Our Team – Embracing Autism, Inc

Embracing Autism, Inc

1-516-200-4619

Contact us on 1-516-200-4619

Our Team.

We are proud of our committed and diverse staff driven by our common goal to create lasting wellbeing for children and families.

Meet Our Leadership

Malka Yagudayev
MSHM, CSSBB

Founder & President

Malka Yagudayev is an entrepreneur, author, business owner, humanitarian, public speaker, and most importantly, she is a devoted mother to her boys. When her youngest son was diagnosed with ASD at 2, she made it her mission to learn as much as possible about the diagnosis and more importantly how to provide resources to help him. Initially, it was scary – a prescription with a diagnosis and no resources or anyone to call for help.

Victoria Geller
MS, OTR/L

Occupational Therapy
Program Director

Victoria Geller received her masters in occupational therapy from West Coast University in 2016. She gained her experience in pediatrics during a three-month internship at Tichenor Orthopedic Clinic for Children in Southern California, which is where her passion for helping children and their caregivers developed and grew. Since becoming licensed,

Our Team

Olesya Rabinovich, MS

Special Education Instructor

Carolina Carvajal,MPA

Grants Manager

Kobi Noiman

Wellness and Fitness Director

Solomon Aminov

Legal Counsel

“Your child’s diagnosis isn’t the end of your world, although it might feel like that at first. I promise you, it’s a beautiful start to a whole new world.”

Malka Yagudayev

Malka Yagudayev

CEO & President

Malka Yagudayev is an entrepreneur, author, business owner, humanitarian, public speaker, and most importantly, she is a devoted mother to her boys. When her youngest son was diagnosed with ASD at 2, she made it her mission to learn as much as possible about the diagnosis and more importantly how to provide resources to help him. Initially, it was scary – a prescription with a diagnosis and no resources or anyone to call for help. Early intervention wasn’t helpful and for months at a time they had no therapists to provide services. He soon aged out with minimal “early intervention” and it was heartbreaking not to have assistance or even know who to reach out to. She started doing her own research. Along her journey she met passionate therapists, social workers, and professionals who have helped her learn so much about Autism and in turn be able to help her son. What initially looked like the end of the world was actually a start to a whole new world. Malka identified a gap in services, resources and a lack of social welfare programs for children diagnosed with ASD and decided to take matters into her own hands. She founded, Embracing Autism, Inc., with the hope of helping parents and supporting them within their own individual journeys. She wants to create a center focused on fostering a social community for children to play, improve their social skills, and form friendships. Additionally, they will have an abundance of activities, events, and shows. For parents, her goal is to create wellness groups in order to be able to help their mind and body because she knows first-hand how challenging at times parenting can be. Parents need an outlet, a support group, to know they are not alone as well as learn more about what’s out there to help their children thrive and lead an independent life one day. She envisions this organization to be a second home for parents, caregivers, and children.

Malka is currently a Doctoral candidate for Business Administration. She received her Master of Science degree from the Lucille and Jay Chazanoff School of Business at the College of Staten Island CUNY and her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Services Administration from Lehman College CUNY. She has been inducted into the international business honor society, Sigma Beta Delta for her academic achievements. She has three published books that are sold in Barnes & Noble and other fine retailers. She has also founded several other businesses that she continues to operate to date. Embracing Autism is definitely the one organization that is closest to her heart and that she hopes to make a difference in the lives of other parents and children.