A recognized advocate for neurodiversity, Mary leverages extended reality (XR) and artificial intelligence (AI) to break systemic barriers, enhance quality of life, and empower individuals with autism and their caregivers worldwide. With 35 years in nonprofit leadership 26 as CEO of the Dan Marino Foundation Mary Partin continues to transform support for individuals with autism through innovative, technology-driven solutions that foster meaningful change.

Under Mary’s leadership, the Dan Marino Foundation has become a pioneer in leveraging technology to empower individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. By integrating cutting-edge tools like virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and assistive technologies, the Foundation creates programs that foster independence and enhance quality of life.

Mary led the establishment of the Marino Autism Research Institute at Vanderbilt University and launched Marino Campus in Fort Lauderdale and Miami, providing tailored post-secondary programs for students with autism. Using grants from Google and Magic Leap, she drove her first technology initiative in partnership with the University of Southern California’s Institute for Creative Technologies, developing VITA-DMF—a groundbreaking mixed-reality tool designed to transform job interview preparation for individuals with autism.

With funding from the Embassy of Qatar in Washington, D.C., the first S.T.E.A.M. Enrichment Program was offered in Miami for high school students with autism, providing opportunities often inaccessible to neurodiverse learners and inspiring their interest in technology.

As Chairman of Partin Solutions Group, Mary leads a venture studio that supports startups focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion for the neurodivergent population. Mary’s current initiative, Life’sPilot, now in active development, is poised to help revolutionize care for individuals with autism by delivering ABA therapy through emotionally intelligent avatars. A personalized mobile app with multilingual capabilities, offering interactive daily support through AI-driven agents.