Kerry Diener, MS

President, Early Childhood Developmental Interventionist, Social Emotional Provider

Kerry has been in this field since 1999, providing support to children and families. She first started out as a therapist working with families and their children in their home.  Later, she worked in mental health and then was on Littleton Public Schoo'l’s  Behavior Consultation Team and Positive Behavior Support Team. Kerry started Denver Behavior Consultants in 2008 to provide Early Intervention to families in the community in which she lives. Her Master's degree is in Special Education from National University in La Jolla and she holds a Colorado Special Education Teaching License. Understanding what it is like to raise a child with special needs, she also has three children and enjoys spending time on the water and in nature.  

Kasia Franczyk, MA

Lead Early Childhood Developmental Interventionist

Kasia Franczyk graduated with a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education in Poland. She has worked in the field of education for the last 10 years as a classroom teacher and a Developmental Interventionist in the State of Illinois. She has always had the desire to work with families of children with special needs. Kasia is a mother of two school-aged children and her Border Collie puppy. Kasia and her family enjoy skiing, hiking, biking and enjoying the sunny Colorado weather!  

Molly Glasser, M.Ed, ECSE

Lead Early Childhood Developmental Interventionist

Molly was born and raised in Chicago Illinois and graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Services. She later earned a Masters in Early Childhood Special Education from Elmhurst College, and has also taken course work from Southern Illinois University in the field of Behavior Analysis and Therapy. She served as an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher in the Chicago suburbs and also worked as a Developmental Therapist within the Illinois Early Intervention System, where she helped develop Community-Based Instruction Lessons for her students as well as Caregiver Education Sessions for their families. Molly loves working with young children and their families, especially in their home and community. She and her family are excited to be in Colorado, where they can get back into snowboarding and hiking. She lives in Denver with her husband, son, and two retired greyhounds. She also enjoys walking around the city, cooking, and riding horses.

Holly Dysart-Ward, MA

Marketing & Office Manager

Holly has a degree in marketing as well as various graphic and web design certifications. She has built a 25+ year career in the marketing and graphic design fields working in a variety of creative, administrative and managerial capacities. In 2008, she branched out on her own as a freelance graphic designer. She has also earned her basic early childhood education credits and has served as a preschool teacher and an art teach over the years. Both lines of work have enabled her to work with organizations, families and children in the special needs community. Outside of work, Holly enjoys sharing adventures with her husband and their two children (who are now young adults) and taking care of their numerous fur and feather babies - 4 dogs,1 cat, and a bunch of chickens.

Tina Hanson, MS, BCBA

Lead Early Childhood Social Emotional Therapist

Tina received a master’s degree in Behavior Analysis and Therapy from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 2001. She’s taught a college course in applied behavior analysis, has presented at a variety of professional conferences, and has developed and trained curricula to other professionals in the field. Tina has worked with individuals with special needs and their families for over 20 years. She believes early intervention is paramount for having the best outcomes for children and their families. Tina is the mom of 11-year-old boy/girl twins. She enjoys skiing, reading, walking her dog, pilates, and watching movies with her family and friends. 

Jennifer Coggins, MSW, LCSW

Early Childhood Social Emotional Therapist

Jennifer Coggins grew up in North Carolina and is excited to be living in and exploring Colorado since moving here in 2018. She graduated in 2002 with an MSW from UNC-Chapel Hill and worked in child protective services for a short time before moving to pediatric medical social work. After five years, she took a short season to care for her young children before finding work with a private practice serving children birth to eight years old. She loved meeting with families in their homes and finding ways to support growth, development, and relationships within the family system. Jennifer grew up with a younger brother with Down Syndrome and has many wonderful memories of cheering on the community of Special Olympic athletes in a variety of sports. She is passionate about supporting families with young children to begin positive trajectories, promote healthy relationships, and laugh together while joining families in the journey of the day-to-day learning process. She is a person who enjoys watching growth in her own family, her plants, and her kitchen experiments and she spends as much time outdoors as possible.

Juliann Von Lintel, MA

Early Childhood Developmental Interventionist

Juliann has a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Special Education Studies from the University of Colorado Denver. She has many years of teaching experience as an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher with Head Start programs and school districts. She has also had the privilege of working with the Colorado Department of Education in the area of building a model classroom for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Juliann is passionate about supporting children to be the best that they can be. She considers herself a life-long learner who is willing to continue on a path of learning new skills to help children and families on their journey.  She truly enjoys her work with children who have special needs and their families. Juliann is a Colorado native and has a large extended family with who she spends a lot of her time.  She enjoys long walks with her dog and caring for her chickens.

Michelle Gage, MA, CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Michelle’s passion for her career began as an undergraduate student at the University of Mississippi and working at North Mississippi Regional Center. It was there that she was able to work directly with residents as an assistant in a variety of capacities, including aquatic therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.  Michelle moved on to receive her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Central Florida. For the past 23 years she has worked with children and families to improve language skills, behavior, and overall development. She is currently a resident of Mississippi and provides her SLP services remotely via telehealth.

Michelle is the proud mom of one daughter, who will graduate from her Alma Mater, University of Mississippi, in May 2022. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

Rachel Handler, MSW

Early Childhood Social Emotional Therapist

Rachel grew up in Colorado, but later moved with her family to the east coast at the age of 8. After living in Vermont for several years, she recently moved back to Colorado to be closer to family. It was during her time in Vermont that she earned her Master's Degree in Social Work. She has worked with children for over 10 years in Head Start programs as well as community mental health. Rachel is working towards her LCSW and finds working with the youngest population her passion. She loves coaching parents and being able to start helping kids from an early age. 

When not working, Rachel enjoys hanging out with her family, enjoying the outdoors, camping, hiking and baking.

Tanna Neufeld, MS, CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Tanna has been a speech therapist and coach for over 15 years and, in that time, has shaped her professional philosophy as one that is family-centered, compassionate, and rooted in effective strategies that strengthen families. She strives to meet all children and families where they are and to create and execute coaching plans that are meaningful and realistic. Tanna believes that the combined efforts of every learner, caregiver, and professional strengthens the journey of enhancing connection and communication, and feels it is her calling to help reveal and build upon those strengths through the coaching and therapeutic process.  

As a mother of two, Tanna is honored to connect with fellow parents and to offer her full support. She enjoys time with her family being outdoors, eating delicious food, and exploring new things as they get to know Colorado and all the beauty it has to offer.  

Mackenzie Felbab, M.Ed.

Early Childhood Developmental Interventionist

Mackenzie grew up in California but, after moving to Arizona in her teens and spending a significant amount of time exploring the southwest, she moved to beautiful Colorado in August of 2022. She received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from Northern Arizona University in 2017. From there, she worked as an elementary school special education teacher in Arizona and Hawaii for four years. After working as the special education teacher in a Head Start classroom, Mackenzie fell in love with the age group. More specifically, this experience solidified a passion for working with young children on the Autism spectrum and teaching social communication skills. This led her to pursue a post-baccalaureate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Pacific University as well as a Master’s degree in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Oregon. In her free time, Mackenzie enjoys cuddling with her cat, playing music, backpacking and hiking, traveling, and mountain biking.

Alisha Gonzalez, Ed.D, ECSE

Early Childhood Developmental Interventionist

Dr. Alisha Gonzalez received her Master's in Early Childhood/Childhood Special Education in 2013, and graduated with her Doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction in 2022, where she focused on the social-emotional learning in early childhood for her dissertation. She is passionate about making sure we look at the "hidden skills" to help children grow holistically and foster a love of learning.

Alisha transitioned from K-12 education to focus on early childhood in 2013. She was inspired to work with younger children with disabilities after her daughter was diagnosed with several disabilities. Being a mom of a child with disabilities has always stayed at the heart of what she does professionally, and she loves that early childhood keeps the family at the center of it all.

When not working, she enjoys going to local festivals with her two children, hiking, drinking coffee, and going out to the lake.

Sarah Hinson, OTD, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Sarah graduated with her Doctoral Degree from Creighton University after pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology. Having previously worked in childcare and at a school for children with autism, she began her career in the public school system at an elementary school. This, coupled with working at a summer camp for children with disabilities, sparked her desire to explore new avenues in pediatric therapy. She is excited to begin working with the early intervention population and is looking forward to supporting families to help them navigate the different stages of development. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, making art, and going to concerts.

Julie Adkins, MA

Early Childhood Developmental Interventionist

Julie and her husband, Stretch (real name Jason), are both Colorado Natives. They both consider themselves to be children at heart. Julie went to school to actually teach others to have fun learning, while also having fun teaching. She holds a Master's degree in Early Childhood Special Education, and has worked in early childhood for over 24 years and still loves it to this day. She has worn many “hats” in this profession with her favorite being that of a teacher. She focuses on making everyone feel engaged and enjoys the positive affect this has on families, children, and, by extension, the community.   

Julie and Stretch enjoy a healthy social life and many outdoor activities, and spending time with each other and their friends and family. She is looking forward to working with the families of DBC!

Abby (Periman) Fitzgerald, MS, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Abby graduated with her Masters Degree in occupational therapy from A.T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona. She became passionate about working with children with autism after working as a direct support professional and therapeutic recreation assistant for several years prior to pursuing occupational therapy school. Abby also spent time in the NICU during occupational therapy school which inspired her to pursue a career in early intervention. She is excited to transition to a family centered model and support families as they navigate their child's growth and development.

In her free time, Abby enjoys spending time with her husband and dog, skiing, hiking, and rock climbing.

Julie Mize, MS, CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Julie grew up near Austin, Texas, attended Texas A&M University, and received her master’s degree in speech language pathology at The University of Texas at Dallas. After graduation, she immediately moved to Colorado to start her new life and career and has now lived in Denver for five years. Even as a child, she has always had a passion to help and care for others. She has worked with pediatrics her entire career and now channels this energy to help parents and toddlers meet their language milestones.

Julie loves the outdoors, skiing, concerts, being with friends, reading, and, most of all, loving on her pup, Willie. 

Michelle Farrell, MA ECE/ECSE

Early Childhood Developmental Interventionist

Michelle has worked in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) field for 19 years in private, non-profit, public and charter schools. She has a master's degree in ECE and teacher licensure in both ECE and Early Childhood Special Education. She is very passionate about supporting ALL children to succeed. Michelle also loves early education training and coaching and has presented at several early childhood conferences. Most recently, she has worked in program leadership and administration in an early childhood education program within a public charter school. She is excited to shift focus and return to working directly with children and their families as a developmental interventionist.

Michelle is a mom to a strong-willed, persistent, loving little girl. She appreciates the opportunities parenting her child provides her each day to value the important things and be the best version of herself!