FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
READING INTERVENTIONIST
I am a certified speech-language pathologist (SLP) with over fifteen years of clinical experience. I believe my responsibility as a therapist is to help empower every client to live their most confident, secure, and joyful life.
I have always specialized in dyslexia and enjoy training other professionals in best practices for speech, language, and literacy interventions. I created Launch to be a place where SLPs and literacy experts could work together to help individuals with communication, whether that be in oral or written form. I have always striven to be authentic, even with the youngest of clients, and believe that authenticity and personal connection are the keys to positive intervention. My staff reflect that core value and share a common mission of effective service.
It has been a joy to work with so many wonderful clients over the years and to celebrate their successes with them.
CLINICAL LEAD
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
READING INSTRUCTOR
Audra is originally from Minnesota, but fell in love with Madison when she attended UW-Madison for her undergraduate. After, Audra attended graduate school at Minnesota State University Moorhead where she gained exposure to a variety of high tech AAC with both adults and children in their Regional Technology Center. Audra also has experience within public schools, skilled nursing facilities, private practice, and teletherapy.
Audra is trained in ABA and PROMPT. Her areas of interest include phonology, childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), and Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Audra loves putting the “fun” in functional when providing treatment and enjoys working with kids and adults of all ages.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT LEAD
READING INSTRUCTOR
Emily hails from Green Bay where she completed her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education. She is currently pursuing a master's degree at UW-Madison in Curriculum & Instruction, specializing as a literacy specialist.
Emily had the incredible opportunity to teach 4K, kindergarten, and first grade in both the Waunakee School District and MMSD. When she is not working, Emily enjoys hot yoga, whipping up delicious baked treats, and exploring new destinations. A good book on the patio is always a summer favorite, too.
Emily firmly believes that every student should have access to high-quality, challenging instruction. Recognizing that each student is a unique learner, she takes great pleasure in tailoring her instruction to meet the diverse needs of her students.
CLIENT CARE LEAD
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
READING INSTRUCTOR
Gabby is a certified speech-language pathologist with experience in outpatient clinical settings
as well as public, private, and Montessori school settings. Gabby is originally from the Duluth,
Minnesota area and obtained both her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the
University of Wisconsin – Madison in communication sciences and disorders.
In her free time,
she enjoys cooking, traveling, spending time outdoors, and exploring new restaurants.
Gabby values client-led services that incorporate a child’s strengths, interests, and unique
talents into each session. She strives to build positive relationships with all of her clients, as she
believes children thrive when they feel engaged, empowered, and respected.
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Sarah is a speech-language pathology clinical fellow who recently obtained her master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She fell in love with the field of speech-language pathology in high school, where she volunteered at a local elementary school, supporting the speech therapist and early childhood special education, Deaf/Hard of Hearing and 4K classrooms. She also has experience working as a preschool teacher, and academic coach for middle and high school students. These experiences helped shape Sarah’s philosophy, which puts the client and their loved ones at the forefront of therapy.
In her free time, Sarah enjoys spending time outdoors (especially by the lake!), trying new restaurants/coffee shops, and reading.
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
READING INSTRUCTOR
Hilary obtained her master’s degree
in communication sciences and disorders from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire.
Hilary spent the majority of her life in Minnesota prior to moving to the Madison area in 2013.
The path to become an SLP is a personal one for Hilary. Following her twin sons’ medical diagnoses and witnessing their achievements in therapy, Hilary discovered her passion for this field. Resultantly, Hilary has almost a decade of personal experience supporting ADHD, ASD, and anxiety as a parent.
Outside of work, Hilary enjoys spending time with her husband, twin sons, and their two cats.
Her family loves taking trips around Wisconsin to experience new hotels and waterparks. Hilary
is honored to be part of the Launch team where she is passionate about supporting families in
their journey – and reminding them they are not alone.
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
READING INSTRUCTOR
Alyssa is originally from sunny Florida, where she earned her Bachelor's in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Central Florida. She continued her education in Chicago, receiving a Masters in Speech-Language Pathology from Rush University. Now graduated, Alyssa is happily settled in Madison, WI and eager to grow both professionally and clinically with Launch Speech and Reading.
Alyssa has a passion for fostering a supportive environment for both her clients and their families by being committed to a client and family centered approach. She takes pride in creating individualized therapy plans tailored to each client's unique needs.
Outside of work, Alyssa enjoys uncovering local coffee shop gems, nature walks during the warm months, and taking pictures of her adorable cat, Asami.
MATH AND READING INSTRUCTOR
Abigail is an enthusiastic educator with a B.S in Education, specialized in General Science, from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She has experience working with children with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and ADHD as well. Abigail's professional journey is deeply intertwined with a love for creative expression and dedication to nurturing the academic and emotional development of children. Her teaching strategies are tailored to individual challenges, helping each student to feel valued, understood, and supported.
Abigail's ultimate aim is to empower young minds, encouraging them to embrace their individuality and reach their full potential, both academically and personally.
Abigail loves the natural world, too, which she explores with her dog, Enzo, along the hiking trails and dog parks. Her artistic hobbies include drawing, painting, crafting, and building paper models.
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Jamie is a speech-language pathology clinical fellow who recently completed her master's degree from UW-Madison. She is originally from Fort Collins, Colorado, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies and a teaching license in Early Childhood Education (Birth-9).
Jamie taught in the Poudre School District Early Childhood Program for 7 years in an elementary school setting. She has lived in Madison for 8 years with her husband and 3 little boys. She enjoys gardening, adventuring, and keeping backyard chickens in her free time.
She is very excited to join the Launch team, grow professionally, and serve the families of south-central Wisconsin.
READING INSTRUCTOR
Annie holds a Master of Education degree, with teaching licenses in the areas of Reading Teacher, Reading Specialist, Special Education, and Psychology. She brings over 25 years of public school teaching experience to Launch. She believes learning to read proficiently allows people neurological, educational, psychological, social, and linguistic advantages and is the cornerstone of living a fulfilled life.
Annie believes using consistent and explicit strategies in literacy instruction, catered to the needs of each student, results in reading growth. She believes it is crucial to foster trust with her students by building positive connections with them and their families. Holding to the premise that learning is a collaborative effort, one in which each student’s voice is valued, she feels that when students feel supported, they are more likely to engage in learning.
In her free time, Annie spends time with family and friends, walking her dogs, making art, reading, traveling, and checking out local music events. She also is an avid photographer, with interest in the areas of portraiture and street photography.
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Amber is a speech-language pathology clinical fellow who recently obtained her master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Wisconsin- River Falls. Amber is originally from Tucson, AZ and has lived in Madison since 2014.
Amber has over 10 years of experience working with children of all ages and abilities. She has served her communities as a tutor, an ABA therapist, an instructional aide for students with special needs, an in-home health aide, and a preschool teacher. She has a bachelor’s degree in linguistics and loves articulation, phonology, and etymology. Amber has a passion for empowering young people by tailoring therapy to meet her client’s specific needs and interests.
When not at work, Amber loves creating art through scrapbooking or drawing. She and her spouse like to spend their weekends at bookstores, antique malls, and garage sales.
MATH INSTRUCTOR
READING INSTRUCTOR
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Sharon has recently retired from a long and fulfilling career working as a multi-county director in the Illinois Head Start Program. She relocated to Madison to be closer to her family and is now embracing the Wisconsin lifestyle! She is excited to be a part of the Launch team and to continue serving families and children.
OFFICE MANAGER
Cat was born and raised in Texas. She holds a degree in Hotel Management from Texas Tech University, which laid the foundation for her passion for organization, planning, and creating seamless experiences for others. Her 15 years of experience as an Office Manager have been incredibly fulfilling, allowing her to blend her knack for efficiency with her dedication to fostering positive, productive environments. Now, she is so excited to start her journey with Launch!
Outside of her professional life, Cat is a proud wife and mom. She and her husband love to go on adventures with their 6-year-old son and golden retriever, Daisy. In her free time, Catherine loves baking, traveling, trying the best new restaurants, and practicing yoga.
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