Meet Anne
Anne Hodits, M.A., CCC-SLP/L
Founder, Owner, Speech-Language Pathologist
Childhood Apraxia of Speech Expert
Recognized By Apraxia Kids™ for Advanced Training and Expertise in Childhood Apraxia of Speech
With 16 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist, Anne is passionate about helping children find their voice, specializing for the past 14 years in supporting children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). She earned her master’s degree in Speech, Language, and Learning from Northwestern University and has since practiced in a variety of educational, medical, and clinical settings.
Anne believes in making therapy engaging, fun, and meaningful. Many Strive to Thrive families have said that she just “gets” their child, a testament to her ability to build rapport and trust with her clients. Anne goes above and beyond as a practitioner— consulting with parents, teachers, school speech therapists, pediatricians, and other providers to ensure that her clients receive the highest quality treatment. She attends her clients’ IEP meetings, visits their workplaces, and works hard to bridge the gap between the therapy room and the real world.
Anne is an expert in Childhood Apraxia of Speech and has pursued extensive training in Childhood Apraxia of Speech, leading to her formal recognition as an apraxia specialist from the Apraxia Kids organization. She is a graduate of the Apraxia Kids "Apraxia Boot Camp", an intensive training program designed to train and advance the clinical expertise of selected speech therapists in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). Anne has presented at the Apraxia Kids Conference in 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026, the Illinois Speech and Hearing Association Conference in 2022, and at local universities and conferences.
Anne has also been presented with an ACE Award from the national American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) for her dedication to professional learning. Along with her clinical contributions, Anne is currently serving on the Board of Directors for a special needs preschool that will be opening in Fall 2022. She is grateful for these opportunities to give back to her community.
One of Anne's greatest passions is investing in therapists who share her commitment to children with childhood apraxia of speech. She is dedicated to building a team that understands speech as a motor skill and approaches therapy with both clinical excellence and compassion. By focusing on the whole child—not just their speech goals—her team strives to create meaningful, lasting progress for every family they serve.
When she is not working, Anne values the time she gets to spend with family and friends, especially her husband, young son, and beagle. She loves to work out, run, and explore Chicago!
Advanced Training & Certifications
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Apraxia Kids Recognized for Advanced Training and Expertise in Childhood Apraxia of Speech
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2018 Apraxia Kids Intensive Training Institute- Mentored by Dr. Heather Leavy Rusiewicz, PhD, CCC-SLP
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Award for Continuing Education (ACE) by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The ACE is a formal recognition of professionals who have earned at least 70 continuing education hours in a 3-year period
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PROMPT I, Bridging Training, and Practicum Completed (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Motor Phonetic Targets)
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Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing
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Advanced Course in Clinical Thinking in the Diagnosis and Management of CAS by Dave Hammer- Apraxia Kids 2016
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2023 ASHA Health Care Summit- Grand Rounds in Motor Speech Disorders
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Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol
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AAC Trainings
Meet Lauren
Lauren Lozneanu, M.S., CCC-SLP/L
Speech-Language Pathologist
Lauren earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Communication Science and Disorders at Elmhurst University. Her clinical experiences include both the clinic and school settings, where she has worked with children and young adults in various areas such as speech sound disorders, childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), receptive and expressive language, AAC, executive functioning, and social aspects of communication.
Lauren has passionately pursued further training in CAS. She has completed specialized training in Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) through the Once Upon a Time Foundation, Introduction to PROMPT, and advanced training in Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders from Sandra Holtzman. Lauren is also a professionally selected member of the Apraxia Kids Directory, accepted through a formal application and review process.
Lauren’s therapeutic approach is characterized by her love for using play and personal interests as a means to build connections with clients and to foster communication and language development. She believes in establishing a meaningful relationship first with clients and is committed to empowering both the client and family to be active team members in the decision-making process. In her free time, Lauren enjoys fellowship with her family and friends, working out, soaking in nature, and playing pickleball!
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Meet Maelah
Maelah Nadeau, M.S., CCC-SLP/L
Speech-Language Pathologist and Feeding Therapist
Maelah is an enthusiastic speech-language pathologist with four years of experience within the field of speech-language pathology. She earned her Master of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology from Nazareth College in Rochester, NY. She has worked across private therapy clinics, school settings, and hospitals, bringing a comprehensive, collaborative, and client-centered approach to care. This diverse background helps her see the full picture when it comes to a child’s communication needs.
Maelah believes that therapy should be engaging, functional, and customized to each child’s unique strengths and needs. She takes pride in building strong rapport with her clients and their families—many of whom have praised her for being energetic, approachable, and supportive. Her sessions are often filled with creative play, laughter, and the occasional dance party.
In addition to providing therapy, Maelah is committed to collaboration with team members. She frequently consults with parents, teachers, and other professionals to ensure her clients’ goals are supported across all environments. She actively participates in IEP meetings, offers caregiver coaching, and strives to integrate therapy strategies into daily life to maximize generalization of skills.
Maelah has continued her professional growth through specialized trainings in play-based therapy, Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) method, AAC, Inside Out Sensory Communication, Introduction to PROMPT, advanced training in Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders from Sandra Holtzman. and neurodiversity-affirming practices for autistic students. She’s passionate about creating inclusive spaces for all communicators and is always seeking new ways to learn and grow.
Outside of the therapy room, Maelah spends most of her time with her family and friends. She enjoys traveling, hiking, swimming, skiing, playing tennis, and competing in any sort of lawn game activity. She is overjoyed to join a close-knit team that values and prioritizes connection, creativity, and quality care.
Meet Jessica
Jessica Gallagher, M.S., CCC-SLP/L
Speech-Language Pathologist
Jessica is a licensed speech-language pathologist in her third year of practice. In 2020, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in English and Psychology from Augustana College. In 2022, Jessica received her Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Elmhurst University. She currently works in a preschool in addition to her part-time work at Strive to Thrive Therapy. She has experience working with individuals in early childhood, elementary school, high school, and clinical settings. Jessica’s areas of interest include early childhood speech and language, multilingual/multicultural treatment and assessment, working with individuals who are d/Deaf and/or hard of hearing (d/DHOH), and childhood apraxia of speech (CAS).
Jessica holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC), a Professional Educator License (PEL) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education, and is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). She has training in Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing through the Once Upon a Time Foundation and in Transdisciplinary Play-Based Assessment by Dr. Toni Linder. In addition, Jessica completed the Multicultural/Multilingual Emphasis at Elmhurst University.
In her free time, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family and friends, watching TV shows and movies, reading, knitting, and crocheting.
Meet Melanie
Melanie Krupowicz, M.S., CCC-SLP/L
Speech-Language Pathologist
Melanie is a speech-language pathologist and credentialed Illinois Early Intervention provider with over 9 years of experience in the field. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and her master’s from Illinois State University. She has a passion for working with the pediatric population in a variety of settings, including in schools, in the home, and at a clinic. Melanie has had the opportunity to diagnose and treat children and young adults with a wide variety of communication disorders. She has extensive experience in the areas of expressive and receptive language, articulation, phonological disorders, social pragmatic language, AAC, and stuttering/fluency, and is trained in Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC).
Melanie is committed to providing fun, play-based therapy tailored to meet her clients’ individual needs. Her goal is to disguise therapy sessions as play for each of her clients. She is a warm, compassionate therapist who prioritizes building positive relationships with the families she works with and focuses on each child’s unique strengths. She is passionate about collaborating with families as a team to help their child become a confident communicator.
Melanie is committed to professional growth and learning through training in neurodiversity affirming practice, play-based therapy, AAC, and early childhood speech/language.
In her free time, Melanie enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children. She loves reading, exercising, watching sports, and unwinding with reality tv.
Meet Lindsey
Lindsey Crum, M.A. CCC-SLP/L
Speech-Language Pathologist
Lindsey received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Western Michigan University and earned her Master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Florida. She is a member of ASHA and has 13 years of experience working in school settings, primarily with early childhood through 5th grade students. Her clinical experience includes supporting students with receptive and expressive language needs, pragmatic language, AAC, speech and language development, and a wide range of communication profiles within the educational setting.
Lindsey has a strong passion for advocacy in the schools and for helping families feel confident and informed throughout the IEP process. She has extensive experience facilitating and leading IEP meetings and believes strongly in making the process understandable and accessible so caregivers feel like active, valued members of their child’s team.
Lindsey’s therapeutic approach is child-centered, play-based, and relationship-driven. She uses a combination of language- and motor-based approaches, including AAC, DTTC, and play-based therapy, to support meaningful communication growth. She creates a calm, safe, and accepting environment where children feel comfortable, supported, and empowered in their progress. Lindsey is also a certified 200-hour yoga instructor and incorporates principles of regulation, mindfulness, and connection into her sessions. She is currently continuing her professional development through training in yoga therapy and trauma-informed, sensory-sensitive approaches for children.
Lindsey believes caregivers are an essential part of the therapy process. Her goal is to equip families with practical tools and a clear understanding so they feel confident advocating for their child and supporting communication across everyday routines.
Outside of work, Lindsey is married with a daughter and a cat. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time practicing yoga and staying active with her family.
Meet Ellie
Ellie Trefz M.S., CCC-SLP, CLS
Speech-Language Pathologist, Certified Lactation Specialist
Clinical Lead for the Feeding & Swallowing Team and Therapist Development
Ellie earned her bachelor’s degree at Northern Illinois University and her master’s degree at Gallaudet University. Her clinical experiences include Early Intervention in home, private clinic, and outpatient hospital settings where she has worked with infants through young adults with dysphagia and other feeding disorders. Ellie has over 15
years of experience working with medically complex children and children with multiple different medical diagnoses. She specializes in tube weaning and is a certified lactation specialist, TOTS: Tethered Oral Tissues Specialty Trained, and Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile certified.
Ellie has pursued further training in feeding disorders and completed multiple courses, including Food Chaining and Get Permission Feeding Approach. Her therapy model focuses on child-centered care, with the family playing an integral part of therapy. She
works closely with other medical professionals who may be involved in a child’s care, including but not limited to ENT, GI, pulmonology, neurology, cardiology, and dentistry. Ellie believes that every child and family should enjoy mealtimes and strives to help families meet their feeding goals.
In her free time, Ellie enjoys spending time with her two children outdoors, swimming, and traveling around the country visiting extended family and friends.
Meet Amy
Amy Nallon, M.S., CF-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
She is thrilled to join the team at Strive to Thrive Therapy LLC as a Speech-Language Pathologist (CF-SLP). She recently completed her Master of Science in Speech Therapy at DePaul University, where she gained clinical experience with clients across the lifespan in a variety of settings, including the university clinic, hospitals, schools, and private practice.
Her clinical experience includes assessing and treating a wide range of communication needs, including articulation, fluency, motor speech, receptive and expressive language, social communication, voice, cognitive communication, and feeding disorders. She also has experience with both low- and high-tech AAC and is passionate about finding the most effective and appropriate way for each client to communicate. These experiences have shaped her commitment to providing individualized, evidence-based care.
Her background working with children in childcare has also helped her develop patience, leadership, and creativity. She values building fun, positive connections with children and their families and creating a comfortable environment where they feel supported.
Outside of work, she enjoys trying new foods, going to the movies, shopping, exercising, and spending time outdoors. She is excited to be part of the Strive to Thrive Therapy team and strives to help every child feel excited and motivated to come to therapy.
Advanced Trainings & Certifications
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BLS-CPR
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Systematic Analysis of Language Transcripts (SALT) Training
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Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) training certification
Meet Isabella
Isabella Jozwiak, M.S. CFY-SLP
Clinical Fellow in Speech-Language Pathology
Administrative Assistant
Isabella earned both her B.S. and M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Elmhurst University with a multilingual and multicultural emphasis, and is licensed through the Illinois State Board of Education. Fluent in both Polish and Spanish, she's passionate about childhood apraxia of speech, multilingual intervention, and feeding therapy.
Isabella has experience working with preschoolers through adults in both school and clinic settings and is excited to support elementary and middle school students this fall.
When she's not working, you'll find her hiking, skiing, playing tennis or badminton, beekeeping, baking, or making handmade soaps and lip balms.
Advanced Trainings & Certifications
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Once Upon a Time Foundation training
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Diagnosis and Treatment of CAS Using Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) training
Meet Joceline
Joceline Rodriguez, OTD, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Joceline is a pediatric occupational therapist who enjoys partnering with families to create meaningful, individualized goals that support each child’s growth and success.
She has experience working with children in a variety of settings, including an outpatient pediatric clinic in Chicago. For her doctoral capstone project, she developed and implemented a webpage to help families prepare children for air travel and hosted a mock flight program. These experiences deepened her passion for working with children in creative, functional, and family-centered ways.
Joceline is deeply passionate about pediatric occupational therapy and believes children make the most progress when they feel safe, understood, and supported. She prioritizes building strong relationships with both her clients and their families, taking time to understand each child beyond their goals and learning what matters most to the family.
She shows her care by listening, educating, and partnering with caregivers throughout the therapy process. Her goal goes beyond success during therapy sessions. She focuses on meaningful skill development that builds confidence and improves a child’s quality of life.
Joceline describes herself as compassionate, patient, and dedicated. Families often describe her as warm, trustworthy, hardworking, and deeply committed to helping others.
In addition to clinical experience, she has completed specialized training in the Vital Links Sound Activated Vestibular-Visual Protocol (SAVVP), Interoception through Kelly Mahler, Primitive Reflex Integration (Harkla), and the Handling Intensive: Treatment of Children with Quadriplegia at City Kids Inc. These advanced trainings support her ability to provide individualized, evidence-informed care for clients with a wide range of sensory, motor, and developmental needs.
Outside of work, Joceline enjoys spending time with family and friends and finding ways to recharge. She loves being outdoors, exercising or running, reading, traveling, and enjoying quiet moments at home. These activities help her stay balanced and energized so she can fully show up for the children and families she serves. She looks forward to working with each child and having fun along the way.
Vital Links Sound Activated Vestibular-Visual Protocol Trained
Trained in Interoception by Kelly Mahler
Trained in Primitive Reflex Integration (Harkla)
Completed Handling Intensive- Treatment of Children with Quadraplegia at City Kids Inc.
Meet Laura
Laura A. Rampey (Czopek), OTR/L, EdM
Occupational Therapist
Laura is an accomplished Occupational Therapist with over a decade of Occupational Therapy experience spanning a twenty-year career dedicated to empowering individuals across all ages and abilities.
She has worked in multiple settings - including but not limited to Early Intervention, outpatient clinics, and schools - and served as Director of Therapy Services for a large nonprofit dedicated to serving those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
With dual master's degrees in Occupational Therapy and Special Education earned with perfect GPAs, as well as multiple awards for clinical excellence, she brings a strong foundation in clinical knowledge and a deep commitment to evidence-based, person-centered, holistic care.
Laura has expertise in sensory processing, complex care, and executive functioning. In addition to direct client care at Strive To Thrive, Laura provides training, consultation, and mentorship to various organizations through her consulting company, LAC Consulting.
When not working, you can find Laura with her family, most likely playing and exploring with her husband and their two young children.
Meet Kristoffer
Kristoffer Evangelista, COTA/L
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Kris was raised in Round Lake and Wheeling, Illinois. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from North Park University and subsequently completed his Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Wilbur Wright College. He completed clinical fieldwork in both a non- traditional pediatric setting and an acute care environment.
Kris brings extensive experience as a Registered Behavior Technician, a role he has held since 2018. He has worked across clinic, home, and community settings, supporting individuals in developing independence in their daily lives. His experience includes working with a diverse population of clients with developmental differences, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), cerebral palsy, phocomelia, as well as visual and motor impairments.
Kris is committed to a client-centered approach, emphasizing the importance of following each client’s lead and incorporating their interests as foundational tools to achieve therapeutic goals. He values the power of play as a natural and effective means of promoting development and skill acquisition. Kris strives to create a fun, engaging, and family-centered environment that fosters success across all areas of a client’s life.
In his personal time, Kris enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing pickleball, exploring new restaurants, and traveling when opportunities arise. He is also a professional photographer and enjoys using his creativity to capture meaningful moments in people’s lives.
Meet Francesca
Francesca Cho, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Francesca earned her Bachelor’s in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has been practicing for 9 years, with settings ranging from outpatient orthopedics, acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and, of course, the best setting of all— pediatrics!
Francesca has experience working with the littlest clients who present with torticollis, gross motor delay, toe walking, and post-surgical limitations. She thinks of it as a privilege to be part of the journey that a family undergoes when they step into therapy, addressing concerns with as much empathy and compassion as possible.
In addition to her Doctorate of Physical Therapy, Francesca is CPR/BLS certified, a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, and has completed specialized training in the Vital Links Sound Activated Vestibular-Visual Protocol (SAVVP) and Primitive Reflex Integration through Harkla. She is passionate about continuing her professional development and plans to pursue Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) certification in the coming year.
Outside of therapy, Francesca enjoys spending time with her husband, Mike, and two daughters, Charlotte (6) and Eleanor (3). Shows that she loves watching are Dancing with the Stars, Stranger Things, and The Office. Francesca loves reading anything that will leave her on the edge of her seat with suspense on her Kindle. She loves to cook and bake, but the perfect evening consists of ordering food to enjoy with Mike after the girls go to sleep, where no cooking or cleaning occurs.
Vital Links Sound Activated Vestibular-Visual Protocol Trained
Trained in Primitive Reflex Integration (Harkla)
Meet Michael
Michael Southwell
Literacy Clinician
Michael Southwell brings 5 years of classroom experience to Strive to Thrive Therapy. He graduated with his master's degree in Elementary Education from Lewis University in 2020 and earned additional endorsements in English as a Second Language and Bilingual Education.
Michael currently teaches 4th-grade dual language and has experience teaching all content areas in English and Spanish. Michael is especially passionate about social studies and inquiry-based learning to stimulate critical thinking. He is trained in the Orton-Gillingham Approach for reading intervention.
Outside of the classroom, Michael enjoys reading, playing the oboe in a community band, and exploring new places.
Meet Billy
Billy Southwell
Literacy Clinician
Billy Southwell is a 5-year seasoned educator in the Northwest Suburbs. He graduated with his master's degree in Elementary Education from National Louis University in 2019 and earned his English as a Second Language Endorsement in 2021.
Billy currently teaches 6th grade and has experience teaching all content areas, including intervention groups, for 5th and 6th grade students. He prides himself on applying evidence-based practices and integrating skills across the content areas to increase learning outcomes. He is also trained in the Orton-Gillingham Approach for reading intervention.
When he's not in the classroom, he enjoys playing in a local community concert band, reading, and spending time with his French Bulldog named Houdini.
Administrative Team
Jackie Baiker
HR & Operations Specialist
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Courtney Joyce
Intake Coordinator & Billing, Insurance Specialist
