About us

Our Story

The Maher Foundation was founded in 2022 by Steve and Jennifer Maher. Like many families, we learned about the autism journey through lived experience, not textbooks.
Our son Xander was diagnosed with autism when he was three years old. He is mostly non-verbal and will require lifelong care and support. As he grew older, we discovered what so many families discover: the systems that supported us during childhood began to disappear. School-based services ended. Pediatric providers aged out. The coordinated support we had relied on simply stopped.

We were left to figure it out on our own.
That experience is why the Maher Foundation exists. We believe no family should face this transition alone. We believe information should be clear, accessible, and honest. And we believe that planning for the future, whatever that future looks like, is an act of love, not fear.

Our Vision

We believe the autism spectrum is a source of unique strengths and perspectives. Our approach celebrates differences while acknowledging real challenges.

We envision a world where:

Every family has access to clear, trustworthy information
Planning for adulthood begins early, not in crisis
Individuals receive the right level of support for their unique needs
Caregivers are supported, not burned out
Long-term care options exist that families can actually trust

Our Mission

To support neurodivergent individuals and their families, with a primary focus on autism, during the critical transition period from the teen years into adulthood (ages 13 to 25).

We provide comprehensive resources, practical guidance, and long-term support to help families navigate what comes next.

Our Approach

The Foundation organizes its work around three distinct pathways based on support needs:

Pillar One: Living at Home with Family or Caregivers

Educational resources, tips, and tools for families where the individual will remain in a home environment with ongoing family support.

Pillar Two: Independent or Semi-Independent Living

Resources for individuals capable of living on their own or with minimal support, focusing on life skills, employment, housing, and community integration.

Pillar Three: Enhanced Care & Residential Support.

Information about residential care options, and the Foundation's long-term vision to build and fund facilities that provide specialized care for adults with high support needs.

Transparency & Accountability

The Maher Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity. We are committed to transparency in how we use donated funds and how we measure impact.
Financial documents, including Form 990 and annual reports, will be made available on this website as the Foundation grows.

Our Leadership

Jennifer Maher

Co-Founder and President of The Maher Foundation,

Jennifer Maher is the co-founder and President of The Maher Foundation, and the driving force behind its mission. A devoted mother of three, Jennifer’s journey into the world of neurodiversity began not in a boardroom or a classroom, but at home — navigating the profound joys and extraordinary challenges of raising a son with severe autism.

What Jennifer encountered along the way was a system ill-equipped to support families like hers: fragmented services, insufficient resources, and a near-complete absence of structured pathways for young adults with autism as they transition out of adolescence. Rather than accept those gaps as immovable, she set out to change them.

The Maher Foundation is Jennifer’s vision made tangible — built on the belief that every neurodiverse individual deserves the support, dignity, and opportunity to live a full and meaningful life. As President and a member of the Board of Directors, she leads with empathy, urgency, and an uncompromising commitment to the families the Foundation serves — ensuring that every program, partnership, and initiative is grounded in lived experience rather than theory.

Jennifer’s leadership is a reminder that the most transformative organizations are often born not of ambition alone but of love.

Steve Maher

Technology Executive and Entrepreneur

Steve Maher is a technology executive and entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience building and scaling global businesses across AI, SaaS, and enterprise software. Throughout his career, he has led organizations ranging from high-growth startups to large global enterprises, consistently driving innovation, building exceptional teams, and creating lasting value for customers and stakeholders alike.

Today, Steve serves as CEO of a leading AI-powered SaaS company, where he oversees strategy, growth, and the delivery of transformative technology solutions for some of the world’s most recognized brands. Known for his ability to unite bold vision with disciplined execution, he
has a long track record of turning complex challenges into competitive advantages.

Beyond his professional career, Steve is deeply committed to creating meaningful change in the communities he cares about. Together with his wife Jennifer, he co-founded The Maher Foundation — a commitment rooted not in obligation, but in lived experience. As the parent of a child with severe autism, Steve understands firsthand the profound challenges families face navigating systems that were never designed with their needs in mind. That personal connection drives everything The Maher Foundation does.

Steve serves on the Foundation's Board of Directors, contributing his leadership experience and strategic perspective to help shape its programs, partnerships, and long-term impact.

Jeff McBride

Enterprise Technology Executive

Jeff McBride is a seasoned enterprise technology executive with deep expertise spanning operations, customer success, growth strategy, and P&L management. Over a distinguished career, he has led cross-functional teams at some of the world’s most respected organizations — from McKinsey & Company, where he drove growth strategy and business transformation, to C-level roles at a series of high-growth enterprise SaaS companies.

A hands-on leader who combines analytical rigor with a genuine passion for people and outcomes, Jeff has built a reputation for designing and growing profitable businesses that put the customer first. He holds a B.A., M.A., and MBA, bringing both the intellectual foundation and practical experience to help organizations operate with discipline and ambition.

As a member of the Foundation's Board of Directors, Jeff contributes his operational expertise and strategic perspective to help ensure The Maher Foundation scales its impact with intention and efficiency.

The foundation was a wonderful source of information to help prepare us for the sudden loss of services as we transition our son to adulthood.

Evelyn Rogers

Parent

When our son turned 18, we felt overwhelmed. This foundation gave us clarity and a practical plan for what comes next.

George Carter

Parent

Because of The Maher Foundation, we have been able to share this information with many other families that desperately needed the help.

Samantha Adams

Parent

Inspiring Stories

Our community members have shared inspiring stories of growth and progress, highlighting the positive impact of THE MAHER FOUNDATION's approach in empowering children on the autism spectrum.