Meet the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin

ASSEW: Mission and Vision

The Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin creates connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully. We exist to serve our local Autism community through advocacy, community programming, and creating a more inclusive world. We do this by increasing public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by persons on the spectrum, advocating for appropriate services for individuals across the life span, and providing the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy.

Together with our community, we serve as the primary resource for the nine counties in our service area: Dodge, Jefferson, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha.

We believe that each individual with Autism is unique and they — along with their families — should determine the best treatment based on individual needs. This guiding principle is expressed in the national Autism Society’s Options Policy.

Become a Member!

There are a world of benefits and services that open up to you when you become a member with ASSEW! Joining or renewing your membership has never been easier. Select your membership type below and click for more information and to join today!

Our Team, Your Partners

Rechelle Chaffee | Executive Director

Rechelle has been with the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin for eight years and serves as Executive Director. With a degree in business and family members on the spectrum, she has championed for Autism awareness, education and support by providing programs and services that benefit the Autism community. She brings a  passion for advocacy efforts to work every day.

Angie Schubert, M.Ed. | Program Director

Angie has been an occupational therapist for 28 years and has a master’s degree in education. She has over 20 years of experience working with children and young adults with Autism, 16 of those years as a school-based occupational therapist. Angie is excited to plan and provide quality, engaging programming for
children, teens, adults, and families in the nine counties that we serve.

Sue Vock | Development & Events Manager

Sue has worked for non-profits for the last 20 years.  She spent 18 years as a Pastor overseeing volunteers, planning events, teaching, and helping the congregation connect in small groups.  Most recently, she worked in development and event planning for Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County.   With an adult daughter on the Autism Spectrum and a master’s degree in counseling, Sue is motivated to help individuals with Autism live independently and to support the families who love those individuals.  She is committed to bringing her passion to fundraising and events at the Autism Society and to encouraging the community to support all the resources the organization offers to Southeastern Wisconsin.

Joanna Figon | Office Manager

Joanna has been an art educator for 8 years. In those years she has become interested in art therapy, especially after working closely to adapt art for students with disabilities.  She is so excited to join the ASSEW team as the office manager and assist in programs where she can use her creativity, problem solving skills experience as an educator to help others. She plans on going back to school for her master’s in art therapy in the fall of 2024.

Adela Villanueva Pérez | Information / Referral and Program Coordinator

Adela is a mother of a child with Autism. She also has spent time in the medical field serving others. She has a passion to help others to overcome language barriers and get the help and support they need. Adela has a real interest in the community and being a source of assistance to others.

Sue LeBuhn | Volunteer Manager

Growing up in Iowa, Sue started out in the medical field and then shifting her focus to the emerging field of Patient Education. After working with medical residents and their patients for several years she then decided to go back to school as a Pre-Med major. After further thought, and as a single parent, she decided that she wasn’t willing to sacrifice the needed time away from her two sons for her residency years so instead changed her major to Education. After receiving her Bachelors degree she then obtained additional certifications in Special Education and fell in love with it! Sue taught in the Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District for many years before taking early retirement and then joining the team at the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin as an assistant to development. Highlights of those years for her have to be her opportunity to meet and work with the captains from the Dylan’s Run teams and all those customized team-logo shirts! Since the Pandemic, she has been working as the Volunteer Coordinator and found her new fun!

Stephanie Wagner | SWAN Support

Stephanie is a graduate student at Southern Illinois University studying Behavior Analysis and Therapy. She has over seven years of experience working with the
Autism population. She has worked as a vocational job coach, staff trainer and as a senior behavioral treatment therapist.

Elaina Rodriquez | Programming Coordinator Intern

Elaina is a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee studying Urban Planning. Her background is in Healthcare Administration and Public Health. For the last five years, she has volunteered with Best Buddies, leading a chapter for one year. Fun fact, she has a twin brother with Autism. Her experiences have led her to want to help families find resources and build connections for people with disabilities.

Our Mission

Our Impact