lana Hoffer Skoff, together with Mia Buchwald Gelles, paved the way for autism families in Northeast Ohio to find support and community. The two mothers created Milestones Autism Resources in 2003 out of the need they experienced themselves.
Ilana Hoffer Skoff, sadly, passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the age of 58.
Skoff helped build something from nothing and her impact has no doubt been monumental. She worked tirelessly to improve the lives of individuals with autism. She helped the community realize and appreciate the uniqueness of individuals with autism. She helped take the Milestones organization from two volunteers to a professional staff of about 20, building a diverse team of passionate, dedicated professionals, which includes autistic employees and interns. Her strategic focus on community building, volunteer engagement and partnership with funders led Milestones to expand community education for first responders, medical students and other professionals on how they can better support and interact with the autistic community. Skoff recognized the varied needs of individuals from different ethnic, social and neurodiverse backgrounds. She prioritized resources to better connect with marginalized communities in order to help bridge the gap in diagnosis and services for autism. In her honor, Milestones will continue to move forward the mission she so deeply loved.
— For more information, visit milestones.org
