NEW HOPE
AUTISM CENTER  Bringing a Message of Hope, Information, Support & Resources
to the Community Touched by Autism.

           Shelly Rakhshani- CEO/ Founder of NHAC

My name is Shelly. I have two amazing boys, Brock which is 10 and Landon whom is 7.  My oldest son is considered severe on the Autism Spectrum. NHAC is my son’s voice and if it wasn’t for him NHAC would not exist. I am a nursing graduate as well as a speaker for victims’ rights, I speak at high schools to young women on how to respect and honor their daily lives and live their best self. I was nominated and graduated from the Starfish program as well as a co-author of “Making a Difference One Star at a Time.”

Photo by Jane Bailey 

---

                           Jason Heilig-Vice President 

---

                                                                                               

 

Cara Ruff is the Founder and Executive Director for Independent Lifestyles, Inc. a Center for Independent Living (ILICIL).  ILICIL is a private non profit organization which serves persons of all disabilities throughout a nine county service area.  Cara Founded ILICIL in 1997, and has spent the past 19 years working in Centers for Independent Living persons with disabilities.  Cara is involved with and Chairs numerous Task Forces, is President of the MN Association of Centers for Independent Living and is known in the community as an Advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities.

                  Photo by Jane Bailey

Nousha Sabet- Financial Advisor             

 Nousha is founder and CEO of Sabet Financial, an Investment Advisory firm based in Omaha, Nebraska. She began her career with American Express Financial Advisors in Minneapolis back in 1997. She is licensed in Minnesota and continues to represent clients in the Twin Cities area. Her passion for helping children started at the University of Minnesota Medical School, where she worked in the Pediatric Nephrology department while in college. She is currently a Selections Committee member for Heartland Family Services, a non-profit organization aimed at providing parent counseling and financial support to families with children. She has also been an active member of Junior Achievement in Minnesota helping teach children about personal economics. One of her proudest contributions has been as a personal financial coach in several battered women’s shelters run by the Omaha Catholic Charities organization. Nousha Sabet is a current member of the Autism Society of America.