You may not know the name Christopher M. Barnett, CLA ’10, but his work in autism care is changing thousands of lives—and it’s impossible to ignore. As founder and chair of ABA Centers, a behavioral healthcare organization that has grown to be a national leader for children and teens with autism, Barnett was recently named the winner of the 2024 Ernst and Young (EY) Entrepreneur Of The Year Overall National Award. Widely considered the preeminent award for American entrepreneurs, this achievement is not only a prestigious honor for the Temple University alum, but also a groundbreaking milestone for the public health sector as a whole.

Barnett’s mission to provide high-quality autism care has already helped countless families and, with plans to expand rapidly across the U.S., he’s not slowing down. In fact, ABA Centers’ remarkable growth has been fueled by a self-sufficient business model, which has allowed it to expand into 31 markets across 10 states without any private equity investment or significant debt financing. “This award doesn’t belong to me; it belongs to the incredible team that has allowed ABA Centers to provide best-in-class care for those affected by autism,” Barnett said, crediting his team’s dedication to their disruptive, patient-first model.

Barnett made history as the first-ever healthcare provider to win EY’s national overall award. He joined the ranks of past winners like Jeff Bezos, who previously won in the Emerging Business category for Amazon but didn’t take home the overall national award. 

But Barnett’s journey isn’t just about entrepreneurial success—it’s about something more personal: A father’s love for his daughter. After struggling to access the quality autism care his daughter Maddy desperately needed, Barnett quickly realized that the services available to families like his were insufficient. “What was out there wasn’t fast enough or good enough for Maddy. We could do better,” he recalled. 

In 2020, he took matters into his own hands, launching ABA Centers with a vision to provide the kind of treatment he wanted for his own daughter. Now, with 22 physical care centers and plans to open 40 new centers in the next year, ABA Centers remains committed to offering timely care—typically admitting children within 47 days of initial contact—in a field where waiting lists once stretched for years.

Barnett’s connection to Temple University, where he is an active member of the College of Public Health’s Board of Visitors, is central to his success. A self-described “high school dropout” with a GED, Barnett wasn’t initially accepted to Temple, but his determination led to a pivotal meeting with the admissions director, where he promised to graduate with a 4.0 GPA and give back. “Temple is part of who I am,” he said. “I’m proud to be Temple Made and I wear that pride as a badge of honor.” True to his word, Barnett graduated at the top of his class and has since become a key supporter of his alma mater.

One of his most meaningful contributions to Temple is Maddy’s Room, a sensory-friendly space for students originally located in the School of Social Work’s Ritter Hall Annex. Named in honor of his daughter, the room provides a calming environment for students with autism. “Temple helped shape the person I am today,” Barnett said. “And I want to make sure future students—especially first-generation students—get the opportunities they deserve.”

Jennifer Ibrahim, dean of the College of Public Health, confirmed plans to relocate Maddy’s Room to the new Paley Hall, which will open in 2025. She remarked, “Chris is an incredible example of how perseverance conquers. The idea for Maddy’s Room came from his heart, and its success speaks to his motivation and drive. At a college where we prioritize helping others, Chris shows us that when you do right by others, everyone wins.”

Barnett’s story is one of grit, heart and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others. His recognition as Entrepreneur Of The Year is a testament to the transformative power of taking a chance on someone with a vision. And for the countless families affected by autism, that vision is changing the world. “I’m doing what I love,” he said. “And now, with this platform, I can do more—better, faster and bigger—to help others.”
 

--Dave Meyers