Sammi Robertson

President & Chairman of the Board

Sammi first became involved with the National Alliance for Autism Research (now Autism Speaks) in 2001 shortly after her son, Bailey, was diagnosed with autism.
 
As a volunteer, Sammi has raised awareness about autism throughout Southern New England; and in 2003, 4 & 5; she chaired the Southern New England Walks for Autism Research held in Providence, RI.  Sammi was also a member of the New England Chapter Board of Directors for Autism Speaks from November 2006 until January 2008. 

As the captain of “Bailey’s Team”, she along with her family and friends, have raised over one million dollars for autism research, education and programming in support of individuals living with autism spectrum disorders and their families through an annual campaign, a charity golf tournament and many other fundraising events.

Sammi has contributed to numerous committees and projects in the special needs community.  She served as a Co-Chairperson of the Rhode Island Autism Coalition; she served alongside leading professionals in the field of autism on a statewide committee charged with writing a guide for parents on the subject of autism; and has served as President of her own District’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council.  

In 2004, Sammi co-wrote and implemented a new program for the Hockomock Area YMCA called the Integration Initiative which has received national attention from the YMCA.  The mission of this initiative is to provide an opportunity for children with special needs to participate in an inclusive recreational setting with typically developing peers.
 
Her last formal employment in the nonprofit sector was with Community Care Services where she served as the Director of Professional Development setting up trainings on a number of topics including autism.
 
Sammi lives with her husband Doug and their three children – Rachel, Bailey and Spencer; and she is stepmom to Lindsay.  She also is “step-grandmother” to Georgie & Bernadette.
 
Sammi and Doug’s plans to create their own 501(c)3 nonprofit organization finally came to fruition in the summer of 2008 and to date continues to raise money in an effort to fund numerous programs and organizations each year.
 
Sammi serves as President and Chairman of the Board of Baileys Team.