Niamh Dardis, Director of Infant Learning Program
Niamh is the Infant Learning Program Director. Born and raised in Ireland, she began her Alaskan adventure after graduating from university in Dublin. Niamh has spent the last 15 years working in a variety of leadership roles within the disability field and has a passion for supporting families through community programs. When not working with the ILP team, Niamh loves to travel, cook up a storm in the kitchen and spend time with her husband, two children and the family’s pugs.
Cassandra Washington, Administrative Technician
Cassandra Washington is from Mississippi and has lived in Juneau for 3 years.
She completed her associates degree in Criminal Justice in 2022, and is currently working on her Bachelors in Psychology with an emphasis on Childhood & Adolescent Development. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking and cooking.
Christine Wick, Music Therapist
Christine Wick is a board-certified music therapist originally from Rockford, IL. Christine graduated from Augustana College in 2015 with a BA in Psychology and Music. She went on to receive her Master’s in Music, specialization Music Therapy from Colorado State University in 2018. Christine completed her music therapy internship in CA at Cortica, a provider of advanced neurological therapies for autism and other developmental differences, in 2018 and has since worked both in clinic and home settings. Christine started Juneau Music Therapy LLC in the fall of 2022, providing home and community-based music therapy services to children and adults in the Juneau community. First joining REACH as a Services Manager in 2019, she’s now returning as a Music Therapist within REACH’s ILP team and is so excited to work together with families through music. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her dogs, crafting, and taking pictures of Juneau’s great outdoors!
Jackie Belll, Developmental Specialist
Jackie was born and raised in Southeast Alaska. She was a bookkeeper for the family business before continuing her education. Jackie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education form the University of Alaska Southeast and her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Alaska Anchorage. she taught Head Start and first and second grade before moving to Juneau. Jackie has been working at Reach since 2001, initially as a Direct Service Provider then as a Developmental Specialist with the Infant Learning Program. In addition to Juneau, Jackie is the contact person for Hoonah. Jackie enjoys beach time, hiking and needlework.
Jennifer Jenkins, Speech-Language Pathologist
Jennifer grew up outside of Savannah, Georgia, but has made Juneau her home for the past 20 years. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 1992 with a BS in Communication Disorders from Appalachian State University in North Carolina in 1995 with an MA in Speech-Language Pathology. Jennifer has enjoyed a career of serving the very young and the elderly, supporting communication on these two opposite ends of the life span, while also bringing up and homeschooling a wonderful daughter with her husband, Noah. Jennifer is so grateful to be able to work with families and young children through the REACH Infant Learning Program and feels that there can be no better job than helping parents and infants connect and communicate. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading, hiking, skiing, and fishing.
Hillary Landers, Speech-Language Pathologist
Hillary was born and raised in Spokane, Washington. She graduated from Western Washington University in 2012 with a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Environmental Education. After working as a Spanish teacher and outdoor educator for several years and working as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Brazil, she decided to return to school to pursue a career in speech-language pathology. Hillary completed her M.S. in speech-language pathology with a concentration in bilingual language acquisition at Portland State University in June 2019. She has been working for the REACH Infant Learning Program ever since. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the beautiful land around Southeast Alaska by foot, boat, skis, and packraft.
Anna Marie Mattox, Occupational Therapist
Anna Marie Mattox was from Kentucky, moved to Alaska for an adventurous life, and hasn’t looked back! She completed her Master’s in Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University. Anna has worked with the Infant Learning Program since 2018. Anna often travels to some of the outlying communities to support, including Haines, Skagway, Petersburg, and Wrangell. You would most likely cross paths with her on mountain ridges, camping in the wilderness, skiing at Eaglecrest, walking her dog around town, or during social gatherings around Juneau.
Erin Meade, Occupational Therapist
Erin was born in Miami, Florida and grew up in Juneau, Alaska. She graduated from the University of Oregon with a bachelor’s degree in biology in 2012 before returning to Juneau to work as a direct service professional for REACH and as a childcare provider. She then went back to school and graduated from the University of St. Augustine in Miami with a Master of Occupational Therapy in 2022 before returning to Juneau again. Erin enjoys hiking, making art, and baking.
.
Shannon Gress, Physical Therapist
In collaboration with Bartlett Regional Hospital, Shannon provides physical therapy consultation and services to our staff and enrolled infants, toddlers, and their parents. Shannon came to Juneau in 2007 as a Jesuit Volunteer working with SAIL’s ORCA program before continuing her education at Northwestern University where she earned a doctorate in Physical Therapy.
Shannon loves running, skiing, hiking, and basking in all the beauty that Juneau has to offer. She lives in Juneau with her husband and two daughters.
Renee Sullivan, LPC, Counselor
Renee grew up in New England and arrived to Juneau in 2021. Renee completed her B.A. in Psychology at Stonehill College in 2005 and Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University in 2008. Renee has experience working in various positions within the mental health field including child and adolescent inpatient units, schools, Early Intervention, parenting education classes and private practice. Outside of work Renee enjoys running, baking, and spending time with her husband and 3 children.