Board of Directors
Ross Mason, Chairman
Founder
HINRI Labs
Co-Founder
HealthTrain Ventures
Mark Pope IV, Fundraising Chair
Owner
Graphic Solutions
Ron Bachman
President and Chief Executive Officer
Healthcare Visions, Inc.
Ravi Bellamkonda
Associate Vice President for Research
Georgia Institute of Technology
Amy O'Dell (ex-officio)
Founder and Executive Director
Jacob's Ladder
Michael Edmeades
Vice President
Growth three, Atlanta
Senior Vice President Marketing & International Business
C PORT Solutions
R. William Ide, Secretary
Partner
McKenna, Long & Aldridge
Loretta Lepore
Founder and President
Lepore Associates, Media Consulting
James Lillard, Jr.
Immuno-biologist
Assistant Dean for Research
Morehouse School of Medicine
Tino Mantella
President
Technology Association Georgia
Jack Markwalter
President and Chief Executive Officer
Atlantic Trust Private Wealth Management
Kimberly Schroeder, Treasurer
Federal Agent
Steve Wisnewski
CEO/President of Arch Chemicals
our team
Amy O'Dell - M.Ed., LPC,TRS, CNC
Executive Director and Founder, Jacob's Ladder
Following a degree in ActivityTherapy from Clemson University, Ms. O'Dell continued her education as an intern with the Shepard Spinal Center in Atlanta where she developed treatment interventions for patients with spinal cord injuries. In 1986, Ms. O'Dell accepted a position at Woodridge Psychiatric Hospital in Clayton, Georgia. Here she served as Director of Activity Therapy until returning to Clemson in 1992 to earn a Master's Degree in Counseling and obtain licensure as a Professional Counselor in South Carolina and Georgia. In 1994, Ms. O'Dell was offered the position of Director of Adolescent Psychiatric Services at Woodridge Hospital, where she was responsible for assessing the needs of children, developing and implementing treatment plans, overseeing aftercare efforts for families, as well as serving as a counselor with the tri-state area's crisis intervention program. Ms. O'Dell was then appointed Director of 'Crossroads', an outreach program of Woodridge which serves teens at risk for drug addiction, pregnancy, drop out, and violence. The goal of this program was to provide education, support and various therapeutic interventions increasing both academic and social/emotional success.
After the birth of her son, Jacob, in 1993, Ms. O'Dell realized that Jacob would require additional help and support to succeed. She began intensive training on the Neurodevelopmental approach and acquired certification as a Neurodevelopmental Consultant. During this time she was educated on the process of evaluation, program design, and implementation for children with developmental delays. Having witnessed first hand the effectiveness of a Neurodevelopmental approach, she continues to combine this approach with other successful modalities to uphold the philosophy of Jacob's Ladder.
"From time-to-time I think about the experience of getting to know you
and your staff at Jacob’s Ladder. The impression is deep and lasting…
and for good reason. In my over forty years of hanging out at schools
around the nation, I have not found a school as deeply committed
at every limb and fiber of every person who works there
to the cause of helping children learn."
- Bobby Welch
Danielle Bartone - Director of Operations
Ms. Bartone is a graduate of UMass Amherst where she studied Spanish and Latin American Studies. Ms. Bartone taught high school and middle school Spanish and actively participated in volunteer programs such as Habitat for Humanity in Ecuador. Ms. Bartone has worked with developmentally disabled children and adults in settings including group homes, summer camps, inclusion classrooms and one on one program implementation. Ms. Bartone proudly helped Jacob's Ladder acquire SAIS-SACS accreditation. She is a Certified Provider of The Listening Program and Bone Conduction and is currently pursuing a Master of Education degree with a concentration in Literacy.
Karla Brigiotta - Director of Clinical Services
Ms. Brigiotta completed her undergraduate work at West Virginia University, where she was a heptathlete in track and field. Ms. Brigiotta launched the behavior transition program working with at-risk youngsters at a Phoenix area elementary school and also coached the high school track and field team that won two state-championships. She received her Master's Degree and Specialist Certification in School Psychology from Brooklyn College and interned at Brooklyn Children's Psychiatric Hospital. Ms. Brigiotta then accepted a School Psychology internship position in the Phoenix area. She is involved with evaluations, Neurofeedback, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at Jacob's Ladder.
Sura Thompson - Program Director
After graduating from Charles Darwin University with a Degree in Primary Education, Ms. Thompson returned to her hometown in the Outback of Australia to teach alongside her dad and former teachers at MacFarlane Primary School, Casuarina Street School and numerous remote community schools in the areas of K-7, Physical Education and English as a Second Language. She was also heavily involved in the Juvenile Diversion Program for mentoring and rehabilitating teenage offenders. Ms. Thompson left the Department of Education in Australia to take on the role as EIP Reading Specialist at Austin Elementary in Dunwoody, GA during which time she also did private tutoring. One of her private tutoring students was an out-of-center Jacob's Ladder client. After working with this student using the Jacob's Ladder methodology, she was offered a position as an in-center teacher. She experienced 1:1 teaching and leading both the T3 (High School) group and T2 (Elementary) group. Ms. Thompson now serves as the Program Director, matching teachers and students, acting as advisor in systems within the school and overseeing program quality and the many services offered by JL.
Jaclyn Rhodes - Director of Human Resources & Admissions
After obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Chapman University, Ms. Rhodes began her time with Jacob's Ladder as a dedicated volunteer, substitute and then a Neurodevelopmental Teacher. Ms. Rhodes assisted in the development of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy program, was a member of the Emotional Development/Behavioral Services team and assisted in the SAIS-SACS Accreditation. Currently, Ms. Rhodes oversees the Human Resources Department, admissions and student enrollment while actively assisting in operational support and project management. Recently, Ms. Rhodes completed her Masters of Arts degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology and hopes to continue to pursue the field of Human Resources.
Molly Norris - Evaluator & Case Load Manager
Ms. Norris graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor degree in Family Studies with an emphasis on child development and a minor in Psychology. Her background with children includes serving as a daycare manager, soccer coach, camp counselor for children with cancer, volunteer with Girl Scouts of America, member of the Family Studies Organization at WMU, Team Captain for Relay for Life, and volunteer in New York assisting individuals suffering from terminal illnesses. Ms. Norris began at Jacob's Ladder as a Neurodevelopmental Teacher. She is a Certified Provider of The Listening Program and Bone Conduction, as well as Integrated Listening Systems. Ms. Norris conducts Parent Trainings for Jacob's Ladder and oversees Program Integrity as the Case Load Manager and Evaluator.
Joanne Delavan Reichardt - Director of Development
A magna cum laude graduate of Agnes Scott College, Joanne DeLavan Reichardt also has a Master of Arts in Teaching from Agnes Scott and a PhD pending from Emory University. In addition to four years of teaching experience, Joanne brings to Jacob's Ladder more than thirty years of experience in public relations, community relations, and fund raising. She is widely published, has won more than fifty awards in her field and has conducted professional development workshops for the Public Relations Society of America and the International Association of Business Communicators.
Sharif Alexis
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Dayna Beilenson
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Kate Bobowski
Neurodevelopmental Teacher & Behavior Specialist
Ray Brown
Maintenance Supervisor
Ryan Bull
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Amy O'Dell - M.Ed., LPC,TRS, CNC
Executive Director and Founder, Jacob's Ladder
Following a degree in ActivityTherapy from Clemson University, Ms. O'Dell continued her education as an intern with the Shepard Spinal Center in Atlanta where she developed treatment interventions for patients with spinal cord injuries. In 1986, Ms. O'Dell accepted a position at Woodridge Psychiatric Hospital in Clayton, Georgia. Here she served as Director of Activity Therapy until returning to Clemson in 1992 to earn a Master's Degree in Counseling and obtain licensure as a Professional Counselor in South Carolina and Georgia. In 1994, Ms. O'Dell was offered the position of Director of Adolescent Psychiatric Services at Woodridge Hospital, where she was responsible for assessing the needs of children, developing and implementing treatment plans, overseeing aftercare efforts for families, as well as serving as a counselor with the tri-state area's crisis intervention program. Ms. O'Dell was then appointed Director of 'Crossroads', an outreach program of Woodridge which serves teens at risk for drug addiction, pregnancy, drop out, and violence. The goal of this program was to provide education, support and various therapeutic interventions increasing both academic and social/emotional success.
After the birth of her son, Jacob, in 1993, Ms. O'Dell realized that Jacob would require additional help and support to succeed. She began intensive training on the Neurodevelopmental approach and acquired certification as a Neurodevelopmental Consultant. During this time she was educated on the process of evaluation, program design, and implementation for children with developmental delays. Having witnessed first hand the effectiveness of a Neurodevelopmental approach, she continues to combine this approach with other successful modalities to uphold the philosophy of Jacob's Ladder.
"From time-to-time I think about the experience of getting to know you
and your staff at Jacob’s Ladder. The impression is deep and lasting…
and for good reason. In my over forty years of hanging out at schools
around the nation, I have not found a school as deeply committed
at every limb and fiber of every person who works there
to the cause of helping children learn."
- Bobby Welch
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Danielle Bartone - Director of Operations Ms. Bartone is a graduate of UMass Amherst where she studied Spanish and Latin American Studies. Ms. Bartone taught high school and middle school Spanish and actively participated in volunteer programs such as Habitat for Humanity in Ecuador. Ms. Bartone has worked with developmentally disabled children and adults in settings including group homes, summer camps, inclusion classrooms and one on one program implementation. Ms. Bartone proudly helped Jacob's Ladder acquire SAIS-SACS accreditation. She is a Certified Provider of The Listening Program and Bone Conduction and is currently pursuing a Master of Education degree with a concentration in Literacy. |
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Karla Brigiotta - Director of Clinical Services Ms. Brigiotta completed her undergraduate work at West Virginia University, where she was a heptathlete in track and field. Ms. Brigiotta launched the behavior transition program working with at-risk youngsters at a Phoenix area elementary school and also coached the high school track and field team that won two state-championships. She received her Master's Degree and Specialist Certification in School Psychology from Brooklyn College and interned at Brooklyn Children's Psychiatric Hospital. Ms. Brigiotta then accepted a School Psychology internship position in the Phoenix area. She is involved with evaluations, Neurofeedback, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at Jacob's Ladder. |
|
Sura Thompson - Program Director After graduating from Charles Darwin University with a Degree in Primary Education, Ms. Thompson returned to her hometown in the Outback of Australia to teach alongside her dad and former teachers at MacFarlane Primary School, Casuarina Street School and numerous remote community schools in the areas of K-7, Physical Education and English as a Second Language. She was also heavily involved in the Juvenile Diversion Program for mentoring and rehabilitating teenage offenders. Ms. Thompson left the Department of Education in Australia to take on the role as EIP Reading Specialist at Austin Elementary in Dunwoody, GA during which time she also did private tutoring. One of her private tutoring students was an out-of-center Jacob's Ladder client. After working with this student using the Jacob's Ladder methodology, she was offered a position as an in-center teacher. She experienced 1:1 teaching and leading both the T3 (High School) group and T2 (Elementary) group. Ms. Thompson now serves as the Program Director, matching teachers and students, acting as advisor in systems within the school and overseeing program quality and the many services offered by JL. |
|
Jaclyn Rhodes - Director of Human Resources & Admissions After obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Chapman University, Ms. Rhodes began her time with Jacob's Ladder as a dedicated volunteer, substitute and then a Neurodevelopmental Teacher. Ms. Rhodes assisted in the development of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy program, was a member of the Emotional Development/Behavioral Services team and assisted in the SAIS-SACS Accreditation. Currently, Ms. Rhodes oversees the Human Resources Department, admissions and student enrollment while actively assisting in operational support and project management. Recently, Ms. Rhodes completed her Masters of Arts degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology and hopes to continue to pursue the field of Human Resources. |
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Molly Norris - Evaluator & Case Load Manager Ms. Norris graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor degree in Family Studies with an emphasis on child development and a minor in Psychology. Her background with children includes serving as a daycare manager, soccer coach, camp counselor for children with cancer, volunteer with Girl Scouts of America, member of the Family Studies Organization at WMU, Team Captain for Relay for Life, and volunteer in New York assisting individuals suffering from terminal illnesses. Ms. Norris began at Jacob's Ladder as a Neurodevelopmental Teacher. She is a Certified Provider of The Listening Program and Bone Conduction, as well as Integrated Listening Systems. Ms. Norris conducts Parent Trainings for Jacob's Ladder and oversees Program Integrity as the Case Load Manager and Evaluator. |
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Joanne Delavan Reichardt - Director of Development A magna cum laude graduate of Agnes Scott College, Joanne DeLavan Reichardt also has a Master of Arts in Teaching from Agnes Scott and a PhD pending from Emory University. In addition to four years of teaching experience, Joanne brings to Jacob's Ladder more than thirty years of experience in public relations, community relations, and fund raising. She is widely published, has won more than fifty awards in her field and has conducted professional development workshops for the Public Relations Society of America and the International Association of Business Communicators. |
Sharif Alexis
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Dayna Beilenson
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Kate Bobowski
Neurodevelopmental Teacher & Behavior Specialist
Ray Brown
Maintenance Supervisor
Ryan Bull
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Virginia Clark
Neurodevelopmental Teacher & Neurofeedback Practicioner
Christine Bunyan
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Erin Connor
Group School Neurodevelopmental
Teacher & Medical Protocol Specialist
Carolyn Daley
Senior Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Kelly Davidson
Evaluator, Program Support
and Neurofeedback Practitioner
Rheney Dearstyne
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Katina Dunkerly
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Marissa Froomkin
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Andrea Gabriel
Senior Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Gillian Glauber
Senior Neurodevelopmental Teacher,
Trainer, & Evaluator
Rhoda Gunnigle
Marketing/Advertising
Terese Howard
Insurance & Billing Specialist
Shona Hurt
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Nathan Hudalla
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Anandhi Jambunathan
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Jacques Johnson
T3 Lead Neurodevelopmental Teacher
& Behavior Specialist
Radethra Latimer
Senior Neurodevelopmental Teacher
& Trainer
Mona Malacane
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Amber McNeely
Group School
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Eve Medina
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Michelle Miller
Senior Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Ryan Morris
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Anne Mulligan
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Barbara Mruk
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Jacob Namynanik
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Marina Naviaux
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Allegra Ortiz
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Melissa Ross
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Chelvi Selvanayagen
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Claire Simpson
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Joe Sweeney
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Cara Wagner
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Adrienne Wilson
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Katie Wisnewski
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Ericka Cooper
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
We also have an outside team of professionals who collaborate and provide ongoing support.
These individuals include but are not limited to:
| Licensed Professional Counselor Listening Program Specialist Behavior Therapist Neurofeedback Therapist Physical Therapist Music Therapist |
Speech Therapist Occupational Therapist Therapeutic Yoga Instructor School Psychologist Recreational Therapist Cognitive Behavior Therapist |