TACA Appoints Business Titans to Board, Signals Major Push for Growth and Innovation

IRVINE, CA – January 26, 2026 – The Autism Community in Action (TACA), a prominent national nonprofit, has announced a significant enhancement to its leadership, appointing real estate moguls and veteran philanthropists Manny Khoshbin and Ross Mitchell to its Board of Directors. The move signals a strategic pivot for the 26-year-old organization, aiming to leverage high-level business acumen to fuel national expansion and integrate emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, into its support systems for families living with autism.

Both Khoshbin and Mitchell are long-time supporters of TACA, having previously served as TACA Ambassadors. Their elevation to the board formalizes their influence and marks a deliberate effort to infuse the organization with expertise in strategic growth, investment, and governance. This decision comes as TACA, which serves over 61,000 members, seeks to scale its impact across the country.

"For many years, Manny and Ross have been deeply committed advocates for TACA and the families we serve," said Lisa Ackerman, co-founder and Executive Director of TACA. "We are honored to welcome them to our Board of Directors as we continue to expand our national reach, strengthen organizational capacity, and responsibly integrate innovation, including emerging technologies, into how we serve families on the autism journey."

Architects of a New Era: Business Acumen Meets Non-Profit Mission

The appointments of Manny Khoshbin and Ross Mitchell represent more than just new faces in the boardroom; they embody a strategic fusion of entrepreneurial drive and non-profit mission. Their extensive backgrounds in the competitive world of commercial real estate and investment are poised to provide TACA with a powerful engine for sustainable growth.

Manny Khoshbin, a renowned entrepreneur who started his first business at 18, is the head of a commercial real estate portfolio exceeding 1.5 million square feet across six states. His career is a testament to identifying opportunities and executing large-scale growth strategies. For TACA, his vision is expected to translate into robust long-term financial planning and innovative approaches to expanding the organization’s operational footprint. His more than 15 years of support for TACA underscores a deep-rooted dedication that now gains a formal, strategic role.

Similarly, Ross Mitchell brings a wealth of specialized expertise. As the President and Founder of Dunbar Real Estate Investment Management, he possesses deep knowledge in governance, strategy, and organizational leadership. Mitchell holds a Master of Real Estate Development from the University of Southern California, where he remains actively involved as a mentor. His previous service on the USC School of Policy, Planning and Development Alumni Board demonstrates a strong background in guiding institutional direction, an invaluable asset as TACA navigates the complexities of national expansion.

By bringing on leaders with proven track records in building and scaling successful enterprises, TACA is signaling a shift toward a more business-oriented framework for achieving its philanthropic goals. This approach aims to build a resilient and efficient organization capable of meeting the ever-growing demand for autism support services nationwide.

The Personal Drive Behind Philanthropic Leadership

Beyond their impressive professional credentials, both Khoshbin and Mitchell bring a profound and long-standing personal commitment to TACA’s mission. Their journey from dedicated Ambassadors to Board Directors is fueled by years of active involvement and a passion for supporting families affected by autism.

Manny Khoshbin, alongside his family, has been a pillar of support for TACA since 2007. His philanthropic efforts are well-documented, including hosting high-profile charity events and launching creative fundraising initiatives like a "Millionaire Mentorship Auction" to benefit the organization. This commitment extends beyond TACA, with over $1 million pledged to other children's health and autism centers, such as the CHOC Thompson Autism Center. While his public focus is on helping children broadly, his sustained, multi-faceted support for the autism community suggests a deep personal conviction driving his involvement.

Ross Mitchell's dedication is similarly rooted in long-term service. As a member of the TACA Autism Ambassadors Group, established in 2010, he has been instrumental in generating support and increasing awareness for the cause. His role has been to lend his voice and network to advance TACA's reach, demonstrating a commitment that goes far beyond financial contribution. This history of hands-on advocacy provides him with a ground-level understanding of the challenges families face, ensuring that his strategic guidance on the board remains firmly connected to the human element of TACA’s work.

Balancing the Human Touch with High-Tech Horizons

A key aspect of TACA's forward-looking strategy is its commitment to "responsible innovation" and the "ethical use of artificial intelligence." This initiative places the organization at the forefront of a critical conversation in the non-profit sector: how to leverage technology to enhance human-centered care without sacrificing the personal touch that is vital for vulnerable communities.

For an organization serving families with autism, ethical AI presents both immense opportunities and significant responsibilities. The potential benefits include creating personalized educational modules that adapt to a child's unique learning style, providing 24/7 support through AI-powered chatbots trained on TACA's trusted resources, and analyzing data to identify trends and improve program effectiveness. By automating administrative tasks, TACA can also free up more human resources for direct family engagement and support.

However, TACA's leadership is acutely aware of the risks. The ethical framework requires a focus on mitigating algorithmic bias to ensure equitable service, guaranteeing ironclad data privacy for sensitive health information, and maintaining human oversight to prevent the depersonalization of care. The goal is not to replace human interaction but to augment it, using technology as a tool to broaden access and personalize support. The success of this initiative will depend on TACA's ability to develop and deploy these technologies with transparency, accountability, and a steadfast focus on the well-being of the families it serves, potentially setting a new standard for technology adoption in the social services sector.