Denise D. Resnik is a devoted mother and advocate for a person close to her heart – her adult son, Matt Resnik, who has autism. In 2012, she founded First Place AZ, a residential property for adults with autism, and in 1997 co-founded the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, focused on services for children. Resnik is always on the go, traveling around the Valley to meet potential donors or researchers in the autism community. “I’m always looking for ways that people can connect. I have a lot of those connectors in my bag, whether I’m connecting on a hike or connecting through things I’m passionate about.” Resnik let us peek into her pack.
