Our Team
Wendy K. Dawson
Founder
Wendy K. Dawson
Founder
Wendy is the founder of Social Motion, Inc., a Houston area nonprofit she founded in 2010. In this role, she helps families using the resources and inspiration she gained while raising her autistic stepson. Social Motion programs are designed for children with social cognitive differences including autism spectrum disorders. Students can learn social skills and job skills and participate in enrichment activities to improve their success in school and future employment. Wendy developed the organization’s stable, sustainable business model and collaborates with businesses and charitable organizations to keep it growing.
Previously serving as Social Motion's Executive Director, Wendy currently serves on Social Motion’s Board of Directors to continue working on long-range planning and strategy, and has become part of a special Alliance committee with The Center For Pursuit to bring about collaborations amongst providers and the vision of a “center of excellence” to broaden services for those with neurodiversity, intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Before founding Social Motion, Wendy served as vice president of business development for the energy subsidiary of French Bank Societe Generale and later became origination manager for Enron Industrial Markets in Houston.
Wendy has served as President of the Houston Bar Association Auxiliary, on the Board of Easter Seals Greater Houston, on the advisory board of Safeway Driving Centers and as an advisor to UT Health’s Children’s Learning Institute. In 2013, she received a Hats Off to Mothers Award as one of 10 outstanding Houston women devoted to families and community charitable activities and was most recently honored in 2016 as a Woman on the Move by Texas Executive Women's Org and as Houston Woman Magazine's 50 Most Influential. Wendy continues to serve as a Houston Bar Association Auxiliary Charitable Fund Director and is an active supporter of her children's school and husband's career.
Contact Wendy at WendyDawson@socialmotionskills.org
Founder
Wendy is the founder of Social Motion, Inc., a Houston area nonprofit she founded in 2010. In this role, she helps families using the resources and inspiration she gained while raising her autistic stepson. Social Motion programs are designed for children with social cognitive differences including autism spectrum disorders. Students can learn social skills and job skills and participate in enrichment activities to improve their success in school and future employment. Wendy developed the organization’s stable, sustainable business model and collaborates with businesses and charitable organizations to keep it growing.
Previously serving as Social Motion's Executive Director, Wendy currently serves on Social Motion’s Board of Directors to continue working on long-range planning and strategy, and has become part of a special Alliance committee with The Center For Pursuit to bring about collaborations amongst providers and the vision of a “center of excellence” to broaden services for those with neurodiversity, intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Before founding Social Motion, Wendy served as vice president of business development for the energy subsidiary of French Bank Societe Generale and later became origination manager for Enron Industrial Markets in Houston.
Wendy has served as President of the Houston Bar Association Auxiliary, on the Board of Easter Seals Greater Houston, on the advisory board of Safeway Driving Centers and as an advisor to UT Health’s Children’s Learning Institute. In 2013, she received a Hats Off to Mothers Award as one of 10 outstanding Houston women devoted to families and community charitable activities and was most recently honored in 2016 as a Woman on the Move by Texas Executive Women's Org and as Houston Woman Magazine's 50 Most Influential. Wendy continues to serve as a Houston Bar Association Auxiliary Charitable Fund Director and is an active supporter of her children's school and husband's career.
Contact Wendy at WendyDawson@socialmotionskills.org
Brandi Timmons
MEd, BCBA, LBAEducation Director
Brandi Timmons, MEd, BCBA, LBA
Education Director
Brandi Timmons is a Licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst as well as a TEA certified special educator. She has almost 20 years experience working with individuals with autism - 14 of those in public school classrooms. She is currently working as an educational consultant for the alliance with Social Motion and The Center for Pursuit. Her talents include writing social skills curricula and producing both educator and parent trainings.One of her passions is creating new programs to serve those in the autism community. She has been published in Autism Parenting Magazine, served as co-principal investigator on several research initiatives in conjunction with University of Houston and is a national conference speaker. When she isn’t working, you’ll find her spending time doing her other favorite things - riding horses and gardening.
Contact Brandi at BTimmons@socialmotionskills.org
Education Director
Brandi Timmons is a Licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst as well as a TEA certified special educator. She has almost 20 years experience working with individuals with autism - 14 of those in public school classrooms. She is currently working as an educational consultant for the alliance with Social Motion and The Center for Pursuit. Her talents include writing social skills curricula and producing both educator and parent trainings.One of her passions is creating new programs to serve those in the autism community. She has been published in Autism Parenting Magazine, served as co-principal investigator on several research initiatives in conjunction with University of Houston and is a national conference speaker. When she isn’t working, you’ll find her spending time doing her other favorite things - riding horses and gardening.
Contact Brandi at BTimmons@socialmotionskills.org
Maria Ramirez
Operations Manager
Maria Ramirez
Operations Manager
Maria graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies with a Minor in Spanish. Maria interned at Social Motion in the summer of 2011 and then became a vital member of the team in September 2011. She is currently the Operations Manager, in charge of administration, accounting and HR. Maria’s hobbies include, reading and spending time with her family.
Operations Manager
Maria graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies with a Minor in Spanish. Maria interned at Social Motion in the summer of 2011 and then became a vital member of the team in September 2011. She is currently the Operations Manager, in charge of administration, accounting and HR. Maria’s hobbies include, reading and spending time with her family.
Anam Sherali
Program Coordinator
Anam Sherali
Program Coordinator
Anam graduated from the University of Houston College of Education with honors where she attained her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies with a Minor in Health. Currently at Social Motion, she is the Program Coordinator and teaches our Driver's Ed course. Anam loves planning curriculum and interacting with all the students. Her hobbies include volunteer work, reading, and trying new cuisines.
Program Coordinator
Anam graduated from the University of Houston College of Education with honors where she attained her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies with a Minor in Health. Currently at Social Motion, she is the Program Coordinator and teaches our Driver's Ed course. Anam loves planning curriculum and interacting with all the students. Her hobbies include volunteer work, reading, and trying new cuisines.
Brandon Redding
Content Marketing Manager
Brandon Redding
Content Marketing Manager
Brandon graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Currently, he is Social Motion’s Marketing Coordinator, overseeing the creation of content for printed and digital marketing materials, maintaining social media platforms, and providing spotlight to the stories SoMo has to offer. During his free time, Brandon loves to read, write and collect vinyl records.
Contact Brandon at Brandon@socialmotionskills.org
Content Marketing Manager
Brandon graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Currently, he is Social Motion’s Marketing Coordinator, overseeing the creation of content for printed and digital marketing materials, maintaining social media platforms, and providing spotlight to the stories SoMo has to offer. During his free time, Brandon loves to read, write and collect vinyl records.
Contact Brandon at Brandon@socialmotionskills.org
Allison Myers
Development Associate
Allison Myers
Development Associate
A Houston native, Allison received her Bachelors of Art from New York University, going on to receive her Masters in Creative Writing from Texas State University. She brings with her a wealth of experience in non-profit development, having spent time in Atlanta working for Action Ministries Breakthru House, an organization that provides addiction treatment to homeless women, and most recently at Goodwill of Central Texas.
In her free time, Allison enjoys writing, exploring the culinary scene in Houston, taking long walks and hikes with her dog, and spending time with her husband and son.
Development Associate
A Houston native, Allison received her Bachelors of Art from New York University, going on to receive her Masters in Creative Writing from Texas State University. She brings with her a wealth of experience in non-profit development, having spent time in Atlanta working for Action Ministries Breakthru House, an organization that provides addiction treatment to homeless women, and most recently at Goodwill of Central Texas.
In her free time, Allison enjoys writing, exploring the culinary scene in Houston, taking long walks and hikes with her dog, and spending time with her husband and son.
Drinela Armstrong
TEC Lab Director
Drinela Armstrong
TEC Lab Director
Drinela obtained a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Specific Learning Disabilities and completed her master's degree in Special Education. She currently serves as the Lead Teacher for the TCH center and teaches social skills classes. As TEC Lab Supervisor, a few of her responsibilities include conducting intakes for clients interested in the TEC Lab for Assessment or Learning Experience, as well as Job and LifeSkills Coaching, and the writing of student reports based on their accumulative data. She loves all that she accomplishes within the community at Social Motion and the continued growth she witnesses of those she works with. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and twin boys, as well as participating in various outdoor activities, sports, and road trips.
Contact Drinela at Darmstrong@socialmotionskills.org
TEC Lab Director
Drinela obtained a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Specific Learning Disabilities and completed her master's degree in Special Education. She currently serves as the Lead Teacher for the TCH center and teaches social skills classes. As TEC Lab Supervisor, a few of her responsibilities include conducting intakes for clients interested in the TEC Lab for Assessment or Learning Experience, as well as Job and LifeSkills Coaching, and the writing of student reports based on their accumulative data. She loves all that she accomplishes within the community at Social Motion and the continued growth she witnesses of those she works with. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and twin boys, as well as participating in various outdoor activities, sports, and road trips.
Contact Drinela at Darmstrong@socialmotionskills.org
Yesica Bonilla
TEC Lab Supervisor
Yesica Bonilla
TEC Lab Supervisor
Yesica attended the University of Houston, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, minoring in Human Development and Family Studies. She spent two years working as a Behavioral Therapist, working with young children on the autism spectrum, using applied behavior analysis, and taught social skills. Currently, Yesica is a Coordinator and Supervisor in the TEC lab at Social Motion, where she loves seeing what our young adults are capable of doing. In her free time, she loves spending time outdoors, traveling, and CrossFit.
TEC Lab Supervisor
Yesica attended the University of Houston, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, minoring in Human Development and Family Studies. She spent two years working as a Behavioral Therapist, working with young children on the autism spectrum, using applied behavior analysis, and taught social skills. Currently, Yesica is a Coordinator and Supervisor in the TEC lab at Social Motion, where she loves seeing what our young adults are capable of doing. In her free time, she loves spending time outdoors, traveling, and CrossFit.
Maria Light
Social Skills Site Manager
Maria Light
Site Manager
Maria received her Bachelor of Arts in Education and Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biology from Universidad del Valle Guatemala, before obtaining her Medical Translation from UH, and Masters of Science in Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis from Capella University.
Since 2004, Maria has worked in teaching and administration. In 2011, she moved to Houston, where she began work as a translator in special education settings. After her son, Ian, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Maria found Social Motion Skills. She was able to see his growth, prompting her desire to get involved and help other families like hers navigate the journey of an ASD diagnosis. Since 2020, Maria has been teaching at Social Motion and currently serves as our Social Skills Site Manager. She loves teaching social skills and helping students grow and gain confidence in social settings.
In her free time, Maria enjoys spending time with her family; together, they enjoy doing volunteer work, a good hike, and a love of baking.
Contact Maria at Mlight@socialmotionskills.org
Site Manager
Maria received her Bachelor of Arts in Education and Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biology from Universidad del Valle Guatemala, before obtaining her Medical Translation from UH, and Masters of Science in Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis from Capella University.
Since 2004, Maria has worked in teaching and administration. In 2011, she moved to Houston, where she began work as a translator in special education settings. After her son, Ian, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Maria found Social Motion Skills. She was able to see his growth, prompting her desire to get involved and help other families like hers navigate the journey of an ASD diagnosis. Since 2020, Maria has been teaching at Social Motion and currently serves as our Social Skills Site Manager. She loves teaching social skills and helping students grow and gain confidence in social settings.
In her free time, Maria enjoys spending time with her family; together, they enjoy doing volunteer work, a good hike, and a love of baking.
Contact Maria at Mlight@socialmotionskills.org
We are always
looking for the
best talent!
If you are a talented educator who loves inspiring children with special needs and are interested in being a:
Social skills class teacher
Social skills class assistant
Social skills class teacher
Social skills class assistant
Please send a detailed resume and cover letter to Brandi Timmons at btimmons@socialmotionskills.org.