Meet the Experts Behind iSocial

Our curriculum is driven by a multidisciplinary team of Ph.D.s, specialized educators, clinical social workers, and lifelong advocates for the neurodiverse community.

Leadership Team

Bob Etzel

CEO and Co-Founder

Bob grew up in Topeka, KS when it was considered the center of mental health innovation. This was largely due to the world-renowned Menninger Clinic and the extensive psychiatric training programs at Topeka State Hospital. Bob and other middle and high school students volunteered for seven years to interact weekly with the neurodistinct children in the city’s mental health institutions. Neurodistinct and neurotypical children interacted weekly and became friends. Here is where Bob gained his respect and compassion for his neurodistinct friends and for the professionals who dedicated their lives to caring for them. During those years, he gained his conviction to radically improve the lives of his institutionalized friends.

Work history in mental health with a focus on autism.

CEO positions

iSocial – CEO and co-founder of iSocial, partnering with the University of Missouri, Vanderbilt University, and the Thompson Center for Autism Research.
BrightEHR – CEO and co-founder of this electronic health records system for Community Mental Health Centers, partnered with KU.

Board of Directors – Current

Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, serving more than 6,000 individuals and delivering over 164,000 services.
KU Center for Research in Learning, advancing computer-assisted learning for students with disabilities.
World Autism Forum.
Autism Today.

John Bruno, Ph.D.

Co-Founder & VP of Programs

Dr. Bruno oversees all aspects of programming, including content creation, faculty selection, and research efforts. He also supervises Pre-Employment programs for individuals with developmental disabilities at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis.

Dr. Bruno provides professional development workshops for professionals in employment coaching, education, health care, and HR. Recently, his work was the feature article for the Journal of Employee Assistance Professionals Association. His consultation is sought nationally and internationally.

Dr. Bruno held Associate Professor of Research and Doctoral Directive status at Florida State University, served as Dean of Flagler College, and was VP of Academics for Fontbonne University.

Meggan Griggs

Co-Founder & VP of Operations

Prior to becoming Vice President of Operations at iSocial, Meggan served as the VP of Operations for a nationally known new media company. Her career has included executive-level positions at a technology training company, educational software development, and major account management.

Meggan has also served as a lobbyist working to promote vocational education. She started her career with the U.S. Department of Commerce, where she helped introduce broadband learning services to libraries across the United States.

Expert Faculty

Mary Pat Gilliam, LCSW

School Social Worker & Author

Mary Pat is a distinguished school social worker with over three decades of experience supporting students across general and special education programs. She was named the Missouri School Social Worker of the Year in 2009 and received the prestigious Rose Award in 2024.

A published author, she wrote The Language of Children: Therapeutic Activities for Classrooms and Groups and presents at national SSWAA conferences.

Summer Peixoto

Learning Strategist & Program Architect

Summer is a learning strategist, program architect, researcher, and instructor with more than 26 years of experience designing transformative learning programs and leading educational innovation. She builds engaging curricula, educational initiatives, and professional development programs that translate research into practical solutions for communication, leadership, and career readiness.

Beyond program design, Summer has extensive experience leading teacher training, university instruction, and leadership development for higher education institutions and U.S. State Department initiatives worldwide, including Fulbright, Hubert H. Humphrey, and Georgetown University’s English Language Programs.

Summer is a senior member of the iSocial staff, conducting Professional Communications and Leadership Skills workshops. She is also the co-founder of the iSocial Employment for the Neurodistinct workshop (iSEND), the #1-rated workshop for neurodistinct job seekers. Summer provides strategic leadership in developing innovative learning frameworks that help neurodiverse individuals create more inclusive pathways to success.

Andria “Andi” Wright, MSW

Vocational & Case Management

Andria is a dedicated professional with over 30 years of experience in nonprofit management, social services, and vocational training. She facilitates iSocial workshops focused on career readiness and life skills.

Andria earned her bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University, a Human Services Certification from Georgetown University, and her master’s degree from Catholic University.

Kirsten Brauch

Nonprofit Leader & Developer

Kirsten is a key member of the iSocial faculty and co-creator of the new iSocial Employment for the Neurodistinct (iSEND) lab. She was honored as the 2024 Outstanding Emerging Professional by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

After nine years in public education, she currently serves as Senior Director of Development at Guardian Angel Settlement Association.

Angela Adrignola

Behavior Therapist

Angela is a key facilitator at iSocial, helping both children and adults. In addition to iSocial, she coordinates the Pre-Employment and Supported Volunteer Program at Mercy Hospital St. Louis.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from the University of North Texas. She specializes in helping students and families form positive relationships.

Paul Imgrund

Special Educator

Paul is a special educator based in St. Louis, MO. He has worked in the Special School District of St. Louis County since 2019 and has been a dedicated part of the iSocial team since 2020.

He is passionate about working with individuals with exceptionalities, ensuring they have the tools to succeed both academically and socially.

Learn From the Best

Enroll in a program today and let our expert faculty guide you or your loved ones toward social success.