Leadership & Trustees
Tracy Pepper
Chief Executive Officer
Originally from the Northeast, Tracy is an experienced Charity leader, and Coach. She joined Transforming Autism in February 2024 from the young people’s Charity” Fight for Peace” where she was CEO.
Previously she worked as Education Director for Catch22 , where she developed and launched the Charities Alternative Education Schools network for children and young people excluded from mainstream schools including those with special education needs and with Education and Health Care Plans. She later became CEO of the Multi Academies Trust. She also worked with the Youth Development Charity Skills force.
Before that, she worked in the commercial sector in senior Operational, People and Customer Service roles.
Driven by strong personal values, enabling social change, people development and service quality she is passionate about working and advocating on behalf of children and young people (and their families) to ensure they can receive the support they need to live full and happy lives.
Guy Shahar
Founder
Guy grew up in Wolverhampton in the 1980s. As a child and young adult, he had many undiagnosed autistic traits, especially affecting his social awareness and understanding. This continued into his 20s, but after he began practising Heartfulness meditation aged 27, many of the adverse effects of these traits began to recede and he slowly gained more command of his life and direction. His own autism was confirmed in 2018 at the age of 46.
Now married with his own son of 8 years, who is himself autistic, he has worked as a radio broadcaster, a TEFL teacher and teacher trainer, an IT Project Manage, but is now an energy healer at his company, Heartful Healing.
Early in 2016, he unexpectedly found himself writing a book, (Transforming Autism), which describes his family’s remarkable quest to support his son, Daniel, and their life-changing visit to the Mifne Centre in Israel. This turned Daniel’s life around and opened Guy’s eyes to the true nature of autism and to the most helpful and effective ways to bring out the best in young autistic children.
The book, which was written in little more than 6 weeks, led to Guy’s aclaimed TED talk, The Beautiful Reality of Autism, later that year, and to the launch of Transforming Autism Project as a means of raising awareness of the true potential inherent in autism and equipping parents and carers with the tools to bring out the best in their autistic children.
As well as meditation, Guy loves to write, and as well as his 2 books (the other – a collection of short stories – is called Leaving Town), he has also written a large selection of articles for Transforming Autism, a 6-part TV comedy series and 2 films. He also enjoys music, playing the piano (and formerly the guitar), though not to any level of technical mastery, and only his own compositions.
Carla McLuskie
Board Chair
Meet Carla, our Board Chair at the Transforming Autism Project since 2023. With over a decade of experience in both startup businesses and the non-profit world, Carla is a seasoned leader dedicated to making a difference.
Carla’s journey in the world of autism support began in Ireland, where she spent six years working with a small autism charity. Her remarkable fundraising and leadership skills earned her numerous awards, and she played a pivotal role in transforming the charity into a nationally recognised, leading provider, of autism assistance dogs.
Carla is not just about accolades; she’s passionate about non-profit causes. She previously served on the board of PayPal Giving Fund in Ireland and chaired two forums for the Charities Institute of Ireland.
Now back in her homeland, the UK, Carla leads the Digital Fundraising Academy. But her heart remains committed to improving early intervention support for autism as a Trustee of the Transforming Autism Project.
Carla’s dedication, experience, and passion help drive us forward in our mission to make a positive impact in the world of autism.
Ed Kamm
Trustee, Treasurer
Ed is an experienced international executive with 25+ years experience covering multiple sectors including energy, broadband, travel and technology. He is currently a strategic advisor at Homely, a digital real estate start-up, and a trustee at the charity Words Matter.
Ed has significant experience and accomplishments in driving growth, digital transformation, implementing customer focused change, business scale-ups and turn-arounds. He most recently was CEO at Shell Energy Retail, the household gas and electricity retailer, which was created from the acquisition of the digital disrupter First Utility, which he helped build from 50k to 1m customers. Previously, he spent 18 years at Sabre Holdings, including 9 years at online travel specialists Travelocity and lastminute.com.
Ed is originally from Chicago, moving to the UK in 2005 with his wife and two children. Ed has called time on his full time career and is now focused on giving back through charity and doing a bit of advisory work. Autism is close to his heart as a result of friends and family. Ed enjoys sports of all kinds, travelling, and challenging himself to learn new things.
Gilles Pelenc
Trustee, Co-Founder
In 2007-8, both Gilles’ sons were diagnosed with Autism (at 2 years and 18 months respectively). As a family, they decided to do everything they could to provide the boys early professional and specialist intervention at all costs. Alongside having to deal with a double dose of the usual every day Autism challenges – on virtually zero sleep for the first 5 years – Gilles’ and his wife went on to become a school governor in an ASD school and to take on the local authorities in a successful attempt to a change of setting. They also embarked on a never-ending research for positive therapies that could help the boys with their development.
Having built a great network of resources and an even greater circle of influence within the world of Autism, it has now become a mission, to bring this experience to bear to help and support as many families as possible so their battles become easier, their limited resources can be optimised and their children’s lives are improved beyond what would otherwise be possible.
Faye Long
Trustee, HR
Faye is a Human Resources Business Partner for a financial services organisation with over 15 years’ experience in the field. She studied Mathematics with Business Studies at university and also went on to achieve her CIPD qualification.
She has 3 children and 2 step children and her two boys are both autistic. Having received lots of professional help at a very early age Faye’s youngest son has been able to go to mainstream school thanks to the support he received.
As a result of this experience Faye would like to help other families get the support they need.
In her free time Faye loves to go running and also during lock-down has developed a passion for gardening.
Our Therapists
Arianna Pulsoni
Lead Therapist
Arianna Pulsoni is a Lecturer at the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies at University of Essex. She works as a seminar leader, teaching infant observation and work discussion at the Anna Freud National Centre for children and families. She has conducted consultancy for Aflatoun and UNICEF on adolescent mental health and she has developed early childhood courses and trainings for trainers.
She is a child and adolescent psychoanalytic psychotherapist. She has worked in NHS and in schools. She is the head of the counselling service at an international school. She is currently researching on intergenerational family difficulties and parent work at the Tavistock Clinic, on child psychotherapy and virtual reality at University of Essex and on multilingualism Emotion and cognition in multilingual development across the lifespan.
Zuzana Camm
Therapist
Zuzana Camm, MA, is a therapeutic play coach and child psychotherapist. Zuzana is passionate about sharing her knowledge about the therapeutic potential of child-led and developmentally sensitive play.
Zuzana sees play as a wonderful tool for cultivating personal and interpersonal wellbeing and more satisfying functioning in everyday life. Her work is anchored in over 20 years of experience of supporting children from 0 – 16 years old in a variety of care, educational and therapeutic settings and also in homes.
She has been mentored by senior psychotherapists and occupational therapists to deepen and widen her understanding of the fascinating connection between the emotions and sensory integration. Zuzana’s enthusiasm for her work is fuelled by witnessing the growing connection between the children and their parents as the therapeutic process unfolds.
Jan Forwood
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Jan has been a paediatric Occupational Therapist for 35 years, working with children and families in school and at home to ensure children reach their potential and remove barriers to learning and play. Jan is a sensory integration trained therapist with a passionate belief that early intervention and support improves lives and outcomes for the child and the family. Jan believes that child and family centred intervention is essential to making therapy practical and deliverable and must be mutually agreed, with meaningful and achievable goals.
Jan also works in the SEND system in Essex supporting children and families in education with Education, health and care plans as well as preparing assessments for tribunal. She knows and understands the power of the environment in making life manageable for children with ASD and passionately believes in the importance of empowering parents with the knowledge and confidence to support their child.
Jan has four grown up sons and two beautiful grandchildren but after raising 4 wonderful boys acknowledges that the world is equipped for the neurotypical, accessing the right help and support for a child with ASD is a challenge. For any parent life can be a challenge but for children with additional needs getting the right support is key to a happy, successful family life.
Kate Beckwith
Therapist
I am very pleased to be part of the Transforming Autism Project team as Child Psychotherapist for the Colchester area.
I am a practising Psychotherapist, fully qualified, and registered member of the BACP. I run my own private psychotherapy practice specialising in working with children & adolescents utilising the outdoors, nature, animals, art, and play. Parent work forms a central part of this work. Containing, supporting and empowering parents through helping them notice and understand their child’s communications helps enhance the bond between them, reducing anxiety by better understanding the child’s needs.
My approach takes into consideration realistic external pressures faced by families when assessing the best form of intervention. I am particularly passionate about supporting the parents of infants and young children as early interventions can have a significant long-term impact.
Amanda Hitchin
Psychodynamic Counsellor
My name is Amanda Hitchin and I hold an MA is Child and Adolescent Psychodynamic Counselling and a BA in therapeutic practice. I am the owner of Colchester Children’s Counselling. I also support youth groups, schools, and run the podcast ‘The New Therapist in Town’.
I have a keen interest in early parent / infant work, and I have completed additional CPD in infant Observation. My previous experience has been in education, social care and the NHS.
I am a proud advocate for neurodiverse individuals, and I enjoy supporting this client group in developing and understanding themselves in the areas that they feel that they are struggling.
Helen Viana
Psychodynamic Counsellor
Helen Viana is a passionate Psychodynamic Counsellor, with over 20 years of experience, specialises in supporting individuals, especially children and their families, on their journey to emotional well-being.
She began her career as a clinical psychologist in Brazil, focusing on early childhood and parent support. Currently pursuing a master’s degree in counselling children and adults at the University of Essex, her approach is deeply rooted in psychodynamic principles, acknowledging the profound impact of early experiences on emotional development.
Helen collaborates closely with parents to create a nurturing home environment. Beyond her practice, she’s dedicated to raising awareness of children’s mental health through workshops and seminars.
Julia Beech
Occupational Therapist
Since qualifying as an occupational therapist in 1985, Julia has worked with a broad range of children, assessing and treating a wide range of conditions. She has worked in a variety of settings, including the NHS, social services, private clinics, mainstream and special schools. Voluntary work as a school governor, also provided her with a valuable insight into the education system.
She is particularly interested in sensory processing and completed her Post Graduate Certificate in Sensory Integration from Ulster University in 2013. In her role as a placement educator, she has enjoyed mentoring occupational therapy students from Brunel university.
She loves being outdoors; kayaking in the sea or riding through the woods on her bike.
Nicolas Krueckeberg
Senior Clinical Adviser
Nicolas Krueckeberg is an experienced Autism Early Intervention Specialist with a 30-year professional journey in various education and mental health care settings across the UK, Europe, and Switzerland. He holds degrees from Aberdeen University, Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge, and the University of East London. Further, he has trained at the International Institute of Video Intervention Therapy in Paris, the Tavistock Institute in London, the MIFNE Center in Israel, and the Maria-Meierhofer-Institute in Zürich.
In 2010, Nicolas joined the initiative to launch the FIAS-Therapy Centre for Early Intervention in Autism at the University Psychiatric Clinics in Basel. He is also the founder of PER:SPECTRUM, specialising in providing online consultancy, supervision, and training.
Combining approaches from systemic psychotherapy, video intervention, and reciprocal play therapy, Nicolas promotes a comprehensive, relational, and collaborative stance in his early intervention methodology. Driven by his passion for helping families receive timely and flexible support while navigating the challenges of an autism diagnosis, he is dedicated to advancing online interventions and researching new remote coaching methods.
Our Volunteers
Family Services
Angélica Madrid
Family Services Coordinator
Angelica brings over 12 years of experience in project management and events organization, with a strong background in customer service in the hospitality industry.
After living more than 14 years in Singapore, she moved to the UK with her family and took a break in her corporate career to take care of her loved ones and learn new skills.
Volunteering enables her to pursue one of her passions: to improve the lives of those around her. She is an empathetic, enthusiastic individual whose good sense of humour gets her through difficult times. In her spare time, she loves swimming, reading, drawing, travelling, and spending time with family and friends.
Fundraising
Alex Westbrook
Strategy and Development Volunteer
Alex is a Partner and the Chief Operating Officer of a global investment firm supporting category defining Internet and technology companies. Previously Alex was a corporate lawyer at a leading US law firm in London, advising private equity and venture capital firms on the structuring of their funds.
Alex has significant experience in helping and operating high growth businesses and works closely with the board of Trustees at TAP to help with forming and executing the strategic vision for the Charity. Alex is also actively involved in the fundraising side of the charity and is always looking for new ways to raise funds (provided it doesn’t involve him having to run a marathon).
Until recently, Alex was living in Paris with his family and now splits his time between his home in the Cotswolds and his job in London.
Marketing
Andy Driver
Graphic Designer
Hi! My name is Andy and I’ve worked in the creative industry my entire career. My approach focuses on transparent, creative, engaging communication that resonates with diverse audiences, ensuring understanding and impact. If that sounds a bit practised, it is, sorry! Basically, I like to make ‘all the things’ look great, work properly and tell a great story.
I’m looking to give part of myself to a cause I believe can make a difference. I have daughter who suffered enormously due to late diagnosis of ASD and mental health issues, a son on the ADHD waiting list, as I am myself.
Pretty perfect match, right? I’m a football nut, ex-junior football coach with a huge love of music, live or otherwise. You’ll find me walking my Silver Lab, visiting the Lake District, swimming in any coastal waters or in the kitchen. I love cooking which fuels my love of wine.
Becky Harkins
Communications & Branding Manager
Becky Harkins has over 15 years experience in all areas of branding, communications and marketing. With a real passion for PR, Becky’s role is to get people talking about the amazing work we do at the Transforming Autism Project and sharing our advice and insights with those who need it
With two sons with Autism and ADHD, Becky truly understands the journey for families in the diagnosis process and beyond, and is passionate about helping people find a path that works for their family. In her spare time, Becky loves reading, trying new board games and she makes a rather good coffee cake.
IT
Neil Cary
IT Manager
Neil Cary has joined our team to look after our IT needs. He has a career spanning 30+ years in IT and Telecommunications, delivering business transformation programmes worldwide.
Neil holds a degree in Electronic Systems Engineering and is a Chartered Engineer with IET. His first computer was a BBC Micro which certainly dates him. A self-confessed propeller-head and nerd, he builds websites in his free time when he’s not working for Salesforce. He is delighted to be able to offer these skills to Transforming Autism.
Married with two grown-up sons, Neil is a dedicated rugby supporter and has not been known to miss an England game. The Six Nations is his happiest time of year.
Finance
Human Resources
Vicky Thirkell
HR Lead
My professional background is in HR and Leadership and I now own a HR consultancy that provides professional services to a variety of businesses.
In my spare time, now our house renovation is complete, you will find me walking/trying to run with our dog, Willis, who is a very energetic 3 year old Hungarian Vizsla!
I am excited to be joining the Transforming Autism Project and look forward to helping build and grow this amazing charity that provides support and services to the families and children who need us most.
Recruitment
Lisa Hulford
Recruiting Lead
Hello! After gaining my Psychology degree, I took a leap into a career in Recruitment and Human Resources and never looked back.
I’m excited to share these skills and experiences with TAP to help build the teams and support functions that deliver a difference to autistic children and their families.
Outside of work, I enjoy learning, reading good books and taking long walks with my four-legged friend – Charlie the Chihuahua.
Zoe Bryan
Recruiting Lead
I grew up in the UK and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Cruise Management from Plymouth. I traveled for four years while working in the cruise industry and now live in Switzerland. I have worked as a recruiting manager for a large cruise industry organisation for the last four years and received a Level 5 HR Certificate from the CIPD. I have been a member of the Transforming Autism Project in September 2021 and I enjoy building the TAP volunteer team and seeing the charity grow.
Brigitte McKenna
Recruiter
A dynamic, results-driven and passionate Senior Talent Acquisition Partner, fluent in English and French. A former Marketing Director, with 12 years’ recruitment experience helping large but mainly fast-growing, disruptive technology vendors land and expand in Europe. I am also a qualified psychotherapist but currently non-practising. That’s the business side. On a personal side, I am the lucky mother of three wonderful daughters all incredibly different. Our youngest daughter who is now 15 was recently diagnosed with ADHD. We faced a long road (4 years) to get the diagnosis. My husband is also autistic, hence my interest in supporting the Transforming Autism Project. We since benefited from a 10 week parental ADHD awareness course which was life changing. I wished we had had the knowledge a long time ago.In my spare time, I love to cycle, run, play tennis, paddle boarding, cook and my favourite is catching crabs and lobster in our pots at sea.