Leadership

We are passionate about people, purpose, and the power of neurodiversity.

We believe kindness drives growth and innovation. Watch it work.

Aspiritech’s leadership team is committed to being a business with a mission. We strive to create a kind and progressive work environment, where our team members can reach their full potential. We believe that by creating a space where innovation and people thrive, our clients and organization will thrive right along with them.

Meet Our Leadership Team

Tara May

CEO

Tara started as CEO of Aspiritech in April 2022. Prior to joining Aspiritech, Tara was EVP of Media & Chief Digital Officer at Winsight, as well as VP of Content and Product Strategy for Patch Media. She helped launch 900 hyperlocal sites for the AOL network, not to mention a digital reverse-published local news product for the Chicago Tribune.

Tara’s career is focused on using technology and product innovation to drive growth. She is a sought-after speaker on user experience and digital transformation. She’s overseen large and small teams, with a focus on career development and leading with kindness. She resides in Lake County with her husband and teen and tween children. She is personally committed to embracing neurodiversity in all aspects of work and life.

Nick Bruno

VP of People & Culture

Nick joined Aspiritech in September 2022, with 10 years of Human Resources experience at hospitality and healthcare organizations—most recently as the Director of Human Resources for Dyer Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He holds a Senior Certified Professional certification from the Society for Human Resources Management and has a BA in English from Illinois Wesleyan University. Nick has a passionate employee-centric approach to HR leadership and hopes to make Aspiritech a trendsetting example of what it means to be a people-first organization. He believes that an organization’s greatest asset is its team members—and when those people are also the mission, there is no better place to work.

Julie Finerty

Director of Finance

Julie joined the Aspiritech team in January 2019. She has a breadth of experience in corporate finance and not-for-profit management and leadership. She is committed to sustaining the organization’s mission through its financial health. She oversees the overall accounting functions at Aspiritech, in addition to collaborating with the management team on yearly forecasting and budgeting. She is also responsible for coordinating the financial audit and providing reporting to the Aspiritech Board of Directors.

Julie has long been passionate about being an advocate for neurodiversity in the workplace and celebrating the strengths and contributions of neurodivergent individuals in our society.

Maxwell Huffman

VP of Operations

Maxwell oversees operations across all of Aspiritech’s program lines, including software quality assurance, accessibility, and data services. Previously a program manager for Aspiritech’s multi-million dollar Audio Program—with a focus on new development—he has excelled at expanding product lines and coaching team members. Maxwell is a people-first leader who believes in putting his team in a position to succeed in what’s best for them, the client, and the organization. Maxwell also has a prolific history in sales and marketing. He is passionate about movies and music, making him the perfect person to have an attention to detail in the sound space. He is a sought-after speaker and advocate for people with disabilities. He has several family members with disabilities, including schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis. He is also a graduate of Johnson & Johnson’s Leadership Development Program.

Kayley Bogdan

Chief Growth Officer

Kayley joins Aspiritech with over 15 years of experience leading teams in marketing strategy, digital marketing, client services, and business development. She is a self-professed analytics nerd who relentlessly uncovers innovative ways to reach and engage audiences to build a movement of passionate brand advocates and drive revenue growth.

Prior to joining Aspiritech, Kayley was Senior Vice President at Do Big Things, where she led campaign strategy and worked with nonprofits and advocacy organizations to broaden reach, engage communities, and drive change. Kayley has also worked in B2B media with brands, companies, and nonprofits, while leading client management, marketing, and digital transformation. She resides in the Chicago suburbs with her family and can often be found baking bread, reading, and bird watching in her spare time.

Ian Race

VP of Technology

Ian joined Aspiritech in 2018 as a QA analyst, and played a key role in identifying the need for dedicated IT staff. By 2019, he had transitioned into the first full-time IT position in Aspiritech’s history, helping to establish a firm foundation as the company rapidly expanded. His efforts have supported the adoption of industry-standard IT and cybersecurity practices at Aspiritech, contributing to improved operational efficiency and technological agility.

With a solid background in software development and automation, Ian’s work includes the occasional use of LLMs to bolster productivity. Ian stays abreast of AI news, ensuring that Aspiritech is prepared for rapid changes in the tech industry. He is dedicated to a leadership style that promotes continuous improvement, open feedback, and personal development—helping both his team and their technologies to evolve effectively.

Before entering the tech industry, Ian studied astronomy and physics, which equipped him with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. His approach to work is characterized by a strong commitment to accountability, individual initiative, and follow-through—values that have all been central to his personal and professional journey.

Lindsay Holley

VP of Product Strategy

Lindsay Holley joins Aspiritech as VP of Product Strategy focused on growth. She believes in working smarter, not harder, by implementing tactical processes and technologies so teams can focus on work they enjoy while also driving growth and revenue.

Lindsay has spent most of her career in B2B media, leading technical teams and executing digital strategies. Most recently, she was VP of Digital Products & Development at Informa, where she helped design and build a headless architecture CMS and an integrated data warehouse that automated their workflow and grew digital revenue 10X over the course of seven years.

Lindsay lives in the southwest suburbs of Chicago with her husband, three kids, and a hairy dog. Lindsay is a below-average plant mom who balances being active and eating pizza of course!

Robin Kacyn

Director of Inclusion and Outreach

Robin Kacyn comes from a background of theatre, food, and education, and applies knowledge from all of these disciplines in meetings with employees, accommodation suggestions, and consultation with the operations and leadership teams. She works closely with a largely neurodivergent staff to address concerns and assist in communicating across departments when necessary. In an increasingly virtual world, Robin strives to foster connection and community. As a 10+ year employee at Aspiritech, she is committed, first and foremost, to ensuring a safe, equitable, and empowering space that celebrates the employees’ many successes and contributions.

Program Directors

Stephen Braun

Stephen is a program manager at Aspiritech overseeing the Audio testing line of business. He leads a large team of project managers and analysts in conducting in-depth, end-to-end user testing on new development projects for major companies, such as Bose. Stephen specializes in coaching both new and experienced analysts on some of the company’s most sophisticated quality assurance initiatives. Prior to joining Aspiritech as an analyst, Stephen worked as an analyst at Jellyvision, as well as a game developer. He graduated from Tribeca Flashpoint Academy.

Doug Norton

Doug is a program manager on the Audio program line with a focus on lifecycle management for Bose, overseeing a large team of analysts and project leads in both maintenance and new development. Doug brings with him to Aspiritech 25+ years of people and project management, as well as software QA testing at both neurotypical and neurodiverse companies. As a member of the senior leadership team, Doug is also involved in company-wide planning, people and process improvement projects, and other new initiatives to help Aspiritech continue to grow and improve as a company. Doug is committed to making Aspiritech a shining example to all companies and communities—both on what a neurodiverse workplace can look like, and what it can accomplish. Not only is Doug himself on the autism spectrum, he is also the proud father of three adult children on the aforementioned spectrum. This gives Doug distinctive experience and insight on what it means to be a member of a multi-generational family with autistic individuals. Doug joined Aspiritech in 2016. He received a Business degree from Western Michigan University, where he also earned a 4-year scholarship as a member of the Men’s Gymnastics Team, competing around the country.

Kyle Verbeke

Kyle is the program manager for Aspiritech's Data Services business line. He began his career at Aspiritech as a QA analyst, then as a project lead, and now oversees onboarding and execution of one of our fastest-growing areas of the business. He is cool, calm, and collected in the face of complex challenges, and comfortable working with big and small projects.Kyle is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago, with a Bachelor of Arts in film and video.

Board of Directors

Aspiritech’s dedicated Board of Directors plays a critical role in our success. Board members volunteer their time tirelessly to ensure that our goal of providing meaningful employment for individuals on the autism spectrum is met. The Aspiritech Board includes leaders in technology, law, healthcare, communications, and social services.