our team
Lu Grant
Director
Lu is a lifetime resident of Simpsonville South Carolina. After graduating from Mauldin High school, she studied Special Education at the University of South Carolina Spartanburg. She received specialized training in Autism, working for a replication site under Dr. Michael Wolfe, a student of Dr. Ivor Lovass’s 1985 study on the effects of Applied Behavior Analysis and the impact of treatment on those on the Autism Spectrum. She has given most of her professional career to advancing therapies and therapeutic interventions that can have a positive impact on those diagnosed with an Autism spectrum disorder.
Lu’s devotion to Special Education began as a child, with an older sister with Special Needs. She witnessed first hand her parents’ determination to make her sister’s life one of joy and purpose. She became a fierce advocate for those who often were left behind due to a diagnosis or mis-diagnosis. Her life experiences helped fuel Lu’s true passion.
In 2015, Lu began the Little White House to serve a growing gap in services in Upstate South Carolina. Its purpose is to provide a Skill Building Center for those diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. She is passionate about providing a “personal” approach to helping those families effected by Autism. She continues to create programs for her clients and provide them with life experiences that otherwise they may not have, such as participating in horseback riding, art, and life skill integration – with a goal of normalizing and de-stigmatizing Autism.
Nikki Bailey
Board Member
Nikki Bailey is joining our team by coming along side our special needs families with compassion and experience. Nikki has a background in emergency medicine while in her home state of Ohio. The Bailey family moved to the Upstate area in 2011. Her oldest daughter was then diagnosed with Autism in 2012, thus changing Nikki’s career path into family support for special needs families. Since then she has helped the community in a diverse variety of support and advocacy.
Nikki has worked as an Office Administrator/Patient Advocate for 2 pediatric clinics in the upstate over the last 7 years. This role allowed her to assist and encourage families. Nikki has a gift of helping families navigate from evaluations, paperwork, approvals, diagnosis, treatment and medical care/support assistance. Helping families understand the sometimes-overwhelming processes can help them approach this path with more clarity and understanding, thus being able to help their child succeed.
Physical empowerment is also vital to helping the participants achieve their personal greatness. Nikki gets to help them achieve these goals by coaching the Special Olympics powerlifting team at Tri-fit Barbell in Mauldin.
She is very excited for this opportunity to serve on the board, bringing passion and commitment to helping our families.
William Killion
Emeritus Board member
William Killion, PhD, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at Springbrook Autism Behavioral Health in Travelers Rest, S.C. Dr Killion has a PhD in Developmental Psychology and is the author of the Functional Independence Skills Handbook, or F.I.S.H., Developmental Program, which is a curriculum for ABA used world-wide and translated into multiple languages. He is also the owner of ABA, Applied Behavioral Analysis, a practice that services many areas of South Carolina, and has served as adjunct psychology professor and consultant to psychiatric and behavioral facilities for behavioral plans for children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. Dr. Killion has over 40 years of direct experience with individuals with developmental disabilities, including autism. He is a frequent national speaker on ABA and how to address significant negative behaviors.
Leslie Mills
Director of the Pottery Project
- 27+ years of Corporate Executive Responsibility leading teams for Siemens Healthcare Ultrasound Division
- National Board & Committee Chair for HANDS (Siemens Healthineers for Autism and Neuro
Diversity – an employee resource group) - Friends of The Little White House I established in 2013, proceeds and donations go to fund The Little White House. Founding Member of the Board, Director of THE POTTERY PROJECT, a pottery studio sustainable by grants and the sale of art created by Friends of the Little White House.
- Co-Founder of Spectrum Villages and Mission School I A Fine Arts transitional academy and residential community providing adults a pathway to independence utilizing a consistent, technology driven, scalable & sustainable
Bobby Powell
Director of Spectrum Sound
In January 2023, Bobby started teaching music at The Little White House, evolving into a transformative program. He now offers private lessons, group classes, and community ensembles. As Education & Events Director at Animado Events, he connects educators and students to enriching experiences. Bobby also holds leadership roles in various musical organizations, including Upstate Symphonic Winds and Foothills Philharmonic. With a background in trombone performance and management, he’s dedicated to musical education and performance. Bobby’s married to Elyzel Servano Powell and balances his professional life with family and household responsibilities.
Eileen Morris-Duke
Board Member
-
Eileen Morris-Duke has volunteered the last 4 years to the Golden Strip Pumpkin Patch with her time and ideas. She is joining our team to contribute not only ideas for activities; but also, her background in regulatory and compliance.
She is a retired IT professional with over 40 years of experience. Her career spanned into the following fields:
- Federal/State Government
- Pharmaceutical
- Medical
- Medical Insurance
- Manufacturing
- Software
- Retail
Her focus was in startups, certifications, regulatory procedures and creating processes for steady state operations.
- Searle Pharmaceuticals FDA approval for blockbuster drug Celebrex
- Successful installation and activation of the Affordable Care Act for South Carolina
- Westinghouse Savannah River Site department awarded Westinghouse Total Quality Award