Team - AIF

We help build successful companies that are tackling autism and a range of neurodevelopmental conditions.

We are investors, entrepreneurs, human resource professionals, scientists, researchers, and physicians committed to identifying unmet needs across the continuum of autism and deploying venture capital to fuel solutions to those needs

OPERATING TEAM

INVESTMENT ADVISORY BOARD

SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD

OPERATING TEAM

AIF is led by a team with robust experience across the financial, venture capital, and life sciences sectors.

CHRISTOPHER MALE

CO-FOUNDER & MANAGING PARTNER

Mr. Male is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of the Autism Impact Fund where he oversees the firm and leads the Business Services practice. Chris has over ten years experience leading venture and middle-market equity financing across business services, impact, and real estate, most recently as Managing Director of RBG Capital, LLC, his family’s private investment arm.

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BRIAN O'CALLAGHAN

CO-FOUNDER

Mr. O’Callaghan is Co-Founder & Executive Advisor at the Autism Impact Fund, where he provides expertise in building, empowering and inspiring teams associated with AIF portfolio companies. Mr. O’Callaghan also founded CPI, a pioneer in the recruiting industry, in 1995. Brian has been involved with several entrepreneurial ventures acting as a founder, investor and advisor including, most recently, AIF.

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ROB SARRAZIN

CIO & MANAGING PARTNER

Mr. Sarrazin is Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner of the Autism Impact Fund where he oversees the firm and leads AIF’s Life Sciences practice. Rob’s career as a longtime healthcare investor, private equity partner and corporate development executive includes decades of experience overseeing a large portfolio of control investments, including corporate strategic transactions and over 30+ middle market growth acquisitions under multiple private equity funds.

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ASHOK SRINIVASAN, PHD

CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER

An innovative and patient-oriented scientist, Ashok Srinivasan has an extensive history of leadership in clinical and basic science.

As the Translational Research Scientist for NSABP Foundation/NRG Pittsburgh, Ashok has dedicated the past seven years to translating scientific advances to clinical trials, supporting new technology and therapeutic advancements for breast and colorectal cancer. In this role, Ashok has consulted as a molecular genetics / genomics expert in developing scientific rationales for 10+ clinical trials and educated clinical trialists on emerging trends and best practices in oncology research.

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MICHELLE HE

ASSOCIATE

Michelle He, Associate, executes due diligence on potential opportunities and supports AIF’s existing portfolio companies, leveraging her valuation expertise acquired as an Investment Banking Analyst in the Financial Sponsors Group at Morgan Stanley.

Michelle holds a B.S. double major in Business Administration and Statistics/Analytics, with a minor in
Neuroscience, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she was a GLOBE Scholar. She resides in New York City.

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KELLY PATTERSON

HEAD OF INVESTOR RELATIONS & FUND ADMINISTRATION

Kelly Patterson, Head of Investor Relations & Fund Administration, is responsible for managing all relationship activity, in addition to fund administration, for AIF. Kelly previously worked for 18+ years in the professional sports and entertainment managing key corporate and consumer products partners.

Kelly holds a B.A. in fine arts from Colby College where she played ice hockey. She currently lives in Far Hills, NJ with her husband, newborn son and two dogs.

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DAN TARMAN

CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Dan Tarman has 30+- years of professional and executive experience. Starting his career as a litigation attorney and continuing in the corporate world, has worked at a number of leading companies in senior marketing, brand strategy and corporate communications roles.

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INVESTMENT ADVISORY BOARD

The Investment Advisory Team provides transaction advisory analysis, networking opportunities, and guidance on growth strategy for AIF’s portfolio companies. Each advisor has been greatly affected by autism.

Johan Andresen

Owner & Chair, Ferd

Cuong Do

President, Samsung Corporate Strategy Group

Jennifer Frist

Philanthropist, Frist Center For Autism And Innovation At Vanderbilt University

Raymond “Rip” Gellein, Jr.

Vice Chairman, Mind & Life Institute

Arun Gupta

Founder & CEO, Quartet, Accretive, The World Bank, McKinsey

Sarah Hassan

Healthcare Investor & Entrepreneur

Elizabeth Horn

Founder & CEO 2M, COMPASS
AIF Founding LP

Brian Jacobs

Venture Capitalist Emergence, Moai Capital

Dara Khosrowshahi

CEO, Uber

Amanda Lukof

Special Needs Advocate

Bob Nelsen

Co-Founder & Managing Director, ARCH Venture Partners

Sean O'Sullivan

SOSV (IndieBio, Hax)

Mike Smart

Partner, Dominus Capital

"Venture capital is the accelerant that brings breakthrough technologies into markets. With millions of kids and adults suffering from severe medical and physiological challenges due to autism, now is the time for the Autism Impact Fund. "

- Sean O’Sullivan, AIF Advisor & Founding LP

SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD

The Scientific Advisory Board encompasses individuals with deep expertise in autism, academia, and industry. Each advisor provides scientific review and strategic thinking for the AIF.