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Ava Sofia McCullum
Our Inspiration & Guide
Ava Sofia McCullum is a profoundly autistic, nonverbal individual whose life has become a powerful catalyst for advocacy, systems change, and deeper understanding of disability across the lifespan. From an early age, Ava revealed the gaps that families encounter when navigating education, healthcare, housing, and community inclusion for individuals with significant support needs. Her experience has illuminated not only the challenges within these systems, but also the extraordinary potential for growth, compassion, and innovation when communities choose to respond with intention.
Ava communicates beyond spoken language—through presence, connection, emotional awareness, and authenticity. She reminds those around her that communication is not limited to words, and that intelligence, dignity, and worth are inherent, not earned. Her way of being invites others to slow down, listen differently, and recognize the humanity that exists beyond conventional expectations.
Ava is the heart and namesake of the Ava Sofia Foundation, a nonprofit established in her honor to support families, advocate for meaningful inclusion, and promote sustainable, lifelong supports for individuals with disabilities. Through her lived experience, Ava continues to shape conversations around accessibility, equity, caregiver sustainability, and social responsibility.
More than a symbol, Ava is a living reminder that inclusion is not an accommodation—it is a commitment. Her life challenges communities to build systems that honor every individual, not for what they produce or articulate, but for who they are.
Jessica McCullum
Founder
Jessica is a Hawaiʻi-based systems advocate, legislative leader, and nonprofit executive advancing structural change for individuals with autism and complex disabilities across the state and beyond. A Kailua-Kona native and mother of three children on the autism spectrum—ages 12, 10, and 3—her advocacy is grounded in lived experience and driven by long-term policy impact. Her eldest child, Ava, for whom the Ava Sofia Foundation is named, is profoundly autistic, nonverbal, and has a lifelong disability—shaping Jessica’s unwavering focus on equity, access, and accountability across education, healthcare, and social service systems.
She is the founder and executive leader of the Ava Sofia Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that began as a grassroots parent-to-parent network and has grown into a recognized community and systems-level force serving hundreds of families. Through strategic partnerships, cross-sector collaboration, and policy-informed program design, her work has supported more than 300 families with respite access, therapeutic programming, and inclusive community engagement—while also identifying and addressing systemic gaps that affect families statewide.
Beyond direct service, Jessica operates at the intersection of legislation, education systems, and disability rights. She serves as a member of the Hawaiʻi State Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC), is the Parent Representative for the Hawaiʻi Association of Behavior Analysis (HABA), and is the Hawaiʻi State Advocacy Leader for the Profound Autism Alliance, where she contributes to statewide and national efforts focused on policy reform, data-driven decision-making, and long-term systems transformation for individuals with profound autism and intellectual disabilities.
Jessica’s work extends beyond Kona, influencing policy conversations and advocacy frameworks that prioritize lifespan supports, family sustainability, and meaningful inclusion. She is widely recognized for translating family experience into actionable policy insight—bridging community voice with institutional change to ensure individuals with autism are seen, supported, and protected at every level of the system.
Erin Zimmerman
Lead Event Coordinator - Autism Moms of Kona
Erin Zimmerman is a trusted force behind the scenes of autism-centered community programming on Hawaiʻi Island. Serving as Secretary and Lead Events Coordinator for the Autism Moms of Kona, Erin is responsible for planning and facilitating therapeutic and inclusive events that support individuals with disabilities and their families. From small, sensory-aware gatherings to large-scale community celebrations—including the annual Sensory Festival—she ensures each experience is thoughtfully designed to prioritize accessibility, emotional safety, and meaningful connection.
Erin’s work is deeply informed by lived experience. As the mother of a ten-year-old son, Talan, she navigated early intervention services, special education, and alternative educational pathways, gaining firsthand insight into the challenges families face when access and supports are limited. This perspective shapes her ability to meet families where they are, create flexible environments, and focus on giving every child the opportunity to experience success.
In addition to her leadership within the organization, Erin holds a Master’s degree in Marine Science from Hawaiʻi Pacific University and brings nearly a decade of experience in hospitality and operations management. Her background in high-pressure, guest-focused environments strengthens her ability to coordinate complex events, manage volunteers and partners, and remain calm and solutions-oriented when challenges arise.
Erin is the consistent presence and friendly face that everyone looks forward to greeting, whether a family and child, a community partner, a volunteer, or a curious member of the community. The is a firm foundation and keeps everyone stable and focused, especially under immense amounts of pressure, and always values communication and makes sure everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
Known for her steady presence and exceptional follow-through, Erin is often described as the bridge between intention and implementation—ensuring that every effort ultimately serves the keiki and families at the heart of the organization.
Anne Jose
Lead Event Coordinator - Ava Sofia Foundation, Hilo Chapter
As the Lead Event Coordinator for the Ava Sofia Foundation – Hilo Chapter, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit, she is a dedicated autism advocate driven by lived experience, compassion, and a deep commitment to inclusion. Her advocacy journey began in 2022, when her son was diagnosed with autism—a moment that reshaped her understanding of both the challenges and the extraordinary strengths within the autism community.
As a parent and caregiver, she has witnessed firsthand how autistic children are often misunderstood, particularly in school and community settings. Her son’s behaviors were frequently viewed through a negative lens, rather than as expressions of unmet needs, sensory differences, or communication challenges. Navigating peer relationships proved especially difficult, reinforcing her belief that awareness alone is not enough—true acceptance requires understanding, support, and action.
Through her work with the Ava Sofia Foundation, she advocates for early intervention, accessibility, sensory-inclusive spaces, and equitable access to opportunities that neurotypical individuals often take for granted. The Foundation’s mission extends beyond the child diagnosed with autism, recognizing that parents and siblings also need meaningful support, resources, and community.
She is passionate about challenging the misconception that autism is suddenly so widespread amongst communities, emphasizing instead that increased access to testing and a deeper understanding have simply given language to struggles that once went unseen and unsupported. Guided by the values of inclusion, community and purpose, her goal is to foster a world where autistic individuals and their families are not just accommodated—but genuinely accepted and empowered.