Board of Directors
Meet our Board of Directors who are committed to helping fulfill our mission of pioneering opportunities for adults with Autism and other developmental disabilities.
Our Board Members bring together a variety of educational and professional experiences.
Jim Leiner
President
Jim is the founder and former CEO of the MacDougal-Morris Group LLC, an education and therapeutic services company specializing in Autism-related services in the San Diego area.
Jim is also the founder and acting Board President of the Pioneer Foundation of San Diego. It is through this role in which he continues to support the Autism community.
Jim Leiner
President
Les Biggins
Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Biggins is the CFO of Vista Investments LLC, a hospitality company based in Los Angeles that owns, operates and develops hotels.
He is responsible for the company’s M&A, financial and administrative functions and actively participates in the strategic and long-term planning, evaluation, development and implementation of the company’s fiscal objectives. Mr. Biggins holds a MBA from the University of San Diego and a Bachelor of Science in accounting from San Diego State University.
Les Biggins
Chief Financial Officer
Michelle Tacawy
Board Member
Michelle first began serving the Pioneer Foundation through her annual music benefit, Beyond Bridge. In working together to support the foundation, Michelle was drawn in by the genuine sense of community and care for others, ultimately joining the board to continue to serve year round.
Michelle is most excited about making a local impact in creating meaningful opportunities for individuals with disabilities that will light the way for the world to follow.
Michelle Tacawy
Board Member
Sara Reisman
Board Member
Sara is owner and president of the board of an organization that is creating a residential camp and programs for her son and other young adults with autism who communicate by spelling. She has a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Arizona and a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health Services Administration from San Diego State University.
Sara lives in San Diego, CA with her husband and they have 3 children. 17 year old Jake, their youngest, is on the autism spectrum and is mostly non-verbal.
Sara Reisman
Board Member
Lisa Fisher
Board Member
Lisa left the corporate world when her son Blake was diagnosed at three with autism. For 20 years she has done advocacy and fund raising for various autism organizations. She has a B.A. in Journalism and Marketing from San Diego State University and a Masters in Business Administration from National University.
Lisa resides in Rancho Santa Fe with her husband David, a long time San Diego attorney. Their twin boys Alec and Austin live and work in Los Angeles, Blake resides in San Diego.
Lisa Fisher
Board Member
Scott Grace
Board Member
Scott is the managing attorney and CEO of Grace Law, APC, a consumer protection and criminal defense law firm in San Diego. He has a Bachelor Degree in Psychology and Sociology,
a Masters Degree in Social Work, a Juris Doctorate degree from Capital University, and has worked with underserved and underprivileged populations throughout his career.
Scott has been involved with the Pioneer Foundation since 2013, and is dedicated to creating and expanding meaningful opportunities for adults with spectrum disorders.
Scott Grace
Board Member
Jerry Fogel
Board Member
Jerry graduated from San Diego State University with a B.S. in Marketing and Sociology, an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction and a Lifetime
California Teaching Credential.
He taught at the elementary level for 2 years in Nairobi, Kenya and 33 years in La Mesa, California.
Jerry resides in La Mesa, California with his wife Sandra, also a retired teacher. They have two children. Zachary, lives and works in Los Angeles and Alison lives and works in San Diego.