Allison has always felt that she should do something she loves as her job every dayshe found that in occupational therapy. She obtained her BA in Recreational Therapy from California State University, Long Beach and her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Creighton University. Prior to becoming an OT, Allison was a recreational therapist in various settings including adaptive sports, psych, and neuro rehab. As she was leaving the Los Angeles area she was introduced to NAPA and admired their innovative research-based practices. Allison was able to volunteer at NAPA Denver a few years later and fell in love with their community. As a former water polo player and recreational therapist, Allison believes in play based, client centered practice. She is passionate about neuro-rehab and loves to bring silliness, smiles, and fun to every session. When Allison’s not at NAPA, you may find her hiking, playing sports, traveling, or cooking/baking yummy foods!
M.Ed. Speech-Language Pathology, Valdosta State University
Katie is a Southern California native who loves all things outdoors. Her passion for speech-language pathology stems from the belief that every child deserves a voice. Katie’s clinical experience has been focused on the early intervention and school age population, working as a speech-language pathology assistant prior to completing her master’s degree. Her interests include Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC), early intervention, parent coaching, and feeding. Our kids love hanging out with Ms. Katie. One parent reported “my kid likes Katie more than me!”
M.A. Speech-Language Pathology, Central Michigan University | Megan’s interest in the field of speech-language pathology began in high school following a day of shadowing an SLP. She admired the combination of health science, patient connection, and communication access within the field. Megan earned her B.S. from Grand Valley State University and M.A. from Central Michigan University, where her volunteer and clinical experiences spanned a variety of settings, therapy models, and evaluation/treatment options. While she has enjoyed all settings and caseloads, Megan’s interests are in pediatric motor speech disorders, augmentative and alternative communication, fluency, speech-sound disorders, and dysphagia. She strives to help patients and their families make meaningful and sustainable progress toward their goals and is looking forward to being a part of the intensive therapy model at NAPA Center! In her free time, Megan enjoys cycling, rock climbing, pickleball, and exploring new areas in California.
Bachelor of Physiotherapy, Western Sydney University, Australia
Joel has always had a strong passion for working with children. Since his paediatric student placement at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Australia, he has been dedicated to making his dream of being a paediatric Physiotherapist a reality, and is incredibly excited to be working at NAPA! Prior to working as a Physiotherapist, Joel worked as a disability support worker for four years. He developed a strong passion for children suffering from neurological disorders and is committed to helping these children and their families overcome the unique barriers that each child faces. He has completed external courses specific to Paediatric Physiotherapy and has loved his time working with children in the acute hospital setting but in outpatient and community settings also.Joel recently moved to London from Sydney, Australia and is loving his time in England. When he isn’t working hard at NAPA, he is exploring the amazing nature around London, catching the national rail to various towns/cities and is enjoying a swim or spa. He loves books, dogs walks and enjoys knitting a variety of items for his friends and families. Joel is is very excited to be involved with our supportive NAPA team!
Masters of Occupational Therapy
Cherelle chose the field of OT after trying out both education and social services roles as a student of Psychology. After a few years experience she realized she wanted to be hands on in making a difference to individual children not with a whole classroom or behind a computer. Cherelle is full to the brim with love for the world of disability and positivity, and absolutely loves helping kids feel the same.
Cherelle’s special interests areas are DMI, early intervention and sensory play. You always know if Cherelle has been doing messy play! When not working you will find Cherelle clinging to the side of a cliff in
the mountains, camping or competing in bouldering competitions
PT DPT, Pediatric Residency 2021-2022 // Katie knew from a young age that physical therapy was her calling, specifically pediatrics. Growing up with her older sister who was adopted and had a diagnosis of Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy gave her a unique insight into the difficulties that children face with neurological impairments. Since graduating school, Katie has gone on to work with a wide variety of pediatric patients, but she consistently finds herself drawn to kids with complex needs and neurological impairments, challenging her creativity in treatment to help her patients reach their potential. Outside of her career as a physical therapist, Katie loves spending time with her husband and animals, going on hikes, playing video games, and working out.
Morgan’s passion for working with children began as soon as she entered the workforce, nannying throughout high school and later working as a substitute teacher throughout college are experiences that solidified her interest in pediatrics. While earning her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Quinnipiac University, she confirmed her love for pediatric care while also discovering a passion for neurorehabilitation through her clinical experiences. Prior to joining NAPA, Morgan gained experience in both outpatient pediatrics and inpatient adult neurorehabilitation and is excited to integrate these two areas in her work. She is dedicated to providing evidence-based, child- and family-centered care, with the goal of helping each child reach their fullest potential. Outside of NAPA, she enjoys traveling, staying active, trying new coffee shops, and spending time with friends and family.
Kelsie Aloi is a dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist with a Master’s degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. She discovered her passion for working with children with complex communication and feeding needs during her graduate externship at the NAPA Center in Denver, which ultimately led her to join the NAPA Center team full time. Kelsie’s areas of special interest include, but aren’t limited to, Augmentative
and Alternative Communication (AAC), feeding and swallowing disorders, and early language development. She is committed to helping children find their voices and thrive through individualized, evidence-based therapy. Outside of the clinic, Kelsie enjoys golfing, running, and exploring new restaurants. Her warm, compassionate approach and strong clinical skills make her a valued member of every family’s support team.
Jamie grew up in Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C., and earned her Bachelor’s degree from Penn State University and her Master’s degree from Towson University. After visiting Austin, she was excited to explore a new city and embrace the warm weather. Jamie has experience working across educational, private practice, and hospital outpatient settings, supporting children with a wide range of needs, specifically in the areas of language, articulation, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication. She utilizes a child-centered, play-based therapy approach and is passionate about building strong relationships with her clients and their families to support each child’s unique journey. In her free time, Jamie enjoys teaching fitness classes, baking sourdough, and cheering on her favorite sports teams (WE ARE!).
Caroline is a Charlotte native who loves helping children grow through play-based therapy rooted in a whole-child approach and meaningful family collaboration. She earned her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Huntington University in 2021 and holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of South Carolina, where she graduated in 2018. For her doctoral capstone, Caroline created a special needs ministry at her church, designing sensory-friendly spaces and advocating for disability inclusion in faith-based settings. With four years of experience—including over three in pediatrics—Caroline has worked across outpatient clinics (traditional and intensive models), home health, daycares, preschools, and acute care/inpatient rehab. During a rewarding travel therapy contract in Alaska, she discovered her passion for the intensive model and is thrilled to continue that work with NAPA’s Charlotte clinic. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with her husband, family, and friends.
Sarah has always been passionate about working with kids. She discovered occupational therapy while volunteering at a children’s hospital and fell in love with the field. She finds so much joy in empowering children to reach their goals and finding creative solutions to help people thrive in their daily activities. After completing her bachelor’s degree in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, Sarah earned her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Rush University in her hometown of Chicago, IL. NAPA Center is an absolute dream job, combining Sarah’s passion for pediatrics with her interest in neuro rehab. Prior to starting at NAPA, Sarah gained valuable experience in outpatient, home health, and community-based settings, shaping her holistic, strengths-based, and client-centered approach to therapy. Since leaving the Midwest, Sarah has been taking advantage of all that Denver has to offer with frequent trips to the mountains to camp, hike, snowboard, and sightsee. Outside of the clinic, you can also find Sarah playing tennis, taking dance classes, reading, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends. Sarah’s love of adventure, learning, and play extends into her therapy sessions, where she infuses creativity, playfulness, and connection to make therapy engaging and enjoyable for her kiddos!
Bachelor in Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy, The University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
Introducing Clarissa, a dedicated speech language pathologist who recently made the exciting leap from South Africa to Melbourne, Australia. With a heart full of passion for empowering children to reach their full potential, Clarissa endeavours to provide holistic, evidence based and family-centred therapy. Her passion for Speech Pathology and paediatrics, stems from a deep understanding of the importance of effective communication in a child’s developmental journey. She finds joy in helping children and families reach their individual goals and celebrating each milestone they achieve along the way. Clarissa’s areas of interest include early intervention, social communication difficulties, phonological awareness, AAC, and feeding/swallowing disorders. Clarissa enjoys connecting with family and friends, spending time exploring the outdoors, and learning new things. She also enjoys exploring the city’s diverse culinary scene, reading a good book and doing arts and crafts.
Lauryn knew at the age of sixteen that she wanted to work in a career fostering independence for individuals with disabilities after nannying for a family whose triplets all had cerebral palsy. She developed a passion for adapting activities to be inclusive for all children, embracing their unique abilities. She feels that occupational therapy allows her to combine her special interests in helping others, collaborating with people from diverse
backgrounds, and creating opportunities to be a lifelong learner. Lauryn received her Master’s in Occupational Therapy from the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama. Her special interest in pediatrics is neurological conditions and disorders. This makes working at NAPA Center the perfect fit. She enjoys collaborating with other professionals to help solve complex issues for her clients and their families, and to work
towards increasing their independence. When she is not at work, you can find her staying active outdoors, watching Chicago sports teams, or spending time with family and friends.
Sydney has been an Occupational Therapist for 3 years and has worked in a variety of settings from adults in the hospital to a therapeutic preschool. During college, she worked as a Behavior Technician for children with autism and worked as a nanny. She has loved working with the neuro populations and has gone back to receive her Certified Neuro Specialist and Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist certifications in an endeavor to continue learning and growing. She loves working with families to create comprehensive and holistic treatment plans for improved success at home.
Destiny has always had a heart for caring for children and believes they are one of life’s greatest blessings. Her passion for working with kids began early when she took her first job at a daycare while still in high school. Guided by her faith, Destiny finds joy and purpose in serving children and their families with ultimately compassion and patience. When she is not busy at NAPA, Destiny serves as a youth leader in the children’s ministry at her church where she teaches and guides young hearts to handle the difficult seasons of life as they grow. She went on to graduate with her Associate’s degree from Long Beach City College and later earned her Bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from California State University of Fullerton. She is passionate about using her knowledge to make a lasting impact in children’s lives and hopes to one day become a Doctor of Physical Therapy specializing in pediatrics. Her current goal is to continue combining her love for children, her background in kinesiology, and her faith-driven desire to be a light that serve others in a way that brings hope, healing, and restoration to families around the world.
Natasha is a friendly, engaging individual with a real passion for a career. Adaptable, enthusiastic, and highly motivated, she is always striving to contribute to the success of the organisation for which she is employed. Natasha has excellent interpersonal skills and possess a real strength in working both individually and as part of a team.
Nikita is currently on the path to completing her Bachelor of Speech and Hearing Sciences and Bachelor of Psychology at Macquarie University. Introduced to NAPA during a university placement, Nikita’s journey with the clinic has been nothing short of transformative, solidifying her commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of children. With years of experience as a disability support worker, she has always had a passion for helping individuals gain independence and achieve their goals. Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, Nikita embraces life’s adventures! An ideal day for Nikita is setting out for a day hike to explore the mountains in search of breathtaking waterfalls and scenic views. Fuelling her social side, Nikita cherishes the simple joys of grabbing a coffee with a friend and building meaningful connections. As the day winds down, you’ll often find Nikita curled up in a cozy blanket reading a good book, accompanied by a comforting cup of tea.
Julia is a genuinely kind individual with a passion for helping others. She was born in central California but has lived in Charlotte, NC since elementary school and has found roots in the South. She is very excited to be a part of the blooming Charlotte location and contribute to its growth. She has experience in various pediatric office settings and finds motivation and fulfillment in the opportunity to serve and spend time with children daily at NAPA. When she’s not at NAPA, Julia is likely to be found walking at the park with her husband, kids, and their pup, baking sour dough bread in the kitchen, or relaxing with her nose in a good book.
Nicole is a passionate and hardworking paediatric physiotherapist with a wealth of experience in helping children reaching their fullest potential. She brings a deep understanding of the unique challenges and needs of young patients, coupled with a personalised approach to care. Originally from Canada, Nicole completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology, specialising in Rehabilitation Sciences, which ignited an interest in the field of Physiotherapy. Looking to escape the snow, Nicole decided to pack her bags and move to Australia where she completed her Master’s Degree in Physiotherapy in 2018.
Beyond the clinic, Nicole likes to focus on developing her own body and mind and can often be found lifting weights at the gym, going on hikes or hanging out at the beach.
Bio coming soon!
Dean graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from Monash University in 2017. While studying, he worked as a swim teacher where he found his passion for working with children. He also found that he was driven by the need to help others unlock their full potential, oftentimes potential that they may not have realised themselves. This led him to pursue his Masters of Occupational Therapy from Swinburne University, which he completed in 2021. He understands that when working with a child you are really working with the whole community that engages with the child as well, so upskilling and accommodating for everyone involved is essential to him. When he is not rolling on the floor with kids in the clinic, Dean enjoys rolling on the mats doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, playing video games, watching anime, and cooking.
BSc Occupational Therapy
Sarah chose the field of Occupational Therapy due to her love of helping other people. She worked for 3 years as an OT in Ireland before exploring opportunities to work in Australia in 2020. Sarah then worked for 4 years in the community in Sydney, supporting children with disabilities to better access their local community groups and participate better in home/school environments. Sarah’s biggest passion is supporting engagement and regulation with her clients and she has extensive training in the DIR Floortime Model.
She joined the Sydney NAPA team in 2023 with the aim of continuing her learning in paediatric practice.
When Sarah is not at work, she enjoys outdoor pursuits such as hiking, running, gym and spending time with her friends. She is friendly and approachable and always happy to help others.
Doctor of Physiotherapy, Bond University
Simon was born and raised in Eastern Canada. He travelled to Australia in 2019 to begin his physiotherapy journey, graduating with his Doctor of Physiotherapy from Bond in 2021. Simon has worked with children of all ages in various settings – summer camps, after school programs and sports teams. He has known for a long time that he wanted to work in the area of paediatrics, and his time at Queensland Children’s Hospital during one of his clinical placements solidified this.
Upon completion of his 6-week clinical internship with Napa Sydney, Simon knew that he could not pass up the opportunity to join the Napa team.
Simon is a committed and passionate team member who is eager to meet with families, set goals and create a safe, fun-filled environment for children to reach their full potential.
When not working, you will find Simon in the outdoors hiking to lookouts to find a view or searching for waterfalls to swim in. Simon is also active in the running community and has completed three half marathons.
Kayla graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Child Development from California State University, Long Beach. Following graduation, she gained experience working with children aged 18 months to 12 years through various settings, ABA, early intervention programs, preschools, and social skills group. Her passion for working with children stems from a deep appreciation for their resiliency and growth. This passion led her to continue her education, and she is currently pursuing a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant program at Cerritos College. With a strong foundation in child development and a growing expertise in communication disorders, she is committed to supporting children’s developmental and communicative success. When Kayla is not at NAPA, you can find her spending time with her family, taking Pilates classes, and trying out new restaurants and coffee shops.
Ali is a dedicated occupational therapist who is passionate about celebrating each individual’s uniqueness and supporting others in reaching their goals through increased independence and meaningful activities. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Towson University in 2018 and went on to complete her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy through Towson’s Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science Entry-Level Doctoral Program. Ali brings diverse experience across multiple settings, including school-based therapy, outpatient clinics, and adaptive sports and recreation
programs. These experiences have shaped her holistic, client-centered approach, emphasizing individualized care tailored to each client’s strengths and needs. Ali discovered NAPA Center while volunteering at an adaptive paddleboard camp and immediately felt inspired by its mission and community—a place she knew she wanted to be a part of. Outside of work, Ali enjoys staying active through hiking, skiing, paddleboarding, and exercising, as well as spending quality time with her two dogs, Riley and Barley.
Julia is currently studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Griffith University. She is passionate about helping others and is excited to be working at NAPA as she is interested in a career within a paediatric setting. When Julia isn’t at NAPA, you can find her at the gym, spending time with her dog or going on adventures with her family and friends.
Chinwe (pronounced Chi-weh) recently graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. She is passionate about working with children and hopes to pursue a future career in pediatric nursing. Chinwe loves building connections with children and families and is excited to be part of an environment where kids feel supported, encouraged, and celebrated throughout their therapy journey. Her
experiences volunteering in a hospital and working with children strengthened her passion for pediatric healthcare and inspired her to continue pursuing a career focused on compassionate patient care.When Chinwe is not at NAPA, she enjoys watching K-dramas, spending time with family and friends, trying new restaurants around Chicago, and traveling. Chinwe is excited to be part of the NAPA team and looks forward to creating positive experiences and meaningful connections with the children and families she works with.
Gauri, has a master’s in pediatric physical therapy, grew up in India and has always had a big heart for working with kids. She’s all about making therapy fun and engaging, She is a great listener, full of empathy, and always brings warmth and positivity wherever she goes. With her bright smile and caring nature, she’s not just an amazing therapist but also a wonderful person. When she’s not at work, you’ll probably find Gauri exploring new places across the UK and Europe or spending her weekends making fun memories with her nieces.
Daniel has been part of the NAPA family since 2017 bringing his son Noah to the Sydney, Melbourne and LA clinics. After spending over 20 years in retail, Daniel saw the opportunity to be part of the NAPA Brisbane opening team and couldn’t pass it up. Daniel truly believes that the NAPA team not only has first class therapists, but also an infectious and positive team culture. Seeing the incredible progress his son Noah has achieved along his NAPA journey, he is looking forward to seeing the same results for Queensland (and interstate/overseas travelling) families.
Daniel relocated to the Gold Coast in January 2022 from Melbourne with his son Noah and wife Connie. Daniel enjoys the year-round Queensland sunshine by being outdoors as often as possible, particularly at the beach with the family and being a frequent visitor to the theme parks! Daniel loves travelling and is also a passionate Liverpool fan.
Sara is a Physical Therapist from the Chicagoland! Since she was little, she knew she wanted to have a career that would challenge her and allow her to make a difference. Fortunately for her, she has an amazing role model, her mother, who is an occupational therapist. She attended undergrad at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a Psychology Minor. She then attended graduate school at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL and earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy.
She has always been fascinated with the neurological and pediatric population and was fortunate to have had four clinical rotations in neurological/pediatric settings. Amongst all these rotations, she was able to strengthen her problem-solving skills, adaptability, creative mind, communication skills with patients and families…all while being a kid at heart! Sara is the oldest of three and comes from a very big extended family. Currently, she has been working as a fitness trainer and has had the opportunity to train individuals in private sessions as well as small and large group sessions. Outside of work, she loves staying active whether that includes working out, hiking, playing soccer/sports, cooking, and spending time with her family, friends, and pups!
Donna first discovered her love for working with children during her time teaching children’s dance and gymnastics classes. She received her undergraduate degree in Dance from Hofstra University before spending several years dancing professionally and teaching Pilates in NYC. Eventually she returned to graduate school and earned her Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy at SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn, New York. Donna, wanting to make the big cross-country move to California, came across NAPA’s website and knew right away that it was where she wanted to be. She is incredibly excited to be a part of NAPA’s team and feels so fortunate to be able to help kids reach their fullest potential. During her free time, she enjoys taking dance, yoga and trapeze classes and of course spending her time with her dog Riley.
Jess is passionate about working with children, young adults and families to promote development, inclusion, hope and meaningful participation in everyday life. Growing up in a neuro-divergent family, Jess has always been keen on working with children and young adults who experience barriers to their health and well-being, including physical, cognitive, sensory, social, self-care and communication difficulties.
After completing a placement in neurological and physical rehabilitation whilst studying, Jess knew this was an area she wanted to pursue, which inspired her to apply for an occupational therapy role at NAPA. When Jess isn’t at NAPA, she’s usually drawing or painting, listening to music or seeing a new movie at the cinemas. Jess also loves playing soccer, and exploringoutdoors or going on adventures.
Bio coming soon!
Alyssa began working with children as a gymnastics coach, where she discovered how much she enjoyed helping them build confidence and master new skills. She later became a behavior therapist, which is when she found her true passion for supporting the pediatric population. While working in this role, she completed her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Through her experience as a behavior therapist, Alyssa gained insight into pediatric development, which she now applies in occupational therapy to support children in their growth and daily skills. Outside of NAPA, Alyssa enjoys taking adult ballet classes, reading, and spending time with her two corgis, Elly and Ernie.
Alana is a Massachusetts girl, growing up in Central Mass, then studying out in Western Mass at University of Massachusetts Amherst where she obtained her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology & Psychology. Now she is excited to explore Eastern Mass working at NAPA Boston. She has always been passionate about the brain body connection and knew she wanted to pursue a career in the healthcare field. Alana loves caring for people, previously working as a home health aide and a physical therapy aide. Recently, she has taken enjoyment in working on the administrative side of healthcare. When Alana is not at work you can find her on the slopes snowboarding or at the beach soaking up the sun.
Hannah has always known she would be a pediatric physical therapist; her Mom was one too, so you could say it runs in her blood! Hannah studied kinesiology and neuroscience at William & Mary before receiving her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Duke (go Blue Devils!). During her final clinical rotation, Hannah spent 12 weeks at NAPA LA and loved every aspect of “NAPA magic,” but specifically the ability to build connections. She traded in the hustle and bustle (and crazy traffic) of LA to enjoy the sunshine and outdoor activities in Denver. Hannah grew up a Navy brat, so she is an expert at meeting new friends and quickly learning what motivates them. When not working with superstar NAPA kids, she enjoys adventuring with friends, reading, discovering new libraries/coffee shops, and staying active.
Bachelor of Business Administration & Bachelor of Psychology, Macquarie University
Amalia is passionate about fostering positive workplaces and enhancing the employee experience through HR initiatives, whilst supporting teams in reaching their full potential. With over a decade of experience spanning both Australia and the UK, predominantly within purpose driven organisations, she enjoys the opportunity to provide HR support to the NAPA team across the Australian clinics.
When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the local beaches on the sunny Gold Coast and working on her cooking skills.
Brittany graduated from Simmons University in Boston, MA after completing both her Bachelors in Exercise Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees. From a young age, she spent a lot of time caring for and observing the various therapies that a younger family member who has Down Syndrome was participating in. Brittany immediately knew that she wanted to work in pediatrics, and the role of Physical Therapy in particular sparked an interest that was further confirmed throughout her various clinical experiences while in PT school. She has experience in treating both children and adults in inpatient, outpatient, home, and school settings, in addition to her time at NAPA as a PT student! When not at NAPA, you can find Brittany at the beach, walking or biking around Boston to find the best ice cream, or hanging out with friends and family!
Kate is originally from Massachusetts and received both her Bachelor’s and Doctorate degrees in Physical Therapy from Northeastern University. Kate found her passion for working with kids at a young age, while working at a local summer camp teaching swim lessons. Kate also worked at adaptive bike and sport camps throughout college in Boston. She volunteered in Ecuador assisting with wheelchair repairs for children with disabilities. When Kate is not at the office, she can be found skiing with friends, eating every dessert (or donut) in sight, and trying out new recipes. Kate is excited to join the NAPA Denver team to help kids grow and learn so they can meet their goals.
Bachelor of Physiotherapy, Australia Catholic University
Anneka grew up in Sydney but after graduating University in 2016, she went off to Melbourne to pursue a career in Paediatric Physiotherapy. Her ‘2 or so’ year stint in Melbourne turned out to be longer! She fell in love with the city, it’s lifestyle, culture and sport! She has since worked in early intervention, specialising in paediatric equipment as well with children and adults in the community.
Anneka is an enthusiastic, fun therapist who believes it’s important for all children to reach their full potential. She loves seeing the look on a child’s face (and everyone around them!) when they achieve something new and amazing.
When she’s not at NAPA, you’ll probably find Anneka out socialising with friends, watching the AFL (Go Swans!) or out on an adventure with her dog, Parsley.
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, Australian Catholic University.
Jemma discovered her passion for working with children during her high school years, volunteering at camps for young children with disabilities. This experience inspired her to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy, particularly in paediatrics, where she was drawn to the excitement and variety of working with children – no day is ever the same. Whilst completing her degree, Jemma worked at a bakery where she mentored young adults with disabilities gaining further valuable hands-on experience in this field. Jemma is enthusiastic and compassionate with a strong belief in a family-centred approach, incorporating each child’s interests whilst focusing on their strengths to make therapy fun, engaging and meaningful. When Jemma is not at work you can find her playing netball, baking, spending time with friends, relaxing on the beach and walking her dog, Monty.
Kylie has over 20 years’ experience in Hospital Administration and is also a NAPA mum. She has travelled to both NAPA Sydney and LA clinics with her daughter Lily and knew from the moment she first walked through the doors at NAPA she had found “her people”. Kylie’s family believe that Lily has made lifechanging progress thanks to NAPA. Kylie is so excited to be part of the NAPA team, to be able to give parents and their children the NAPA experience having truly understand the journey our parents are on. Watching each child’s journey and the positive changes it brings to their whole families make her heart so happy. She feels so lucky to be working with the most talented team of therapists, meeting so many wonderful kiddos and their families. Kylie is a born Melbournite, living here with her husband Chris and children Jack, Harry and Lily. When not at NAPA Kylie’s happy place is at the beach with family and friends, loves traveling, shopping, coffee and wine.
Baylee is a physical therapist who received her Bachelor’s in Biology from Illinois Wesleyan and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Bradley University in 2020. She spent two years working in early intervention and the school system and is excited to start at NAPA and learn about a new setting and environment. She loves pediatrics because it brings her joy to watch kids achieve goals and surpass expectations. She especially enjoys getting to know families and helping kids work toward goals that make them more functional in their family’s day to day life. Outside of work, Baylee enjoys hanging out with her yellow Labrador, Hank, reading all kinds of books, and spending time at the beach on Lake Michigan.
Lauren graduated from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY with her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2021. Immediately following graduation, Lauren started her occupational therapy career as a travel occupational therapist where she had the opportunity to work in Michigan, New York and Texas (where she fell in love with Austin)! Throughout her travels, Lauren discovered her passion for working with children and families while helping educate and facilitate independence with meaningful activities! In 2023, Lauren completed training to become a Certified Neuro Specialist, furthering her education for current, evidence-based interventions for neurological rehabilitation. When not at NAPA, you can find her at a spin or yoga class, soaking up the sunshine on her paddleboard, curled up with a good book or checking out the Austin food scene with her friends!
Ana knew that she wanted to be a Physiotherapist since her early years after becoming fascinated with the rehabilitation process and the body’s ability to heal. Since her graduation as Bachelor of Physiotherapy at University Santa Cecilia (UNISANTA) in Brazil, she worked in many different physiotherapy areas such as Neurological, Orthopaedics, Sports and Geriatrics. In 2010 she moved with her family to Australia and more recently joined NAPA, initially as a volunteer and then as Therapy Aide where she fulfils her passion for working with kids rehabilitation. Outside of working she enjoys life being a mother of two kids and practicing yoga and pilates.
Details coming soon
After living and studying in 3 different countries, Sanu graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) from Newcastle University in 2025. Sanu has always had a keen interest in working as a paediatric physiotherapist. Previously, Sanu worked as an Allied Health Assistant with a focus on children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and intellectual disabilities and also as a sports trainer for Northern NSW Premier League teams and AFL teams for 4 years. During his degree, his love and passion for paediatrics was affirmed during a placement at NAPA Sydney. While bringing experience from multiple paediatric placements he undertook during his degree, Sanu also brings fun and games to sessions and the occasional song if needed. During his spare time, Sanu likes staying active by going to the gym or hiking, trying out new recipes, playing a new sport or adding a new hobby to try to his never-ending list.
Jenny studied Exercise Science at The University of Texas and earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Touro College in New York City. During PT school she babysat for a NAPA family which inspired her to come to Los Angeles for an internship and the rest is history!
She has always loved working with children and spent a year in Switzerland working as an au pair. Her favorite part about being a PT is having the opportunity to recognize the unique potential in each child and empowering families with support and knowledge to help their kids succeed.
Jenny runs on coffee (ask her where to get the best cappuccino in town) and good vibes only.
Cynthia received her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. She has experience working with children in different settings including schools and clinics, and has always had a passion for supporting their growth and development. She first learned about occupational therapy when her father received OT services after being diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Witnessing his journey sparked her interest in the profession and further inspired her to help others. Cynthia prioritizes providing support for children and their families in reaching their goals and loves seeing the joy on their faces when they accomplish something meaningful. During her free time, Cynthia enjoys reading, pilates, and exploring new coffee shops.
Taylor is originally from Colorado and headed to Seattle to earn her undergraduate degree at the University of Washington, before returning to Denver to receive her Doctor of Physical Therapy at Regis University. She first fell in love with pediatric physical therapy in high school through volunteering with Adam’s Camp and Saddle Up hippotherapy programs, and continued that passion while working as a rehab aide at Seattle Children’s Hospital during undergrad. Along the way, her clinical experiences made it clear that working with kids and being a teammate for families is exactly where she’s meant to be! Taylor brings a playful, easygoing, and supportive approach to each session—she loves being goofy, celebrating the small wins, and helping kids build confidence and independence in ways that feel fun and natural. Outside of NAPA, you’ll probably find her hiking, camping, traveling, running, or just soaking up as much Colorado sunshine as possible!
MS Occupational Therapy, Stanbridge University. Ally has always had a passion for working with children which lead her to pursue her undergraduate degree in Child Development. After college, Ally worked as a behavior technician in a pediatric clinic where she fell in love with the field of occupational therapy. After getting to collaborate and observe so many occupational therapists, Ally went back to get her masters degree in occupational therapy. Getting to work with not only children but their families is one of Ally’s favorite things about working in a pediatric setting. When Ally isn’t at work she is most likely going for a run or hanging out with her dog Avila.
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, Western Sydney University
Monique knew throughout her schooling that she wanted to pursue a career that would enable her to fulfill her passion of making a difference in the lives of children. She found this in the occupational therapy profession. During her studies, Monique was fortunate enough to have placement experience in a range of clinical areas which included mental health. She may be a familiar face as Monique had her 6-week university placement at the NAPA Centre, an experience that she has held onto since! She has had previous experience as an allied health assistant working mainly with children living with autism spectrum disorder. Monique comes from a Lebanese background and has grown up in a big amazing family, therefore she knows and values the importance of families in the lives of children. Monique is enthusiastic, vibrant and will make each interaction a fun and valuable one through integrating play in therapy. She is dedicated to constantly updating her knowledge through research and learning to ensure the best outcomes for your children! When Monique is not at the NAPA Centre, you will find her taking on a new outdoor adventure or spending some quality time with her family.
Lauren attended Australian Catholic University where she completed her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. While in High School Lauren discovered her love and passion for working and surrounding herself with children, which led her to studying Occupational Therapy. Throughout university Lauren volunteered at over night and day camps for children with disabilities and worked as a support worker where she further developed her passion. Lauren is committed to working alongside other therapists and families to help children reach their goals in a fun environment. When she is not at work Lauren loves being outdoors especially at the beach and hanging out with her friends.
Ana was originally born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and made the move to Texas with her family in 2005. Ana found her passion for both Occupational Therapy and pediatrics while volunteering at a hippotherapy ranch. Following her Bachelors in Psychology and Minor in Neuroscience from Texas A&M University, Ana attended Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center for her Masters in Occupational Therapy. Ana loves working alongside families to improve and support their day to day quality of life, and utilizing her creativity to help children gain independence. In her free time, Ana enjoys creating art, trying out new recipes, and hiking with her two dogs (Juno and Pax).
Paige is a Charlotte local and a dedicated Physical Therapist with a strong passion for pediatric care. She earned both her B.S. in Exercise Science (with a minor in Education) and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Saint Louis University. Paige specializes in working with children and adolescents, using a blend of innovative techniques, playful exercises, and compassionate care to make each session both enjoyable and effective. She especially loves working with babies and is always inspired by the new things older kids teach her along the way. Her clinical experience includes treating children with Torticollis, Gross Motor Delays, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, genetic conditions, and more. Known for her creativity and sense of humor, Paige strives to make therapy engaging while celebrating every milestone, especially the joy of seeing a child take their first steps or achieve a long-awaited functional goal. Outside of NAPA, Paige enjoys traveling, playing pickleball, making pottery, and spending time with friends and family.
Jocelyn received her combined bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern California. She has lived in the South Bay all her life and fell in love with the OT profession at a young age. Since then, she has worked as a school-based OT, providing services to students of all ages and levels of support on the autism spectrum. She believes that the greatest gift OT has been for her is getting to walk alongside children and families, witnessing their growth every day. Outside of NAPA, Jocelyn lives by her morning walks and coffee, but also loves to try new hobbies and will happily take any recs!
Emily is passionate about making therapy fun and loves seeing the dedication, smiles and laughter from everybody at NAPA! She uses her experience as a disability support worker and dance teacher to encourage enjoyment, individuality, independence, and goal achievements. When Emily isn’t at NAPA, you could find her going on walks, dancing, reading books, watching Netflix or listening to Taylor Swift.
Laura chose the field of speech-language pathology when she was in high school, after working at a summer camp for children with special needs at her local park district. She completed her undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Nebraska Omaha. Since becoming a speech-language pathologist, Laura has worked with children ages birth to thirteen years. She has spent most of her career working as an SLP in the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA), where she obtained a certification as a registered behavior technician. In addition to behavior, Laura is passionate about collaborating with families to empower them to best support their loved ones’ communication abilities.
When she is not working, Laura enjoys spending time with her dog, Pepper who is a toy Australian Shepherd. She also loves being active outdoors, doing yoga, and watching reality TV series.
AAS Sound Technology, South Plains College
Garrett has a passion for helping others and chose a career with NAPA to use that passion to help children and their families. Before working at NAPA, he worked in the restaurant industry, technology sales, as well as
various delivery positions. Across all these positions, Garrett’s favorite part was making someone else’s day, something he plans to continue in his role as Patient Coordinator at NAPA. Garrett is married and has two children, both boys, who keep him very busy at home! In his free time, he loves to learn about and use new technology, play and write music, play video games, and watch sports.
Madison Adair, OTR/L, is a two-time graduate of Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan (Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science- ‘23, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy- ‘25). During her final clinical rotation, Madison spent 12 weeks at NAPA Denver where she fell in love with the NAPA community– a place where hard work is fueled by smiles, laughs, and high-fives. Madison is passionate about empowering children to reach their full potential and promote their participation in daily life. She is thrilled to officially return to the clinic as part of the team! Originally from Michigan, Madison has swapped the Great Lakes for the Rockies and is learning to trade lake days for mountain hikes! Outside of NAPA, Madison enjoys spending time with her family and friends, adventuring, staying active, and playing board/card games.
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Class I Honours) 2022, The University of Queensland
Hailing from Brisbane, Kate recently relocated to Sydney to work at NAPA Centre. With a background in dance, Kate has always been passionate about finding joy in movement and helping others to do the same. Having worked with children as an assistant dance teacher, school tutor, and support worker during her studies, Kate knows that a little bit of fun and laughter is the key to getting the job done. After seeing the benefits of intensive therapy firsthand, Kate is keen to help make a difference in the lives of NAPA kids and their families.
Outside of NAPA, you might find Kate taking a dance class, relaxing at the beach, or working on her Bakery Bucket List.
Delaney is originally from Baltimore, Maryland, and loves spending time hiking, being by the ocean, or cheering on the Baltimore Ravens. She earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from West Virginia University. Delaney has always been passionate about neurologic rehabilitation and brings experience from a variety of pediatric settings. For the past four years, she has worked as a home health therapist in the Denver metro area, helping children and families thrive in their everyday environments. She’s now thrilled to be starting her dream job at NAPA and looks forward to making a difference in the lives of the kids and families she serves.
Bachelor of Speech Pathology from Australian Catholic University, Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies from Griffith University.
Tabitha has had a passion for working with physical and developmental disabilities since becoming a swim teacher specialising in additional needs during high school. Since becoming a Speech Pathologist, she has always worked with children and feels so lucky to be part of a child’s journeys as they develop their ability to communicate in their own way. She has worked in private practice, non-for-profit sector and specialist schools in both Melbourne and London. Gaining experience in a broad range of clinical areas especially with AAC, alternative access, neuro-affirming therapy approaches and regulation. She feels that the key to successful therapy and progress is a strong, understanding, and open relationship with caregivers. Tabitha strives to put her client’s needs first and ensures all of her sessions are fun, child-led and meet their individual differences. When not at work she enjoys spending time with her friends and family by the beach or inside of Melbourne’s yummy restaurants. Otherwise, you’ll find her travelling and exploring new places, going to music gigs or tucked up on the couch with a good reality TV series.
Having graduated from Brunel University London in 2023 as a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (First Class Hons), Tom was awarded a job as a Paediatric Physiotherapist after impressing in his elective university placement in a North London SEN school. Tom spent the next 3 years devoting his career to help develop the lives and physical ability of others through person and goal-centered physiotherapy approaches, with a huge emphasis on having fun at all times! Tom prides himself on building a rapport with the children, families and teams he is working with and believes that seeing the smiles on everyones faces when goals and milestones are reached is the best part of the job.Tom brings a wealth of experience from the paediatric and neurodisability space, having coached youth soccer (or football!) in England for over 10 years and worked with children with a wide variety of disabilities up to the ages of 19 years. Tom is a passionate Arsenal fan and loves to play Football and Padel in his spare time, he also loves to travel and explore cultures, food/recipes, and is constantly on the hunt for the best sunsets!
Ashley is a passionate occupational therapist originally from Southern Maryland. She discovered her passion for occupational therapy while volunteering as an adaptive dance instructor for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities. She earned her Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Occupational Therapy degrees from Quinnipiac University. Throughout her career, Ashley has specialized in pediatric
occupational therapy. She believes therapy should be evidence-based, individualized, and, most importantly, fun! Outside of work, Ashley enjoys hiking and camping in the mountains.
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, Griffith University
Abi has always had an interest in working with children, with 5 younger siblings and dozens of cousins, it was inevitable that she would work in the pediatric space. With 6 years of experience in early childhood education, she is always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to engage and connect with children. Abi finds joy in supporting each child’s unique developmental pace and celebrating any and every milestone.
In her free time, you will find Abi exploring markets and soaking up the sunshine with ocean swims and long walks.
Lacey earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Chapman University after completing her undergraduate studies in Biopsychology at Wagner College. She has worked across various patient populations including outpatient orthopedics, inpatient acute care, and outpatient pediatrics, where she found herself most drawn to pediatric care and working with families. Lacey is drawn to the energy and resilience of children and enjoys helping them build new skills in ways that feel meaningful and empowering. She likes the problem-solving that comes with pediatric therapy and loves providing support to both the child and their family. Outside of work, Lacey spends time with her wife and her golden retriever, Chapman, and can usually be found outside or reading.
Dianne is a passionate and fun-loving occupational therapist who believes in the importance of forming supportive relationships with families and achieving goals through strengths. Inspired by growth, adventure, and learning from people of all walks of life, Dianne decided to move Hong Kong after graduating from her OT degree. There she began her OT career at a large early intervention organisation, and completed a Masters degree to further her knowledge in the world of rehabilitation for children with developmental disabilities. She loves being a paediatric OT as she is able to keep learning, be creative, and help children and their families feel empowered – which led her to NAPA.
Having missed family, Red Rock Deli chips, road trips and the infectious Aussie friendliness, Dianne decided to move back to home to Sydney. In her spare time Dianne can also be found exploring different restaurants, creative activities and the occasional attempt to get fit.
Studying a bachelors of Speech Pathology (Honours), The University of Newcastle, Australia
Georgia is currently on the path of completing her Bachelors of Speech Pathology (Honours) at the University of Newcastle. Georgia’s passion for working with children and wanting to see kids achieve their goals stemmed from the roots of teaching kids artistic gymnastics and dance. Georgia’s time at the clinic has been nothing short of transformative as she has been able to learn techniques and skills from other allied health professions whilst also positively impacting the lives of the children that come through the NAPA doors. When not at NAPA you can find Georgia spending time with her family, going to the gym, going out with friends or snuggling up on the couch watching a movie.
Doctor of Physical Therapy, Duke University
Marc was inspired by his mother, a special education teacher, to start working with kids when he would help her out in her classroom in high school. After graduating from Loyola Marymount University, Marc joined the Peace Corps where he worked primarily in a community health capacity to improve childhood nutrition practices in Peru. During his clinical rotation at NAPA in his last year of physical therapy school, Marc was routinely inspired by the dedication and creativity of his clinical instructors and all of the physical, occupational, and speech therapists he had the opportunity to work alongside and by the end, fell in love with the families and mission of NAPA.
Kelly is a passionate Occupational Therapist dedicated to helping children thrive through creative, collaborative, and family-centered care. She earned her B.S. in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from College of Saint Mary. It was early in her undergraduate journey that Kelly discovered OT – a field that aligned perfectly with her dream of working with children through a meaningful and holistic framework. Kelly has experience with NeuroDevelopmental Treatment (NDT) and the DIRFloortime® model. While in graduate school, Kelly also led an extensive project focused on parent education, advocacy, and community support for families navigating chronic and complex conditions. Her sessions are grounded in positivity, playfulness, and a commitment to meeting each family where they are. After working in pediatric home health in Colorado, Kelly is excited to return to her home city of Chicago and be part of the enthusiastic NAPA team!Outside of NAPA, Kelly enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog, Finley, getting together with family and friends, traveling, and staying active. She’s also a proud supporter of her former soccer team — Go Illini!
Laura first saw occupational therapy in action when she started working at an inclusive summer camp at 15 years old. Seeing how occupational therapy helped children achieve their highest potential with a skills-based approach and in a playful environment helped Laura to decide that OT was the career for her. After receiving her B.A. in Psychology from Binghamton University in New York, Laura moved to Boston to earn her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at Boston University. Prior to working at NAPA Boston, Laura had experience in inpatient orthopedics and even worked as a student at NAPA in Los Angeles! Her experiences with the incredible children and families at NAPA LA inspired her to pursue a full-time role with the company back on the East Coast. Outside of NAPA, Laura can be found testing out a new recipe, reading at a local coffeeshop, or at the movies with her friends!
Delaney earned her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology with a minor in psychology at Texas A&M University. Gig ’em Aggies! She went on to earn her doctorate in physical therapy back in her hometown at UT Health San Antonio. Delaney feels motivated by helping children build confidence, overcome challenges, and work toward achieving their full potential all while having fun! Outside of her career, Delaney enjoys reading, spending time with her husband, and being active through hiking and pickleball.
BSc (Hons) Occupational therapy, Coventry University, United Kingdom.
Aoife (pronounced EEFA) is an Irish OT bow back at the Sydney clinic. Aoife has been passionate about working with children ever since she was younger as her mum is a paediatric nurse. Aoife loves the fact that she can bring play and creativity into her therapy sessions and that no 2 days will look the same at NAPA. In the UK Aoife worked in the Royal Bristol Children’s Hospital as an Acute OT working in areas of orthopaedics, Oncology, Cardiac and PICU. Aoife is excited to be apart of the NAPA team with the aim to continue her learning in a different paediatric setting. Aoife is fun, creative, and enthusiastic and can’t wait to help the NAPA kids to reach their goals. When not at NAPA, you’ll find Aoife swimming at the beach, walking the coastal routes with her second coffee of the day or hanging out with friends.
Noa is an Occupational Therapist who brings creativity, warmth, and playfulness into her work with children and families. She studied Art and Design in London while completing her Occupational Therapy degree, an experience that deepened her passion for the profession and continues to shape her creative approach to therapy. Noa enjoys using imaginative and flexible strategies to support children to engage in meaningful and motivating activities. Noa has several years of experience volunteering and running programs for children and adolescents with disability, with a focus on building confidence, fostering meaningful friendships, and supporting participation in purposeful everyday activities.Noa is excited to work alongside the children and families at NAPA, supporting them to achieve their goals in a fun, supportive, and empowering environment. Outside of work, Noa loves spending time by the beach, crocheting, painting, and playing with her dogs.
Christian earned his B.S. in Public & Community Health with a minor in Sociology from Ithaca College in Spring 2025 and was also a member of the football team. He has always enjoyed working with children and finds that their energy and personalities never fail to put a smile on his face. Christian is passionate about building positive connections with children and creating an environment where they feel supported, encouraged, and comfortable being themselves. He is excited to be in the role of Clinic Aide at NAPA and looks forward to growing and contributing to the team while helping children reach their goals. Christian is also excited to be working with so many professionals and learning about their disciplines in healthcare further! When Christian is not at NAPA, you can find him working out, watching movies, playing sports, or exploring the city and discovering new places.
Kayla completed her Bachelor’s degree at Australian Catholic University, where she developed a strong foundation in occupational therapy and a passion for supporting children and families. From a young age, Kayla worked in various settings with children and discovered her calling through volunteering at a disability organization in high school. This experience solidified her desire to make a meaningful difference by helping children achieve their goals and reach their full potential. With over eight years of experience as a support worker, Kayla has worked with a diverse range of families, gaining invaluable insights and skills that shape her compassionate and client-centred approach to therapy. When Kayla is not at the NAPA Centre, you’ll find her shopping, enjoying a musical, or spending quality time with her family and friends.
Kristin applied to PT schools looking forward to being able to work with kids, and help them to achieve their highest level of function. Throughout her schooling, she applied herself not only to her studies, but in expanding her professionalism as well, working as a TA, and serving as President of the school’s Student Physical Therapy Association. After graduating, Kristin immediately starting looking for positions where
she could apply her desire for the pediatric population. Her ability to connect with patients, and her dedication to clearly communicating with parents quickly landed her multiple job offers at pediatric clinics, but Kristin never stopped looking for ways to continue educating herself. When she’s not in the clinic, Kristin enjoys hiking, reading, and having game nights with friends.
Jocara graduated from Colorado State University and is a proud CSU Ram! She enjoys spending her free time reading, spending time with friends, and exploring the beautiful Colorado outdoors! Jocara is passionate about helping others, which is why The NAPA Center stood out to her. Although she doesn’t have traditional experience in the healthcare field, she is excited to use her marketing skills to help the NAPA team, and connect with the families and community of the NAPA Center. She greatly values the NAPA mission of creating a community of hope.
Nicole loves working at NAPA because she has the opportunity to learn from an amazing team of therapists. Inspired by her eldest daughter Nicole is motivated to utilise the acquired skills to benefit her daughter and the children she will be supporting at the centre. Nicole loves the fun, friendly and supportive environment that NAPA provides and has always had a passion to work with kids.
Nicole’s hobbies consists of spending time with her dog Mack and Cat Pixie and exploring the outdoors with her family. Nicole’s guilty pleasure is Reality Tv, The Kardashians, The Real housewives of Beverly Hills just to name a few.
Ashley has always had a passion for working with children. Her favorite part about being a pediatric PT is the look on a kids face when they learn a new skill! Ashley is a CO native and grew up in Grand Junction. She studied biology at the University of Denver and received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Prior to NAPA, Ashley worked in early intervention and at a pediatric outpatient clinic in Denver. In her free time, Ashley enjoys skiing, hiking, mountain biking, reading, and playing with her puppy!
Emily completed her Doctor of Physiotherapy at Monash University. During her studies, she elected to complete a placement at NAPA Centre Melbourne and immediately knew it was where she belonged. Her time at NAPA confirmed her passion for helping children and families reach their goals by embracing their unique needs, creating a fun and supportive environment, and using creativity and problem-solving to make therapy meaningful. She brings optimism and warmth to every session and loves being part of each child’s journey as they discover what they’re capable of.When she’s not at NAPA, you’ll find Emily in the mountains or by the ocean. She loves spending time with family and friends and is always on the hunt for a yummy new brunch spot to try. Emily is a big Harry Potter fan, and enjoys winding down with a nice cup of tea (English brekky, of course) and doing puzzles.
Davis’s interest in pursuing a career in the health industry stemmed from the supportive and passionate paediatric physiotherapist who worked with him for much of his childhood. During his studies in occupational therapy, Davis had opportunities to work with children and their families during his placements and knew that this was what he was most passionate about. Davis loves working in paediatrics because of the opportunities to help individuals achieve their goals, the fun and exciting nature of therapy, and how rewarding it is for all involved. In his free time, Davis enjoys playing soccer, going to the gym, and watching sports of all kinds!
Bio coming soon!
Ashley graduated from Boston University after earning her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Her desire to help people realize their potential, meet their goals, and to promote overall well-being was what made her choose this field. Ashley first discovered PT when watching her little sister receive services as an infant. She was inspired and thought it was deeply meaningful work to help a little one achieve their developmental goals. Her interest only grew after becoming a student and gaining experience working with children in the PICU. Ashley also completed her last clinical rotation at NAPA! She is overjoyed to be working with this amazing community of children and families. In her free time, you can find Ashley watching TV, attending a game night, finding a creative outlet, making travel plans, and having deep conversations with friends over coffee.
MS Occupational Therapy, Stanbridge University
Rachel’s passion for occupational therapy started early, when she herself received OT services with her triplet siblings from being born prematurely. She sees first hand how much therapy helps with independence, motivation and achieving lifelong goals. In her free time Rachel enjoys hiking, spending time with her friends and siblings, and reading books. Rachel enjoys the opportunity to collaborate with children and family members to create the best life possible!
Growing up the eldest of her 20+ cousins, Zoe has always been surrounded by kids and enjoys teaching and inspiring them to pursue their own passions, as she did with artistic gymnastics. Her commitment to the sport taught her the value of discipline, determination and sheer belief; and the positive effect of movement on the developing body.
Zoe grew her passion for paediatrics as she rotated through her new-graduate year at a large tertiary hospital in Sydney. It was here that Zoe was involved with treating acutely unwell children with a variety of medical backgrounds which inspired her to seek opportunities to help maximise the potential of these children when they were well – hence her big move to NAPA.
In her spare time, you will usually find Zoe at the gym or experimenting in the kitchen – any delicious recipe suggestions are welcome!
David first came into contact with NAPA when his son Angus started intensive sessions in the summer of 2018 to treat his quadriplegic cerebral palsy. He says he quickly saw the impact of the intensive model and the benefit it could bring to children and their entire families.
It is now “the privilege of his life” to help bring NAPA to the UK and to shift the landscape for pediatric Neurodisability provision throughout Europe.
As a former teacher and school leader, David is a proud history nerd and published historian who enjoys a good book, long runs, and the constant disappointment of supporting the Colchester United football club.
“I will do all I can to help families in the UK,” He said, “We will never give up”.
Amy holds a Masters in Occupational Therapy from University of Essex and a Masters in Psychology from Brunel University London. Amy fell in love with occupational therapy due to its holistic focus, tendering to an individual’s complete wellbeing; the physical, the mental, the cognitive, and the social. After working on a therapy with focus on social-emotional regulation as well as a summer magic camp for children with hemiplegia using bimanual therapy; Amy knew her future career involved working in pediatrics. She has a goal to not only make every session as productive as possible but to be fun aswell!Amy loves to travel and has lived in multiple countries around the world including; The UK, Saudi Arabia, USA, Costa Rica, and Canada. In her free time she loves the outdoors, exploring new restaurants and yoga.
Danielle’s interest in working in pediatrics started with a summer job working at a therapeutic outdoor camp. After seeing first-hand the impact that accessibility and meaningful activities can have, Danielle was determined to find a way to make this her career. And OT ended up being the perfect fit. After receiving her undergraduate degrees in Occupational Studies and Psychology, she continued on to get her Master’s in Occupational Therapy all at Worcester State University. Prior to NAPA, Danielle worked in an outpatient clinic and in early intervention. Outside of the clinic, Danielle enjoys hiking and camping, going to yoga class, rock climbing, and going to concerts.
Jacqueline, a recent OTD graduate, is thrilled to return to NAPA Center Denver! During her clinical rotation at NAPA, she was inspired by how hardworking, lively, and resilient every NAPA kid was—and she is eager to bring that same energy into the clinic. Before pursuing OT, Jacqueline taught dance and gymnastics, where she discovered her love for working with children. She has also served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in the foster care system, and she worked in a pediatric ER to help provide quality medical care to tiny humans. Originally from Texas, Jacqueline is trading her love of water
sports for mountain adventures. No matter the activity, she’s happiest spending time outdoors with friends and family
University of Notre Dame, Fremantle – Bachelor of Physiotherapy, 2016
Kate has always been passionate about supporting children, working as a nanny whilst she completed her physiotherapy degree. Her interest in the area further developed during a placement at a community paediatric therapy provider. Kate has experience working as a physiotherapist with children and their families across Perth, London, and Brisbane. Kate is motivated by working collaboratively with families and children to use their interests and strengths to pursue their goals in fun and exciting ways.
Away from work, Kate enjoys the beach, camping, baking, and spending time with friends
AK knew early in life that she wanted to work with kids, but finding a career such as occupational therapy exceeded all previous expectations. After graduating from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center with her doctorate in occupational therapy she hoped to find a career that aligned with her passions and goals. Throughout her classes, AK gravitated towards neurological foundations and pediatric studies. Once discovering NAPA Center, AK knew instantly that she wanted to work as an OT within the pediatric neurological population for this clinic. Serving children is the most rewarding career anyone could pursue. When AK is not at NAPA she enjoys spending time with friends, walking her dog named Finnegan, and working out at Orangetheory.
Elaina is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who brings energy, compassion, and dedication to her work with children. She earned both her Bachelor of Science and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. Her passion for pediatric therapy stems from the joy and unpredictability that working with children brings—she loves that no two days are ever the same and how every child is unique in their own way. Elaina finds the most rewarding part of her work to be watching children reach milestones they’ve worked hard to achieve and seeing their confidence grow along the way. She believes in the power of play, movement, and individualized care to help every child reach their full potential. Outside of work, Elaina enjoys staying active and social—she loves playing pickleball, attending trivia nights, and spending quality time with her friends and family.
BA Child Development and Family Studies, CSULB & AA Early Childhood Education West LA College
Elizabeth began working with children in 2016 while working on her AA degree. Her education has given her the tools necessary to create relationships with families and provide the best environment possible to the children she works with. Initially interested in kindergarten and early elementary, she has also gained experience working with infants and toddlers. Before coming to NAPA, Elizabeth has worked in ABA therapy, school programs, and child care centers. Through her experiences, she has been inspired to continue building the social emotional connection with children and families through her work. When she is not having fun in the center, Elizabeth enjoys being around friends and family. Hiking and being in nature are always welcome activities, as well as shopping for books and art materials for the next craft. During any downtime, Elizabeth loves to relax with her dog, Bella, while watching her favorite TV shows, such as The Office.
BS Sports Medicine, Colorado State University MBA Healthcare Administration, University of Colorado – Denver
Faraaz is a Patient Coordinator at NAPA Center Denver with a passion for improving the patient experience through compassionate care, empathy, and strong communication. Drawing on his background in healthcare operations and his experience as a physical therapy aide, he is dedicated to helping families feel supported throughout their therapy journey. His favorite part of working at NAPA is welcoming families, building meaningful connections, and contributing to an environment where children can thrive .Outside of NAPA, you’ll most likely find Faraaz playing soccer, trail running, or spending time with friends and family. You may also find him fawning over cat videos. He plans to pursue physical therapy in the near future and is excited to continue making a meaningful impact in pediatric rehabilitation while growing alongside the families and clinicians he supports.
Katie is a passionate and enthusiastic OT who received her education from Tufts University in Medford, MA. Prior to becoming an occupational therapist, Katie found her love of working with children in the pool as a swimming instructor, coach, and lifeguard. Teaching children of all abilities to love and feel safe in the water was just one factor that led to her to this amazing career path. Katie has spent time working in several different service areas including skilled nursing, subacute rehab, schools, and outpatient pediatric settings. A few of Katie’s favorite games/activities to play in OT sessions are Pop the Pig, making crafts, and navigating obstacle courses! Outside of work, Katie enjoys going to concerts, attending pilates class, taking a walk around the Charles River, or reading a mystery/thriller book!
Shannon was introduced to the field of occupational therapy by her twin sister; Following a degree in Psychology and 15 years working with children with Autism and intellectual disabilities in various capacities, as well as with refugees in humanitarian aid, Shannon returned to school in 2017 to earn her graduate degree in Occupational Therapy from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, MO. She has specialised in work with emotional and behavioral regulation and executive functioning, and particularly enjoys educating and collaborating with parents and caregivers to promote sustained growth and functional independence. She has recently taken special interest in reflex integration and is excited for the opportunity to learn and grow as a therapist with NAPA. Shannon has lived throughout the U.S. and in Greece, and enjoys traveling, hiking, watching sports, and exploring new restaurants; she anticipates more adventures with her relocation to Australia!
Maddy’s joy comes from helping those around her live life to the fullest. This passion led her to occupational therapy where she could use her strengths in science and creativity to reach children and families’ goals. Maddy studied occupational science at the University of Southern California before heading east to get her doctorate in occupational therapy from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. During a stint in New York City, she worked in school and clinic-based settings using an emphasis in sensory integration. Maddy is excited to work at NAPA and continue her passion in interdisciplinary collaboration and lifelong learning. Finally back in her home state, Maddy can be found out in the sunshine walking, running, painting, or taking a class in a new sport or hobby.
Originally from northern New Jersey, Kristen attended the University of Virginia for undergrad and earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Duke University. She developed an interest in working with children at a young age, volunteering at a summer camp for individuals with disabilities for many summers growing up. Throughout her pediatric clinical rotations, Kristen further developed her passions for helping kids achieve their goals, discover joyful forms of movement, and navigate their ever-changing environments. She also utilizes a weight-inclusive approach to healthcare. When she is not in the clinic, you can find Kristen reading, running, crocheting, or playing the flute in local ensembles. Kristen is excited to explore all that Denver has to offer and be a part of the NAPA team!
Ashlee has always had a passion for helping others, making others feel loved and accepted, and doing whatever she can to improve someone’s quality of life. Ashlee is a board certified Occupational Therapist through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and through the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners. Ashlee is also a Certified Neuro Specialist through the Neuro Specialist Institute. She is a proud graduate with honors from Belmont University where she obtained her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. She has had multiple family members require Occupational Therapy services for a variety of reasons ranging from her cousin with Down Syndrome to her uncle having a stroke. Her absolute top special interests are Pediatrics and Neurological conditions! Ashlee particularly loves that NAPA combines her two favorite interests while being able to provide exceptional therapy services with the latest evidenced based interventions, techniques, modalities, and equipment to help her sweet kiddos optimally reach their goals to the best of their abilities. She strives to treat all of her patients like she would want her loved ones treated. Ashlee has experience in outpatient pediatrics, home health pediatrics, inpatient rehabilitation, acute care, and adult home health. Her favorite places to visit are anything tropical! When Ashlee isn’t at work, she could be found exploring trails with her husband and two doodles, painting, spending time with friends, or visiting her family in East Texas!
Annabelle chose to pursue a career in physical therapy due to experiencing a personal injury where she had to undergo rehabilitation for several months. She found that this career would be one that helped fulfill her love for helping others while also healing them so that they could continue to participate in the activities that they love. She received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Western University of Health Sciences in Oregon. Her love for working with the pediatric population flourished during school where she was involved in a research project that helped build custom sit to stand boxes for children with developmental delays. She developed her passion for helping children while on a clinical rotation in Idaho and she found out just how rewarding it could be to help children with complex medical diagnoses unlock their true potential. When she is not working, you can find her hanging out at the beach, taking workout classes, enjoying reality television, or scoping out a local coffee shop.
Masters of Occupational Therapy (MOT), Colorado State University
Kristina has known since high school that she wanted to be an Occupational Therapist. Her love for the pediatric population grew after volunteering with children at an outpatient pediatric clinic in North Carolina. She was amazed by the impact occupational therapy had on children and families! After completing her bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Services from East Carolina University, Kristina earned her Masters in
Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University. While completing her master’s degree, Kristina worked at the Assistive Technology Resource Center helping college students with disabilities excel in secondary education. She continued to gain valuable experience in an outpatient pediatric clinic with a primary focus on sensory integration. She was introduced to NAPA by fellow physical therapists at the clinic, which sparked an immediate interest in neuro rehabilitation. Kristina takes pride in using a play-based, family centered, and strengths based approach to therapy in order to help clients and families reach meaningful goals. Outside of the clinic, you can find Kristina exploring hiking trails, throwing pottery on the wheel, dabbling in various arts and crafts/DIY projects, spending time with family and friends, and learning how to ski.
Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours I), The University of Queensland
Anna-Marie knew that she wanted to become a Speech Pathologist from a high school work experience where she was amazed by the improvement observed in a speech pathology session. Through University and career experience, Anna-Marie has developed strong clinical skills that support her in her areas of interest of Alternative and Augmentative Communication, early language development and social/pragmatic skills. Through working in paediatrics in a regional private practice, as well as having experience working overseas in London, Anna-Marie enjoys working closely with her clients and their families to attain their goals. Time away from work consists of playing sport and walking her family dog, Happi.
MSW, California State University, Long Beach
Kimberlee was born and raised in the Echo Park community of Los Angeles. She is the fourth of six children, the only girl, with five brothers. Since childhood, Kimberlee always enjoyed helping others so a career in social work seemed inevitable. Kimberlee started her career with the Department of Children and Family Services, Adoptions Division, where she worked for 12 1/2 years. But as a parent of a child with medical and developmental needs, Kimberlee was drawn into the field of early intervention. She witnessed first hand how early intervention changed the life of her daughter and her family, in spite of the negative prognosis from doctors and specialists. Kimberlee worked as an early interventionist for 18 1/2 years at Pediatric Therapy Network and for an additional two years at Momentum Pediatric Therapy Network. Kimberlee is a passionate advocate for early intervention and its profound impact on young children and their families. When not advocating for children and families, Kimberlee enjoys spending
time with family and friends, whether outdoors taking walks along the beach, eating out at favorite restaurants, traveling, and watching movies.
Originally from the PNW, Ben & his wife moved to Texas in 2017 and quickly fell in love with the surrounding Austin area, making it their home. He completed his DPT program through the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in Austin, Texas, in December 2019.
Being a kid at heart, he strives to empower and provide joy to his patients and their families, through tailored, engaging and playful treatment sessions while employing the most current evidence-informed practices.
When he’s not at work, he loves spending time with his wife of 6 years and their 5-year-old GSP/Collie mix, Faith. They love the outdoors and are always looking for new places to camp, hike, fish, kayak and swim. They also devote their time to attending and serving at their church, seeking out community with the families with young children.
Ali has her Master’s and Bachelor’s in Occupational Therapy from the University of New Hampshire. She has always loved working with children, including at summer camps and sport leagues for children with disabilities. Ali loves to be playful and connect with families to establish goals and determine what will motivate the child to be successful. She was inspired to become an occupational therapist as this field allows her to engage children in activities that are meaningful and valued while being holistic and recognizing all of the factors that may be impacting a child. Ali has been engaged in research focused on how the sensory needs of children with disabilities impacts their engagement in community activities. When not at NAPA, you can find Ali relaxing with a book, skiing, going to the beach, or traveling
Rosie is always one to put others in need first. She loves children and helping others.
That’s what let to her career in Pediatrics in 2019. Her love for helping and assisting
those in the community is what drives and gives her great pleasure doing. Rosie
loves putting a smile on everyone’s face and admires the one-on-one patient
interactions she encounters. Outside of work, Rosie is a wife & a mother of three
incredible children- residing in the Skokie area. When she has time for herself, she
enjoys going out to play Bingo, beating the next level of Candy Crush, and sneaking
in a nap when she can.
Bachelor of Communications, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
Sarah chose to go into a career in communications after growing up with a love for the written word. She enjoys finding a story and telling it. In a past life she has worked as a journalist, a media officer, in various communications officer roles, and more recently as a content specialist in the financial services industry. She spent many of her young adults years traveling, and kept her travels going by working as a camp counsellor in America, spent a ski season in Canada, and bumped around London and some of Europe for a time.
What drew her to join the NAPA Brisbane team is her own lived experience as the mum of Roman, a young disabled child, and their experience navigating the world of therapy. With a few NAPA intensives under her family’s belt, she’s found the NAPA style and approach to therapy that suits their goals and hopes for Roman’s future.
When she’s not at work, Sarah loves to tend to her garden, take on yet another DIY house project, spend time with her husband Dave and kids Isla and Roman, and their family dogs Minnie and Toby. She also admits she can’t live without coffee, loves to binge a good TV series, or set off for weekends away camping in the great outdoors.
Bio coming soon!
Bec is a dedicated Speech Pathologist, passionate about empowering children to communicate effectively and confidently. With a background in disability support work and childcare, she has developed a keen interest in early language development and augmentative communication. Bec believes in the power of collaboration with families to create tailored approaches that meet each child’s unique needs.
When Bec is not at NAPA, you might find her exploring the outdoors with her dogs, going for a long run, or getting lost in a good book.
An Austin-area native, Ashley developed a passion for movement early. She began dancing at age three and never stopped – through grade school, college, and a year as a character performer at Walt Disney World. As a physical therapist, her goal is to help every child experience the same joy in movement and find freedom in their bodies. Ashley earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in 2015 and became a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Pediatrics (PCS) in 2020. After practicing in Houston, Texas for 10 years, Ashley is excited to return to Austin and join the NAPA team. When she’s not at work, you can find Ashley at yoga class, browsing a used bookstore, or searching for the best vegetarian food in the city.
Melissa an Early Education Assistant with a strong passion for helping young children grow, learn, and thrive. With hands-on experience working with kids in classroom and childcare settings, she brings patience, creativity, and a nurturing spirit to everything she do. Whether it’s guiding little ones through their ABCs or supporting social and emotional development. Outside the classroom, she enjoy painting, reading, hiking, music which often inspire fun and engaging activities she brings into the classroom. Her goal is to help create a positive, inclusive, and joyful learning environment where every child feels seen, supported, and encouraged to be their unique self.
Megan earned her undergraduate degree from Capital University in Columbus Ohio and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Duke University. She is originally from Ohio but moved to Colorado for the sunshine and active lifestyle! During high school, she found herself volunteering for Special Olympics and joining an Adaptive Equipment club making and tweaking devices for children and adults with neurologic disorders. Since then, Megan knew she wanted to enter a profession where she could help and encourage others who often get told they can’t do something when they certainly can! Once arriving at Duke, she took every opportunity to continue her education and skills in the neurologic and pediatric settings which lead her to NAPA. Megan is truly passionate about helping children become
more independent, strong, and confident and loves to see the pride they have when they master a tricky task. When she is not at NAPA, you can find her trying a new workout class, tasting new coffee shops, painting, reading, and hiking.
Alex was born and raised in Texas. As the eldest of five siblings, she has always had a passion for working with children. Growing up she became involved in various youth organizations that encouraged active play and physical activity for children with disabilities. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin, she moved to Australia to pursue a Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Macquarie University with a specialty in pediatrics. Alex has experience working with children through hippotherapy, providing early childhood intervention services and has conducted research in the pediatric population in Sydney, Australia. When she is not at NAPA, Alex enjoys being out and about with her dogs, cheering on the Texas Longhorns and indulging in TexMex.
CBD College Los Angeles, CA
Chelsea is a Los Angeles native who loves the outdoors making her the intensive family guru for fun weekend ideas. Her passion for working with kids and making an impact in families’ lives drives her smile every day at NAPA. Being a kid at heart, Chelsea, not only knows how to be the silliest therapist but also the biggest cheerleader. The growth she gets to be a part of, in her patients and their families, is what she describes as “one of the best feelings in the world.”
BS Occupational Sciences & MS Occupational Therapy, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
Maria always knew that she wanted to be an occupational therapist and work with children. At 6 years old, she witnessed firsthand the power of client/family-centered therapy when her younger sister had to receive extensive therapy services at birth. Maria strives to provide client/family-centered therapy to all of her families that she gets the opportunity to work with. Her areas of special interest include intensive therapy, stroke and cerebral palsy rehab, feeding therapy, early development, developmental delays, and collaboration with families.
When Maria is not working at NAPA, you can find her babysitting her nieces and nephews, cooking with her family, watching sports, being outdoors, or hanging out with her friends. Maria grew up in Illinois but has spent the past 10 years in Wisconsin. She is excited to be back in Chicagoland where she can safely cheer for her favorite sports teams: Da Bears, Cubs, and Blackhawks!
Perla is passionate about children and their developmental growth which is why she is currently attending college and looking forward to transferring to CSUN next fall. In a nutshell, Perla is always looking for ways to help children as well as others. She explained “I understand what is like to need help from others, therefore it feels great when I am able to be of any service.” Perla started her career at a rehab facility, assisting patients with daily living activities, but feels extremely excited to be able to work with young children. As a mother of two, she finds it effortless to relate to the families at NAPA. Like many California parents, she enjoys taking her kids to the beach and hiking. She also enjoys reading, painting, and listening to music making her a perfect fit for the NAPA Kids Academy.
Bio coming soon!
Macy has always had a special connection with children and new from an early age that she was destined to work with kiddos. Macy received her B.A. and M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from California State University, Long Beach. She is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of her patients by improving communication abilities in order to create and build deeper connections between children and their loved ones. Macy has been afforded the opportunity to provide services to children with a variety of conditions and diagnoses. Her clinical experience includes feeding therapy, gestalt language processing, early intervention
and parent training, fluency, and PROMPT. She is excited for the challenge to continually strive to exceed NAPA Center’s mission by providing hope to patients and families through implementation of innovative treatment services in order to maximize the full potential of each child. When not in a NAPA t-shirt, you can catch Macy dancing hula, eating a churro at Disneyland, cheering for the Chicago Cubs (Dodgers, too!) and LA Lakers, watching F1 on Sundays (Go Ferrari!), learning how to play golf, or taking any sort of exercise class.
BA of Physio – Cairo University
Originally from Cairo – Egypt, Zak recently migrated to Australia to join the Napa family. Zak has a great ability to build special bonds with his paediatric clients which assist in achieving greater independence and quality of life goals of participants.
Zak has over 10 years’ experience across the lifespan and experience in a range of setting including hospital, community and his own paediatric clinic.
When Zak isn’t working, you’ll find him drinking an expresso, video calling his family in Egypt, exploring Melbourne and spending time with his partner
Dan is a physical therapist from Texas, with a background in working with patients with neurological conditions across the lifespan before pursuing a career focus in pediatric physical therapy. He has worked in several different settings in his career, including inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, independent living facilities, and of course, pediatrics. He loves working with kids, and getting to see hard work payoff in therapy sessions. When not at work, Dan enjoys a good book, a long hike, and some quality music. If you have any recommendations, let him know!
Bachelor of Elementary Education, Cert IV Allied Health Assistance
Cheryl grew up in the Philippines, close to the world famous Boracay Island. She has been actively involved in helping children throughout her whole career. She is the mother of 2 cheeky, young girls, 1 of whom has a rare condition called Pitt Hopkins syndrome, which has inspired her to work at NAPA and assist other kids in need. Outside of work Cheryl loves to cook, rollerskate and she can eat rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
Ajeta began her journey with NAPA as an enthusiastic and dedicated Therapy Aide and now thrives in her role as an Admin Coordinator. She moved to Sydney from Germany in October 2020, having completed her certification in Occupational Therapy in Berlin. Ajeta has a passion for working with children and finds great joy in watching them succeed in reaching their individual goals. When Ajeta is not working, you can find her making art with mosaic stones, creating flower embroidery patterns, rewatching The Lord of the Rings (extended version, of course!), hiking or exploring Sydney with her husband in a never-ending quest for the city’s most magical cup of coffee.
Nick has had an extensive career in Customer Service but wanted to help people by more than just providing great service. After graduating from Southern Illinois University (BA in Music with a minor in psychology), Nick took on incorporating himself into the workforce gaining leadership, communication, and teamwork experience. For years, Nick searched for a more established career that fit his values. Nick’s compassion for kids and people, a strong desire to help, and devotion to being a lifelong learner have led him to the path of pediatric therapy. The opportunity to work with Napa will guide him in achieving his goal of being a PTA. Outside of work, Nick enjoys spending as much time with his family. Trips to the zoo or going to a nearby park is always an adventure worth taking. Nick’s favorite activities include physical fitness, music, meditation/self-reflection, always learning, and overall bettering himself for the years to come.
Sophie is a detailed oriented person who loves working as part of an interdisciplinary team. Struggling to choose a career path post-covid, Sophie started at NAPA as Administration Coordinator, thinking she would continue her studies to become a physiotherapist. However, she fell in love with the administration role and the joy it brings to see kids smashing their goals and moved in the Administration Manager role in 2025.
Outside of NAPA, Sophie loves solo travel, cuddling with her dogs on the couch and volunteering at her local netball club. She has volunteered at her local netball club as umpire’s convenor since 2019 and loves to coach and mentor the club’s junior umpires on the weekends. She is a passionate netball umpire, with over 15 years’ experience umpiring at Netball NSW competitions since 2020.
With over 11 years experience working with a disability funding body and being a part of making a positive difference to the lives of people living with a permanent disability, Marisa brings with her an enormous level of passion driven from seeing the change made in the lives of her clients. Marisa is very excited to be a part of this experience with NAPA families.
When Marisa isn’t working she is kept busy exploring the world with her husband Adam, and making memories with their children, Callum, Charlotte and Isaac. Marisa loves all things related to good food, whether this is cooking up a gourmet meal for family and friends or searching for the next gastronomic experience across Sydney.
BA Occupational Therapy, University of Sydney
Alice chose to become an Occupational Therapist because she always wanted to work in a profession that contributes to her community and wouldn’t keep her behind a desk. She loves working in the field of paediatric disability, working with clients who are imaginative, spirited and wonderfully unique. Alice loves that she can learn something new every day when working with kids with different abilities and is especially passionate about making strong, collaborative connections with the children and their families. Alice has extensive experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disabilities and Sensory Processing Disorder.
When she is not at work, Alice is usually outdoors; at the beach, playing netball or bushwalking with friends. She loves baking and has a Diploma of Floristry which keeps her busy on the weekends. She loves travel and can spend hours reading travel guides and planning her future holidays.
As the General Manager of NAPA Charlotte, Tori has a background of six years in the nonprofit sector supporting individuals with disabilities, as well as experience as a pediatric nurse aide. She is dedicated to creating a supportive, caring environment where children and families feel welcomed and valued and is especially excited to help bring the new Charlotte clinic to life!Originally from Northern Virginia, Tori played and later coached collegiate volleyball while earning her B.S. in Business Administration and MBA in Entrepreneurial Leadership. Outside of work, she enjoys making the most of the Carolinas—whether at the beach, in the mountains, attending sporting events, traveling with her husband, or staying active with their boxer, Bruno.
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences Kayee graduated from the University of Washington and continued to receive her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Kayee’s love for working with kids and interest in health science has brought her to pediatric physical therapy. She is passionate about impacting kids and their family’s lives through innovative treatment, education, and play! Kayee prioritizes spending quality time with her family and friends outside of NAPA Center. New to California, you will find her exploring new places and restaurants in the area and running along the beach.
Doctorate of Occupational Therapy, Creighton University
Anna first knew she wanted to work with kids with developmental disabilities after working 2 summers at a camp for individuals with disabilities, Camp Barnabas. She absolutely fell in love! After receiving both her undergraduate degree and Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at Creighton University, Anna is happy to be back in her home state of Colorado! Prior to NAPA, Anna worked in school, outpatient and inpatient settings. She loves that NAPA is also passionate about telling kids and their families “Yes, you can!” after continuously hearing “No, you can’t!” Catch her outside of NAPA spending time with family/friends, cheering on the Broncos, reading, hiking, cooking, and puzzling!
BSc Physiotherapy, University College Dublin
Rose comes all the way from Ireland and graduated in 2021. As soon as Rose completed her clinical placements in paediatric neurorehabilitation, she knew that she had found her passion. Before arriving in Australia, Rose worked for over 2 years in paediatric disability services in Dublin, Ireland.
Rose is delighted to be part of the NAPA family and is passionate about working closely with families to provide family centered care. Rose loves to have fun with her physiotherapy sessions and enjoys being creative with goal-orientated treatment plans.
When Rose isn’t working, you will find her out running, drinking good coffee and eating in all the yummy (and expensive) Sydney restaurants.
Katherine Haenlein is a graduate of Belmont Abbey College, where she earned her degree in Sports Management. Before joining NAPA, she worked at an elementary school supporting children with special needs, an experience that strengthened her passion for helping others and creating meaningful connections. Katherine thrives in environments where she can interact with people and make a positive impact. In addition to her role at NAPA, she works at ISI as a Sales Leader, where she enjoys being the face of the company and helping individuals feel welcomed, supported, and motivated. Having been an athlete her entire life, Katherine has a deep appreciation for teamwork, discipline, and community. Whether she’s working with kids, supporting clients, or leading in a fitness environment, she brings energy, empathy, and a team-first mindset to everything she does.
Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Speech Pathology at La Trobe University, Bundoora.
Over the past ten years, Gabi has worked as a paediatric speech pathologist across a range of settings in Australia and the United Kingdom. This has included working in early intervention, private practice, hospital-based services, and specialist and mainstream schools. She has a strong interest in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and early language development. Throughout this time, her passion for working with children with complex communication needs has continued to grow. She is passionate about working collaboratively with key people in each child’s life, and supporting children to build their functional communication skills.Outside of work, Gabi enjoys spending time keeping active, travelling, and socialising with friends.
Leila earned a bachelors degree in Child Development from California State University, Los Angeles. Since then, she has enjoyed working in different environments with children in early childhood education and as a behavior tech working with children with Autism. Now, pursing a degree as a Speech Language Pathology Assistant, she looks forward to continuing to work and learn in the field early intervention. She enjoys building connections with young children and assisting to plan and/or implement engaging lessons and activities. When she’s not at NAPA, in her downtime you can find her reading, scrapbooking, or trying a new craft.
Lexie always had a strong passion working with children. She fell in love with the occupational therapy profession when working as a support staff for a community arts day program for neuro-diverse adults. Lexie attended Quinnipiac University where she earned her Master’s Degree of Occupational Therapy. Since graduating from OT school, Lexie has worked in outpatient pediatrics and within the school setting. In her clinical practice, Lexie is passionate about using her creativity and a play based approach to support children and promote increased participation in their daily activities. When she is not at NAPA, Lexie enjoys finding new recipes to cook, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
MBA, University of Colorado – Erika’s journey in the field of HR began in undergrad when she realized the profound impact she could make by supporting and nurturing the growth of talented individuals. With a strong belief in creating positive work environments, Erika finds great joy in building lasting partnerships and strong relationships. She is thrilled at the opportunity to join NAPA Center as an HR Generalist and contribute to the organization’s mission of helping children reach their maximum potential. When she’s not working, you’ll most likely find Erika curled up with a good book, immersing herself in different worlds and perspectives or getting outdoors and exploring!
NAPA is excited to introduce our new partnered dietician Kerri Louati MS, RD, LDN, CDE who will be supporting our Intensive Feeding Program as well as our traditional weekly patients in our US based clinics.
Kerri is a registered dietitian with a background in integrative and functional medicine. She focuses on addressing the root causes of chronic health issues and implementing a Nutrient and Food-as-Medicine approach in her protocols. Professionally, Kerri has extensive experience working with all types of patients but specializes in the pediatric population with a focus on gut-related disorders, G-tube feeding, and complex medical cases. Kerri is the founder of Foodicinal LLC, a nutrition practice built on the philosophy that food-is-medicinal. She practices evidence-based medicine, using the most up-to-date research in her treatment plans.
Personally, Kerri also has extensive experience with pediatrics and G-tube feedings with her twin micro-preemies with G-tubes. She is passionate about implementing a homemade blenderized diet, as she has seen its significant benefits in her children and her patients, which is also manifested in the medical literature. Having gone through it herself, Kerri understands the challenges and difficulties many families go through when their children have health and feeding issues. Due to her background, she practices with a unique synergy of professional and personal experience.
Master of Speech Pathology, University of Technology Sydney
Savyon values working closely with families and creating therapy that is enjoyable, meaningful, and tailored to each child. With a background in disability support work, she brings a compassionate, strengths-based perspective to her work with children and families. She is passionate about supporting children to develop communication in ways that suit their individual strengths, with a growing interest in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and is motivated by a strong desire to continue learning and contributing within the field. Savyon is driven by supporting children to express themselves in ways that feel authentic,
accessible, and work for them, while valuing all forms of communication, and finds it deeply meaningful to be part of a child’s support team as they grow and develop. Outside of work, Savyon enjoys cooking and baking, as well as creative hobbies such as hand embroidery and knitting.
Doctor of Physiotherapy, The University of Melbourne
Jenn grew up in Tasmania and came to Melbourne in 2012 to study physio. She has always had a passion for working with children. Whilst at university, Jenn volunteered running dance and exercise classes for children with disabilities and worked part-time at after school care programs, weekend camps and holiday programs for children. Jenn has experience working in hospital rehabilitation as well as community-based therapy where she supported children and families to achieve their goals through everyday roles and routines. She is so excited to join the NAPA team so she can continue to support children to achieve their potential in new, fun and engaging ways. Outside of work, she loves being outdoors, going skiing, trying new café’s with friends, running and exploring Melbourne’s parks with her dog Ted.
Baylie has a love for helping children reach their personal functional goals as well as empowering caregivers through education to help their child reach new milestones. Baylie earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Missouri in 2021. Originally from Missouri, she moved to Florida to begin her career as a Pediatric Physical Therapist where she found her passion for intensive therapy. She has moved from the beaches to the mountains to join the NAPA family! She is certified in Dynamic Movement Intervention and the Intensive TheraSuit Method. Baylie enjoys being outdoors, photography, spending time with her pup, and most of all, traveling. You can always find her planning her next adventure!
Olivia is a Physical Therapist at NAPA Boston. She attended the University of Connecticut for her undergrad and received a BS in Allied Health Sciences with a Psychology minor. Recently she graduated with her Doctor of Physical Therapy from MGH Institute of Health Professions in January 2024. During her academic career she had always been drawn to the neurological and pediatric population and was able to gain hands on experiences throughout clinical rotations. The resilience she saw in children is what kept her motivated and she is excited to continue her pediatric career at NAPA center with hopes to inspire kiddos to reach their max potential along the way. Outside of work she enjoys hiking, cycling/running, gardening, and binging book/TV series while snuggling up with her cat.
Emily discovered the field of Occupational Therapy when exploring health science professions that allowed her to continue her passion of working with children. Prior to becoming an occupational therapist, Emily began working with children at the age of 12 as a babysitter for the other children in her neighborhood. During this time, Emily developed a level of patience and dependability that are crucial when working with children of varying ages and capabilities. While she is very responsible, Emily enjoys working with kids because she gets to showcase her silly and goofy personality, making therapy sessions fun for all. Emily graduated from Quinnipiac University’s accelerated, entry-level dual-degree program receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science Studies and a Master’s degree of Occupational Therapy. When she is not helping children reach their highest potential, Emily can most likely be found traveling, reading, or re-watching her favorite TV shows. Originally from New Jersey, Emily enjoys exploring Boston on the weekends and is still in search for the city’s best bagel shop.
Cert IV in Government
Emma has 15 years’ experience in the health industry in various administration and IT roles at both the Mackay Base and the Royal Brisbane Hospitals. Emma is excited to be part of the NAPA family and getting to know everyone and has a passion for helping people and making a difference. Emma is a Mum of a grown-up son and a stepmum to her 2 bonus children. In her spare time, you will find Emma spending time with her family and fur babies. Emma is also a hobby baker who has many wedding and specialty cakes under her belt (you could say this is her love language).
Emma grew up in North Carolina and earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She went on to complete her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at the University of North Florida. Emma began her career in a pediatric clinic in Arizona before relocating to Austin to be closer to family. Emma loves being part of the team at NAPA, where she has the opportunity to help kids build confidence in their abilities. She doesn’t think any milestone or achievement is too small to be celebrated and finds joy in sharing these moments with both the kids and their families. Outside of work, Emma enjoys hiking with her dog, traveling, and finding the best local coffee shops.
Claire earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from New York University in 2021. She is passionate about putting smiles on children’s faces as they learn new mobility skills and ways of being independent. She also enjoys working closely with parents and caregivers to support families along their unique journeys.
Outside of NAPA, Claire loves being active and spending time in the gym or taking a fitness class. She also likes tackling a challenging recipe in the kitchen, working on a puzzle, and reading way too many books at the same time.
Sheyla is very shy but once she’s comfortable, she’ll show her fun side. She enjoys drinking coffee and it’s infrequent for her to drink tea but she’s trying to cut the sugary drinks. Sheyla spends most of her time at home or church, she’s a homebody meaning she enjoys being at home and values her alone time and peace. As for her career goals, she’s
following the Occupational Therapy route. She’s working towards her Bachelor’s degree at California State University, Los Angeles, majoring in Child Development and a minor in Psychology. She’s also working towards a certificate in Child Maltreatment and Family Violence.
Allie grew up in Berthoud, Colorado before she moved to Pittsburgh, PA to pursue her physical therapy career. Allie previously worked at an outpatient clinic in Pittsburgh serving the pediatric population with a focus on neurological disorders and worked with their intensity program. Allie has previous knowledge with the UEU system and has come to find working within an intensive model is her passion. When
Allie is not at NAPA she enjoys spending time with her husband, family and friends, exploring her new home of Castle Rock, CO and trying local restaurants! Allie loves running, biking and exploring all that CO has to offer!
BA Sociology, University of Washington. Shelby has always wanted to make a difference and help others, and found her passion in Human Resources. She enjoys collaborating with colleagues on how to solve problems, improve processes to increase efficiency, and implement new initiatives to improve employee engagement and company culture. When Shelby is not working, she is spending time with her son Jack and their dog Ollie. Being from the Pacific Northwest, they can be found outside rain or shine, enjoying all that Seattle has to offer!
Master of Occupational Therapy, University of Sydney
Phoebe has always known she is a “kid person.” Before becoming an occupational therapist, she worked as a kindergarten teacher, where she met many children who needed a little extra support to
thrive. Wanting to offer more targeted and meaningful help beyond the classroom, she pursued a Master of Occupational Therapy and has been working as a paediatric OT ever since. Phoebe loves the playful, problem-solving nature of OT and is passionate about empowering and collaborating closely with children and families to find creative and practical solutions that work for them. She is committed to helping every child reach their full potential in all aspects of life.When Phoebe is not at NAPA, you’ll likely find her relaxing in a café and chatting with friends; otherwise, she’s probably at home singing and playing her ukulele. She often brings her singing and playfulness into her sessions, making therapy fun, engaging, and full of possibility.
Kristen earned her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Boston University. She developed her love of working with children through teaching preschool and kindergarten in both the United States and Spain before transitioning into a career in OT. Kristen loves helping children develop adaptive strategies to promote meaningful engagement in their favorite activities. She has contributed to research on arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, co-authored several journal articles, and is currently involved in developing a classification scale for the condition. Kristen is passionate about using creativity and play to build connections and support children’s growth. Outside of NAPA, Kristen enjoys kayaking, reading, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Sachi is a new therapy assistant with over 10 years of experience as an Early Childhood Educator, bringing a deep understanding of children’s developmental needs to everything she does. Her dedication to supporting children as unique individuals has been the heart of her career, and she is now excited to embark on a new chapter in the world of therapy. Outside of work, Sachi is a busy and devoted mother of two, and loves spending her weekends with her youngest daughter, Ella — enjoying shopping trips and arranging play dates with Ella’s friends. She is proud to be part of the NAPA team, where the warm-hearted staff and innovative, effective therapy sessions inspire her. For Sachi, being at NAPA is more than a job — it is a meaningful opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of children and their families in the community.
Andrea has been in administration roles for quite a few years and has spent the last 8 years as a Funeral Director, before then worked as an unsworn officer for WA Police. Originally from UK, Andrea moved over with her husband and 2 daughters in 2007 and hasn’t looked back. So far, she is loving working for NAPA, her favourite part is meeting the children and parents as well as working within a very helpful and fun team.
She always likes to keep busy, and when she is not at work, she can be found in the garage renovating old furniture or painting using acrylics. She is very creative and loves to make things, whether it’s sewing, knitting/crocheting, arts and crafts things, painting or generally doing “stuff”, she is always doing something. Apart from that she likes reading a good novel or autobiography.
Her guilty pleasure is to have a hot stone massage every now and then, listening to music of all different types and secretly loves to act the fool and embarrass her daughters.
Sidney graduated from University of Lynchburg with her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology prior to moving to Boston and receiving her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Boston University in 2022. She first discovered PT when her brother was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, and entered into the world of pediatric intensive therapy, giving her a unique perspective as the sibling of a child attending PT. Sidney has experience working in a variety of settings including inpatient, outpatient, and school settings treating a wide range of diagnoses including cerebral palsy, genetic diagnoses, torticollis and developmental delays. She is consistently drawn to treating kids with complex medical and neurological impairments and learning about rare genetic diagnoses. She is passionate about providing family centered care, improving independence, and having fun while working hard. Outside of work, Sidney enjoys going to the gym, reading, baking, and playing with her two German Shepherds, Bailey and Maya.
Ashley has been passionate about working with children for as long as she can remember. Her early experiences caring for kids sparked a lifelong interest in helping others and ultimately led her to discover the field of occupational therapy. Originally from Connecticut, Ashley moved to Boston to attend the University of Massachusetts Boston, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology. She went on to complete her Master’s in Occupational Therapy at Regis College, gaining valuable experience in a variety of pediatric settings, including her fieldwork at NAPA! Outside of work, Ashley enjoys running, baking bread, reading on her Kindle, and exploring the city with her golden doodle Ryder.
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) at the University of Queensland
Trista’s genuine passion for working with children began as a figure skating coach, where she loved helping kids build confidence and develop skills. Her honours research aimed at improving participation for children with cerebral palsy and volunteer experiences at preschool HABIT-ILE camps, sparked her commitment to participation-based and goal-oriented approaches, and interests in intensive and early childhood interventions. Trista values partnering with children and their families and is dedicated to making therapy enjoyable, empowering, and meaningful for every child.
Originally from Hong Kong, Trista is fluent in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, and delights in connecting with families from diverse cultural backgrounds. Outside of NAPA, she stays active with bouldering and badminton, and loves spending time outdoors with her golden retriever, Ryleigh, as well as going on food adventures with friends.
Eve graduated with a BSc in Physiotherapy from Cardiff University and has always known she wanted to work with children. During her university placements, she was able to develop her communication skills, realising just how much she loved paediatrics: it was the perfect way to combine her passion for working with kids with helping them build independence and confidence in everyday life. She loves the positivity children bring and enjoys supporting their progress through NAPA’s fun, intensive approach. At NAPA, Eve especially values the teamwork and variety of roles to learn from, whilst celebrating each milestone alongside children and their families. When Eve isn’t work, she enjoys running, Pilates, and the gym, or relaxing with a good book. She also loves spending time with her family and dogs back home in Ireland, and since moving to London, she’s been enjoying exploring the city and finding new coffee spots!
Shabana completed her Bachelors degree in Psychology, English Literature and Law and loves to study and learn new things. She adores travelling and has spent time living in several different countries learning different customs and values. As a taphophile and lover of art she especially enjoys visiting ossuaries, art and natural history museums and constantly marveling at the architectural wonders of every city she’s been to. A voracious reader, she’s thrilled to finally live in a home with a dedicated library that can house up to 3000 books and vows to fill up her shelves as soon as she is able. A fervent fibre enthusiast, she taught herself garment construction, crochet and knitting and her hands are constantly busy making garments for herself and her loved ones.
Katherine has known from a young age that she wanted to support children and their families – she could always be found “caring” for her baby dolls in-hand throughout childhood, and nannied all through graduate school. Katherine earned her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy degree from MGH Institute of Health Professions in 2020, and has clinical experience in outpatient pediatrics and in acute pediatric and adolescent psychiatry. During graduate school, Katherine contributed to research examining the effects of robot-assisted therapy on functional performance for children with hemiparesis. When Katherine discovered NAPA, she instantly knew that NAPA’s passion for innovative therapy approaches and techniques was equivalent to that of her own. Katherine is ecstatic to help her clients at NAPA discover and achieve their full potential. Outside of the office, Katherine enjoys traveling and exploring new neighborhoods, taking spin classes, hiking or going for long walks, and spending time with friends and family.
Born and raised on the south shore of Massachusetts, Kelly attended Bridgewater State University, studying Art History. After college Kelly began working in early childhood education as an assistant teacher. After falling in love with the field, she took classes to become lead teacher certified and later became Director 1 certified in 2023. Over the last fifteen years within the classrooms, Kelly has seen so many children thrive when they are participating in different therapies. After witnessing a child in her classroom attend NAPA and flourish so greatly after one intensive program, she was thrilled at the chance of becoming one of the NAPA team members. When not working, Kelly can be found doing one of her multiple unfinished crafts or reading.
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours), The University of Queensland
Sophia was inspired by her mother from an early age to work with children and in health after listening about her work as a paediatric Dietician. After stumbling upon Occupational Therapy, she has never looked back and has found a great passion in helping children to achieve their goals in the most enjoyable, playful and meaningful way possible. She sees great value in using evidence-based approaches to help families reach great outcomes in therapy and creating smiles in the process. When Sophia is not at NAPA, she’s exploring new hikes, hosting game nights with friends, spending time with her niece and nephew or working on her latest jigsaw puzzle. She will almost never turn down a bubble tea, which is a bit of a guilty pleasure!
Bachelors degree of Occupational Therapy (Australian Catholic University)
Madeline is passionate about connecting children and families with the resources and tools to empower and support those living with disabilities to meet their goals and have a positive impact on their life. She enjoys getting creative with children and finding unique ways to individualise therapy. Madeline is inspired by being in a profession where she can enable independence and allow children to engage in the tasks they find meaningful.
In her spare time, Madeline loves any chance to get out in nature whether it’s riding her bike or going for an ocean swim and spending time with family and friends.
Before working at NAPA Madeline worked as an Occupational Therapy assistant at a paediatric clinic. Madeline has experience in delivering small group programs to support children with social skills, communication and play.
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours), University of Newcastle, 2019
Joe grew up in the Hunter Valley and is an avid sports fan, which drew him towards Physiotherapy. Joe has worked at NAPA Sydney since November 2019 after starting as a student on clinical placement and has not looked back. He loves the journey that paediatric physiotherapy can take you on and is passionate about a child’s holistic development. In addition to being an experienced DMI therapist, he enjoys exploring the unique ways to maximise a child’s engagement and progression towards achieving their potential. Joe has many loves in life such as coffee, Liverpool FC and his family. He is also an AFL umpire in both the VFL and AFLW competitions and will happily chat your ear off about all things football.
In high school, Byron tore his rotator cuff and had to undergo surgery in order to repair it. During his recovery, he was exposed to the world of physical therapy for the first time. The next school year, he was able to take an Anatomy & Physiology class that further fueled his interest in the human body and how it works. After majoring in Biology with a focus on Exercise Science, Byron obtained his Physical Therapist Assistant license. While he was not able to work with kids during his clinical rotations, he always knew the pediatric setting is where he was meant to be. Prior to joining NAPA, Byron worked at a intensive therapeutic clinic in Chicago, where he worked with preschool and kindergarten-aged children with common diagnoses such as Autism, Down Syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy.
M.S. Speech Language Pathology, Texas Woman’s University
Stephanie Alexander is a dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist with a passion for enhancing communication and enriching lives. She earned her Masters from Texas Woman’s University and holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence. With 5 years of clinical and professional experience, Stephanie specializes in feeding and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Stephanie’s approach to therapy is characterized by child-led strategies and a strong emphasis on caregiver collaboration and education. She believes in empowering both children and their families to achieve communication milestones.
As a Revenue Cycle Management Director, I find great purpose in supporting organizations that serve children and families. While my role focuses on financial operations, compliance, and process improvements, what truly drives me is knowing that strong revenue cycle performance directly supports access to care for children. I enjoy collaborating with clinical and administrative teams to ensure services for children-especially in early intervention and specialized programs. Being part of a mission that positively impacts young lives makes the work both meaningful and rewarding. Outside of my professional responsibilities, I enjoy spending quality time with my nephews playing online video games, exploring new recipes in the kitchen, and watching film and television series. Dorian also enjoys hiking, tennis, and basketball.
Doha, an individual deeply passionate about pediatric physical therapy, has dedicated herself to working with children from a young age. Since the age of 16, she has actively engaged in charitable organizations, committing much of her time to the development of children’s well-being. Her dedication extends beyond physical health, encompassing all aspects of a child’s life. Graduating from Cairo University with a bachelor’s degree, she has pursued certification in various pediatric fields including suit therapy, CME, aquatherapy, safe and sound protocol, PSSE, ISWP, and others. For Doha, working with children is more than just a profession; it is a way of life. She believes that every child deserves to live a happy and independent life to the fullest extent possible. Doha sees NAPA as a crucial platform to further her dream of positively impacting the lives of children worldwide, striving to empower them to reach their fullest potential. When she is not at NAPA, she enjoys discovering new places to visit, reading books, and taking photos of nature.
Sydney is a speech-language pathologist who specializes in working with pediatric populations, with a particular interest in pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders. Originally from Upstate New York, Sydney holds a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of South Dakota and is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Her clinical experience spans a range of settings,
including pediatric private practice, and adult rehabilitative services, where she developed a strong foundation in communication and swallowing therapy across the lifespan. Guided by a child-led approach and play based therapeutic approach, Sydney strives to follow each child’s interests and pace to create a safe, engaging environment for growth. Her professional interests include infant and toddler language acquisition, pediatric language disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, developmental delays, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and feeding and swallowing disorders. Sydney is
passionate about empowering families and helping children develop the skills they need to thrive in everyday life and her goal is always to make therapy functional, engaging, and collaborative. Outside of NAPA, Sydney enjoys trying new restaurants and spending time with family and friends.
Bio coming soon!
Sophie completed her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Australian Catholic University, where she built a strong foundation in paediatrics and discovered her passion for empowering children and their families. Her enthusiasm for working with young people has grown through her experience providing therapy across home, clinic, and school environments, allowing her to develop a flexible, engaging, and family-centred approach.
Sophie is dedicated to helping children achieve their goals in a way that is not only meaningful, but also fun and motivating. When Sophie is not at NAPA, she loves to travel, go skiing anywhere and everywhere, and spend quality time with her family and friends.
Bachelor of Physiotherapy, Australian Catholic University
Madeleine, more commonly known as Maddy, is an enthusiastic and dedicated physiotherapist. Maddy first established her passion for pediatric physiotherapy during a student placement in her final year of university. After establishing her broad skill set at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney in areas from intensive care to musculoskeletal physiotherapy, Maddy is thrilled to be part of the team at NAPA and dedicate herself to this exciting area of practice. Maddy has always enjoyed working with kids as she spent many years coaching youth sports teams from beginners to Representative levels. She believes in empowering children and their families to allow each child to reach their highest potential and achieve their goals. In her spare time, you will find Maddy catching up with friends, visiting her sister in Canberra, playing golf, or attempting and most likely failing a new recipe.
Marisa is a pediatric physical therapist who believes movement is pure magic—opening the door to exploration, independence, and the kind of confidence that sticks. After earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Western Carolina University, Marisa went on to become a board‑certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist, bringing both expertise and joy to every kiddo they work with. When not cheering on tiny triumphs in the clinic, Marisa can be found tackling CrossFit workouts, sipping something delicious at a local coffee shop, or wandering a farmer’s market in search of the perfect find. At home, they’re happily outnumbered by Piper the dog and Emmy the cat, who keep life lively in all the best ways.
Calista Ortiz, a Chicago native, radiates a passion for animals, art, and family. A devoted caretaker to a variety of animals and a loving older sister, Calista brings warmth into her home. Professionally, she has always found fulfillment working with children, leaving a positive impact on those she encounters. Outside of her career, Calista enjoys cooking, spending time with loved ones, and embracing the vibrant culture of her hometown Chicago. Whether she’s whipping up a meal, or simply sharing moments with family, Calista Ortiz embodies a life rich in love and connection.
MS Occupational Therapy, New York University
Niki chose occupational therapy because of her passion for human psychology, child development, and advocacy. She loves being part of a profession that promotes independence and inclusion for all people. Witnessing children reach milestones and master skills, inspires her to continue growing as a clinician. Niki appreciates that NAPA is a hub for innovation, creativity, and learning. Her special interests include feeding therapy; she hopes to become a feeding specialist to work with children with sensory and oral motor challenges. Cooking, hot yoga, running, live music, and discovering new restaurants around Los Angeles are how she sparks joy.
Iliana grew up around physical therapy, but wasn’t exposed to pediatric physical therapy until her junior year at Augustana College. When starting her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Bradley University, she had intended to go down the orthopedic route and work with athletes. However, she quickly found her passion treating the pediatric population, thanks to one little boy with cerebral palsy. This experience sent her down the road of multiple pediatric clinical rotations and now, NAPA Center Chicago. Her favorite thing about working with this special population is being able to celebrate the little wins with her patients and their families. She knows that sometimes those little wins can make the biggest difference. Outside of the clinic, you can find Iliana in the gym, reading, watching Disney movies, or hanging out with her family and friends.
Bio coming soon!
Mattea is a people person, who finds joy in every season and situation, has a great sense of humour and loves wholeheartedly. In the past, Mattea has extensive experience in medical admin roles, while recently working in Event Management doing huge events all over QLD such as the NRL Magic Round, Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols, weddings and corporate events.
She has spent many years traveling the world, with some of her favourite places being Canada, America and NZ, shortly she will be able to add Italy to the list.
Mattea has been part of the NAPA community since 2016, as her younger sister has attended more than 15 intensives in Sydney. She has seen our organisation grow into everything it is today, and has loved the community and values NAPA holds. Mattea cannot wait to meet each and every child and family that comes through the NAPA doors. She promises that you will be greeted with a huge smile and warmth!
When not working, you will find Mattea enjoying the beach with her friends, watching the Broncos win, spending time with family or indulging in a cheeseboard!
Nekoda Saunders has a BSc. Physical Therapy and is registered in both the UK and Trinidad. She has worked with children of all ages and abilities through clinical practice, community outreach programmes, and sport, and is passionate about helping children feel confident, capable, and supported in every environment they are part of. Alongside her clinical work, Nekoda has been involved in projects focused on making classrooms more accessible for children with disabilities. She has also worked as a student aide, supporting children with additional needs to engage more easily with learning and school activities.
These experiences have shaped her strong belief that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, whether at home, in school, or in the community. Nekoda takes a child-centred
approach to therapy and values working closely with families to make therapy meaningful and practical. She has a strong passion for both teaching and learning, and regularly engages in research and professional development to ensure her practice continues to grow and evolve. She is proud to be part of an organisation like NAPA that prioritises the wellbeing, development, and individuality of every child. Outside of work, Nekoda enjoys travelling and spending quality time with her family, especially playing games and creating memories together.
Caroline was born and raised in Austin, TX. After attending the University of Arizona and earning a degree in Family Studies and Human Development, she graduated from the University of Southern California with a doctorate in occupational therapy. Caroline was drawn to NAPA due to her passion for working with children and their families to address their physical and developmental needs. In her spare time Caroline enjoys hiking, snowboarding, watching her favorite Disney movies and traveling to new places. You can also find her exploring the wonders of Austin’s food truck scene!
Brooklynn Gumby, a dedicated physical therapist originally from Kansas City, Missouri, brings a strong passion for client-centered care to her role. After moving to Massachusetts to pursue her physical therapy education, she quickly fell in love with the abundance of professional opportunities in the area and chose to make it her home. With three years of experience working across both in-home and outpatient settings, Brooklynn has developed a well-rounded skillset and a deep understanding of how to support individuals of all ages in reaching their functional goals. Now a proud member of the NAPA team, Brooklynn is eager to grow under the guidance of leaders in the field, further refining her ability to serve families who travel from near and far to access NAPA’s services. Her greatest passion lies in tailoring therapy to meet the unique functional needs of each family, with a special emphasis on positioning and functional access to home and community settings. Outside of her work, Brooklynn enjoys exploring new places, attending music festivals, and spending quality time with her beloved dog, Demi.
Vera graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a Masters in Occupational Therapy in 2020. Before joining the NAPA team, she has experience working in adult acute care. She feels lucky to have had the opportunity to explore living in cities like Boston and Chicago. Her favorite part of working at NAPA is connecting with kids as they gain new skills. She loves spending time with friends, traveling, and being active with running and swimming.
Megan earned both her B.S. and M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from the University of Nevada, Reno. Her clinical experience has focused primarily on medically complex pediatric populations and children with complex communication needs. Megan’s clinical interests include AAC, expressive/receptive language, dysphagia, and social communication. Megan is passionate about providing individualized, family-centered care and helping patients make meaningful progress toward functional communication goals. She is excited to join NAPA and contribute to its intensive, collaborative therapy model while helping children and families achieve meaningful progress. Outside of work, she enjoys staying active, traveling, exploring new places, and spending time with family and friends.
Wendy graduated from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, in 2002 with a B.A. in Psychology. From there, she went on to pursue a Master of Arts in Recreation Therapy from the University of Nebraska, Omaha. As a certified therapeutic recreation specialist(CTRS), Wendy has worked through the CLASS program for the past 13 years providing home health services. Wendy also ran an adaptive gymnastics program at K2 Academy of Kids sports for 10 years, in Cypress, Texas. In 2014, Wendy completed her Master’s in Occupational Therapy at Texas Woman’s University, Houston Campus. She is certified through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and licensed through the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners. Wendy has completed the Handwriting Without Tears course, NDT Pediatric Course, Pediatric Kinesio Taping Course, and Cortical Vision Impairment course. She attends continuing education courses to remain current on occupational therapy techniques and approaches. In her free time, Wendy is the mother of 2 young children and enjoys running and reading. She also has two dogs and a very supportive husband. She is from the Houston area, most recently Tomball, and looks forward to her time in the Austin area.
Doctorate of PT, Loma Linda University
In 2012, Tso-Hsien (Geoffrey) received his Bachelor in Physiotherapy in Taiwan. He worked in a post-acute hospital as a physiotherapist for both geriatric and paediatric populations which then encouraged him to pursue higher education in the US. He attended Loma Linda University and received his Doctorate of Physiotherapy in 2017.
Tso-Hsien grew up in Taiwan and has always enjoyed working with kids. After working two years in hospitals in Taiwan, he found there weren’t enough resources or techniques available in the paediatric rehab field, so he decided to travel to the US to gain more knowledge and training. He found out about NAPA Center and instantly fell in love with this big family and feels like it’s a one-stop shop of all contemporary therapies.
When Tso-Hsien is not at work, he enjoys spending his time with his dog Gucci and his husband Wissanu. They love exploring different restaurants and never say no to good food, willing to travel to a different state just for a nice medium-rare steak.
Bachelor of Speech Pathology from Australian Catholic University, Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies from Griffith University.
Tabitha has had a passion for working with physical and developmental disabilities since becoming a swim teacher specialising in additional needs during high school. Since becoming a Speech Pathologist, she has always worked with children and feels so lucky to be part of a child’s journeys as they develop their ability to communicate in their own way. She has worked in private practice, non-for-profit sector and specialist schools in both Melbourne and London. Gaining experience in a broad range of clinical areas especially with AAC, alternative access, neuro-affirming therapy approaches and regulation. She feels that the key to successful therapy and progress is a strong, understanding, and open relationship with caregivers. Tabitha strives to put her client’s needs first and ensures all of her sessions are fun, child-led and meet their individual differences. When not at work she enjoys spending time with her friends and family by the beach or inside of Melbourne’s yummy restaurants. Otherwise, you’ll find her travelling and exploring new places, going to music gigs or tucked up on the couch with a good reality TV series.
Anna went to Marquette University for undergraduate and received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. She continued at Marquette and received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Anna’s love and excitement for pediatric physical therapy started when volunteering at a summer camp for kids with cerebral palsy in high school. She enjoyed watching and learning from the therapist leading the camp and helping the children achieve their goals! In physical therapy school, Anna was fortunate to have a clinical in outpatient pediatrics which confirmed her love for pediatric physical therapy. Anna is thrilled to work at NAPA Center and help children reach all their goals! Outside of work, Anna enjoys spending time with her friends and family. She loves to read, stay active, and spend time at the lakefront.
Born and raised Los Angeles California. Youngest of 8 kids. Former 2 sport college athlete and current High school basketball coach.
Rush joins NAPA Center as the Vice President of Finance and Business Intelligence where he’ll oversee all reporting, finance, accounting, and billing functions. Rush brings over 15 years of experience in healthcare, previously as the Director of Finance at Providence. Prior to that, Rush was a Finance Director at Kaiser Permanente.
Rush holds a B.A in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin, and a MBA from San Francisco State University.
In his spare time, you’ll find Rush on the golf course, at the beach, or traveling with his family. Rush lives in Playa Vista with his wife and 2 kids (son age 5 and daughter age 7).
M.S., CCC-SLP, Master of Science in Communication Science and Disorders, University of Texas at Dallas
Ann is a certified member of the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). She received her Bachelor’s degree in Speech Language Hearing Sciences from the University of Texas at Dallas and her Master’s degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Texas. Working extensively with preschoolers and school-aged children in the public schools, she specializes in the evaluation and treatment of a variety of communication disorders. For example, articulation and phonological disorders, receptive/expressive language disorders, fluency/stuttering, autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, pragmatics/social skills, and other developmental delays. Ann is passionate about building relationships with her patients and families and loves being a part of the Napa team!
Karina is an Occupational Therapist who earned her BSc from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. She developed her passion for pediatric care while specializing in neurological rehabilitation at a children’s hospital, an experience that reinforced her dedication and motivated her to continuously develop different therapeutic approaches. Karina is passionate about creating a fun, engaging, and supportive environment where children feel empowered to explore and grow. She believes that when therapy is joyful, incredible progress follows. Outside the clinic, you will find Karina working out in the gym, experimenting new recipes at home, and planning for her next adventure—always curious and learning, much like the children she works with!
Ashley is a passionate occupational therapist originally from Southern Maryland. She discovered her passion for occupational therapy while volunteering as an adaptive dance instructor for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities. She earned her Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Occupational Therapy degrees from Quinnipiac University. Throughout her career, Ashley has specialized in pediatric occupational therapy. She believes therapy should be evidence-based, individualized, and, most importantly, fun! Outside of work, Ashley enjoys hiking and camping in the mountains.
Abbie is a Therapy Aide at NAPA in Melbourne. She enjoys working with children and supporting them during therapy sessions. Abbie has a strong interest in paediatrics and has recently completed her Bachelor of Health Science, with the goal of progressing into a Master of Occupational Therapy. When she’s not at NAPA, she enjoys playing tennis and with her french bulldog puppy named Nala.
Sita Agterberg grew up in Milwaukee Wisconsin and graduated with her Doctor of Physical Therapy from UW- Milwaukee before moving to Boston. Since her first year of physical therapy school, Sita knew that she wanted to work in pediatrics, and she sought out every opportunity to do so both in and out of school. Sita has experience working in both the school and outpatient settings with a wide range of diagnoses, including cerebral palsy, hypotonia, Down Syndrome, and rare genetic disorders. Outside of work, you can find Sita tandem cycling with her fiance, running, and baking bread.
Katherine earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Daemen College in Amherst, NY just outside the City of Buffalo. She has experience working with all age groups and has worked in a variety of pediatric settings including school-based, outpatient clinics, and home care. Katherine has experience working with children with varying diagnoses including Hypoplastic left heart syndrome, Down Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy, Austism Spectrum Disorder, Hydrocephaly, Plagiocephaly, Seizure disorders, Genetic disorders, Orthopedic conditions, and other gross motor/developmental delay abnormalities. Katherine works hard to make therapy fun and to support each of her patients and families to provide the best quality of life possible. Outside of work she loves to spend her time with friends and family or participating in yoga classes and run club. She also loves to travel, watch and play sports, read, and knit! She is an avid animal lover and has 5 pets of her own.
M.S. Occupational Therapy, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
Jordyn knew she wanted to enter the field of Occupational Therapy after working as a rehab aide for a young girl with a traumatic brain injury. She believes there is no greater joy than celebrating with an individual who has reached their goals. From there, she continued working as a caregiver for children and adults with disabilities throughout college and graduate school.
Jordyn always envisioned herself working in pediatrics, but never thought she would end up moving across the country to do so. While not a California native, Jordyn has quickly adapted to the LA lifestyle. In her free time, you can find her working out, biking along the beach, exploring new restaurants, or indulging in an endless supply of mint chocolate-chip ice cream. Jordyn’s lively personality adds value when providing treatment to any individual that enters NAPA’s doors.
Francesca recently graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with a degree in Clinical Psychology. She has always enjoyed working with children and has spent the past several years supporting kids in schools, camps, and community programs. Her experiences working with children of different ages and abilities helped her discover a passion for helping others learn, grow, and gain confidence. Francesca plans to pursue a
graduate degree in Occupational Therapy and is excited to continue building meaningful relationships with children and families through her work at NAPA. Francesca is excited to celebrate each child’s accomplishments, big and small, and to be part of their journey as they build new skills and confidence. She loves the fun, supportive environment at NAPA and looks forward to helping children reach their goals while creating meaningful connections with families. When she’s not at NAPA, you can usually find her spending time with friends and family, doing yoga, traveling, or searching for her next adventure!
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Distinction), University of Otago
Olivia decided to study physiotherapy as she wanted an active job where she could help people and thought it aligned well with her love of sports. As she progressed through her studies, she discovered her love for neurorehabilitation and paediatrics. A paediatric placement and volunteering with a few young boys with Autism, Global Developmental Delay, and Cerebral Palsy lead her to a role working in a Special school after graduating. After three years, Olivia moved over from New Zealand to work at NAPA Melbourne. Olivia loves working in paediatric therapy as it requires creativity, problem solving, and to be a little bit silly. Outside of NAPA Olivia can be found playing all sorts of sports. As a former soccer player, she has recently changed codes and is now training for her next boxing match. She is also a bit of a foodie, plant mum, and loves adventuring and exploring the outdoors, especially anything to do with water.
Savanna Newton, DPT graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2020. Following graduation, Savanna immediately began working as a PT in early intervention with a wide range of diagnoses including, cerebral palsy, hypotonia/hypertonia, down syndrome, torticollis, delayed motor milestones, various genetic disorders, etc. It brings her so much joy to help a child reach their next motor milestone or bring a smile to their faces. When she’s not helping her young friends, she enjoys traveling with her husband, trying new restaurants, talking to her plants, or binging the newest Netflix series.
Bachelor of Physiotherapy, University of Canberra
Growing up Jonty always knew he was going to find a job helping others and when the time came, he chose physiotherapy since he thought it would be better than sitting at a desk all day. Little did he know this would lead him to paediatrics. During his later high school years Jonty started volunteering at disability camps, on the whim of some of his family and friends. Realising the joy and positivity that could be spread because of the interactions with these kids and their carers, he quickly developed a passion for working in paediatrics. This was only confirmed through his placement at the Sydney Children’s hospital, as he realized that this was something he could do for the rest of his life.
When not at NAPA you can find Jonty helping out at his church, playing team sports such as volleyball, basketball, or soccer and also hosting board games nights for friends and family. He’s always happy for a chat or complicated hi fives if you can spot him!
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPhty) – University of Otago, New Zealand
Since a very young age, Yazmin has had a passion for working with children, and began her journey working as a ballet teacher aide and eventually teacher throughout high school and university. In her final year of her physiotherapy degree, while Yazmin was on placement at a special education school for children with high and very-high needs she realised her true passion for paediatric neurological physiotherapy. Yazmin made the move to Melbourne, Australia in 2018 and has since spent time in the wider private practice field of neurological rehabilitation. Yazmin is very enthusiastic about returning to a solely paediatric environment at NAPA, she works hard to empower every individual child to meet their goals, dream big and be an active leader in their own lives both physically and holistically.
When Yazmin is not at NAPA she can be found running, at a bikram yoga class, cooking for family and friends and exploring the outdoors!
Emily is currently attending California State University of Long Beach, to obtain her BA in Speech-Language
Pathology. Emily decided to pursue a degree within the field of Special Education, a place where she can help children gain the skills necessary to thrive. She found Speech Language Pathology interesting because of the various ways to help individuals improve their ability to speak, connect with others, and achieve their personal goals. Each individual is unique and Emily hopes to meet each of them where they are at and watch them grow day by day. Emily enjoys building interpersonal connections in this field and hopes to create unique relationships with each of her future clients. When Emily is not working at NAPA she loves trying new foods, going on walks in nature, and doing something crafty like crocheting or card making. She also enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, watching movies, playing sports, and playing games. She is very excited to create new connections, improve her skills in working with children, and build their foundation to prepare them for their next steps.
Chloe is a 2026 graduate of UT Austin, where she earned a degree in Kinesiology & Health with a minor in ASL. She is currently taking a gap year and is excited for the opportunity to be part of the NAPA team while applying to OT schools! Chloe discovered her passion for occupational therapy while working at Camp CAMP, where she spent five summers providing care and adapted participation in summer camp activities for campers with physical, medical, and developmental disabilities. During college, she began two caregiving jobs for individuals who have since become her best friends and remind her every day “why” she pursues this career. One of them being a NAPA kiddo (shoutout Adira!) introduced her to the clinic, where she has fallen in love with the thoughtful collaboration of PTs, OTs, and SLPs to help children with disabilities live their most independent lives. When not at NAPA, you can find Chloe on a run around the lake, hanging out with friends, or trying new coffee shops around Austin!
Catherine is currently completing a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science at the University of Sydney, with the goal of becoming a paediatric Occupational Therapist by pursuing a Master’s of Occupational Therapy. Her passion for working with children grew through her experiences as a lifesaving instructor, dance teacher, and Inclusion Support Worker in an after-school care setting. In this role, she supported children with learning difficulties and discovered how much she enjoys creating a fun, positive, and inclusive environment where every child feels supported and encouraged. When she’s not at NAPA, you’ll most likely find Catherine enjoying long walks along the beach, catching up with friends and family, or exploring the outdoors. She has a passion for travel and adventure, and has been lucky enough to hike through Switzerland, Spain, and Canada — and is always excited to plan her next adventure.
A South Bay resident and parent of three adult children, Rosalinda’s career in leadership began as a local business owner supporting the food service industry for over 15 years. A parent, mentor, advocate, and leader, her 20+ year journey into the developmental disabilities world was first ignited by her quest to support her neurodiverse son. Her drive to guide and mentor others fueled her mission and career transition to support the disabled community.
Rosalinda has been employed professionally for ten years as Chief Programs Officer of a non-profit pediatric clinic. She brings several years of experience having supported the execution of various projects related to pediatric therapy services. Blending her passion and professional mission, she has a deep desire to support and empower employees with daily challenges and help in the formation of new services. Rosalinda is intentional in seeking opportunities to collaborate with parents and staff to best support the needs of our clients.
Julie earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Texas at Austin, where she received a training grant specializing in working with children with high support needs. She discovered her passion for speech-language pathology during her time as a summer camp counselor, where she spent many summers adapting activities for campers with a wide range of disabilities. Working as a caregiver for a child with medical complexities (Hi Teddy!), ignited her passion for supporting children with complex communication needs and he continues to be her drive her every day. During her graduate program, Julie completed an internship at NAPA Center Austin and immediately knew it was the place for her. She has a special interest in Augmentative and Alternative
Communication and loves finding innovative ways to support communication in all its forms. When she’s not at NAPA, you can find her walking the Town Lake Trail, trying out new restaurants, or spending time with friends!
Mandy has extensive experience spanning nearly two decades in the healthcare industry, including 10 years nursing. She has always enjoyed caring for those around her with compassion and has a genuine enthusiasm for helping others. Mandy is very excited to now be part of the NAPA family and loves getting to know the amazing children and their families.
Outside of work Mandy is kept busy by her two energetic boys, and enjoys visiting family, going to theme parks, and spending time down the coast. Mandy has a passion for artistic pursuits and finds her utmost joy and fulfillment when painting, whether it’s being creative or even painting her house. One day she dreams of painting a mural.
Bachelor of Physiotherapy, The Australian Catholic University
Sarah has always had a love of working with children. She worked as a junior school sports coach and a nanny whilst studying physiotherapy at university. Sarah affirmed her passion for working with children after a paediatric placement at Royal North Shore Hospital. To further grow her physiotherapy knowledge she completed a Graduate programme at Royal North Shore Hospital. Her experience in working with a variety of neurological conditions combined with her love of paediatrics saw her transition to the NAPA Centre as the perfect fit!
Sarah is a caring team member eager to be involved in an energetic, inclusive and passionate environment. She is driven to making a positive impact in the lives of children and their families. Sarah is very excited to be involved with our supportive NAPA team!
If Sarah isn’t at work, you most likely find her playing hockey. Sarah is also a keen baker, enjoys going to the beach or watching Grey’s Anatomy!
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from Australia Catholic University.
Mikaela has always known that she wanted to work with children, and coached gymnastics in high school and through university, so has been surrounded by children for a large part of her life. Coaching provided her with a keen interest in using movement to aid in development in a fun play-based manner. Her favourite part about working with NAPA is seeing the excitement the children face during their sessions when they have achieved something new, or hearing stories and updates from parents. She loves that fun and joy that comes out of NAPA sessions. When not at NAPA you will find Mikaela either in the pool or at the beach, and on weekends she loves going for a walk with a coffee and getting an almond croissant which is definitely a guilty pleasure!
Kelli was born in Laguna Hills, California and was raised in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M University (GIG ‘EM AGGIES) where she earned her Bachelor’s in Kinesiology in 2019. She then earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Angelo State University in 2022. From volunteering at various pediatric clinics in College Station, TX, completing a pediatric clinical rotation in San Antonio, TX, and working in outpatient pediatric facilities in Houston, TX, Kelli discovered her love and passion for working with children. She decided it was time to move back home to Austin, which lead her to pursuing a career at NAPA so
she could continue making a positive impact on the pediatric population. Kelli values getting to know each child during therapy and incorporating their unique motivators and interests into each session so that therapy is an enjoyable and fun experience for all. Outside of working as a Pediatric Physical Therapist, Kelli enjoys walking her dog, taking pilates classes, cooling off in the pool or at the lake, scuba diving, and spending time with friends and family.
Kristen received her Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Texas Christian University in 2007 and her Master of Science in Communication Disorders from The University of Texas at Dallas in 2009. Kristen holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence awarded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in the state of Texas. She is trained in the following: Hanen parent training program ‘It Takes Two to Talk,’ PROMPT, Vital Stim (NMES), AEIOU Approach to Feeding, and Beckman Oral Motor Protocol. Kristen’s clinical experiences include working in the public school system with the Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program, Early Childhood Intervention (ECI), and private practice. Her professional interests include infant and toddler language acquisition, pediatric language disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), developmental delays, and feeding and swallowing disorders. Kristen is happy to be living in her hometown of Austin and close to family after living in Dallas for 13 years. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, attending church services, watching TCU football, volunteering, traveling, and trying new restaurants.
Doctor of Physiotherapy, Bond University.
Originally from the US, Rebekah has spent most of her life playing sports including her four years in undergrad earning her BA in Exercise Science. Rebekah knew she wanted to study Physiotherapy after a sports injury that caused her to spend some time in private practice. It wasn’t until her paediatric course in University that she became interested in working with children and saw the difference physios can make in their lives. Rebekah found her passion for Paediatric Physiotherapy after completing a clinical rotation at NAPA Sydney. She fell in love working with the children, her colleagues, and the NAPA organisation. She knew for sure this is where she wanted to be after realising she left work every day with her cheeks hurting because she smiled so much throughout the day. When Rebekah isn’t at NAPA she can usually be found on the beach soaking up the sun, playing volleyball with friends, or traveling.
Student at CSU Dominguez Hills studying Child Development Alyssa has always known she’s had a big heart for working with children, and when she discovered the career path of Occupational Therapy, she was incredibly inspired by the dedication and strong connections that these therapists have for the children they work with. Currently studying for her Bachelor’s degree in Child Development, Alyssa hopes to later go to graduate school to fulfill her dream of working as an Early Intervention Occupational Therapist. Through her Early Intervention Assistant position, NAPA has given her the incredible opportunity to care for the young ones she hopes to connect with for the rest of her life. When she’s not working, (and sometimes also when she is) Alyssa loves to sing and play songs on guitar, she’s always open to learning new music!
Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology), The University of Sydney
Helena is an energetic, and empathetic Speech Pathologist with a passion for helping children grow and thrive through the ‘just right’ supports. With experience as a Speech Pathologist and Key Worker within the community space, and former support worker, she brings a holistic perspective to her work.
Helena is trained in a range of approaches and tools to ensure she is up-to-date, evidence based and innovative in her ability to support the paediatric population. Some of these include HANEN, PROMPT, VitalStim, and Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy. Helena has many special interests! These include Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) prescription, feeding and swallowing difficulties, and motor speech difficulties (e.g., Childhood Apraxia of Speech). She also has interests in crocheting, exploring nature and cooking up a storm!
Samantha is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant who has been licensed and practicing in Los Angeles, California since 2020. She has extensive experience working with children across a wide range of ages and developmental needs, and has had advanced training in sensory integration techniques, the S.O.S. Approach to Feeding, and Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI) therapy. Samantha’s passion for
working with children is at the heart of her practice, and she is deeply motivated by supporting their growth, independence, and confidence. Samantha’s goal is to further her education and earn her doctorate of Occupational Therapy degree as the next step in her professional journey. Samantha is deeply passionate about working alongside the NAPA center team, a passion that grew after supporting clients who were receiving therapy services at NAPA center in Los Angeles. Witnessing firsthand the joy children experienced while participating in NAPA programs, as well as the meaningful progress they made, reinforced her desire to be part of such a collaborative and innovative environment. She values the team-based approach at NAPA and is inspired by the dedication, expertise, and shared commitment to helping each child reach their fullest potential. Since her relocation to Australia, Samantha has been spending her free time exploring the country’s beautiful natural landscapes and making the most of everything Australia has to offer.
Val is a people focused person. One of her many appreciations she enjoys in her role is the people, culture & the organisation. What attracted Val to working at NAPA is the opportunity to interact with the beautiful children, the parents, & the environment NAPA creates. Being the 2nd to youngest in a family of 8 brothers & 1 sister, & raised on a farm in New Zealand (a bit like a Dolly Parton family), meant she was brought up with a lot of love, laughter & respect. Val has held a variety of administrative positions in various industries, & has travelled, lived & worked not only in her home country New Zealand, but also the U.K. twice & now here in Australia. Val is known to enjoy the odd glass of wine, coffee & cake (especially likes home baking) keeping fit, being out on the water & has been a learner skier for many years. What is closet to Val’s heart is her family, friends & the people in her life.
Bachelor of Speech Pathology from Australian Catholic University
Sarah’s passion has always been and continues to be working with children with physical disabilities and complex communication needs. She always says the most enriching part of her job is watching the sheer determination and resilience these children have in working towards their goals. Sarah has worked previously in Special schools and private practice gaining experience and training in the areas of AAC, literacy, dysphagia management and speech and language disorders. She strives to work with families to create positive, fun and supportive environments in all her sessions. When not at work, Sarah’s creativity expands into the world of amateur theatre where she volunteers her time working with Scouts and Guides of Melbourne in developing and realising their theatrical skills and putting on a show for all to enjoy.
Carly feels very proud to be part of the London NAPA team. After working in childcare for nearly 30 years working in nursery environment she qualified as a nursery practitioner and progressed to be nursery manager. Her passion and dedication has always been to try a make a meaningful impact by providing care, encouragement and practical support which she will bring to NAPA London.
Silvia had her Bachelor degree in tourism management and extended her knowledge by studying business administration in Australia. She constantly studies different courses for self-development as she believes it’s important to always continue to grow and learn.
She is friendly, approachable, and compassionate. She volunteers in activities within her community which involves dealing with people who have disabilities from different ages which gave her a wide experience in how to deal and communicate with people considering their different needs. She is excited about being a part of the NAPA team where she can be a witness of so many wonderful moments seeing beautiful unique kids succeed in reaching their individual goals from their very little first step.
When Silvia is not busy at Napa, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, taking her dog for a walk, she also loves drawing, doing outdoor activities. Silvia loves travelling as she enjoys learning more about the different cultures, she’s already been to a few different cities around the world and she can’t wait to tick more cities off her list.
Bachelor of Physiotherapy, University of Sydney
Yvonne grew up in Hong Kong and moved to Sydney to study physiotherapy, intrigued by the idea of using movement and therapy to help others get better. She’s always loved being around children and when she went on some paediatric placements during university, she realised that paediatrics was for her. She loves the complexity and the diversity of this field and enjoys working closely with families to help children reach their goals. After graduating university, she worked at a paediatrics clinic before making her move to NAPA. Outside of work, Yvonne loves sketching and watercolour painting, meeting up with friends, playing badminton and discovering new sights to see while soaking up the sun.
MS Speech and Language Pathology, Northeastern University
Mei-li is a California native returning after six years from the East Coast after finishing her Master’s at Northeastern University. It’s easy to see, Mei-Li is passionate about pediatrics and is excited to help support families communication and feeding needs. Prior to speech therapy, her background includes Applied Behavior Analysis, where she worked with children on the Autism Spectrum supporting communication and behaviors. In addition, she served as a developmental specialist in the field of Early Intervention, where she learned to collaborate with other disciplines and work with families as a whole. Mei-Li worked for three years in NAPA Los Angeles before transferring to her new home here in Melbourne. Her areas of interest include AAC, social language skills, and oral motor/feeding. Free time is spent at the beach playing volleyball, cooking, and traveling.
Nicky is a dedicated and passionate Therapy Aide at NAPA, currently studying a Bachelor of Health and Medical Science at Charles Sturt University, with the goal of completing a Masters in Occupational Therapy. Her deep commitment to helping others is rooted in her lived experience, having grown up in a family surrounded by neurodiversity and receiving her own adult ADHD diagnosis. Nicky’s professional journey in the disability sector began when, while working as an inclusive gymnastics and dance coach, she was given an opportunity by Special Olympics Australia to pioneer a new sporting program in special education schools and support units throughout Sydney. Nicky loved tapping into her “big-kid energy” participating with the students so much that when one of the schools offered her a role as a Teacher Aide, she jumped at the opportunity and stayed for many years.
Looking for ways to maximise every child’s sense of belonging and participation, Nicky’s passion for allied health was further ignited while supporting OTs, physios and speechies in the classroom. Working predominantly with students who required specialist health support such as tube feeding, medications and seizure management, Nicky ensured her students are feeling happy, well looked after and ready to take an active part in their learning and socialising with their classmates.This role, along with her extensive experience as a disability support worker supporting children in various settings, solidified her interest in paediatric therapy.
When not at NAPA or studying, Nicky enjoys spending quality time with her husband and their toddler. She loves discovering new playgrounds and ice-cream flavors, going to the gym, planning trips to visit extended family in Hungary and Mexico, shopping for colourful leggings, and enjoying a quiet crafternoon or good book.
Zeena graduated from Western Sydney University with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. Her passion for working with children with special needs stemmed from her early exposure to her older brother, who lives with Cerebral Palsy and an intellectual disability. Accompanying him to therapy sessions inspired her to pursue a career as an occupational therapist. Zeena is dedicated to helping children achieve their goals and supporting families, drawing from the assistance her family was provided. During her placements, she gained valuable experience in mental health and hospital settings. Zeena also completed her 6-week university placement at Napa Centre, reinforcing her commitment to working with children with neurological disorders and physical disabilities.
Previously, she worked as an allied health assistant, focusing on children with intellectual disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Global Development Delays. Zeena brings brightness and energy to her therapy sessions, aiming to create a fun atmosphere. Outside of Napa Centre, she enjoys exploring new food spots, traveling to new places, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Doctor of Physiotherapy – Macquarie University (2024), Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) with Bachelor of Human Sciences (Human Movement) – Macquarie University (2020).
Annika is an enthusiastic physiotherapist who is dedicated to helping people achieve their goals – both big and small! Annika has had lots of experience working with children – in which she has worked as a dance/acrobatics teacher, AFL sports trainer, a carer, an assistant teacher for a school-readiness program. In her final year of her postgraduate program, Annika had the opportunity to undertake a five-week clinical placement at a paediatric private practice, which helped to solidify her passion for paediatrics! After finishing her university studies, Annika worked at a private practice clinic before joining the NAPA team. Outside of NAPA, Annika enjoys attending pilates classes, chilling at the beach, going on walks and runs, spending time with family and friends, and finding the best food and coffee spots in Sydney. Annika enjoys living an active lifestyle, and is always down to try new sports and hobbies! Annika promises to deliver the best possible family-centred and patient-centred care to all clients, while bringing “big-kid energy” to all her consults!
Xyza has extensive experience in pediatric physiotherapy since 2016, and she’s all about making therapy as enjoyable as possible for the kids she works with. Previously a Senior Physiotherapist at Royal Surrey Hospital, she’s known for her creative, evidence-based treatment plans that help children tackle both physical and respiratory challenges in a way that feels less like work and more like fun. She also has a solid leadership background, having served as the head of the Physiotherapy Department at DOC Medical Center in Doha.Outside of work, and when she’s not busy pursuing her Doctorate degree in Physiotherapy, Xyza’s lifelong love for kids shines through. From caring for her sisters, cousins, nieces, and nephews to volunteering with charities for children with special needs, she’s always been dedicated to their well-being. And when she’s not doing all that? You’ll probably find her experimenting in the kitchen, relaxing with a book by the beach, or glued to some good old trashy reality TV. Xyza’s blend of professionalism, fun, and heart makes her someone both kids and parents love to be around.
Phuong is a warm and friendly Speech Pathologist who is passionate about helping children communicate more confidently. Her passion for supporting others to express themselves and connect meaningfully inspired her to pursue speech pathology. Phuong enjoys working closely with families to make therapy practical, supportive, and tailored to each person’s needs.She has a special interest in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and early language development, and strives to provide respectful, evidence-informed support that celebrates each person’s unique way of communicating. Phuong values collaboration with other professionals and believes that building trust and genuine relationships is key to making meaningful progress in therapy. Outside of work, she loves trying new restaurants with friends, baking, and spending time at the beach.
Bachelor of Health Science Occupational Therapy, Auckland University of Technology
Seijal always had an interest in working in the healthcare industry and has a passion for helping, uplifting and supporting others. After graduating from university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy, and Post Graduate Certificate in Mental Health and Addiction, she worked for Mental Health Services in New Zealand, supporting individuals with mental health difficulties to engage in meaningful occupation. Seijal made the move to Australia in 2022, found her love for working with children and helping them to achieve their goals, grow, and learn, in a fun and creative way. Seijal has experience in working with children in clinics, schools, home-based settings, kindergartens and childcares.
When she’s not at NAPA, she can be found baking, reading, running, hiking, or trying various cafés and restaurants with her friends. She also loves travelling and exploring countries, cities and learning about new cultures.
Laura graduated from Indiana University with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. She is a dedicated pediatric physical therapist who is passionate about collaborating with children and their families to help them achieve their gross motor goals. She enjoys incorporating creativity and play into therapy sessions, making exercises engaging and meaningful for each child. Laura emphasizes the importance of understanding the “why” behind exercises and takes pride in educating parents on home exercise programs to support continued progress beyond the clinic.With experience working with children with a variety of conditions, including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and leukodystrophy, Laura brings a compassionate and individualized approach to care. She is committed to fostering confidence and independence in her patients while ensuring therapy remains both effective and enjoyable.Outside of work, Laura loves spending time outdoors, hiking scenic trails, or practicing yoga. She also has a passion for crafting and finds relaxation in working on intricate crochet patterns.
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from Australian Catholic University.
With a background of gymnastics, Tara spent her spare time in high school working as a gymnastics coach, from this point forward not only did Tara know she wanted to work with kids, but she knew she wanted to work in a hands on role that supported and empowered children. When Tara discovered the field of Occupational Therapy, there was no looking back. With a background in high intensity support work, Tara has had the invaluable experience of being able to work closely alongside children and their families throughout the highs and lows of everyday life. Tara loves supporting children and their families to reach their goals. Tara is passionate about ensuring therapy is a fun and uplifting environment for the child and one where they can feel safe and confident to be themselves.
When Tara is not working at NAPA, you can find her anywhere there are animals & finding every single dog friendly venue in Melbourne to take her miniature poodle Finley. As well as this Tara enjoys spending time by the beach in the warm months and can be found snowboarding throughout the winter.
MS Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Vermont
Erika chose to pursue speech language pathology after an inspiring pitch from a professor in an undergraduate course entitled, “Major Decisions.” Since then, she has developed a passion and enthusiasm for working with children to help them achieve their highest potential. Erika has widespread evaluation and treatment experience with children of all ages, including childhood apraxia of speech, expressive and receptive language, speech sound disorders, fluency, pragmatics and social skills, and feeding and swallowing. She enjoys the fun, challenge, and diversity that comes with working with children, and she strives to create a constructive and trusting relationship with her clients and their families. She is committed to creating engaging, functional, and innovative treatment activities to best address each client’s unique goals and promote success in and out of therapy. Outside of work, Erika enjoys long walks with her dog, Lucy, going to the gym, and exploring the local food scene.
Tara developed a passion for physical therapy specializing in pediatrics volunteering at a local hippotherapy therapeutic riding organization in high school. Since then, she has achieved this goal as a physical therapist and continues this passion by treating children of all ages and needs. Tara strongly believes bonding with families and collaborating with other disciplines is an integral part of the entire treatment process and strives for this in her daily practice. Tara enjoys making therapy a fun place with silly faces and showing off everyone’s best dance moves! Outside of NAPA, Tara can be found hanging out with her dog and friends, binge-watching reality T.V., or alternating between a puzzle and a good book. She loves traveling by car, plane, or boat and would love any recommendations near or afar!
Clodagh is a dedicated Occupational Therapist at NAPA Centre who has known from a young age that she wanted to work with children and families.She brings a warm, strengths-based, and family-centred approach to therapy, empowering parents through collaboration and coaching while supporting children to build confidence, autonomy, and meaningful functional skills. Clodagh holds a First Class Honours degree in Occupational
Therapy from University College Cork and has been working in Australia since 2024. Prior to this, she practised in Ireland, supporting children and young people from infancy through to young adulthood. Her experience includes working as part of a multidisciplinary Autism diagnostic team, as well as delivering individualised, goal-directed intervention. Her clinical interests include sensory and emotional regulation, early
intervention, upper limb function, engagement, and play-based skill development. She enjoys incorporating sensory-rich activities, obstacle courses, and creative challenges to ensure therapy is both purposeful and motivating. Outside of work, you’ll likely find Clodagh enjoying a good coffee or walking along a coastline somewhere, recharging by the sea.
Sydney’s passion for movement began as a competitive gymnast and evolved through coaching preschool gymnastics, sparking her interest in pediatrics. She earned her B.S. in Physiological Science from UCLA and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Boston University, where she deepened her appreciation for the body’s adaptability and resilience. During her time with a Boston-based pediatric adaptive sports program, she saw children connect, grow, and thrive, which brought her deep joy and showed her that anything is possible with the right support. This experience inspired her passion for helping children reach their full potential, a passion further strengthened during her clinical rotation with NAPA LA. Sydney takes an evidence-based, holistic approach, prioritizing patient- and family-centered care while fostering confidence in each child and hope in every family. Outside the clinic, she enjoys exploring LA’s food and matcha scene, running, thrifting, and chasing sunsets (preferably at the beach!) with family and friends.
Bsc in Honors Biomedical science with a minor in Medical Physiology, University of Waterloo, Canada
MA of Speech Language Pathology, University of Queensland, Australia
Sanduni (Sandy) has always enjoyed working with children. She is a bubbly, motivated, and empathetic person who enjoys working with children and families to achieve their therapy goals.
She loves to work within a multidisciplinary framework, and strongly believes in providing holistic, evidence based, and functional client-centred therapy for all her clients. Her passion for Speech Pathology stems from her deep desire to make positive differences in people’s lives.
Sandy has had several experiences working with children with special needs and communication difficulties both in Australia and overseas in Canada across schools, hospitals, day cares, and private practice settings. She enjoys working with children in the areas of speech, receptive and expressive language, literacy, social communication, and presents a special interest in paediatric feeding, dysphagia management and Augmentative and Alternative Communication. As a practitioner, she endeavours to support all her clients to reach their full potential and make a difference in their lives as they grow into being the best they can be.
When Sandy is not busy at work, she reads up on her special interests in AAC, language development and feeding. She also loves dancing, going out for walks, and travelling the world in her free time.
Bachelor of Speech and Language Therapy (First Class Honours), Massey University, New Zealand
Elena developed a passion for Speech and Language Therapy through providing respite care and working at a special school. Before coming to NAPA, she was a speechie within the Early Intervention sector in New Zealand, supporting children with complex needs. Elena is a strong believer in the power of connection and the importance of seeing the potential in every child. She loves working alongside children and their families for many reasons, but mainly because this allows for lots of learning opportunities, creativity, and most importantly fun!
Elena’s areas of special interest include Alternative and Augmentative Communication, dysphagia/feeding development, early language development, and disability advocacy. When not at NAPA, Elena enjoys hanging with her family, embroidery, reading good books, and exploring the local food scene.
University of Southern Queensland
Rylee is currently in her first year of studying a Bachelor of Speech Pathology at The University of Southern Queensland. She has a certificate 3 in healthcare assistance and completed this at Logan hospital while working in the ED department. She has always been passionate about working with children and wants to spread kindness, compassion and care to the children that she works with. In her free time, she surrounds herself with friends and family and enjoys going to concerts and on walks with an iced coffee in hand.
With a deep passion for movement and helping children reach their full potential, Serena is a dedicated pediatric physical therapist at NAPA Center Los Angeles. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from Duke University, where she built a strong foundation in evidence-based, compassionate care. Her journey into physical therapy was inspired by a lifelong love of dance, which shaped her appreciation for the human body and sparked a desire to help others move with confidence and joy. Early on, Serena knew she wanted to work with children, drawn to their energy, resilience, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact during development. She finds fulfillment in building strong connections with each child and family she works with, and celebrates every milestone—big or
small—as a step towards greater independence and empowerment. Outside the clinic, you’ll likely find her baking sweet treats, exploring hiking trails, getting lost in a good book, or spending quality time with her loved ones.
Kristen graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan with a double Bachelor’s in Spanish and Health Science followed by a Master’s in Occupational Therapy where her desire for helping others continued to flourish. Following graduation with fieldwork placements at the University of Michigan pediatric facility and a brain injury rehabilitation clinic, she continued her passion for providing learning and movement opportunities for children with neurological conditions and developmental delays at a pediatric clinic within the Las Vegas area.
Kristen takes pride in promoting positive and fun therapeutic environments for patients and their families so each child can achieve their highest potential across a variety of environments. While Kristen is ecstatic to be a part of the NAPA team, she looks forward to seeing each child become stronger, empowered, and confident through play-based activities inside and outside of the clinic. When Kristen is not occupied at the NAPA center, she enjoys learning new hobbies, such as surfing and snowboarding, traveling, spending time with her dog Diego, and meeting new people!
Delaney earned her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology with a minor in psychology at Texas A&M University. Gig ’em Aggies! She went on to earn her doctorate in physical therapy back in her hometown at UT Health San Antonio. Delaney feels motivated by helping children build confidence, overcome challenges, and work toward achieving their full potential all while having fun! Outside of her career, Delaney enjoys reading, spending time with her husband, and being active through hiking and pickleball.
Bachelor of Physiotherapy, Australian Catholic University.
Ellie is originally from Geelong, Victoria and graduated at the end of 2023. Ellie absolutely loved her paediatric placement while studying and knew that she wanted to pursue this area of work as a physiotherapist.
Prior to joining the NAPA Team, Ellie worked in a rotational role in a tertiary hospital in Geelong (Victoria) and has also worked in a private inpatient rehabilitation setting (in Sydney). Ellie has always loved spending time with kids and has heaps of fun playing with her two nieces. She enjoys being creative in and outside of work and is excited to bring her creative side to her work at NAPA. Ellie is a compassionate and driven worker and values helping clients achieve their client-specific goals. When Ellie isn’t at work, she loves seeing her friends, testing out new cafes, doing pilates, practicing her pottery skills and patting all the dogs she can when she goes for a walk.
Emma is a Wisconsin native who recently moved to Denver for a new adventure! She attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison for her undergraduate degree, and Carroll University for her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy. After spending several years supporting children through inclusive recreation programs, Emma discovered a passion for both occupational therapy and pediatric care. She loves watching children build confidence, develop new skills, work toward meaningful goals, and engage in the activities that matter most to them! Outside of NAPA, Emma is happiest when she can stay active and is excited to explore all the hiking, camping, and outdoor activities Colorado has to offer.
Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology), The University of Sydney
Laura always knew she wanted to help others, and this sparked her journey into Speech Pathology. She grew up with a large family by her side and has always been considered the ‘mum’ of the group. Her love for paediatrics and disability came from her family as her two younger cousins were diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as she finished her degree. Laura’s passion to support her relatives started her career in early intervention and supporting children and young adolescents with a diagnosis of ASD. She joins NAPA with a passion to learn more about the field of disability and to support families to be their child’s best teacher (wearing leggings and crazy socks was a bonus!). Laura is practicing as a Certified Speech Pathologist (CPSP) and certified Hanen therapist who holds great importance in building capacity within families. She has a keen interest with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), social skills, sensory and emotional regulation, and Positive Behaviour Support. Laura is a big animal lover and will always be talking about her pets! She is most active when the sun is out and will explore the outdoors, go on walks and hikes, be at the beach but when the cold and rain hit, Laura will hibernate!
Kayla Stewart received her Master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Southern California, her Bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of California, San Diego, and also has an associate’s degree in child development. Kayla has experience working with children in a variety of settings including leading after school programs, tutoring children of all ages, and teaching preschool. While completing her bachelor’s degree at UCSD, Kayla interned at the Autism Center of Excellence and Healthy Infant Development Laboratory, a research laboratory focused on identifying the causes of autism and finding effective treatments to support children and their families. Kayla has previous experience working in an outpatient pediatric setting, early intervention, and aquatic therapy. She is passionate about educating and supporting families in the areas of feeding and sensory integration. Kayla strongly believes in collaborating with families to discover and understand each child’s unique strengths and needs in order to increase participation in everyday life. Kayla enjoys spending her time traveling, reading books on the beach, and playing with her pup.
Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy
Ruairi is a passionate and dedicated physiotherapist from Ireland (yes, another one!) who graduated with first-class honours from University College Dublin.
From a young age, Ruairi knew he wanted to work with children—coming from a family of teachers, he has always been drawn to helping others, particularly children with disabilities. He has worked in paediatrics for nearly six years, most recently as a Senior Physiotherapist in both community settings in Ireland and at another clinic here in Sydney.
Ruairi is driven by a deep commitment to helping children maximise their independence, reach their potential and achieve their goals.
A self-confessed sports fanatic (and highly competitive!), Ruairi has played Gaelic football, hurling, soccer, rugby and tennis. Since moving to Australia, he’s developed a love for distance running and triathlons—completing five marathons and a triathlon in the past 18 months alone.
You’re most likely to spot Ruairi swimming in the ocean early in the morning, running laps around Centennial Park, or sipping coffee afterwards.
Julia completed her Bachelor of Speech Pathology at the Australian Catholic University. She spent her new grad years in a remote region of the Northern Territory in Australia where she discovered her passion for working with children with disabilities as part of a multidisciplinary team. Julia experienced the incredible opportunities that AAC provides to children and their families. After exploring the Top End for the last 2 years, Julia is excited to be back in her hometown supporting children to reach their potential! When she’s not at work, Julia loves catching up with friends, exploring new restaurants and cafes and going to the beach.
One of the many things Ellie loves about Occupational Therapy is that every family, client, and therapist has a unique story about what brought them to OT. Ellie was drawn to the field as it had ties to pediatrics, healthcare, and an emphasis on helping others in a somewhat “non-traditional” way in comparison to a nurse, teacher, or psychologist. Ellie graduated with her BA in Psychology from Webster University Leiden (the Netherlands) and went on to get her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at Creighton University (Omaha, NE) after spending a gap year as a paraprofessional in a DC area school only for kids with autism. Since graduating from OT school, Ellie has worked in private practice, inpatient adults, outpatient peds, inpatient peds, and early intervention. Ellie is especially passionate about neuro populations as well as accessibility and equity for those with disabilities. Still new to the area, when not at NAPA, Ellie can be found exploring the great outdoors and all New England has to offer.
Jocelin obtained her Bachelors of Science in Child and Adolescent Development with a concentration in Family and Community Contexts from California State University of Fullerton. She pursued this field after watching her younger brother struggle with academic and emotional problems. Seeing the lack of support from school personnel due to living in an under-resourced community inspired her to study child development and learn about different ways to assist her brother’s development and behavior. Prior to working at NAPA, she worked for different non-profit organizations where she provided tutoring services, mentoring services, and access to different resources for minority families (e.g., cooking classes, baby development classes, FAFSA & college applications, scholarships, food
banks, housing assistance, etc.). During this time, she gained valuable experience and provided vital support to children of different ages as well as to their families. Due to her empathy and passion for helping others she aspires to further her education and pursue a Masters of Social Work to become a school social worker. When she is not at NAPA, she enjoys going on hikes and exploring different coffee shops. Jocelin is very excited to provide support, create meaningful connections, and grow with her colleagues and the children and families who attend NAPA.
Chelsea completed her Bachelor of Speech Pathology at Australian Catholic University in Melbourne. She is an enthusiastic and empathetic Speech Pathologist, passionate about helping children reach their full potential. Alongside Chelsea’s interest in helping others, she was inspired to become a Speech Pathologist after watching her sister complete speech therapy as a child. During her clinical placement at NAPA, Chelsea’s passion for working in the disability sector grew as she gained experience using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices and providing early communication intervention. Chelsea values NAPA’s emphasis on collaboration between caregivers, families and the multi-disciplinary team to ensure each client is supported and working towards their goals. Outside of work, you will find Chelsea on a walk or run with her dog, travelling to Victorian regional towns or new countries, and playing piano.
Amy completed her BSc degree in Occupational Therapy from Brunel University, after a personality quiz suggested her natural fit for the field. Her years of working with children in dance and football have supported her skills to connect and inspire. Amy is always seeking new experiences and challenges. Outside of work you will find her in a dance class or reading. Previously volunteering for NAPA was a pivotal moment, where she instantly knew this is where she needed to be.
Eliza is a community-driven Occupational Therapist, passionate about supporting children and their families to reach their goals. She completed her Master’s in Occupational Therapy, and has extensive experience across education, health, community and sport sectors. Eliza has a natural ability to connect with children and their families. She always knew she wanted to work with children and as an OT, her keen interest in paediatric development has flourished. Eliza enjoys working within a team to create environments that nourish the social, emotional, and physical wellbeing of the children and families that she works with. Eliza strongly believes that within these environments, children and their families have the opportunity to embrace new experiences, develop valuable skills and build confidence. Eliza enjoys exploring the world through travel, and spending time outdoors, playing sports and hiking. She is so excited to be joining the team at NAPA London!
Maddy holds a degree in Psychology with a minor in Social Work and is passionate about supporting children’s emotional and developmental growth. She finds purpose in helping young people build confidence and develop healthy coping skills. Maddy is especially drawn to working with children because of the lasting impact early guidance cam have on their futures. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, collecting vinyl records, and reading.
Masters of Speech Language Pathology; BA Marketing and English Language and Linguistics
Michelle has spent the past 10 years working as Paediatric Speech Pathologist across different settings in both Australia and the United Kingdom. She very quickly found her passion for working with children and young people with complex communication needs. Michelle has previously worked at Napa Sydney and London and was excited to return to Australia to lead the Speech team. Outside of work, Michelle is frequently travelling and exploring.
Undergraduate of Exercise Science and Sport / Masters of Occupational Therapy
Tamara is an energetic and motivated OT who became passionate about helping children with disabilities after watching her gymnastics coach run an adaptive gym program for kids with down syndrome. Seeing kids empowered and engaged was what drove her to become an occupational therapist. Tamara has previous experience working in the community sector as a paediatric OT, working mainly with children with autism spectrum disorder and developmental delays. When Tamara isn’t at work, she can be found down the beach with a coffee in hand or finding somewhere new to explore.
Adriana is currently a grad student working towards attaining her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy working towards getting her licensure. She has a Bachelor of Science in Criminology with two minors in Geographic Information Systems and Psychology. Adriana has always known that she wanted to have a career in helping people. When she realized she wanted to become a therapist, she knew she wanted to help as many people as possible. She has worked with kids in the past as a caregiver and volunteering at her Church, creating fun activities, and has always enjoyed working with kids. She worked at a Beauty Company for 5 years and is now ready to get her foot in the door and see the many types of therapy that help people. When Adriana is not busy at NAPA, she loves to spend time reading any and every genre. She enjoys spending time with her family, whether going on their morning Saturday walks and breakfast after or going to the farmers market. She is close to her siblings and makes time for them every weekend. She is very excited to start at NAPA, meet everyone, and start this new journey in her life.
Anaissa is a huge family person and has always been passionate about working with children.
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours), The University of Queensland.
Following an interest in physiotherapy since primary school, Lisa’s passion for neurological and paediatric physio has only grown since completing her university courses and placements. Lisa is a strong believer in making therapy a fun and enjoyable experience and thinks there isn’t a better place to do that than NAPA! She loves being able to share the joy and excitement kids and their families receive when they achieve their goals. In her spare time, you’ll likely find Lisa in the garden tending to her flowers and plants, out for a walk, or curled up on the couch with her two cats and a book – though, she is sometimes found in the park doing some very wobbly rollerskating!
Jess is originally from near Liverpool in the UK and has proudly called Sydney home for the past 15 years. She is a Registered Nurse and a mother of two young neurodiverse boys. Through her family’s journey navigating therapies, paediatric appointments, school supports and the NDIS, Jess has developed a deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs experienced by many families. Alongside her partner Dave and his two neurodiverse children, she brings both professional knowledge and extensive lived experience to her role at NAPA.Known for her bubbly, friendly and caring nature, Jess loves building connections with children and helping them feel comfortable and confident. Outside of NAPA, she enjoys spending time with her family, taking her cavoodle Chewie to the dog park, watching her eldest son play football, drawing with her younger son and cheering all the children on as they scooter around local parks and playgrounds. Jess is passionate about helping children and families feel more supported, understood and empowered and looks forward to being part of each child’s unique journey at NAPA.
Coming soon!
Meg earned her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Saint Louis University and has been practicing as a pediatric occupational therapist for nearly 3 years. Her passion for working with children began early in life, shaped by her family’s involvement in foster care. That foundation grew into a career calling, especially after volunteering in Kenya, where she worked with children with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and other complex medical conditions. There she discovered the profound impact OT can have on quality of life. Meg is committed to supporting each child’s unique potential through compassionate, play based, and evidence-informed care. She strives to make her treatment team-based, involving not only the child, but also their family and friends in order to motivate and build on meaningful activities with those closest to them. Outside of work, Meg enjoys cooking, swimming, and exploring new areas of Charlotte with her husband and their dog, Charlie.
Julian is a graduate of Dominican University, where he obtained a BS in Biology. When deciding what he wanted to do after college, he knew he would find the most joy through acts of service. Julian’s career ambition is simple: obtain roles that allow you to help improve the lives of the individuals you serve. For almost a decade Julian was a part of the RTA ADA Paratransit eligibility program, helping members of the ADA community obtain accessible curb to curb transportation. With 3 plus years of supervisory experience, and 10 plus years of training experience, Julian was ready to step into a greater leadership role. At
NAPA Julian has found the perfect balance. Having the privilege of leading a team of like-minded individuals, while continuing to serve a historically underserved community. Julian finds great joy in being able to impact children and their families lives for the better each and every day, while collaborating with others who strive to do the same.
BS Kinesiology, the University of Texas at San Antonio
Shatavia always knew that she wanted to pursue a career helping children. Being able to help children feel better, connect with their families, and provide them with the appropriate resources needed to improve their health is what drew her toward the field. When the opportunity to do just that with NAPA came up, she just knew it would be a perfect fit for her. In her free time, you can find Shatavia playing tennis, watching YouTube, and playing with her crazy kitten, Winter. She is new to the Austin area and is excited to see what the city has to offer.
MA in Speech-Language Pathology from A.T. Still University, Lizbeth has always been passionate about working with children and making a difference. She fell in love with the field of Speech-Language Pathology after meeting and shadowing two influential SLPs and believing that everyone deserves to communicate in their own way. As a native of Southern California, her previous experience includes working with the Los Angeles School District
for five years, and her clinical background includes early intervention and school-based settings. After experiencing the opportunity to be a NAPA graduate student intern, she fell in love with the impact of patient- and family-centered therapy, the multidisciplinary approach, the collaboration among different professions to help increase patients’ success, and NAPA’s mission. Lizbeth’s interests include feeding, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and early intervention. You can find Lizbeth learning to cook, dancing, enjoying outdoor activities, and traveling with her family and her fur baby, Roxie.
Emma always knew she wanted to be able to help people in her work and with growing up with a lot of younger cousins, children have been a big part of her life. This has led to Emma working in the paediatric disability sector for the past 3yrs. Emma is passionate about helping children with disabilities, and their families, on their therapy journey’s! She is very excited to be joining the NAPA Team, learning more about the organisation and connecting with families.
Emma has recently moved to Sydney from Newcastle and is still enjoying exploring the big city! When Emma isn’t at work she loves to spend time with friends and family, catching up over coffee and food. When the weather is good she will be down at beach, relaxing and reading a book. The gym and netball is another favourite hobby of Emma’s, as well as baking and cooking!!
Graduated from Keele University in 2023 with an MSc in Physiotherapy and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology with BSc in Life Science. Joni gained valuable experience working as a rotational physiotherapist within the NHS after graduation, where she developed a strong interest in paediatrics. Witnessing the profound impact that therapies can have on children and their families sparked a deep passion for helping young patients achieve better outcomes and improving their quality of life. Known for being cheerful and energetic, Joni brings a positive atmosphere to every interaction—whether through a smile you can see or laughter you can hear, she is dedicated to making a difference with warmth and enthusiasm. Outside of work, Joni is an experienced fencer and a beginner crocheter. While she may not be a fan of cars, she has a deep love for watching Formula 1 races.
Master of Physiotherapy (2023) and Bachelor of Sport & Exercise Science (2021), University of Technology Sydney.
Felicity is extremely passionate about her work as a physiotherapist and strives to support children to reach their greatest potential. Felicity has been working with children since she was 16, as a gymnastics coach and she loves to see them make progress with their skills and develop their self-confidence. The rewarding nature of her university placement at Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick inspired Felicity to peruse paediatrics. She has also had the opportunity to undertake sports physiotherapy roles at state and national level soccer and gymnastics competitions.
When Felicity isn’t at NAPA, she enjoys spending time at the beach, with family & friends and keeping active, whether that be playing soccer or going for jogs around the park (making sure to pat every dog that she passes). She’s also willing to give just about any form of physical activity a go, from rock climbing to ice-skating and trapeze… you name it!
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours, First Class), Australia Catholic University
Amelia is passionate about empowering families and children to be independent, confident and develop in their everyday life. She believes children learn best when they are having fun and working towards their goals. When Amelia began her studies in physiotherapy, she knew right away she wanted to work with children and their families, leading her to complete her honours project with children with neuromuscular disorders. She has experience in working with children and adults with disabilities in the community, and in hospital rehabilitation.
When she’s not working, you can find Amelia enjoying the outdoors, catching up with friends, having a drop of good coffee and hanging out with her dog, Alfie.
University of Queensland- Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Hons) 2020
Jade is a physiotherapist from Brisbane who has always been passionate about helping children achieve their goals. While in high school Jade discovered her love for working with children through assisting teaching dance. Her passion for paediatrics was reinforced in one of her final year university placements. Since graduating, Jade has worked within the paediatric community sector and has gained so much satisfaction from watching children surpass expectations and achieve their goals. Jade is very excited to continue this journey at NAPA!
Jade grew up on Bribie Island in sunny Queensland. She is the youngest of three and has two older sisters. In her spare time Jade can be found exercising in the gym, exploring the outdoors or spending time with family and friends.
Savannah was born and raised in Texas and has always had a deep passion for occupational therapy, inspired by the positive changes it brings to people’s lives. While pursuing her master’s degree at Abilene Christian University, she had the wonderful opportunity to intern at NAPA Center in Austin, Texas. This experience truly touched her heart, as she witnessed the impact the organization has on families and children within the community. The warmth and dedication she found there only deepened her commitment to this field, leading her to return to NAPA to make a difference. Outside of her work at NAPA, Savannah enjoys spending time outdoors, exploring new places, and spending moments with family and friends.
B.Business, University of Technology, Sydney
A marketing professional with over two decades in high-level corporate roles, Paul made a significant life and career pivot to the paediatric disability sector, driven by a father’s love and a desire to make a tangible difference. The catalyst for his profound career change was his youngest son, Max. Born with cerebellar ataxia, a condition that affects motor skills, balance, and coordination, Max’s diagnosis set the Pozzobon family on a new path. Their journey led them to the NAPA (Neurological and Physical Abilitation) Center in Los Angeles, undertaking the first of what would become over fifteen intensive therapy sessions for Max at both the Sydney and Los Angeles clinics.
The positive impact of NAPA’s intensive therapy model on Max’s development was significant. This firsthand experience ignited a passion in Paul to make these crucial services more accessible to other Australian families. In 2018, he made the formal transition from the corporate world to the role of Managing Director for NAPA Centre Australia.
Paul’s commitment to the disability community extends beyond his role at NAPA. In November 2023, Paul Pozzobon joined the board of Belongside Families (formerly known as Kindred), an organisation that provides support and resources to families raising children with disabilities. In this role, he contributes his professional expertise and personal insights to further empower and connect families, fostering a sense of community and shared understanding.
BS Special Education, University of Iowa
Lynette LaScala grew up in Iowa and moved to California to fulfill her lifelong dream of living a life by the beach with lots of sunshine and outdoor fun. While preparing to celebrate her son’s first birthday, her life changed forever. Cody and his nanny were playing in his bedroom when she thought he crawled back to her. However, he crawled out the sliding door into the newly added family pool. Doctors gave Cody a very poor diagnosis and told Lynette and her husband they should leave the hospital and go on with their lives. Lynette was pregnant with their second child Bryan. Cody was still alive and leaving him was never an option.
After hearing time and time again that there was no hope for Cody, Lynette researched to find an intensive home therapy program. As a parent of a child with a disability, you will try anything to give your child or loved one the best life possible. It became her passion to teach children with disabilities while traveling around the world to find the best therapies to help her son with Cerebral Palsy.
Lynette became the US Parent Representative for the Euromed Rehabilitation Center in Mielno, Poland. She traveled from city to city spreading the word to doctors, parents, caregivers, etc on what intensive therapy entailed and how it changed her son’s life.
As the founder and CEO of NAPA Center, Lynette shares her knowledge and experience with other families, while giving back to the community. NAPA Center’s therapists travel around the world to be trained in the best therapies one can find. Lynette’s dream of sharing all the therapies she found for Cody has become a reality. When you walk inside the doors you know….you have arrived to the place you were looking for. Welcome to our NAPA Family…..
BBA Marketing, University of Iowa
Growing up as the brother of Cody LaScala, now 32 with cerebral palsy, Bryan has developed a strong passion for serving children with disabilities. Tagging along to Cody’s therapy sessions, doctors appointments, surgeries, emergency room visits, and many of the out of state/country programs Cody attended, Bryan was exposed to the healthcare industry at a very young age.
During his high school years, Bryan began working in respite care and had intentions of going to college to pursue his degree in physical therapy. After entering college at The University of Iowa, Bryan switched his major to business and graduated with his Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree in Marketing. Promptly after graduation, Bryan joined the NAPA team and also devotes his time to the NAPA Center Kids Foundation.
OTD, OTR/L, SWC
Lisa is a Doctor of Occupational Therapy and the Director of Rehabilitation at the NAPA Center. She received her Occupational Therapy Doctorate and Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy degrees from the University of Southern California in 2007 and 2008 and has been practicing in pediatrics in a variety of settings since then.
Lisa’s dedicated work in occupational therapy has enabled her to travel worldwide from Ghana to Singapore to Australia aiding children with disabilities. Lisa has a strong passion for working with children and enjoys the help and support the NAPA Center Kids Foundation offers.
Rebecca Weiss has been part of the NAPA Center family since 2008, when she first joined as an intern, and has worked as a physical therapist ever since. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Welfare from UC Berkeley and her Master of Physical Therapy from Cal State Northridge. Rebecca’s passion for pediatrics began as an undergraduate while volunteering at Children’s Hospital Oakland, and it has only grown stronger throughout her career. At NAPA, Rebecca is especially dedicated to developing the LA DMI team and supporting NAPA’s global DMI program. She finds great fulfillment in helping children reach their potential and in mentoring therapists worldwide. Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys yoga, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with her family. She and her husband stay busy (and entertained!) with their three children—Aviv, Benjamin, and Talia—making sure there’s never a dull moment in the Weiss household!
Louise is NAPA Australia’s Director of Client Services and a senior member of NAPA’s global leadership team. She plays a key role in shaping the family experience across NAPA’s Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane clinics and supports the delivery of regional pop-up programs.
Often the first point of contact for families, Louise ensures each NAPA journey is welcoming, thoughtful, and grounded in a deep understanding of what it means to care for a child with complex needs. She draws from both professional expertise and her own lived experience as a parent, bringing a rare and invaluable “parent perspective” to every aspect of both clinic operations, the breadth of therapy options, and the role of our therapy teams. Her position bridges planning, therapy, administration, and family support. She champions collaboration across teams to ensure every child’s program is cohesive, individualised, delivered with excellence, and manageable for families.
Louise holds deep appreciation for the work of NAPA’s clinical teams. Having worked side by side with therapists from the beginning, she has an intimate understanding of the skill, passion, and emotional intelligence they bring to their work each day. She also understands the incredible emotional, physical and financial load on families caring and supporting their loved ones with a disability.
Louise’s connection to NAPA began over 15 years ago when her daughter, Georgia—now 18—was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (GMFCS V) after a birth-related severe brain injury. Living in Singapore at the time, Louise and her husband Mick discovered NAPA in Los Angeles. Georgia became one of NAPA’s earliest international clients. Since then, Georgia has completed over 100 intensive programs and remains a much-loved presence in the NAPA community. This life-changing experience led Louise to help bring NAPA to Australia—hosting early pop-ups and playing a key role in launching the Sydney clinic in 2016. Since then, she has been instrumental in NAPA’s national growth, reputation for excellence, and a strong advocate for families navigating therapy, NAPA, funding, medical, and disability support systems.
Beyond the clinic, Louise serves on the Family and Consumer Council (FACC) for the NSW Children’s Hospital Network, contributes to hospital advisory panels, and continues to advocate for more responsive, family-centred healthcare systems. With a professional background in corporate communications, marketing, design, and photography, she also helps ensure NAPA’s identity reflects the warmth, professionalism, and innovation families experience every day.
In her limited “downtime”, Louise enjoys yoga, the beach, live music, podcasts, and good coffee and wine—key ingredients in the life of a dedicated special needs parent.
Doctor of Physiotherapy, Idaho State University
Liz relocated to Los Angeles from Idaho specifically to work at NAPA Center in 2014. Liz has always loved being around children, especially when she began coaching youth football as a teenager. She still enjoys coaching and even spent a winter as a youth ski instructor. In her spare time, she likes to spend time with her two boys and husband, play/watch soccer, ski, and snowboard. Liz was introduced to physical therapy when she was injured playing soccer in her senior year of high school. Soon after learning more about the profession, she shadowed a pediatric physical therapist, and knew immediately that she wanted to pursue it as a career. After graduating with her Doctor of Physiotherapy degree from Idaho State University in 2010, she spent her first two years working at the Infant-Toddler Program in Idaho in early intervention. She then spent two years in Utah working for The Learning Centre for Families, as well as teaching Sports Medicine and Anatomy, before moving to Los Angeles with her husband, Adam. Liz is a member of the Pediatric section of the American Physical Therapy Association, is Board Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist, has attended numerous continuing education conferences and courses, and has had formal training with children’s orthotics and serial casting. One of Liz’s favorite things to do is running the footbALL soccer camp for children with special needs. Liz spent 6 years working at NAPA Sydney before moving to the Denver location, and now lives in London.
B.App.Sc.
Ali graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) from the University of Sydney in 2008. It was there she discovered her interest in working with children, and what a huge need there was in the community for specialists in the field. Since graduating, Ali has gained extensive and highly specialised skills working with children who have diverse needs and disabilities. Ali has a passion to see her clients exceed not only everyone else’s expectations, but the child’s own expectations of themselves. In 2015, Ali’s skills, knowledge, work history, and commitment to children’s development set her apart and was selected to be the first Australian occupational therapist to be sent to NAPA in Los Angeles and learn about the specialised therapy provided at NAPA. Ali was one of three therapists who set up NAPA in Australia from the ground. Since then, Ali has developed the occupational therapy department, moved into the role as the occupational therapy manager, and in 2021, has taken on the role of clinical director of NAPA Sydney. She believes that NAPA offers something very special to children with neurological disabilities.
Ali has completed a number of courses focusing on sensory and movement/ developmental therapy techniques. Ali is a qualified DMI Intermediate B and CME (MEDEK) Level 2 trained therapist. Ali has also completed training in CIMT and bimanual therapy, Kinesiotaping Method, Wilbarger Brushing Protocol, Therapeutic Listening Program, Astronaut training, DIR®/FloortimeTM therapy approach, The Alert Program, NDT and many more.
Ali is an enthusiastic, fun, and active therapist who believes that it is important for all children to reach their full potential in all aspects of life. Ali has worked as a part of a multidisciplinary team previously, and believes that there is nothing else world-wide quite like the ‘NAPA family’.
Working with children of all abilities has always been a passion for Tara. During high school and college, she worked in a variety of after-school recreational programs for children with disabilities as well as a summer camp program. After college, she moved on to the insurance industry and for the past 10 years has been working in underwriting and management in the professional liability insurance sector. When Tara’s first child Kate was born, she suffered a hypoxic event at birth and was ultimately diagnosed with cerebral palsy. This brought Tara back into the world of disabilities. Like many parents, she searched everywhere for the most effective treatments for her daughter including traditional and alternative therapies. She found NAPA in 2016 when Kate was three years old and flew to LA with her family to complete her first intensive. Tara told us, “I knew immediately that I had found the right place for Kate. The expertise, therapies, knowledge, and community at NAPA is unlike anything I have experienced before.” Tara is a lifelong Connecticut resident and excited to be in the Greater Boston area with the NAPA family. As a Red Sox fan, the idea of moving to Boston was a natural fit as well as a great community to bring NAPA to.
Rhonda started at NAPA Sydney as Admin Manager and has now moved into a National role supporting all the Australian clinics. Rhonda always has a smile on her face unless she hasn’t had her morning cup of coffee! She enjoys working with people and loves seeing the kids shine while they work hard at NAPA. Rhonda has a passion for travel, cheese, and cider, and loves nothing more than spending time with family and friends cooking up a storm.
Nikki graduated from Ithaca College with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. While at Ithaca, she played for the women’s varsity soccer team. She has enjoyed both playing and coaching sports since she was a little girl, which eventually helped clinch her decision to pursue a physical therapy degree to helping children. Her physical therapy career has been solely in the pediatric field, and she has experience in both the outpatient and inpatient settings. She has worked for several years as a clinical supervisor, teaching graduate students of different universities. In May 2015, she became an American board pediatric certified specialist. Nikki has experience treating a wide range of pediatric diagnoses, ranging from children with developmental delay to those with neurologic impairments, orthopedic conditions, and rare diseases. Furthermore, she has extensive training in evaluating and treating infants with torticollis as well as recommending orthotics for children. Nikki is a CME level II clinician, and has trained several times under the creator, Ramon Cuevas. Since becoming certified in CME, Nikki truly believes her therapeutic approach has been further polished and more importantly, life-changing.
Background: Current Student at Los Angeles Valley College
Ms. Sarah adores children so much that decided to make it her lifelong career path. She is currently wrapping up some prerequisites before transferring to CSU to earn her degree in child and adolescent development. Right now, we are keeping her mind sharp by putting her to work in both the billing department and preschool. Her favorite part of the day is reading to her preschoolers. It takes no time to notice everything Sarah does is with great enthusiasm and spirit. In fact, Sarah is so passionate about a good read she once traveled all the way to Oregon to check out one of the top 10 bookstores in the country. Talk about commitment!
Cecilia, also known as Cece, is the friendly face you first see when you walk into NAPA Center. When she is not answering phones, scheduling appointments, or working with insurance, you can find her completing one of her many home improvement projects. CeCe amazes us daily with her incredible ability to multitask.
Note to Parents: Cece is now accepting donuts, chips, or candy for anyone who wishes to reschedule for a same day appointment.
Therese is originally from the Midwest in the USA and this is where she earned her Master of Occupational Therapy and her Bachelor’s in psychology at St. Ambrose University. Therese always knew she wanted to work with children, and she discovered occupational therapy through working as a nanny for a child with sensory processing disorder. Therese’s curiosity and interest were sparked seeing the progress and changes for the child from his weekly OT sessions. Therese now has 10 years of experience working as an OT and she is still exciting by learning new skills and taking new courses to help children and families
make meaningful gains through therapy. Therese has a special interest in Dynamic Movement Intervention, visual-vestibular rehabilitation, and assistive technologies. Therese has been able to combine her love of traveling with OT and has done clinical studies in Ireland, Ecuador, and El Salvador as well as traveling with the NAPA team to the Boston, Melbourne, and Sydney clinics. Therese has now relocated to the UK and is loving being a part of the NAPA London team. When she’s not at work, Therese enjoys trying out new restaurants and cafes, baking, and traveling with her husband and daughter.
Masters in Occupational Therapy, University of St. Augustine, San Diego, CA
Katie found her way to occupational therapy through her love of children and passion for helping them achieve therapeutic goals. Before NAPA, Katie spent seven years practicing in a variety of pediatric settings including sensory integration clinics, the home, and schools. Katie enjoys working with both neuromotor and sensory-based populations. She is SIPT (Sensory Integration Praxis Test) certified, trained in CME, and has experience with Sensory Integration and Neuro-Developmental Approach.
She lives outside of Boston with her husband, two kids, and a retired therapy dog. When she is not at NAPA or in the kitchen cooking for her family, you can find her in the gym or having dance parties with her kids. In the winter, she loves to ski with her family and in the summer she spends the weekends on the beaches of Cape Cod. Take us with you Katie!
B.S. Health Sciences, Masters in Occupational Therapy; Quinnipiac University; Clinical Doctorate, New York University
Kathryn attended Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, earning a Bachelors degree in Health Sciences and a Masters in Occupational Therapy. She recently earned her post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree from New York University.
A born and raised New Yorker, Kathryn has enjoyed the opportunity to live and work on both east coast and west, during her time in California and with NAPA Boston. A love for travel coupled with a passion for new adventure, had her excited to move abroad to join NAPA Melbourne! (New York may have the best pizza, but this caffeine-lover couldn’t pass up the opportunity to live in the coffee capital!)
Kathryn has dedicated her professional career to paediatrics and developed a true love for working with the pediatric neuromotor populations and children with feeding and eating difficulties, since joining NAPA. A lifelong learner with a passion for clinical research and education, Kathryn recently served as the primary author on several peer-reviewed presentations and article publications.
Kathryn is passionate about working with children, and first became interested in OT while volunteering in college as an adaptive ski instructor for children with disabilities. Her favorite part of NAPA is “Every day I come to work, I learn something new and see something exciting. The energy, dedication and magic that happens here is unparalled”. When not working, you’ll find Kathryn at yoga, the beach or ski trips, trying out new restaurants with friends and family, and enjoying long walks around the city in search of the best cup of coffee! She also hopes to pick up some new surfing skills, while down under!
Bio coming soon!
Emily graduated from Western University of Health Sciences with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Since then, she has been working at NAPA Center, Los Angeles where she has had the opportunity to work with children and their families from across the world and gain extensive experience with diagnoses from Developmental Delay, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Kleefstra Syndrome, CDG, Seizure Disorders, and many more neurological, chromosomal, and genetic disorders. She is trained in Neurosuit, Medek, Universal Exercise Unit, Kinesiotaping, Theratogs, Trexo, NDT, and has seen great benefits from using whole body vibration (Galileo training) with her patients.
Emily is no stranger to cross country moves, she moved from Minnesota to California for her undergraduate work. While she enjoyed her time at the beach for 12 years, she is excited to get back to the lake life in Austin, TX just like she grew up with in Minnesota, “the land of 10,000 lakes”!
Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of St. Augustine
After interning in a pediatric setting during graduate school, Katie found working with children to be the most rewarding! We admire her go for it attitude, adventurous sprit, and superhuman ability to turn down anything with sugar in the therapist lounge. Katie is a diligent worker and notoriously the first one into the clinic to prepare for the day ahead. Along with completing CME and DMI training, she continues to enroll in education courses to stay current in the world of physiotherapy.
Bachelor of Physical Therapy 2017, Australian Catholic University
Georgia has a life long history of working with children. She worked in childcare and as a nanny while studying physical therapy, but it was during one of her PT placements that Georgia knew pediatric physical therapy was for her. She also has experience in sports and musculoskeletal PT in a private practice clinic.
Georgia is a keen hockey player, loves to go to the beach, and is a proud aunty of an ever-expanding number of nieces and nephews.
Raquel graduated with a degree in Physical Therapy in Madrid, Spain in 2001 and specialized in pediatrics in 2003. She worked in early intervention using traditional European techniques (as Bobath, Vojta and Le Metayer) until 2010, when she joined her husband in an adventure to the US.
Since her move to America, Raquel has made two trips to Chile to get her certification as a CME practitioner under the tutoring of Ramon Cuevas. She is passionate about helping families unleash their CME superpowers and discover all the benefits of this unique approach to physical therapy. Raquel is a firm believer that the therapy needs to adapt to each kids needs on an individual level. Along with an individualized approach, she also finds it’s equally important to sing as much as possible during each session. This busy mom rarely gets a moment to herself but when she does, she loves to empower women by exercising her make up artist skills or cook paella!
Lindsey became part of the NAPA team when Boston opened its doors back in 2018. She is thrilled to join the Chicago team and open the next amazing NAPA clinic! She grew up in Northern New Jersey and moved to Boston to attend Northeastern University to get her Doctorate in Physical Therapy and Early Intervention Certification. Her enthusiasm for learning led her to be trained in CME, DMI, and receive certifications in NeuroDevelopment Treatment and KinesioTaping techniques. At NAPA, Lindsey grew to take on the role of PT manager and IMOT trainer. Teaching is one of her passions and she enjoys supporting the NAPA team. Lindsey is known for her friendliness and compassion with the children and families she works with, always pushing them to reach their highest potential. She is also a certified yoga instructor and practices yoga regularly. She has seen the benefits of the mind/body connection in her own life as well as in those of her students. Lindsey’s favorite activities are walking, spin class, HIIT classes, swimming, and paddle boarding, but also enjoys reading and relaxing by the water.
MA, OTR/L
Jenny graduated with a Masters in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California where she was born and raised. She has always wanted to work with kids, but wasn’t sure what field to go into until she found occupational therapy. Jenny started at NAPA as a student and decided to never leave! Jenny is a total foodie and makes all the other therapists jealous of the gourmet feasts she brings in for lunch. When she is not cooking, she spends her free time practicing martial arts, going dancing, and eating good food.
MOT, OTR/L, University of St. Augustine
Tiffany has been passionate about working with children from a young age. While teaching special education, Tiffany discovered the effectiveness of occupational therapy for students with sensory processing difficulties. This inspired her to move across the country to receive her degree in OT and work in both school and clinic-based settings.
In her spare time, Tiffany enjoys spending time with friends, traveling, and cheering on The Ohio State University Buckeyes!
MSOT, OTR/L
Ali graduated with a Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy from CSU Dominguez Hills in 2013. Her passion for working in the pediatric setting started when she was an assistant in an early intervention program where she embraced the unpredictable, yet rewarding nature of working with children. Prior to joining the NAPA team, Ali gained experience as a school based therapist, working closely with children, families, and interdisciplinary teams. Born and raised in the South Bay, Ali loves going to the beach, running, watching sports, and spending time with family and friends. During college football season you can catch her cheering for her Arizona State Sun Devils!
Katharine graduated with a masters in occupational therapy from San Jose State University, but really we think she has a masters in flattery. She loves to tell us “NAPA is a clinic unlike any other” and a welcome surprise in her career. Katharine pursues areas of intervention and is continually seeking opportunities to learn and grow as a therapist. She does a fantastic job sharing this information and helping the NAPA team navigate tricky and unique patient goals. She believes her journey as a therapist enriches her life, both personally and professionally, and she is privileged to be a part of a network that cares for and serves amazing families. Her work experiences in multiple settings (clinics, homes, schools) and personal experience as a caregiver, have expanded her capacity and increased her empathy, which she hopes is evident in her work as a therapist and in her life.
Mara graduated with a combine bachelors and masters degree in Occupational Therapy from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 2013. She immediately moved to Southern California to get as far away from the cold as possible! Before joining the amazing team at NAPA, Mara worked with children in the public and nonpublic school system, as well as in an outpatient pediatric clinic. Mara has always known she wanted to work with children, and decided to become an OT when she saw how much it helped her younger brother who is autistic. She feels empowered that every day is a new opportunity to make a difference for her clients and their families. When not at NAPA, you’ll probably find Mara playing one of the board games in her giant collection (she owns more than 70) or marathoning Netflix shows.
AA, Cerritos College
Julie comes from an elementary school based environment. She works predominately with children who have Autism. Her background includes Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy and Picture Exchange Communications Systems. She is passionate about working in Early Intervention and celebrating success big or small with parents.
Everyone at NAPA loves being around Julie. She brings a fun and vibrant energy with her wherever she goes. Sometimes we catch her on the the trampoline or in the ball pit after all of the kids leave.
BS Communication Disorders, California State University Long Beach
Jamie is a board game playing, amusement park going, cooking, and exercising queen, who also happens to be a mom of two! While researching different ways to help her children, both of whom needed speech services, Jamie discovered a love for the world of speech and language. Like many moms, she relies on and appreciates how her kid’s therapists have transformed her family’s life and overall wellbeing. It’s absolutely apparent to us that Jamie loves getting to give back. She continues to research and find different ways to reach each child. “There is no better feeling than working with a child and seeing them grow with their speech, language and communication.”
MA Speech-Language Pathology, California State University, Long Beach
The extensive impact that communication and feeding have on a child’s everyday quality of life are deep passions that drew Miki to the field of speech-language pathology. Miki loves working together with parents to support a child’s gains in therapy. Her prior clinical experience includes ABA therapy, feeding therapy in a pediatric hospital setting, early intervention, and in school-based settings. Miki’s areas of special interest involve feeding/swallowing disorders, language disorders, early language acquisition, and intervention with severe/medically complex diagnoses. This outdoors enthusiast loves to travel and explore new places, read, and eat delicious food!
Current Student at Santa Monica Community College
Meet Daisy, a woman who truly doesn’t hesitate when it comes to helping others. This super sweet mom stood by her nephew’s side everyday of his intensive therapy program, as well as during traditional therapy before she took on a job at NAPA. She quickly developed a way of drawing out just what kids need and are trying to express. With over three years of special needs experience, Daisy is never short on great advice. She inspires her tiny tots to try something new everyday and lives by the mantra: “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” -Albert Einstein.
BS Human Development, California State University, Long Beach
Our kids use him as a human jungle gym, but Jesus continues to show the NAPA team how to bring a little more patience into our day. Jesus began his work with special needs children while volunteering during college. Through this experience working with children diagnosed with autism, Jesus formed a special connection and understanding with the struggles that special needs children and their families undergo. This inspired him to work in a research lab where he assisted with the implementation of an experimental educational program for Latino families of children with autism. Jesus now plans on attending graduate school and focusing his research on mental health issues within the Latino community.
Background: Hyperbaric Medicine Certified, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center
Barbara came to NAPA in 2010 and is a true jack-of-all-trades. From martial arts to brewing the best cup of coffee, Barbara truly does it all. She is well known for making hyperbaric oxygen experience a comfortable one for both patients and parents. Coined as the Mother Bear of NAPA, you can most likely find her running around, making sure everything is in order and that everyone is happy and content. Barbara explains, “It’s all about the children getting better.”
Her current projects include remodeling her home and helping with her autistic great-grandson. They are working on saying simple words because It’s her dream for him to speak.
Background: MBIC, American Career College
Behind the scenes at NAPA, Jessie is working hard to help insurance cover as much therapy as possible! Like all parents, Jessie has been trying to teach her daughter the value of a dollar. Despite her efforts, she let us know “Toddlers don’t care about your budget.” Jessie gets the best of both worlds working in billing. She can say hi to all of the cute kids but retreat to her desk if they happen to have a meltdown. Ultimately, her favorite part about coming to work each day is getting to help families navigate the tricky world of insurance.
Doctorate of Physical Therapy, MGH Institute of Health Professions
Kerri graduated from Amherst College with a bachelor’s in Biology before pursuing her physical therapy degree at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston. One of her earliest introductions to physical therapy was an observation of her younger cousin’s hippotherapy session. While she still can’t ride a horse, she found and has maintained a passion for using her knowledge of movement to help children reach their functional potential. Kerri developed a specific interest in the rehabilitation of neuromuscular disorders as a student at a pediatric hospital followed by a year spent working at an inpatient rehabilitation hospital on Cape Cod. She is excited to combine her passion for pediatrics and neurology while serving the children and families at NAPA Center. When not at NAPA Center, you’ll likely find Kerri in a hockey rink, waterskiing, or chasing after her golden retriever.
Doctor of Physiotherapy, Bond University
Jennifer was born and raised in Sugar Land, Texas. GO HOUSTON TEXANS! She moved across the world to Gold Coast, QLD to pursue a degree in physiotherapy. From teaching swim lessons, volunteering at paediatric therapy clinics to completing a paediatric physiotherapy placement in Vietnam, Jennifer knew she wanted to pursue a career working with children.
Jennifer enjoys visiting the beach, playing tennis, drinking coffee and searching for the best Mexican food.
Doctor of Physical Therapy, Washington University of St. Louis
Cait has wanted to be a pediatric physical therapist since she was 8 years old shadowing her mom, also a pediatric PT. And now Cait is living her best life fulfilling her childhood dreams! Cait majored in Pediatric Health and Motor Development at Pepperdine before receiving her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Washington University of St. Louis. During her clinical rotation at NAPA LA, Cait quickly fell in love with the wonderful kids, their sweet families, and the enthusiastic team of therapists that taught her the secrets to helping each child reach their fullest potential. Play is Cait’s favorite therapeutic tool! She loves to get kids laughing and playing along so they don’t even realize they’re doing exercises! When not working at NAPA, Cait can be found enjoying nature, desserts, and quality time with her family.
Live Q&A every week for families new to NAPA. Come with your questions!