Co-founder, Autism Speaks foundation. She established Autism Speaks in 2005, with her husband, former NBC CEO Bob Wright. The organization funds research into the causes, prevention, treatment and a cure for autism. Autism Speaks says it has committed more than $570 million since its founding, most dedicated to science and research. The Wrights founded the group after their grandson, Christian, was diagnosed with autism when he was 2½ years old. Suzanne had an extensive history of active involvement in community and philanthropic endeavors, mostly directed toward helping children. She served on board of directors for several organizations, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York; the Laura Pels Foundation; the Inner-City Foundation for Charity and Education; and the Philadelphia-based Champions of Caring Project; among others. She was a Trustee Emeritus of Sarah Lawrence College, her alma mater. Suzanne had received numerous awards, including the Women of Distinction Award from Palm Beach Atlantic University, the CHILD Magazine Children’s Champions Award, Luella Bennack Volunteer Award, Spirit of Achievement award by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine's National Women’s Division and The Women of Vision Award from the Weizmann Institute of Science. In 2008, Suzanne and her husband were named in Time 100’s Heroes and Pioneers category, for their commitment to global autism advocacy. They have also received the first ever Double Helix Award for Corporate Leadership from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the NYU Child Advocacy Award, the Castle Connolly National Health Leadership Award and the American Ireland Fund Humanitarian Award. The Wrights have received honorary doctorate degrees from St. John’s University, St. Joseph’s University and UMass Medical School – they delivered respective commencement addresses at the first two of these schools. The Wrights are the first married couple to be bestowed such an honor in St. John’s history. Born in the Bronx, Wright was the daughter of an NYPD lieutenant. Following a nine-month battle with pancreatic cancer, she died surrounded by her family at her Fairfield home. She is survived by three children and six grandchildren.