Our Team

Casey E. Ovella Davis (she/they) is an archivist, educator, and memory worker. Two years after becoming aware of her Autistic identity at the age of 33 and redesigning her life in a more neuro-affirming way, Casey decided in 2023 to bring her experience and passion for memory work to create the Autistic Voices Oral History Project. In addition to her work on tAVOHP, Casey is the Adult Program Director at AutismTN where she facilitates ASAN-affiliate community groups and is an Adjunct Instructor for the School of Information Studies at Louisiana State University. Casey previously spent a decade as Project Manager for the American Archive of Public Broadcasting at the Boston public media station WGBH in collaboration with the Library of Congress. Casey is also an active member of the Association of Moving Image Archivists, having served on its board from 2017-2019. Casey's dedicated interests include autism and neurodiversity, her blue heeler/pit bull mixes Remy and Opal,  singing karaoke, mountain biking, weightlifting, and collecting embroidered patches.

Sam Rhoades Fleishman (they/them) is a writer, researcher and performer with a passion for multimedia storytelling and disability advocacy. Sam contributes interviewing, project management, and editing expertise, alongside a personal interest in social science journalism to The Autistic Voices Oral History Project. Sam was professionally identified as autistic at the age of 24, which inspired an on-going educational pursuit of autism and neurodiversity. Currently, Sam works in autism research, where she brings her lived experience as a late-diagnosed autistic individual to the field. Sam is a proud member of the queer community, a lover of antiques and vintage clothing, and a devoted cat parent to her beloved orange tabby, Anouk.

Ava R. Cruz (she/her) is a clinical research coordinator, a dedicated older sister, and an aspiring healthcare professional. Growing up with her autistic younger brother, Ava developed a passion for disability advocacy, which motivates her to enhance the quality of life and improve support for individuals and families within the autistic community. She is committed to uniting this community, fostering connections, and promoting the Autistic Voices Oral History Project to ensure its vital message impacts lives for years to come. She recently graduated from Manhattan University in the spring of 2024 with a degree in biology, alongside minors in chemistry and psychology. Ava plans to further her education to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Currently, she resides in Cambridge, MA, and works in autism research at Mass General Hospital’s Lurie Center for Autism, where she effectively combines her passion for science with her genuine commitment to supporting autistic individuals and their families in the lab. When she’s not busy with her studies or work, Ava enjoys spending quality time with her loved ones and her charming dog, Comet, playing the violin, and exploring new cities. Whether she’s in her hometown of New York or embarking on a new adventure in Boston, you can always find Ava engrossed in an engaging book and savoring a refreshing iced coffee at a cozy café.