Our Team
Our Leadership
Our leadership, staff, and instructors all embrace our core values of hope, truth, and love, creating a connected community that encourages growth and development of our students while supporting their families. The Jacob’s Ladder team is highly educated, qualified, and specially trained in our Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care. As well, we are committed to creating loving environments where students find joy in developing their abilities.
We effectively partner with mental and physical health professionals and complementary educational and therapeutic teams. This ensures caring continuity across all aspects of students’ lives.
Amy O'Dell, M.Ed., LPC, TRS, CNC
Founder, Chief Executive Officer
Amy is a licensed professional counselor with extensive training in neurodevelopmental processes and is certified as a neurodevelopmental consultant. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Activity Therapy and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Clemson University. She has worked in a wide variety of clinical settings, including Shepherd Spinal Center in Atlanta, and Woodridge Psychiatric Hospital in Clayton, Georgia, where she served as director of activity therapy and director of adolescent psychiatric services. She is recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in the field of education and rehabilitation for individuals with neurodevelopmental challenges.
“I firmly believe that the human body, mind, and soul will move toward healing if given what is truly needed. Today, my son Jacob is a thriving 28-year-old educator at our school bearing his name, profoundly gifted in helping individuals who face difficulties similar to his. My family moved from darkness to light; from fear to hope. Through our work at Jacob’s Ladder, I have witnessed dramatic transformations in thousands of children and young adults that enabled their families to do the same.”
Allegra Saunders
Chief Clinical Officer
Allegra leads the clinical team and has primary responsibility for completing the global initial assessment and treatment plan development. She is a Certified Clinician in the Jacob’s Ladder Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care and is a Dialectal Behavioral Therapy Professional trained in providing Trauma-Informed Care. She completed her undergraduate work at Florida State University. Her extensive certifications and training include Advanced TheraSuit Method, Integrated Listening Systems, and Quantum Reflex Integration.
“One of my favorite things that I get to do at Jacob’s Ladder is support families through the Initial Evaluation process. We take the time to assess and understand each individual’s unique circumstances and are able to provide a deeper understanding of each client’s true needs, as well as an individualized plan for addressing their primary goals through a comprehensive plan of care.”
Brent Young
Chief Finance Officer
Brent holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and a Master of Business Administration with a Finance Concentration from Georgia State University. He has been a financial leader for over 20 years with companies such as WebMD and Hewlett Packard Enterprise Services. His experience includes financial leadership, budget management, mergers & acquisitions, organizational restructuring, and financial & strategic planning both nationally and internationally.
“I was drawn to Jacob’s Ladder after learning from Amy O’Dell her long-term vision for the program. I was seeking to leave the corporate work environment for an opportunity that would satisfy my desire to work for good. Very quickly I concluded that Jacob’s Ladder would more than fulfill that desire for me.”
Evan Feldman
Senior Director of Staff Management
Evan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a minor in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University. She is trained and certified in the Therasuit Method and the Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) method, and has extensive experience utilizing Applied Behavior Analysis interventions while working with children with Autism and emotional-behavioral-relational challenges. She is also a Certified Clinician in the Jacob’s Ladder Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care.
“What continues to draw me to Jacob’s Ladder to this day is how that same story of perseverance, vulnerability, the desire to remain intentional and faithful to the call, and the power of transformation continue to be ever-present on this campus”.
Sarah Smith
Director of Clinical Training
Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Child and Family Development with dual concentration in Child Life and Child Development from Georgia Southern University. She gained extensive clinical experience in multiple settings including the Child Development Center, Memorial Health, and completed a Child Life Practicum at Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital. Her certifications include Child Life, Integrated Listening Systems, and TheraSuit Method. She is also a Certified Clinician in the Jacob’s Ladder Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care.
“My role at Jacob’s Ladder allows me to daily help others and serve those in need of support. I have the opportunity to meet a lot of our students and families at one of the first moments they step onto our campus, often at their most vulnerable, and provide them with a clear path forward and hope in the possibility of change and untapped potential.”
Aubry York
Co-Founder, Chief HR Officer
Aubry holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Language and Communication from Kennesaw State University and is a Certified Nursing Assistant. She is trained as an Animal Assisted Activity Provider. She has extensive experience in Neurofeedback, EEG recording and Brain Mapping, along with Mental Health and Integrative Nutrition. She is also a Certified Clinician in the Jacob’s Ladder Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care.
“I was drawn to work at Jacob’s Ladder because of the mission, life-changing services, and support we offer. As Jacob’s sister and Amy’s daughter, I have found my place as a sibling in our family dynamic and know how challenging that can be for an individual (the sibling) because, understandably, so much attention and support must be channeled to the child or person in need. From my own personal experience, I hope to encourage and inspire healing for not only the client or student who comes to Jacob’s Ladder, but also for the sibling(s) and their entire family.”
Sharon Hurst
Director of Advancement
With a master's degree in communication and 24 years of advancement experience; Sharon focuses on transformational strategies to inspire extraordinary results. Specialties include major gift cultivation and solicitation, annual funds, capital campaigns, grant-writing, special events, personnel management, public speaking, volunteer training, and institution-wide planning and execution.
Sharon's passion for relationship building and innovative thinking helped catapult revenue to unprecedented heights during her tenure with each institution. The most notable metrics include: 500% increase in annual giving and an 85% campus expansion at The Walker School; at Mt. Bethel Christian Academy, giving rose by 150%, an upper campus was built, and participation for annual funds consistently reached 99-100% school-wide; at King's Ridge Christian School, annual giving improved by 220%, participation rates strengthened from 17% to 90%, and nearly $10 million was committed during the height of the global pandemic.
As an Asian-American adoptee, Sharon developed strong standards by working since the age of 14 to put herself through college at Auburn University. She leans on her Christian faith, love of children, goofy humor, and eternal optimism for motivation and balance. Sharon currently resides in Auburn, Alabama with her two children Gabe (13) and Stella (7).
Ashley Likes
Director of Staff Development and Onboarding
Ashley oversees student care for the Ladder Program and holds a Bachelor in Exercise Science from Georgia College and State University. She completes training and onboarding for all new staff at Jacob’s Ladder. She has a longstanding passion for working with individuals with neurodevelopmental needs. She is also a Certified Clinician in the Jacob’s Ladder Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care.
“What I love the most about each day, is walking out our firm and steadfast mission: believing every brain is capable of change. This is how we help every person recognize their own cherished, extraordinary, and unrepeatable potential from within—the path of hope lies before them, and we have the privilege to walk hand in hand with our students.”
Oscar Mendez
Oscar holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Kennesaw State University with a minor in research analytics. He has worked at Jacob’s Ladder for 7 years and is a certified Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) Trainer. He is on the Digitization Team working alongside our Software Development Team for the customized buildout of the AHAVA Digital Platform. He is also a Certified Clinician in the Jacob’s Ladder Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care.
"My favorite experience at Jacob’s Ladder has been watching the growth and transformation of this school over the past seven years. When I started, we had one campus with around 40 teachers and now we have two campuses and over a hundred teachers, giving us the opportunity not only to help more families in the community but across the globe.”
“What I love the most about each day, is walking out our firm and steadfast mission: believing every brain is capable of change. This is how we help every person recognize their own cherished, extraordinary, and unrepeatable potential from within—the path of hope lies before them, and we have the privilege to walk hand in hand with our students.”
Jaclyn Rhodes
Chief Operating Officer
Jaclyn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Chapman University and a Master of Art in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Argosy University. She brings over 15 years’ experience in Human Resources and Management to the organization and has been at Jacob’s Ladder for 13 years. In her role as Director of Operations she oversees Human Resources, Marketing, Admissions, and Development.
“When I found Jacob’s Ladder, I was searching for purpose - something to fill my soul with meaning and passion. I stand in awe and wonder of the work that I get to witness every day, not only of the transformation of the kids but the transformation of the staff as well. This mission is more than just educating children – it is a place of healing for all people.”
Ericka Cooper
Senior Director of Client Programming
Ericka holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the College of Charleston. She is in her 10th year at Jacob’s Ladder and is certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Informed Care, and is a certified Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) Trainer. Ericka uses her extensive Applied Behavioral Analysis background combined with her knowledge in the Jacob’s Ladder Methodology to design treatment plans for in-home wraparound services. She is also a Certified Clinician in the Jacob’s Ladder Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care.
“Providing wrap around support and education to families is an area of passion for me, as it is paramount for the success of both the students we serve and their family dynamic as a whole, especially within the Hope School program.”
Megan Finnegan
Director of Academic Programming and Compass Outreach
Megan holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Marian University Indianapolis and is a Licensed Learning Behavior Specialist with graduate course work and additional certifications in Special Education and Secondary Education. She brings over 19 years of extensive academic experience to Jacob’s Ladder. She is also a Certified Clinician in the Jacob’s Ladder Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care.
“I was drawn to work at Jacob’s Ladder because of their commitment to pursuing each child’s full potential. Knowing and understanding how a child takes in new information- and what we can do to maximize that on an individual basis is the ultimate reward.”
Sarah Cannon
Director of Ladder Programming
Sarah graduated from Georgia College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Community Health and Psychology and is a Certified Clinician in the Jacob’s Ladder Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care. She interned with Make A Wish Georgia, is Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) certified, and has extensive experience working individually with children experiencing ADHD and learning difficulties.
"I was originally drawn to work at Jacob’s Ladder because of the atmosphere where hope and love truly reside. The staff are committed to serving whole-heartedly and the support that both staff and students feel is unmatched.”
Student Care & Administration
Abby Brackett
Adrienne Achille, LPC
Mental Health Therapist
Andrew Church
Hope School Pod Lead
Angela Cremers
Compass Pod Lead
Ayana Van Dyke
Client Program Specialist - Clinical Support and Model Integrity
Barrett Stanford
Extra-Curriculars Oversight
Corey Barbre
Compass Pod Lead
Dani Duguay
Business Office Manager
Elyse Stokes
Compass Pod Lead
Elaine Horii
Hunter Cooper
Isabella De Los Rios
Front Office & Operational Support Administrator
Jacob Wuttke
Co-Founder, Hope School Provider
Janie Pickett
Client Program Specialist - Teacher and Clinical Support
Joanne Cork
Nursery Director
Kalin Bagwell
Client Program Specialist - Socio-Emotional Model Integrity and Family Wrap Around
Kathy Milans
Human Resources Administrator
Katie Cagle
Client Program Specialist - Clinical Integrity
Kim Berry
Program Services Administrator
Leighton Persell, CAATP
Senior Provider and Hope School Floater
Lindsey Craven
Ladder Pod Lead
Lisa Parish
Hope School Pod Lead
Madeline Rogers
Hope School Pod Lead
Megan McLaughlin
Community of Care Client Program Specialist
Michele Soteres
Front Office Administrator
Michelle D
Occupational Therapist
Morgan Agnew
Hope School Pod Lead
Patricia Sison
Hope School Pod Lead
Rachel Reimer
Ladder Pod Lead
Rebecca Hart
Client Program Specialist - Clinical Admin Support
Sam Reynolds
Senior Provider and Hope School Floater
Sarah Jenkins
Client Program Specialist - Teacher and Clinical Support
Sara Demlow
Ladder Pod Lead
Sarah Magee
Ladder Pod Lead
Shona Hurt, BCN
Lead Neurofeedback Practitioner
Stephanie Strong
Compass Pod Lead
Taylor Wade
Admissions and Outreach Coordinator
Tricia Simonds
Registered Dietitian
Ulany Bradt
Ladder Pod Lead
Vicki Bishop
Compass Pod Lead
Our Staff
Alison Grimm
Allison Bland
Allison TeBeest
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Andrew Vilar
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Ashley Wood
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Becca Dideum
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Bradi Jorda
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Brian MacDonell
Facilities Team
Carol Atwood
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
CC Sedar
Chuck Harley
Facilities Team
Courtney Martin
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Esther Griffin
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Emalyn Rainwater
Esmeralda Lira
Jen Stowell
Julia Alvarez
Juliana Novellino
Karson Rosenberger
Katie Wisnewski
Latryce Calton
Maddy DuBois
Makaila Powe
Maribel Cabrera
Mary Kate Sullivan
Maureen Halvorsen
Maxine Witteveen
Michaela Dailey
Morgan Sanford
Olivia Garrett
Shaunique Jones
Neurodevelopmental Teacher
Sheila Firmino
Shelby McMichael
Stephanie Leland
Taylor Witte
Thomas Stuart
Veronica McClanahan
Jacob's Ladder School & Therapy Centers
Roswell (Main Campus) & Atlanta (Buckhead)
407 Hardscrabble Road
Roswell, Georgia 30075
