Piper Fellow:
Denise Resnik

Through tri-sector leadership at every turn, she and the First Place team, along with stellar collaborative statewide and national leaders, are advancing a portfolio of residential developments, proof points and supportive policy, and—most importantly—raising the bar on life course outcomes. The nonprofit’s flagship R&D multi-use property, First Place–Phoenix, is in the heart of what PBS NewsHour acknowledges as “the most autism-friendly city in the world.” Through the First Place Global Leadership Institute, First Place is demonstrating how to develop homes and supports for those who live there and create peace of mind for families and friends.

Resnik will focus her Fellowship exploring leadership development and marketplace and community-building strategies with Arizona pioneers and others from across the country who are committed to raising the bar on options and ensuring that a diagnosis of autism and/or any  intellectual/developmental disabilities do not stand in the way of friends, jobs, supportive communities, and homes.

The Piper Fellowship will provide Resnik with the space and capacity to travel and meet with local and national leaders from academia, philanthropy, public/private sectors, and nonprofits. She plans to experience progressive programs such as South by Southwest and the Aspen Ideas Festivals. The ideation process will further inform growth of the First Place Global Leadership Institute and help determine the best strategies for engaging peers, organizations, and institutions, and mentoring the next generation.