Susanne Mason – Deputy Director

Susanne joined the HCAS staff in June 2019 and served as its Resource Manager and Event Coordinator until being appointed Deputy Director in October 2022. In new her role, Susanne is responsible for overseeing and developing Information & Referral services for the organization and providing support in the areas of Programming, Development, and Volunteers in partnership with the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
Susanne continues her volunteer service with organizations affiliated with the Oakland Mills Interfaith Center. Since 2017, she has provided administrative and marketing leadership for the OMI Marketing Committee of The Meeting House and the OMI Art Committee of The Meeting House Gallery. From 2007 to 2018, she served in various capacities to develop the education program at Columbia United Christian Church. Prior to her non-profit endeavors, Susanne had the privilege of conducting neurophysiology research at the University of Maryland Baltimore School of Medicine and served as adjunct faculty in the Health Sciences Division at Howard Community College. Susanne has been a Columbia resident for almost 30 years by way of Australia and Michigan. She lives with her husband, her young adult son with Autism, and a precocious golden doodle.
Beth Benevides, Special Education Consultant
Beth is a longtime policy and educational advocate for individuals and families affected by autism and related disabilities. She serves as a consultant for HCAS, providing 1:1 special education consultation to parents of children with any disability in Howard County as part of our annual Community Service Partnership (CSP) Grant through the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services. She is a Past President of HCAS and is Associate Director of Autism Programs at the Hussman Foundation. Beth serves on a number of statewide workgroups devoted to programs, education, civil rights and policy affecting those with autism. She is an advisory member of the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute, an appointed member of the Maryland Department of Disabilities Ethan Saylor Alliance for Self-Advocates steering committee; and co-chair of the commission for Transitioning Students with Disabilities in Howard county. She is a certified special education advocate and member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) Beth is mom to a 21-year-old son with autism.
Lydia Romero-Johnson, Family Navigator
Lydia has been connected to the Howard County Autism Society since the diagnosis of her oldest son in 2011. She has 15 plus years of experience in the healthcare field. She is a Registered Nurse with 10 years’ experience in mental health, stress-management is a critical component of the care she provides. She is a 2014 graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, where she became certified as a health coach. Lydia serves on the Board of the Autoimmune Community Institute and as well as on a committee of the Lupus Foundation of America. She values a pro-active, preventative, holistic approach to health, wellness and life. She enjoys time in nature, creative vibes, and adventures with her husband, 2 sons, and their most awesome dog, Zilly.
Liza Kibler, Administrative Assistant
Photo and Bio coming soon!
Dana Riley, Bookkeeper
Dana provides general bookkeeping services for HCAS that include everything from payroll, financial reports and budget preparation, to coordinating the tax preparation and financial reviews.
Sara Sommerville, Information & Referral and Special Education News
Sara manages and oversees the HCAS Special Education News Center Website as part of our annual Community Service Partnership (CSP) Grant through the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services. She coordinates and posts articles on the site in partnership with HCAS and HCPSS Department of Special Education. Sara lives in Howard County and is the parent of a teenage son with ASD.
Madison Brown, Social Media & Communications Intern (Winter/Spring 2023)

Madison is a 24–year–old Autistic woman who was diagnosed with Autism when she was 18 months old. She graduated in 2019 from Howard Community College, an Associate’s Degree in Classical Piano. A year later, she was one of the first groups of people to get hit with long Covid which left her with neuropathy. Today, she’s back on her feet, and active on social media where she has created her own page called marvelouslymadison. Through her page, she discusses her life as an Autistic woman living with neuropathy, and showing her followers that, no matter what disability you have, nothing can stop you from greatness. She is excited to begin working as a Social Media/Communication Intern for the Howard County Autism Society.