Dr. Mary Joann Lang founded Beacon Day School in June 2004 to open up the world of possibilities for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has been involved with the care of children for more than 25 years, first as a nurse practitioner and later, as an educator.

In 1988, Dr. Lang graduated from the University of Southern California with her Ph.D in Educational Psychology. As a diplomat of the American Board of Neuropsychology, Dr. Lang has been a practicing licensed psychologist in the field of neuropsychology since 1991. Dr. Lang is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Dr. Lang is an active member of numerous national associations, which include the National Academy of Neuropsychology and the International Neuropsychological Society. She is also an Associate Professor at Azusa Pacific University.

Dr. Lang has lectured widely on Autism and has served on multiple boards and committees such as the Interagency Autism Committee of Orange County. She also founded Beacon Autistic Spectrum Independence Center, a program to assist individual with behavior management in the family and community; and Beacon Life Project, a non-profit organization formed in 2011 focused on the advancement of adults with autism and related disorders, through service, education and research.