Guided by People Who Care

Samantha Duff, OTD, OTR/L

Senior Director of Community Relations

Sam serves as Senior Director of Community Relations at CST Academy, where she leads the organization’s marketing and community outreach efforts, building partnerships with pediatricians, health systems, schools, and community organizations to connect more families with the care their children need. Since joining the team in 2021, Sam has served as Clinic Director and Director of Site Development, experiences that give her a clinician’s perspective on every family and partner she connects with.

An occupational therapist by background, Sam is passionate about supporting children through a strengths-based approach that celebrates their unique abilities. She is a strong advocate for neurodiversity and believes families deserve support that extends beyond the clinic, with tools and resources that make a difference in their everyday lives. She brings that same perspective to her work in the community, ensuring families feel informed, welcomed, and supported from their very first interaction with CST Academy.

Sam earned her bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University and her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Creighton University. Her career spans a range of pediatric settings, including hospitals, schools, and outpatient clinics across the country, as well as academia, where she helped mentor future occupational therapists.

Outside of work, Sam enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and searching for Chicago’s best chocolate chip cookie.

Amanda Fitzgerald, M.S., CCC-SLP

Vice President of Clinical Operations

Amanda serves as Vice President of Clinical Operations at CST Academy, where she oversees the speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy programs, along with the Family Experience and Scheduling Teams that support families throughout their child’s therapy journey. Since joining CST Academy in 2019 as a Speech-Language Pathologist, Amanda has held several roles, including Lead SLP and Director of Multidisciplinary Services, giving her a deep understanding of both the clinical and operational sides of pediatric care.

Amanda believes children make the most progress when therapists across disciplines work closely with caregivers, building on each child’s strengths, needs, and goals. She is committed to ensuring every family feels heard, supported, and valued, and she is passionate about supporting professional growth and collaboration across clinical teams, having served as a visiting lecturer, clinical supervisor, and mentor throughout her career.

Amanda earned bachelor’s degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Psychology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Marquette University. She is credentialed in Early Intervention and has clinical expertise in feeding therapy.

One of Amanda’s favorite parts of her role is celebrating a child’s progress alongside their therapists and family, and welcoming new families to CST Academy. She loves being part of a team that creates a strong sense of community for children, families, and staff.

Cassie Halbert, M.S.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Senior Director of ABA Training

Cassie serves as the Senior Director of ABA Training, overseeing the onboarding and ongoing training of ABA therapists across CST Academy’s clinics, ensuring every family and learner receives high-quality, compassionate care. Since joining CST Academy in 2018, she has moved through several positions on the ABA side, including direct therapist, training team member, and BCBA. Cassie is also a QBS Safety-Care® Trainer, equipping therapists with the tools to ethically and compassionately support our learners during crisis situations.

Before joining CST Academy, Cassie worked in community mental health and as a school counselor, supporting both students and their families. Through those experiences, she discovered Applied Behavior Analysis and found her passion for clinical work. That background fuels her belief that comprehensive training is what sets ABA therapists up for success.

Cassie earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Ball State University and a master’s degree in Counselor Education with a focus in School Counseling from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne. She went on to complete a Master’s Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis at Arizona State University.

Aly Kenny, M.A., CCC-SLP

Chief Operating Officer

Aly serves as Chief Operating Officer of CST Academy, where she oversees day-to-day operations across the organization’s clinics. She joined CST Academy in 2021 and has since grown through roles as Clinic Director and Executive Director of Clinical Services. Having led both a single clinic and clinical services organization-wide, Aly brings firsthand insight into what clinicians need to do their best work and what families need to feel supported.

A Speech-Language Pathologist with over a decade of experience, Aly began her career in the public school system and the Illinois Early Intervention Program. She believes strong operations are the foundation of great care, and she is committed to standardizing processes, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and creating inclusive environments where every child receives individualized support.

Aly holds a Master’s degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from the University of Texas at Austin, with a specialization in bilingual and multicultural assessment and intervention, as well as a certificate in Assistive Technology specializing in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). She is fluent in Spanish and deeply values serving families from diverse backgrounds.

Idar Lamo

Chief Executive Officer

Idar serves as Chief Executive Officer of CST Academy, where he oversees the organization's strategic direction, operations, and continued growth. Since joining CST Academy in 2020, Idar has held several leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer, giving him a deep understanding of the organization and the needs of its clinicians, clients, and families.

Idar believes that exceptional care starts with investing in the people who provide it. He is committed to fostering a collaborative and supportive environment where clinicians can thrive and families receive the individualized, high-quality services their children deserve. A central focus of his leadership is ensuring that operational decisions support clinical excellence and make care more accessible to the communities CST Academy serves.

Originally from Norway, Idar earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Roehampton in London and has lived and worked internationally, including in Australia and New Zealand. His international experiences have shaped his perspective and strengthened his commitment to making a positive impact on children and families.

Outside of work, Idar enjoys spending time with his family and friends, playing soccer, and traveling.

Julie Meyer, M.H.S., CCC-SLP

Senior Director of Early Childhood Education, Chicago

Julie serves as the Senior Director of Early Childhood Education for CST Academy’s Chicago locations, providing training, guidance, and mentorship to teachers and PreK staff as they integrate neurodiversity-affirming practices into their daily interactions and instruction. Since joining CST Academy in 2020, she has supported our learners, families, and team members in various roles, including Speech-Language Pathologist, Clinical Mentor, Co-Founder of our Neurodiversity Committee, and Lead Preschool Teacher.

As a neurodiversity-affirming clinician, Julie specializes in supporting language development in autistic children, including gestalt language processors and users of high-tech augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Her approach is child-led and strengths-based, and she partners closely with families and caregivers. She believes therapy should never aim to change who an individual is, but rather provide children and their caregivers with the tools to foster communication, autonomy, and self-expression.

Julie earned her Master of Health Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Missouri in Columbia, graduating summa cum laude. Prior to joining CST Academy, she gained experience in elementary education, early intervention, and the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

Megan Morien, M.A., BCBA, LBA

Chief Clinical Officer

Megan serves as Chief Clinical Officer of CST Academy, where she leads clinical direction, program development, and quality across all locations. Since joining CST Academy in 2017, Megan has helped build the systems behind consistent, high-quality care and has mentored the clinical and leadership teams who work with children every day.

With more than 25 years of experience in behavior analysis and education, Megan began her career in 2001 supporting children in home, school, and therapeutic settings. She believes every child deserves a team that is well trained, well supported, and working hand in hand with families toward shared goals, and she is committed to a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to care.

Megan holds bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Family and Human Development from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst since 2010.

Outside of work, Megan enjoys traveling, reading, and staying active, including playing soccer and cheering on her children from the sidelines. Her son attended preschool at CST Academy for two years, so she also knows the CST Academy experience from a parent’s perspective.

Ashley Rabell, M.S., OTR/L

Senior Director of Clinic Development

Ashley is Senior Director of Clinic Development at CST Academy, where she leads the build-out of new clinics and makes sure each space is designed around the needs of our learners. She started at CST Academy as an occupational therapist and served as Clinic Director before stepping into her current role. Those years working directly with children, families, and clinical teams inform every decision she makes about a new space, from sensory-friendly therapy rooms to layouts that encourage independence and collaboration.

An occupational therapist since 2012, Ashley has worked across schools, early intervention, and outpatient pediatrics, including more than five years with the New York City Department of Education. There, she supported children from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures, weaving each child’s traditions and experiences into therapy so it felt personal and connected to everyday life. That work deepened her appreciation for partnering with caregivers and equipping them with strategies that build a child’s independence at home, at school, and in the community.

Ashley completed both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania. She loves being part of a team that works together, laughs often, and supports one another, and she is passionate about creating clinics where children feel safe, celebrated, and free to learn and grow.

Lauren Rottinghaus, M.S., CCC-SLP

Senior Director of Early Childhood Education, North Suburbs

Lauren serves as the Senior Director of Early Childhood Education for CST Academy’s North Suburb locations. Her approach is deeply rooted in child-centered care, focusing on each learner’s unique needs and strengths. Her journey began at CST Academy in 2015, where she was a classroom assistant in the inaugural class. This experience provided Lauren with invaluable insights into CSTA’s mission and a profound commitment to its growth.

Lauren earned her Master’s degree in speech-language pathology from St. Ambrose University. She then gained diverse experience in various pediatric settings. These roles honed her ability to customize classroom strategies and communication interventions to meet individual needs, reinforcing her dedication to inclusive and effective early education. Lauren has been a vital part of the team, serving as a speech-language pathologist, clinical mentor, and lead preschool teacher across multiple clinic locations. Her clinical work emphasizes neurodiverse-affirming care, both inside and outside the classroom.

In her current role as Senior Director of Early Childhood Education, Lauren focuses on ongoing education and mentorship, championing strength-based approaches to enhance each learner's confidence and success. Her leadership reflects a commitment to nurturing each child's strengths and empowering classroom teachers to do the same through creativity and compassion.

Sarah Ryan, M.S., BCBA, LBA

Senior Director of Compliance

Sarah is Senior Director of Compliance at CST Academy, leading the organization’s compliance program across regulatory requirements, HIPAA privacy and security, and billing integrity. She came to CST Academy in 2019 as a BCBA, moved into training leadership in 2021, and later became Senior Director of ABA Training and Development, where she expanded and standardized training programs, further developed the ABA Therapist Levels Program, and mentored aspiring BCBAs.

Sarah started her career as an ABA therapist before moving into clinical supervision and staff training, working with clients from early childhood through young adulthood. She has also taught ethics, staff training, and behavior change principles as an adjunct professor at The Chicago School. That blend of clinical, teaching, and leadership experience shapes her collaborative, people-centered approach to compliance: building clear, practical systems that make it easier for staff to deliver ethical, high-quality care.

A graduate of the University of Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation and a minor in Psychology, Sarah went on to complete her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is also a QBS Safety-Care® Trainer, reflecting her dedication to safe and respectful practices throughout the organization.

Madie Schickler, M.A., BCBA, LBA

Executive Director of ABA Services

Madie is the Executive Director of ABA Services at CST Academy, where she leads the BCBA team and shapes effective, compassionate care for our earliest learners. She joined CST Academy in 2017 as a BCBA, bringing together her passions for education and ABA. In 2022, through training from the UC Davis MIND Institute, Madie became the sixth ESDM Certified Therapist in Illinois, and in 2023 she completed the MIND Institute’s ESDM Parent Coaching Workshop to deepen her partnerships with families of autistic children.

Madie’s commitment to education and underserved communities led her to Teach for America, where her teaching on the Southwest side of Chicago earned a nomination for the Sue Lehmann Excellence in Teaching Award. Across her career, she has supported autistic children and children with developmental delays, along with their caregivers, in a variety of educational and therapeutic settings.

Madie graduated summa cum laude from the University of Dayton with a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and English and a minor in Spanish. She went on to earn a master’s degree in Special Education from National Louis University and a graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from Penn State University.

Carolyn Zacsh, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Senior Director of ABA Clinical Quality

Carolyn is the Senior Director of ABA Clinical Quality at CST Academy, where she oversees ABA services across sites to ensure every child and family receives individualized, informed, and effective services. Since joining CST Academy in 2018, she has brought energy and dedication to her work as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Carolyn is also a certified QBS Safety-Care® Trainer and facilitates monthly training in proactive and early intervention strategies to promote safe and therapeutic sessions across disciplines.

With a background in dance performance and children’s recreation, Carolyn found the field of ABA while working as a gymnastics coach in New York City, where she fought to ensure that diverse learners and those with medical complexities had the opportunity and support to participate in classes. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Illinois and a Master of Education from Arizona State University.

Carolyn has three dogs, is an amateur runner and an excellent plant-based cook, and rides her bike 365 days a year.