In the events of September 11, 2001, the world lost many exceptional individuals who would have gone on to do countless good for their families and friends, their employers, and those less fortunate than themselves. Brent Woodall was someone whose spirit and dreams must not be forgotten. In addition to being a star in the classroom, on the athletic field, and on Wall Street, Brent had a commitment to children that went beyond the qualities that make a great husband and father. Young men in their prime rarely discuss wanting many children themselves or wanting to help less fortunate children achieve excellence, but Brent himself was exceptional in that regard and he and his wife Tracy were determined to fulfill that promise.

Though Brent did not have the opportunity to meet his own daughter and though he can no longer carry on his duty to his family and his mission to help children, Tracy Pierce Bender has dedicated herself to combine her training in Applied Behavior Analysis and experience in working with Autism with the grit and determination that won her All Ivy League honors in Volleyball as Captain of her Columbia University team to keep the promise she and Brent made one another through the Brent Woodall Foundation for Exceptional Children. The Foundation focuses on using Tracy’s expertise in Autism, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and visibility with the media to raise awareness of Autism and further to provide education, training, and financial support to families with autistic children to better equip them to be more self sufficient and effective as parents.

 More about Brent Woodall – Though Brent was taken from us in the events of September 11, 2001, his spirit guides us as we continue to pursue a passion he had for helping special children overcome obstacles to achieve excellence. Brent graduated with honors from the University of California at Berkeley where he also started at Tight End for a nationally ranked Cal football team. As a pitcher, Brent played at Cal and then professionally in for the AAA affiliate of the Chicago Cubs until an injury ended his pitching career and led him to Wall Street and Keefe, Bruyette and Woods, Inc., a securities firm and investment bank that Institutional Investor Magazine has recognized as “Best of the Boutiques."

More about Tracy Pierce Bender, Executive Director – Tracy has dedicated herself to improving the lives of families with Autism. Tracy was also a star athlete as Volleyball Captain and three- time All-Ivy honoree at Columbia where she achieved a BA in Psychology. She went on to specialize in Autism in her doctoral work at the New School in New York City and has provided counseling and therapy in the US and internationally. Tracy has appeared on ABC’s Primetime Live and is the author of an upcoming book about Autism. Tracy is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).Since starting the Brent Woodall Foundation for Exceptional Children, Tracy has continued to stay up to date on the most current practices in the field of autism treatment by attending conferences and reading research articles. Tracy also makes it a priority to share the knowledge and experience with undergraduate and graduate students through supervision and mentorship.    
Please consider making a donation, hosting a fundraiser, volunteering, or simply telling a friend so the Foundation can carry on Brent’s work helping children overcome obstacles to achieve excellence.