Meet the Team

Liz Flores-Marcus is a passionate advocate for increasing opportunities and resources for underserved youth. She grew up in the Bay Area and spent many afternoons at her mom’s occupational therapy clinic. Liz worked at a summer camp in Minnesota serving individuals with disabilities as a teenager. In her first nonprofit job, she assisted undocumented students seeking legal status. Since moving to Seattle in 2014, Liz has worked on behalf of organizations with missions ranging from increasing college access to international development. Liz takes a community-centric approach to fundraising and is excited to apply her skills and experience at Wonderland. Liz enjoys volunteering in her community, serving as board secretary for the South Seattle College Foundation and mentor for LGBT+ youth. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest’s beautiful hiking trails.

Shandi grew up in British Columbia and has lived in Washington for the past fourteen years. She has previously worked as a clinical operations coordinator for a busy medical practice. After having her son, she developed an interest in child development and decided to switch careers. She is excited to join the Wonderland team. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Wentina had her first lesson in budgeting in third grade during a family trip to Disneyland — perhaps that’s why working with numbers takes her to a happy place. Since those elementary days, she has gained more than 20 years of financial and management experience in the non-profit sector with leadership roles at King’s Schools, Grist, and Clark Nuber, to name a few. It brought her great joy when she could help foster the crucial strategies, dynamics, and collaboration within an organization to reach mission goals and make an impact. Outside of the office, Wentina serves various small institutions consulting on accounting and management matters and working with children in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and her church. A few other things in Wentina’s happy place are her wonderful husband, two goofy sons, puzzles, Frisbee, sleep, cooking, eating, parades, power ballads, and making lists… ahh, that felt good.

Sarah has been working in the field of human resources for over 17 years. Her experience includes benefits administration, annual enrollment processes, compensation, recruiting, HR systems, and work with diverse employee populations. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with a concentration in leadership from the University of Puget Sound. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, including several recent adventurous trips in their motorhome.

Mary’s career supporting those in need began on the grade school playground, where she regularly challenged and deflated bullies. Thirty years of toiling for The Man helped her develop a broad range of eclectic skills, from editing and publishing, to marketing, and business management at for-profit companies such as Hasbro, Wizards of the Coast, 38 Studios, and TOR Books/St. Martin’s Press. She stepped away briefly mid-career to raise two boys who are now men and author twelve novels, as well as study and practice extensively as a certified integrative life and executive coach. She is thrilled to be using the full breadth of skills she’s acquired over her career in her daily work at Wonderland. In recent years she’s turned her sights on golf, a fickle game.

Claire was born in South Korea but is native to the Pacific Northwest, dividing her time between British Columbia and Washington since she was just two years old. After earning her bachelor’s in marketing, Claire began working at a nonprofit to follow her passion for serving others, which she discovered through volunteering at a young age. She has spent the last three years fundraising and marketing for a local organization and is thrilled to now apply her knowledge and experience publicizing the important work Wonderland does for the community.
Some of Claire’s hobbies include traveling, reading, developing new skills, and working with her hands - usually on cars, crafts, or home renovations (if you want someone to build the Ikea furniture that’s been sitting in storage, she’s your gal). Most often though, you’ll find her chasing after her two mischievous pups.

Alex first became interested in speech-language pathology, while working as a behavior technician for children with autism. She found joy in discovering how to enter a child’s world and to teach communication. She pursued a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Oregon. After graduating, she worked in center-based early-intervention programs, pediatric clinics, and a school setting. She enjoys adventuring in the mountains and on the water with her very active pup.

Jennifer loves to use her talents to help others. Her experience includes positions at local nonprofits in youth development, healthcare, and the environment. Jennifer is excited to contribute her skills in tracking details, contract compliance, and database management to helping expand Wonderland’s services to more children and families. In her free time, she is a life-long learner and enjoys reading, crafting, and, most of all, spending time with friends and family.

Daisy obtained her bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington, with her career focus centered around the medical field and early education. Most recently, she worked as a family service and enrollment specialist at a local non-profit. She was first introduced to Wonderland in 2018 while actively participating in Play & Learn sessions with her daughter. When her daughter started receiving early support services from Wonderland, Daisy noticed an immediate improvement in her speech. These positive experiences with Wonderland motivated Daisy to become involved in the organization that made a significant difference in her family’s life.

Hannah’s heart is truly in non-profit work. After earning a Bachelor’s in Political Science from Western Washington University, she relocated to the Bay Area where she worked for political campaigns and organizations. Realizing she wasn’t cut out for a life in politics, Hannah decided to go back to school. In 2011 she graduated from Tulane University with a Master’s of Science in International Development. Since then, she spent a summer interning in rural Italy, run a successful farmers market, and worked on food access issues before coming to Wonderland.

Hannah spent her childhood in Alaska, where long days of roaming wild and free inspired her love of the outdoors. When not in the office, you can find her gardening, cooking, canning, foraging, fishing, hunting, or tending livestock with her husband and son on their little farm.

Brigette has been involved in the fundraising world ever since she was a child volunteering at the gala auctions hosted by an organization where her aunt was the CEO. Her first paid fundraising gig was a student caller in the University of Washington’s Annual Giving office – it was falling in love with this job that made Brigette decide to pursue a career in fund development. Having worked primarily at educational institutions – elementary, high school, and college – Brigette is excited to be putting her skills to work for Wonderland and the families we serve.

When not working, you will likely find Brigette at Husky Stadium, on a beach in Hawaii, watching her sons’ flag football and soccer games, or scoping out neighborhood home sales, construction, and remodels.

Val was born in a fishermen’s town on the East China Sea and grew up in Shanghai. Led by her curiosity and deep appreciation for different world languages and cultures, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in English and later a master’s degree in international studies from the University of Washington. She loves cultivating a culture of inclusion and respect through her work on DEI, and she is passionate about creating an equitable experience for everyone. In her free time, you will find her teaching dance, doing yoga, meditating under a tree, or traveling all over the world for food and dance festivals.

Shiho was born in Gifu, Japan, and has been in the Seattle area for the last 18 years. Her childhood dream was to travel the world and live overseas. After graduating from a university in Japan, she joined the Culture Exchange Program and spent one year working with children and families in California.

Shiho loves visiting different countries to eat local foods, sightsee, and meet new people. She has lived on a farm in Canada’s Okanagan Valley and backpacked through Mexico, South Korea, Singapore, Peru, and Australia. The most frequent destination Shiho travels with her husband, daughter, and son is Japan to see her family – parents, siblings, and friends.

After high school, Kylie attended Linfield College with the goal of becoming a nurse. During the summers when she was home from school, Kylie worked at Camp Prov, a day camp for children with special needs and their siblings. While working at the camp, Kylie realized she was passionate about working with children with challenges and decided to make a career change. She transferred to Colorado State University and earned a BS in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Early Childhood Professions. Kylie worked as a registered behavior technician at the Providence Boyden Family Autism Center and found a love for supporting children with autism and their families. Kylie also has experience working as an assistant teacher in an ECEAP preschool where she supported children’s social and behavioral needs. Outside of work, Kylie enjoys fitness, attending baseball games, baking, being in the sun, and spending time with friends and family.

From fundraising with the Seattle chapter of the March of Dimes to a long stint in the pediatric therapy department at Swedish First Hill, Shelby has always had a heart for advocating for kids with special needs. In her spare time, she cheers on her own two kids and especially enjoys driving around the state watching them play and her husband Jay coach soccer and basketball. She also enjoys volunteering with children’s ministries at her church, making her nieces and nephews laugh, and cuddling her elderly Schnauzer, Effi. Shelby has a bachelor’s degree in psychology/sociology from Western Washington University and is happy to be serving families in the communities near her beloved hometown of Edmonds.

Ismahan is a long-time Seattleite who enjoys experiencing natural scenery, reading, and spending time with her kids. She graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s in psychology, and is bilingual, speaking English and Somali fluently, with some conversational Arabic as well. She has an extensive history of working with children with disabilities and their families, in both hospital and home settings. What brings her the most joy is a day she can positively impact the lives of those she serves. Ismahan’s deep commitment to the population she serves has brought her journey to Wonderland, where she’ll strive to deliver exceptional service.

Leila was born and raised in Seattle. She graduated from Western Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and moved back to Seattle, excited to start her new life. She has always loved working with kids – after college, she worked in a preschool program for two years. Outside of work, she enjoys camping and being outdoors, as well as spending time with her family and friends.

Charissa has always called the greater Seattle area home! Over the course of her career, she has developed her passion to support individuals and families in many ways. After receiving her master’s in counseling, Charissa worked as a mental health therapist and a school counselor for many years. Combining her love of helping others and her love of young children, she enjoys being a resource for Wonderland families. Outside of work, Charissa loves spending time with her daughter, friends, and extended family.

Lona was born and raised in Seattle and enjoys exploring the city and state she calls home. She has a passion for, and experience in, working with children and providing access to resources for families in the greater Seattle area. During her free time, Lona enjoys trying different cuisines, going for walks, hiking, and traveling to different countries.

Marsha is a born and raised Washingtonian! She has been passionate about working with children and parents and has seven years of experience in Early Childhood Education. She has been working as a preschool teacher and as a family educator for immigrant and refugee parents in South Seattle. Outside of work, Marsha loves international travel, and she tries to explore two new countries every year.

Kestrel has a passion for nonprofit work and helping clients and staff. She has a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and Spanish from California State University, Long Beach. While in school, Kestrel volunteered as a research assistant at the Culture and Social Identity Development Lab and studied abroad for a year in Valparaíso, Chile. After graduating, she worked in Esteiro, Spain as an English language assistant at a rural elementary school. She moved back to California to work at Sacramento County’s first mental health urgent care clinic. While at the clinic, Kestrel realized she enjoyed vital behind-the-scenes administrative work. She is excited to bring her technical office skills to the Wonderland team. In her free time, Kestrel enjoys trying new recipes, taking advantage of Washington’s spectacular hiking and biking trails, and painting.

Annika grew up just outside of Portland, Oregon, and moved to Seattle in 2014 for college, where she earned a bachelor's in psychology. She continued into graduate school, recently completing a master's in Applied Adolescent and Child Development with a focus in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health. Annika has worked in community mental health and has fallen in love with working alongside and supporting families and individuals in a wide variety of ways. She gets along well with people who stop for coffee before going anywhere, and enjoys playing the guitar, water coloring, doing puzzles, taking ferry rides, playing with her cats Muffin and Fiona, and being at the beach. Three things that will always make her smile are Lizzo dance parties, pizza, and Trader Joe’s dark chocolate peanut butter cups.

Daniela was born and raised in Pereira, Colombia, a small town located in the foothills of the Andes in a coffee-producing area officially known as the "Coffee Axis.” She earned a BA in psychology in Colombia, and in 2018, moved to the United States to learn English and live a cultural experience with an American family. She decided to stay! Daniela worked as a home visitor during 2022 and is very excited to start her new journey as a Family Resources Coordinator. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, discovering new places, hiking, and learning new things — right now she is learning her third language, Italian!

Skylar has lived in Washington state most of her life, with over 20 years in Snohomish County! She graduated from Western Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in human services. Skylar has been passionate about working with and supporting children and families in the community. She has over five years of experience in early childhood education as a family support advocate in the ECEAP program. Outside of work, Skylar loves spending time with her husband, their two kids, and their puppy. She also enjoys going on hikes and reading great books!

A native Washingtonian, Mandy began her career working with the elderly as a medical aid for five memorable years. After she and her husband had their own daughter she developed a deep interest in childhood development and became drawn to work with children and families. She jumped at the chance to join the Wonderland team and truly loves coming to work every day to provide support to Wonderland’s caregivers and children. Mandy also brings a decade of customer-service experience in the hospitality and property management industries. She enjoys getting outside as much as possible, where her family snowboards, camps, hikes, rock climbs, and most of all, surfs. Yes, surfing in our local frigid waters!

A Puget Sound native, Sarah’s love for working with children started at a young age as a babysitter and nanny in her hometown of Sammamish, Washington. In high school she participated in the Running Start program at Bellevue College and worked at the preschool on campus. Sarah went on to get her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Washington State University and taught 1st grade in Lacey, Washington and preschool in Bellevue, Washington. Sarah later earned her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University. She has worked with children and families for over 20 years in many different capacities, from early childhood education to trauma-focused counseling and social work. Sarah has spent the past six years dedicated to working with children, adolescents, and families who are systems involved. Sarah lives in Bothell with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, camping, painting, baking, reading, and spending time with her family.

Elyse grew up in Massachusetts and attended Northeastern University, earning undergraduate and graduate degrees in Physical Therapy. she moved to Seattle in 2015 and has fallen in love with Washington State! Elyse loves supporting clients and their caregivers to facilitate independence, and while much of her professional experience is with geriatric adults, she is excited to expand her knowledge and begin working with young children. Outside of work, Elyse enjoys spending time outdoors with her dog Riley and partner Gabi.

Kristi joins the Wonderland team with 16 years of experience as a physical therapist across the lifespan and in a variety of settings. She is a native Seattleite and attended Seattle Pacific University before moving to Montana for graduate school. Kristi is excited to take her career into the field of early intervention. She is passionate about education and the coaching model that Wonderland uses for empowering families to actively participate in their child’s progress. She loves the challenge of finding innovative ways to help children reach their full potential. Outside of work, she stays busy with her husband and three kids, volunteering at schools, coaching soccer, gardening, cooking, and traveling.

Jenna is a proud product of the Midwest, which comes out in her connections with others and commitment to her work. Education and working with people with developmental disabilities have been two recurring themes throughout her life experiences. In 1998 Jenna joined a lifetime friend on a spur-of-the-moment trip to Seattle, which led to a move two months later. Flash forward 10 years and Jenna was walking across a stage accepting her Masters in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Washington. Jenna has additional training in promoting social emotional development, visual impairments in young children, and screening for Autism. In her spare time, Jenna finds joy in spontaneous experiences with her “partner in crime” (son), working in the yard, and spending time together as a family.

Growing up, Rebecca always had an interest in working with people and was fascinated by the intricacies of communication. Through an introductory course during her freshman year, Rebecca discovered a passion for speech-language pathology. She completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Washington. Rebecca is excited to be part of the Wonderland team and to work with children and families from diverse backgrounds. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys spending time with friends and family, hiking, baking cookies, and exploring Seattle area coffee shops.

Hannah’s passion for working with infants and toddlers stems from the thrill of watching children develop their own personalities and gain developmental skills. She is dedicated to helping families grow together by delighting in the little things that reveal how their child is learning and growing. She grew up in the Pacific Northwest and enjoys preserving fresh local produce, as well as hiking, gardening, cooking, and sewing. Hannah is now very busy raising a toddler with another little one on the way.

Growing up in Iowa, Hannah first became interested in working with children and their families by working as a respite and camp counselor for children with disabilities. She studied speech pathology and Spanish at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and enjoyed spending a semester in Spain learning a new language. After earning her Master’s degree in speech pathology from the University of Iowa, she worked in a pediatric clinic and in the school setting before moving to Seattle with her husband. Hannah likes to spend time outdoors and explore new places to hike in Washington. She also enjoys cooking, reading good books, and gardening.

Ash was born and raised in Washington State. She received a master’s degree in occupational therapy at the University of St. Augustine and has experience in pediatric home health, geriatrics, and the public school system. Ash is DIRFloortime® certified because she believes in strength-based therapeutic services for all children. She loves being part of the Pacific Northwest community and enjoys rollerblading, coffee, and going to dog parks with her cattle dog Mckoy. Ash is part of a close-knit family and loves spending time with her loved ones.

Growing up in Maryland, Devon first became interested in working with children with special needs through her volunteer work with a 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program. She moved to Charlottesville where she stayed for both her undergraduate and graduate schooling. Devon earned her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Special Education and spent a year gaining experience in early-intervention services and preschool special education. She moved to Seattle with her husband and worked for her first five years teaching a special education preschool classroom. In her spare time, Devon enjoys visiting family and friends, reading books, watching movies, baking, and rowing.

A former teacher in China and the U.S., Yuling has always known that she wanted a career that enables her to help people. She decided to pursue an occupational therapy degree from the University of Washington because it combines all her interest in teaching, early-childhood development, and medicine. Yuling is excited to be part of this dynamic team with a passion for supporting children and families from diverse cultural background to reach their greatest potential in their daily life. When Yuling is not working, she is busy raising her toddler twin daughters. She enjoys cooking, travelling and exploring outdoor activities. She speaks English and Mandarin Chinese.

Jobelle grew up in Houston, Texas. She received her master’s degree in speech language pathology from the University of Texas at Austin. Jobelle’s clinical experiences includes working in schools (PK-8th), skilled nursing facility, and home health setting. Although she has a wide variety of interests within the field, she especially enjoys working with individuals in the home or natural environment. Jobelle moved to Seattle in the spring of 2022, and loves spending time exploring the Pacific Northwest. Outside of work, she also enjoys traveling, drawing, and yoga.

Kris finds great reward in helping caregivers and children learn to communicate more successfully with one another. She is grateful for the opportunity to know, teach, learn from, and collaborate with Wonderland families, and has facilitated years of parent education classes using The Hanen Program curriculum. Kris has worked with children and families in many settings (home, public school, clinic-based, and private-practice sectors) and has almost 20 years of experience and training in a wide variety of communication disorders. Kris is one of Wonderland’s early intervention team therapy supervisors and is a mentor for clinical fellows at Wonderland through ASHA’s Clinical Fellowship program. She also participates in Wonderland’s Equity Change team to support positive change in the areas of workplace diversity, cultural understanding, and equity practices. She stays busy raising her three school-aged children, enjoying hot yoga, and pursuing various hobbies such as writing, crafts, and gardening.

Merih grew up in the eastern part of Africa. His migration experience and witnessing other’s struggle drew him to social work. Since graduating with a Master's of Social Work from the University of Washington, Merih has been working as a behavioral health therapist in a community mental health agency and at outpatient clinics in the Seattle area. He has a passion for improving the lives of everyone, but his heart is close to vulnerable children. In his free time, Merih enjoys doing activities that enhance his spiritual and physical wellbeing. He also likes to cook, read, and socialize.

Anna was born and raised in France. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a bachelor’s degree in communicative disorders and a minor in special education. She moved to Seattle to attend graduate school and received her master’s degree in speech-language pathology from the University of Washington. Anna strongly believes in the early support services for young children. She particularly enjoys collaborating with families to help their children flourish and interact with their environments to the best of their abilities. In her spare time, you can find Anna book browsing in local bookstores, building Legos with her two young sons, or making crepes for her family.

Rachel believes wholeheartedly in families and the power of home-based early-invention services. Raised on the East Coast, she earned her Master’s in Occupational Therapy there but has called Seattle home for the last ten years. She enjoys the culture of the Pacific Northwest and all the activities it offers, from skiing to mountain climbing, although recently has been sticking close to home, enjoying the little things with her husband and baby daughter.

Suhasini was raised in Southern California and moved to the Seattle area in the summer of 2021. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a B.A. in Cognitive Science and received her master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Emerson College in Boston, MA. Suhasini worked as a behavior technician and a preschool teacher in an early intervention clinic for several years, which sparked her interest and passion for early language development and communication. She adores working with toddlers and looks forward to providing care and support to families in the Seattle area. When she is not working, Suhasini enjoys spending time with her family, watching movies, and singing.

Julie was born and raised in Washington and discovered her love for the intricacies of communication throughout her schooling. She graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor's degree in speech and hearing sciences and a minor in education. She moved to Spokane to attend graduate school at Washington State University and received her master's degree in speech-language pathology. Julie is passionate about early support for children and families and creating communication opportunities in their natural learning environments. In her free time, Julie enjoys hiking, reading, baking cookies, and spending time with family and friends.

Kayla was born in Southern California. She completed her bachelor's at San Francisco State University, with a minor in special education, and her masters at Tennessee State University. Kayla has experience in a variety of settings: elementary schools, private practice, and as a behavioral therapist. In the time she has been practicing, she has taken a particular interest in early intervention, supporting children and families in their natural environments and empowering caregivers to be active participants in their child’s unique therapeutic journey. She believes that therapy should not only be functional, but fun! In her free time you can find her reading, cooking, spending time with loved ones, and exploring all that the PNW has to offer.

Kristen studied English, Linguistics, and Speech Science, and has a Master’s in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Washington. She loves language in all its forms (she once competed in a crossword puzzle competition), and has spent most of her life working and volunteering for, or just enjoying, language causes. She has worked at a publishing house, translated Middle English poetry, taught English to adults, and helped run a reading program for teenagers. She became interested in Speech Language Pathology after reading the book The Diving Bell and The Butterfly, a memoir about finding new ways of communication after a stroke. She lives in Seattle with her husband and sons and still reads Middle English for fun.

Navi was born and raised in northwestern India and moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2010. After graduating from the Lake Washington Institute of Technology, she gained experience working in pediatric and geriatric care, and at a shelter for people experiencing homelessness. Navi is the oldest in her family, which played a huge role in her desire to work with children. Her family and culture also played a significant role in Navi’s decision to pursue a career in occupational therapy. She has always been passionate about helping families and children reach their greatest potential and is excited to put her skills to use in Wonderland’s Early Support program.

Outside of work, Navi enjoys travelling, going to the gym, hiking, listening to music, and spending time at the beach and with loved ones.

Ashley is originally from Houston, Texas, but spent most of her childhood summers in the Pacific Northwest. She is very excited to finally be living in Washington, as she has always enjoyed the nature in this part of the country. Ashley earned her undergraduate degree in music performance from Ball State University before going on to earn a master's in speech language pathology from Emerson College. She is passionate about working with children to help them feel empowered and confident in their own abilities. When she isn't working, Ashley enjoys playing music, drawing, hiking, traveling, and spending time with loved ones.

Jane originally became an occupational therapist with an early-intervention focus to combine her interests in science and art, but she was surprised to discover how much pleasure she also finds in meeting and getting to know Wonderland’s children and their families. Jane is passionate about nurturing strengths and building on positive assets. She has found this particularly challenging recently as she nudges her two sons toward adulthood. Jane and her family peacefully coexist with one dog and two cats in a much-loved and remodeled home. She finds solace in outdoor activities like biking, hiking, camping, and gardening.

Alafia was born in Mumbai, India, and has lived there for the first 25 years of her life. She moved to California after marrying her husband. One year later, they moved to Seattle for their love of the great Pacific Northwest. In 2020, Alafia became a mom, and this new journey has made her realize the importance of having resourceful people around to support new parents. She first entered the field of special education in India over a decade ago. She fed her curiosity in early childhood education by receiving a master’s degree in early childhood special education from the University of Washington. She worked in an inclusive preschool classroom for two years as the head teacher at the UW Experimental Education Unit. Alafia loves traveling, and on weekends, you can probably find her camping, hiking, biking, or taking a road trip.

Taylor joins the Wonderland team with experience and knowledge in early childhood development and is passionate in her desire to support children and their families. As a person with profound hearing loss, Taylor relates to children who need access resources and services due to a disability or delay. With her previous experience in the childcare and foster care services realm, she brings a thoughtful and intentional approach to this role. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Taylor has been in Seattle for the past ten years and enjoys spending her time outdoors on hikes, road trips, and paddle boards, and is always looking for a new brewery or coffee shop to try.

Hannah was born in Ohio, but has lived in various places across the country, including Michigan, Massachusetts, Florida, and most recently Washington. She received her Master’s of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan, and her Bachelor of Arts in developmental psychology from Emmanuel College. Hannah focused her education on childhood trauma and has dedicated much of her life to helping youth overcome adversity. Her adopted 10-year-old brother and his own therapeutic history was her inspiration to become a child and family therapist. When she is not working, Hannah enjoys fostering kittens, baking, and exploring her new home.

Jessi grew up in the Pacific Northwest and received a master’s degree in counseling from Northwestern University. She has worked with children in many different capacities – as a camp counselor, a toddler group leader, a wilderness therapy staff, and most recently, a therapist. Jessi enjoys working with kids because of their resilience and their joy and wants to help them feel supported in their developmental journey. When not working, Jessi enjoys playing and coaching Ultimate Frisbee and soaking in the beautiful Pacific Northwest outdoors!

Branik grew up in the Seattle area, but loves to travel and experience new places. She is passionate about social justice and the foster care system, earning her Master’s degree in social work to continue being a voice for vulnerable populations. Branik has worked in crisis settings for children and is passionate about what Wonderland stands for. She truly cares about the families and children she works with, and always gives her best to those around her.
In her free time, Branik enjoys cooking, swimming, being with friends, and spending time with her niece.

Lori grew up on the east coast. She moved to the Seattle area in 2013 with her husband of 30 years and two, now grown, children. After working in retail for almost 20 years, she happily made a career change three years ago to office administration. In her free time, she likes outdoor activities such as walking and hiking, or hanging out at the gym if the weather is bad. She also enjoys reading and (euro) board gaming.

Caitlin grew up in Washington and has a bachelor's degree from Western Washington University in Kinesiology and Psychology. She has previously worked as an ABA behavior technician and as a Parent Educator. She loves work that supports families to meet their goals and connect them to their community. In her free time, Caitlin enjoys rock climbing, hiking with her dog and skiing.

Hannah has a master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Puget Sound. She was born in Washington, studied psychology at the University of Washington, and worked as an ABA behavior technician. Hannah has experience with hippotherapy, sensory, and feeding interventions. She values play-based and family-centered therapy and is bilingual in English and Spanish. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, reading, and playing soccer.

Debra grew up in Kentucky, later relocating to Washington state. She has been supporting children and families experiencing housing instability, trauma, substance use, recovery, divorce, CPS involvement, and foster care since 1999. Debra's strategy is to partner with families, helping them know that whatever they are working through, they will get to the other side together. She believes that children have the potential to become the best versions of themselves and feels privileged and honored to be a part of that journey. When Debra is not working, she enjoys being with family, being outdoors in nature, and teaching her grandson how to play basketball.

Gabrielle loves the work that supports families, strengthens their bonds, and connects us all in our common challenges. As a parent of a child who has been helped by therapies to reach his development goals and as a child of aging parents, she has appreciated the moments where people come together in shared understanding and/or support of one another. She is passionate about working with families to connect with the supports they need to do the difficult, yet beautiful work of caregiving. She grew up in Northern California and has lived along the stretch of land from Southern California to the Seattle area. She enjoys adventuring with her kids, hiking and running in the woods near her home, reading and watching movies, and singing frequently, but poorly.

Stephanie grew up in Maine before moving to Boston. She graduated from Boston College with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in inclusive education. She was especially interested in language and the cognitive aspects of communication, so she decided to pursue a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Emerson College. Stephanie strongly believes in supporting the whole family and enjoys collaborating with caregivers. Stephanie is looking forward to exploring the Pacific Northwest. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her dog, reading, and trying new restaurants.

Katie grew up in southwest Michigan. She developed a passion for helping children at a young age, leading her to obtain her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from the University of Michigan. Following her passions, Katie moved to Washington to finish her clinical rotations, gaining experience in pediatric clinic, family collaboration, and family education. She values the use of play and family connection to help children thrive. In her spare time, Katie enjoys hiking, skiing, camping, and spending time with family and friends.

Helena believes that a family-centered, collaborative approach is the key to supporting successful, fulfilling participation in the home, school, and community environments. Her whole-child approach to skill development, self-reflection, and lifelong learning centers each individual child's strengths and interests as well as the family's values, roles, and routines at home. Helena's sessions prioritize play-based therapeutic activity, collaborative goal setting, caregiver support and coaching, and implementing modifications to routines that can help make everyday life easier. Helena received a BA in Anthropology from the University of Cincinnati in 2012. She worked as a nanny and Licensed Massage Therapist before discovering her love for Occupational Therapy. Helena takes a holistic, affirming, and trauma-informed approach to every interaction. When not advocating for children and families, Helena enjoys reading nonfiction, lifting weights, and cooking delicious food.

Born and raised in Colorado, Marissa moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2014 and is new to the Seattle area. She has many years of experience working in libraries in various roles, though her favorite was providing children's programming for ages 0-12. Through that work, she discovered a passion for working with children and families (and a love for Pete the Cat picture books). That passion led her to a Bachelor's degree in Human Services from Southern Oregon University, where she completed her undergraduate practicum with a local community crisis line. When not at work, Marissa enjoys visiting local plant shops, falling for all the Seattle tourist traps, kayaking with her husband, or reading a good book.

Callie is from Atlanta, GA. From the age of 16, she knew that she wanted to be a speech pathologist and work with children and families to improve their quality of life and access to communication. She attended the University of Texas at Austin (Hook ’em!) for her undergraduate degree and received a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from the University of Washington. While having a wide range of interests within speech pathology, Callie found her passion in helping children and their families. She has worked with children with autism, selective mutism, speech and language delays, oppositional defiant disorder, ADHD, and many more populations. Callie loves living in Seattle and spends her weekends trying new restaurants, hiking, skiing, and hanging out with her wonderful friends.

Kat comes from a diverse background and considers adaptability one of her many strengths. After graduating as a Doctor of Medicine and Master in Business Administration, she served as a primary care physician in a rural community in the Philippines. In 2021, shortly after she moved to Washington, she found herself managing two outpatient behavioral health clinics in the Pioneer Square area, both catering to individuals experiencing homelessness and chemical dependency. Kat’s extensive experience in the clinical field solidified her desire to provide quality healthcare services to those who need it the most. During her free time, she enjoys yoga, cooking, reading, hiking with her husband and pup, and eating her way through Seattle.

Gen was born and raised in California and moved to Washington a decade ago. She has ten years of experience working in the education field and recently worked at a school-based health center in Seattle. Gen is passionate about helping children reach their fullest potential. When she isn’t working, she enjoys hanging out with her family, fishing, crocheting, or reading. She is thrilled to be joining the Wonderland team.

Jessica enjoys helping children meet their full potential! She was introduced to occupational therapy while teaching dance and yoga to people of all ages and abilities and received her doctorate in occupational therapy from Creighton University. She is passionate about understanding how neurology, sensory systems, and connection impact identity, safety, and function, especially as a foster/adoptive mother and an adoptee. When not working, Jessica is busy with her family, which includes her husband, three kids, six alpacas, four goats, two dogs, and one llama.

Wen-Chi grew up in Taiwan, which instilled a love of adventure and diversity from an early age. After completing a Bachelors of Occupational Therapy and working in a variety of pediatric settings in Taiwan, Wen-Chi continued her studies at The University of Pittsburgh, where she completed her master’s in Occupational Therapy. She has always had a passion for helping kids with special needs live in this world comfortably and independently, as who they are. When she is not busy working, she is busy playing with her 3-year-old and 1-year-old sons, and enjoys contemporary dance, theatre, movies and exploring new restaurants.

Katherine is passionate about helping people reach their fullest potential and helping parents better understand their children. Katherine brings knowledge and skill to supporting children and families at the clinic from her experience as an in-home support specialist, residential treatment staff member, support staff in an alternative school, and therapy aide in a pediatric occupational therapy clinic. She grew up in a small town in Wisconsin and moved to the Pacific Northwest as a young adult. She finds enjoyment in having coffee on her front porch, hiking and backpacking, cooking with her husband, and laughing with her son.