Cara Yates

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Carolyn (Cara) Yates is the Chief Visionary Officer of the Bilbo Bash Foundation, where she helps build supportive, dignified long-term housing for autistic young adults.

Cara’s advocacy began in 2010, when her daughter was diagnosed just before age four, and later, her son as well. That lived experience shaped her belief that “if you’ve met one autistic person, you’ve met one autistic person,” and it fuels her practical, person-centered approach to support.

Known for her big-picture thinking and pattern recognition, Cara saw early how quickly services can fade as kids become adults. As her daughter approached adulthood, wanting her own space, choices, and independence, Cara focused on what real life support looks like beyond childhood systems.

In 2020, during the early days of the pandemic, Cara co-founded the Bilbo Bash Foundation with Tim Bilbo to close the gap families face when supports drop off. Her mission is simple and urgent: help families plan with confidence and create a future where autistic adults can thrive with autonomy, community, and the right supports in place, today and for decades to come.