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Meet the Speech Therapy Team |
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Kierstin Spottswood
Clinical Executive Manager, Talent Manager Speech Language Pathologist M.S., CCC-SLP Kierstin is originally from Memphis, Tennessee and currently calls the Tar Heel State home. She loves to travel and has resided in 4 different states over the last 7 years. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from The University of Arkansas and a Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders from North Carolina Central University. She has 7+ years of experience working with children and adults across school and hospital settings. Her areas of interest include language and articulation, cognition, and social communication/pragmatic skills. Outside of speech therapy she loves being outside, trying new coffee shops, attending concerts and sporting events, and exploring new places.
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Meredith Mull
Clinical Manager Speech Language Pathologist M.S., CCC-SLP Meredith is an NC native who graduated from Appalachian State University with both a Bachelors and Masters degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She has experience working with children and adults across the lifespan. Meredith’s areas of interests include treatment of individuals with dysphagia, cognitive impairments, language and articulation disorders and Autism disorder. When she is not working, she loves spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, practicing yoga, attending concerts, enjoying foods from different
cultures and traveling. |
Sierra Sunshine
Speech-Language Pathologist SLP Originally from the Connecticut and Rhode Island area, Sierra now calls North Carolina home and recently relocated from Durham to Hillsborough. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Native American Studies from Colgate University before pursuing her Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from North Carolina Central University. Sierra has worked in private practice settings providing early intervention, home-health, and clinic-based therapy to children and young adults from ages 2 to 22. Coming from a proudly neurodivergent family, she feels especially passionate about supporting autistic children and partnering with families to help every child communicate in ways that work best for them. When she’s not working, Sierra enjoys gardening, making miniatures, and spending time with her two very spoiled cats.
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Carlee Schmelzer
Speech Language Pathologist M.S., CCC-SLP Carlee is originally from Ohio, with a Bachelor's Degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the Ohio State University, and a Master's in Communication Science and Disorders from Bowling Green State University. Her areas of interest include Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Gestalt-Language Processing and social/pragmatic language. She is passionate about taking a collaborative and child-led approach to therapy, working closely with families, caregivers and fellow therapists to address communication challenges through a holistic lens. When she is not working, Carlee enjoys spending time in nature, doing yoga, and reading.
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Silvana Cheney
Speech Language Pathologist MS, CCC-SLP Silvana received her Masters degree in Communication Disorders from North Carolina Central University. She resided in Georgia most of her life and moved to North Carolina in 2018 to begin her career as a speech-language pathologist. She has the most experience working with children and adolescents with various diagnoses ranging from ages 1 to 15 in home, daycare, and school settings. As an SLP who speaks English and Spanish, she finds ultimate fulfillment in educating clients and their families about strategies to help each other communicate more effectively. In her spare time, Silvana enjoys spending time with her husband, video calling her parents, hanging out with her Husky, trying new foods and drinks, and walking and running outdoors.
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Yi-Ting Huang
Speech Language Pathologist M.Ed. CCC-SLP Yi-Ting earned her Master of Science degree in Communication Disorders from North Carolina
Central University. She is bilingual (English/Mandarin) and has worked with monolingual and bilingual children with communication disorders. During her clinical experiences in graduate school, she provided services to individuals of all ages, as well as evaluated and treated individuals with a variety of disorders including: articulation disorders, language delays, ASD, developmental delays, social skills deficits, intellectual disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, hearing impairments, and fluency. She believes therapy should be functional and fun. She takes the time to know each child and finds creative ways to help them achieve success. |
Haley Watson
Clinical Trainer Speech Language Pathologist M.S., CCC-SLPD Haley is an NC native from Hickory, NC, who moved to Charlotte after becoming an SLP in 2023. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Appalachian State University (Go Mountaineers!) and her Master's in Speech-Language Pathology from The Medical University of South Carolina.
She loves working with children of all ages and has experience supporting those with expressive and receptive language delays, speech sound disorders, fluency challenges, pragmatic language difficulties, and AAC needs. Haley's goal is to create a fun, engaging, and supportive environment where every child can thrive and grow in their communication skills. Outside work, you can find her enjoying the best of both worlds—trips to the mountains and the beach! Haley also loves baking sweet treats and spending quality time with her playful mini golden doodle, Sully. |
Connor Daughtridge
Speech Language Pathologist SLP Connor is a North Carolina native who earned her degree in Speech Pathology after attending East Carolina University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has experience working with both children and adults across the lifespan and is passionate about helping children build confidence and develop the skills they need to thrive. Her clinical interests include dysphagia, language, articulation, pragmatic, and cognitive impairments. Apart from work, Connor enjoys spending time with family and friends and being outside!
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Shelby Payne
Speech Language Pathologist M.S., CCC-SLP Born and raised in Indiana, Shelby studied Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at Purdue University and later earned her master’s degree from Ball State University. Her passion for the field began while shadowing a SLP who worked in the special education department, where she witnessed firsthand the many ways individuals communicate and the profound impact that the right support can have. Shelby recently moved to Raleigh in 2023 to pursue her career and is dedicated to helping children and their families build confidence and achieve their goal. Outside of work, she enjoys making pottery, weightlifting, and exploring new coffee shops.
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Kia Thatch
Clinical Schools Manager Speech Language Pathologist M.S., CCC-SLP Kia earned her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from North Carolina Central University and has been practicing as an SLP for the past seven years. She’s had the privilege of working across diverse settings—including early intervention, schools, ABA centers, and assisted living facilities—treating individuals of all ages and needs. Kia’s passion for supporting growth through speech and language development has remained steadfast throughout her career. She has a special interest in AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), articulation and speech sound disorders, and fostering language skills through child-led play. Outside of work, Kia enjoys reading, interior design, spending time with family and friends, and belting out Hamilton at the top of her lungs.
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Stephanie Alvarez
Speech-Language Pathologist - Clinical Fellow SLP-CF Stephanie is originally from Miami, FL, and moved to Charlotte in 2022. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders from Nova Southeastern University and her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from West Coast University. Her areas of professional interest include language development, articulation, cognition, and social communication/pragmatic skills. She is passionate about supporting children and their families through collaborative, personalized care, and she strives to give back to the Charlotte community whenever she can. Outside of speech therapy, Stephanie enjoys spending quality time with her husband, attending sporting events, working out, and traveling.
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Kristi Caputo
Speech-Language Pathologist SLP Kristi is a Speech-Language Pathologist with over 10 years of experience in school settings across New Jersey, California, Hawaii, and Delaware. She specializes in working with students from kindergarten through 8th grade, focusing on articulation, language, and pragmatic skills, with a particular passion for helping students improve their inferencing skills. Currently residing in Key West, Florida, Kristi enjoys spending time with her boys, ages 6 and 3, while continuing to make a positive impact in the lives of students.
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Kacey Sturdivant
Speech-Language Pathologist M.S., CCC-SLP Kacey is originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, and currently resides in Charlotte, NC. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences from East Carolina University and her Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from North Carolina Central University.Kacey has a special interest in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and has experience working with a diverse pediatric population across school systems, private practice, ABA clinics, and early intervention settings. She is passionate about collaborating with families and interdisciplinary teams to support each child's communication goals and overall success in their homes and daily life.
Outside of work, Kacey enjoys traveling and spending time with her miniature schnauzer, Remington. |
Rachael Ohlman
Speech-Language Pathologist SLP Rachael is originally from Georgia, where she earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Valdosta State University. She has more than six years of experience working with children of all ages across a variety of settings, including schools, ABA centers, and private practice clinics. Rachael’s areas of interests include early language development, articulation and speech sound disorders, language disorders, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). She is passionate about providing child-led, play-based therapy that supports communication growth through meaningful, everyday experiences. Outside of work, Rachael enjoys spending time with her husband and two cats, exploring the outdoors, staying active in the gym, baking, and traveling.
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