband created Breaking the Silence: A benefit for Autism Awareness (BTS). The commitment to her children and to the BTS event is what drives her to help other families with not just the Autism diagnosis but special needs services. It was at BTS4, she was approached by the Executive Director of a local autism charity and asked to work side by side with them to help families in Illinois afflicted with Autism. But due to changes within the charity personnel, she was let go. Discouraged but persistent, Jean and her husband Ron, with the help of donors, developed Chicago Autism Resource & Education (C.A.R.E.).  She continues to help parents and families, learn to self advocate, learn their special needs rights and give direction to caregivers.

Jean was named Executive Director of C.A.R.E., Chicago’s only autism resource, education and advocacy organization, in September 2015. Since its inception, C.A.R.E. has raised and invested more than $90,000 in its mission, the majority to support other Autism related services.