Elizabeth Emken
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Emken is the mother of a special needs child and the former Vice President for Government Relations at Autism Speaks
. In 2010, she ran for Congress in California's 11th Congressional District
to replace Democrat representative Jerry McNerney
. On November 28th, 2011, Emken announced via the Flash Report that she will be challenging incumbent US Senator Dianne Feinstein
in 2012. Emken is the first Republican to announce for the race.
cause, she focused on field management, cost and financial analysis, and corporate operations at IBM
Corporation.
She lives in Danville, California
with her husband of 25 years, Craig Swartz, a Global Enterprise Solution Architect at Dell
. They have two daughters, and 19 year old son, Alex, who has autism spectrum disorder.
in March 2007 to manage the relationship between the organization and the federal government, state governments, and related agencies.
Prior to joining Autism Speaks
, Emken was a legislative consultant and board member at Cure Autism Now since 1998. She initially coordinated grassroots advocacy for the first major piece of federal autism legislation, the Advancement in Pediatric Autism Research Act, ultimately becoming the lead title of the Children's Health Act of 2000, which authorized programs at the NIH, CDC
, and HRSA.
Emken led autism
community advocacy for the Combating Autism Act of 2006 on behalf of Cure Autism Now, Autism Speaks
, and 17 other leading autism organizations. The Combating Autism Act of 2006 passed in December, 2006, and authorizes nearly $1 billion dollars over the next 5 years to combat autism through research, screening, early detection and early intervention.
In 2007, she launched a multi-state campaign to secure insurance coverage for autism-related services. Fifteen states approved and enacted these measures. Similar legislation is pending in over 20 more. Florida Governor Charlie Crist
appointed her to the Governor's Task Force on Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the world's largest autism advocacy organization that sponsors autism research and conducts awareness and outreach activities aimed at families, governments, and the public. It was founded in February 2005 by Bob Wright, vice chairman of General Electric, and by his wife Suzanne, a...
. In 2010, she ran for Congress in California's 11th Congressional District
California's 11th congressional district
California's 11th congressional district is a congressional district located in the U.S. state of California. Based in Northern California, it encompasses parts of San Joaquin, Alameda, Contra Costa, and Santa Clara counties....
to replace Democrat representative Jerry McNerney
Jerry McNerney
Gerald "Jerry" McNerney is an engineer, energy specialist, and the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
. On November 28th, 2011, Emken announced via the Flash Report that she will be challenging incumbent US Senator Dianne Feinstein
Dianne Feinstein
Dianne Goldman Berman Feinstein is the senior U.S. Senator from California. A member of the Democratic Party, she has served in the Senate since 1992. She also served as 38th Mayor of San Francisco from 1978 to 1988....
in 2012. Emken is the first Republican to announce for the race.
Biography
Emken graduated from UCLA in 1984, with a degree in Economics and Political Science. Prior to her professional involvement with the autismAutism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
cause, she focused on field management, cost and financial analysis, and corporate operations at IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
Corporation.
She lives in Danville, California
Danville, California
The Town of Danville is located in the San Ramon Valley in Contra Costa County, California. It is one of the incorporated municipalities in California that uses "town" in its name instead of "city". The population was 42,039 in 2010. Danville is one of the wealthiest suburbs of Oakland and San...
with her husband of 25 years, Craig Swartz, a Global Enterprise Solution Architect at Dell
Dell
Dell, Inc. is an American multinational information technology corporation based in 1 Dell Way, Round Rock, Texas, United States, that develops, sells and supports computers and related products and services. Bearing the name of its founder, Michael Dell, the company is one of the largest...
. They have two daughters, and 19 year old son, Alex, who has autism spectrum disorder.
Autism Advocacy
Emken joined Autism SpeaksAutism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the world's largest autism advocacy organization that sponsors autism research and conducts awareness and outreach activities aimed at families, governments, and the public. It was founded in February 2005 by Bob Wright, vice chairman of General Electric, and by his wife Suzanne, a...
in March 2007 to manage the relationship between the organization and the federal government, state governments, and related agencies.
Prior to joining Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the world's largest autism advocacy organization that sponsors autism research and conducts awareness and outreach activities aimed at families, governments, and the public. It was founded in February 2005 by Bob Wright, vice chairman of General Electric, and by his wife Suzanne, a...
, Emken was a legislative consultant and board member at Cure Autism Now since 1998. She initially coordinated grassroots advocacy for the first major piece of federal autism legislation, the Advancement in Pediatric Autism Research Act, ultimately becoming the lead title of the Children's Health Act of 2000, which authorized programs at the NIH, CDC
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are a United States federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services headquartered in Druid Hills, unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, in Greater Atlanta...
, and HRSA.
Emken led autism
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
community advocacy for the Combating Autism Act of 2006 on behalf of Cure Autism Now, Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the world's largest autism advocacy organization that sponsors autism research and conducts awareness and outreach activities aimed at families, governments, and the public. It was founded in February 2005 by Bob Wright, vice chairman of General Electric, and by his wife Suzanne, a...
, and 17 other leading autism organizations. The Combating Autism Act of 2006 passed in December, 2006, and authorizes nearly $1 billion dollars over the next 5 years to combat autism through research, screening, early detection and early intervention.
In 2007, she launched a multi-state campaign to secure insurance coverage for autism-related services. Fifteen states approved and enacted these measures. Similar legislation is pending in over 20 more. Florida Governor Charlie Crist
Charlie Crist
Charles Joseph "Charlie" Crist, Jr. is an American politician who was the 44th Governor of Florida. Prior to his election as governor, Crist previously served as Florida State Senator, Education Commissioner, and Attorney General...
appointed her to the Governor's Task Force on Autism Spectrum Disorders.