Mikela Murray serves as the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) at S.L.A.T.E. Family Services, where she works closely alongside the Founder and CEO to support the organization’s daily operations, administrative systems, billing processes, internal coordination, and continued growth.

Mikela brings a combination of professional administrative experience, lived family experience with autism and IDD, compassion, organization, and a strong commitment to the mission of S.L.A.T.E.

Role and Responsibilities

As Chief Administrative Officer, Mikela supports and oversees administrative operations, billing processes, organizational systems, documentation, internal communication, business processes, staff coordination, and other day-to-day operational needs.

Because Mikela is being trained across multiple areas of the organization, she is developing an understanding of how the different parts of S.L.A.T.E. work together and helping establish processes that support organization, accountability, consistency, communication, and sustainable growth.

Professional Experience

Mikela brings several years of professional experience from the medical field, where she has worked as a receptionist and developed valuable skills in communication, organization, confidentiality, professionalism, administrative operations, and working directly with individuals and families from a variety of backgrounds.

Her professional experience has strengthened her ability to manage competing responsibilities, communicate effectively, maintain organized systems, protect confidential information, and remain professional and compassionate when assisting people who may be experiencing stress or navigating complicated situations.

Personal Insight and Commitment

Mikela was raised alongside her younger cousin, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of two and is only a few years younger than she is. Because they grew up together, autism was part of her everyday world from childhood.

Throughout her life, Mikela learned how to communicate with her cousin in ways that worked for him, understand his individual needs, respond to behavioral challenges with patience, and recognize that behavior can often be a form of communication. She also witnessed firsthand the advocacy, adjustments, challenges, dedication, and love involved in supporting a family member with autism and IDD.

Leadership and Organizational Growth

As Chief Administrative Officer, Mikela is learning S.L.A.T.E. from the ground up while working directly alongside the CEO. She is developing experience with the systems and processes that support business operations, service delivery, billing, documentation, internal coordination, compliance, staff support, and organizational development.

This foundation supports S.L.A.T.E.’s long-term vision because strong services require strong systems behind them.

Attributes and Impact

Mikela brings heart, organization, empathy, professionalism, and lived experience to her leadership role. She understands both the administrative side of supporting an organization and the personal side of supporting individuals and families affected by autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Mikela is committed to helping build an organization where individuals and families feel heard, understood, respected, valued, and supported while establishing the strong internal systems necessary for responsible growth.