Leadership
Stephanie Coe, OTR/L, SWCHailey Mayz Foundation Medical Advisory Board Member
Michelle Dilts, MSHailey Mayz Foundation Medical Advisory Board Member
Hailey Mayz Foundation Medical Advisory Board Member
aMAYZing Kids Co-Founder
Sean is a proven manager and leader who began his career as an entrepreneur and IT/systems specialist in the Internet space. From there, he translated those skills into the advertising industry, where he has led multi-disciplinary teams that build the latest in interactive marketing tools. He is currently Chief Operating Officer and partner at Thread, a digital-first agency with a focus on the healthcare industry, where he works to improve health through the combination of creativity and technology.President and CEO of Hailey Mayz Foundation
Erik is a seasoned executive, having spent over 30 years in the senior living industry with a leading national group purchasing organization (GPO). He began his career managing supplier contracts that eventually exceeded $750 million in value. In addition, he served as the president and CEO of the national GPO for 5 years and helped develop industry standards and best practices for supplier and manufacturer contract negotiations and value-added programs. Erik’s skills include corporate marketing, finance, sales, contract administration, human resources, and IT. He has a B.A. in English and an M.B.A., both from Brigham Young University.
Kathy is a friend of the Hailey Mayz Foundation. She was an integral part of setting up important office policy and procedures and is a member of the board. Over the years, she has volunteered at various aMAYZing Kids events and has spent countless hours working at the clinic. Kathy has recently relocated back to California and is enjoying retirement with her husband.
Mazie Stempkowski
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapist (OT/L)
Leilanie earned her MS Degree in Occupational Therapy at San Jose State University. She has over 15 years of experience working in the pediatric field, specializing in early childhood development, sensory integration and feeding/swallowing. Leilanie has achieved advanced practice in feeding and swallowing (SWC) and is certified practitioner for the application of physical agent modalities (PAM), vital stimulation (LNMES) and Sensory integration and praxis test (SIPT). Leilanie brings with her strong leadership skills with her experience as a lead therapist at a nationally recognized top children’s hospital. She has served as a vital member of interdisciplinary teams i.e. CHOC Children’s Inpatient Feeding Program and the Early Developmental Assessment Clinic.
Leilanie is a loving mother of 3 young boys, who certainly keep her on her toes! She is creative, energetic, and adventurous individual who brings her positivity and expertise to aMAYZing Kids.
Leilanie loves aMAYZing Kids because it allows her a more work-life balance. She also loves how genuinely invested the directors are in every one’s well-being and how they value each person’s contribution to the clinic.
Jackie McNeill, COTA
Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant
Jackie earned her AS degree in Occupational Therapy at Stanbridge University in 2018, in which she was valedictorian of her graduating class. She also has a BS degree in Health Science from California State University, Long Beach. She is very passionate about working with children and knew that she would find a career that was well suited to her personality.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and visiting her parents. She also enjoys outdoors activities with her dog.
She loves the interdisciplinary environment at aMAYZing Kids and the comradery that the staff shares. She is interested in pursuing further specialized training in sensory integration.
Lorraine (Lori )Sherrie, AAS, COTA
Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant
Lori earned her AAS Degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant at Santa Ana College. She has over 12 years of experience working in the pediatric field, specializing in fine motor development, primarily, grasp, handwriting, and cutting skills. Lori also works as a COTA in CUSD and fully understands the school expectations and what AK can do for the comprehensive development of the child. She has solid experience in many pediatric settings including Autism, ADHD, Learning Difficulties, Sensory Regulation, Medically Fragile, Psychological Disorders, Dual Language Learning. Lori brings with her an empathetic, fun, and creative approach to therapy.
She is quick to find out what motivates her client, how they communicate and works within their interests to achieve optimum results.
She is a loving mother of a teenage daughter. She loves working at AK for the dynamic collaboration with the staff, the support from the administration and the bonds that she’s developed with her clients and their families.
Physical Therapy
Lori Roelofs, PT, MPT
Lori is an experienced pediatric specialist with a passion for physical therapy. She is trained in teaching yoga to children, sensory integration therapy, SCERTS model for spectrum disorders, dynamic bracing and orthotics, torticollis treatment, and NDT (neurodevelopmental treatment). Lori earned her B.S. in kinesiology from Cal State University Fullerton, and her master’s degree in physical therapy from Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona. Lori has evaluated and treated children of all ages in a variety of settings for over 19 years, including inpatient therapy, schools, infant/early intervention, and medical-based outpatient therapy.
She enjoys mentoring the clinicians at aMAYZing Kids, business development, spending time with her own two children, and being outdoors.
Tammy Daneman, PTA
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Laura got her doctorate in physical therapy in 2005 from Washington University in Saint Louis. It was there she was drawn towards outpatient orthopedics and focusing on helping patients treat the problem instead of the symptoms. Her experience included working with pediatrics, athletes and geriatric patients. In 2006 Laura started her career as a physiotherapist in Sydney, Australia and enhanced her toolbox by learning new manual techniques, advanced taping types and focusing on women’s health. In 2011 she moved back to the US and worked in outpatient clinic using Redcord, ASTYM, vertigo therapy and concussion diagnosis & treatments. Laura is passionate and dedicated to helping each patient reach their healthy living goals.
In her free time Laura enjoys playing with her son and taking him to the beach club. She also loves playing tennis, photography and traveling.
What she loves about working at aMAYZing Kids is being creative with exercises and allowing kids to have fun but at the same time work towards meeting their functional goals.
Sean Higgs, PTA, ATC
Physical Therapist Assistant, Athletic Trainer
Sean went to CSU Long Beach where he earned his BS Degree in Kinesiology / Athletic Training and MS Degree in Kinesiology / Exercise Science. In his 25-plus year career he has worked in athletic training rooms (sports medicine), physical therapy clinics, home health physical therapy, sports performance programs, and more. Currently, in addition to working at Amayzing Kids, Sean teaches medical-related classes for Tesoro High School and Saddleback College.
He enjoys spending time with his lovely wife and 3 kids, mountain biking, traveling, snowboarding, staying active, and watching sports.
Sean loves working at aMAYZing Kids because it gives him the opportunity to be part of a strong team of therapists who are dedicated to helping children overcome their physical challenges.
Laura Marano, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist, Developmental & Orthopedics
Laura earned her DPT in Physical Therapy at George Washington University. She has over 9 years of experience working mainly in the orthopedic field and is currently working to transition solely to pediatric physical therapy. Laura has served as an ambassador for a nonprofit called Ainsley’s Angels of America for over five years. Ainsley’s Angels is an organization that aims to build awareness about America’s special needs community through inclusion. Volunteering as an ambassador sparked her interest to get back into the pediatric realm of therapy.
Laura is a mother of 2 young girls, who keep her very busy. In her spare time, Laura enjoys doing triathlons, going to the beach, serving at her church, and taking trips to the mountains with her family. She and her husband have lived in California for nearly 6 years, which is the longest Laura has ever lived anywhere!
Laura loves the creativity, compassion, and genuine enjoyment everyone has in working with the kids and their families at aMAYZing Kids.
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Infant Stim Therapy
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Michelle Dilts, MS
Infant Teacher
Michelle is an experienced infant teacher with background of 15 years working as an elementary school teacher. She is passionate about her role in promoting the overall development of the child from ages 0-36 months through play development and social interaction. She is instrumental in preparing children with severe cognitive and language delays for transition to direct speech therapy. Michelle knows how important it is to collaborate regularly with parents and provide them with repeated modeling and a strong home program. Her background includes a MS in teaching and early childhood development.
Michelle loves working alongside the talented multi-disciplinary team of therapist at aMAYZing Kids and making a difference in the lives of children.
Speech Therapy
Erica Buday, SLPDepartment Lead
Jennifer Starkey is an ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologist. Her Bachelor of Science Degree was earned in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Bloomsburg University in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. Later she earned her Master of Science Degree from Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Jennifer has both experience in the school district as well as clinic settings. Her background includes working primarily with children with expressive and receptive language delays as well as articulation disorder. She also holds a Clinical Rehabilitative Services Credential.
In her free time, she enjoys going on hikes with her husband and four children.
Jennifer is thankful to be a part of aMAYZing Kids where she gets to work with incredible children and their supportive families every week!
Leslie Ngo, SLPA
Monica Garcia, SLPA
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Monica earned her AA degree in a Speech Language Pathology Assistant Program, from Santa Ana College. She also received her AA degree in Child Development from Irvine College. Monica has more than ten years’ experience in working with children and adults with special needs. She has over 13 years’ experience in ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis.) She has experience working with a variety of disorders autism, down syndrome, emotionally disturbed, etc. Her wide knowledge of experience has helped her in working with as a SLPA. Monica speaks Spanish and knows American Sign Language.
Monica enjoys spending time with her family and her boyfriend on her free time. She recently bought a home in Ranch Santa Margarita, and enjoys exploring the new area. Monica loves to paint and watch sports.
Monica loves that her co-workers are so welcoming and are great resources.
Office Staff
Kelly Morrison
Back Office and Insurance
Kelly moved from East Coast to be closer to family. She was recruited to volunteer at many aMAYZing Kids fundraising events by her mother and learned a lot about the clinic and its mission. She began working at the clinic in the fall of 2015. She has proven herself to be dependable, flexible, and a quick learning in the back office handling a variety of tasks. She serves as a liaison between the front office and billing department and welcomes difficult challenges and projects.
She loves building things, gardening and music.
Felicia Cunningham
Front Desk Receptionist
Felicia, our receptionist, has a smile for everyone. She welcomes each patient to our clinic and enjoys building strong relationships week after week. She will do her best to accommodate scheduling conflicts and prides herself on making sure that each family has a wonderful clinic experience.
Felicia enjoys spending time with her three children, husband and their dog whether they are enjoying the beach or watching Disney movies.
What Felicia loves the most about working at aMAYZing Kids is watching the bond grow between the therapists and their patients. She admires the dedication of the entire team and how their commitment is making a difference in the lives of children
Is my child meeting the age appropriate milestones?
- Learn how to recognize the signs of a developmental delay
- Which type of therapy will benefit your child
- Find out Next Step Solutions if an evaluation is recommended
