Anissa Ryland is the Director of Operations for Thoughtful House Center for Children. Born and raised in Oklahoma, Anissa began her career in the field of non-profit organizations in New Orleans, where she helped organize benefits featuring local as well as nationally known musicians. Relocating to Washington, DC, she served as Executive Director of an organization working with business leaders to raise critical funding for an inner-city group that provides affordable housing, job training, child care, and health care for low-income families.

Her son was diagnosed with autism after the family moved to Texas, and she and her husband began researching all aspects of the disorder. They started their child on an intensive ABA program, and traveled around the country seeking biomedical treatment.

Prior to joining us, Anissa worked as the Director of Development and served on the Board of Directors of a Dallas, TX school for early intervention for children with autism. As Director of Operations at Thoughtful House, in addition to her extensive experience in the non-profit field, Anissa brings her experience as a parent of an affected child to bear on a matter that is close to her heart.