Meet The Team
Understanding. Commitment.
Heart.
The THAA team combines deep expertise in neurodivergent education and support with a genuine passion for helping our participants thrive.
They bring specialized training, real-world experience, and a student-centered approach to everything they do.
Staff
Our staff creates an environment where each person feels understood, valued, and empowered to discover their interests and capabilities.
Marjorie McMorris
Executive Director & Founder
Marjorie McMorris is the Founder and Executive Director of The Helix Adult Academy (THAA), launching in fall 2026 to serve neurodivergent adults through lifelong learning, workforce readiness, and independent living programs. She also founded The Helix School in 2014, a Marin-based K-22 program for autistic and other neurodivergent students. A former Goldman Sachs vice president, Marjorie brings decades of leadership, board, and advocacy experience to her work. As the mother of a neurodivergent young adult, she knows firsthand the challenges families face when educational services end at 22. Her vision for THAA is to create a model that extends learning and opportunity into adulthood.
Lilian P. Ansari, M.S.
Director of Admissions and Family Services
lilian@helixadultacademy.orgLilian Ansari has dedicated more than 25 years to supporting neurodivergent individuals and their families through counseling, advocacy, and education. As Program Manager at Family Resource Navigators, she leads teams that help families navigate special education, healthcare, and community systems. A former Vice President of the Regional Center of the East Bay Board, Lilian also runs Ansari Advocacy and Resource and serves on multiple disability councils. She holds a Master's in Counseling and several certifications in education and family advocacy.
Anya Orton
Program Director
Anya Orton brings 18 years of experience in special education, with a focus on autism, American Sign Language, and neurodivergent-centered learning environments. She has also worked in higher education as an American Sign Language instructor at California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB), bringing an academic lens to her work in communication and accessibility. She has supported adolescents and young adults in parallel programs in the local neurodivergent community, helping them build communication skills, independence, and confidence in daily life. As the mother of neurodivergent teens, Anya brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work. She is deeply committed to expanding meaningful post-secondary education and community-based opportunities for neurodivergent adults, ensuring continued growth, connection, and dignity beyond high school. (Formerly Anya Carwitz-Heidenberg)
Founding Board
Our Founding Board provides strategic leadership and governance, ensuring The Helix Adult Academy operates with integrity and a clear focus on supporting our participants' growth and independence.
Advisory Committee
Our Advisory Committee guides the development of The Helix Adult Academy, ensuring programs reflect the real needs and aspirations of neurodivergent adults and their families.