Elizabeth (Beth) Benevides leads the outreach efforts of the Hussman Institute for Autism. In her capacity as Associate Director for Autism Programs at the Hussman Foundation, and a longtime policy and educational advocate for individuals and families affected by autism and related developmental disabilities, Beth is highly connected to the disability community at a local and state level. She served as the longtime president of the Howard County Autism Society, an award-winning chapter of the Autism Society of America, and currently serves on several statewide workgroups devoted to programs, education, civil rights, and policy affecting those with autism. She is an advisory member of the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute, one of a national network of University Centers for Excellence; an appointed member of the Maryland Department of Disabilities’ Ethan Saylor Alliance for Self-Advocates steering committee; and co-chair of the Commission for Transitioning Students with Disabilities in Howard County. Beth is a certified special education advocate and member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA). She brings her passion as a parent of a teenage son with autism to her work.

Beth holds a BA in English from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and formerly enjoyed a 20-year career in scholarly publishing.