Our Team
After his military career with the U.S. Marines was unexpectedly cut short due to a brain injury, he redirected his focus to academics, earning a BA in Psychology. He then pursued graduate studies in Human Development and Family Science at NDSU, where he specialized in parental interaction, psychosocial development deviations, and prevention strategies. Driven by a desire to further his expertise, he completed a Master’s in Social Work with a concentration in advanced clinical practice. His career in behavioral health has spanned various Minnesota programs, working with both adults and children. Ultimately, he found his true passion in the EIDBI field, where he now dedicates himself to early intervention and setting the foundation for successful and productive lives for children and families facing neurodevelopmental and neurodivergent challenges.
Emme received her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and has been providing speech and language therapy since 2020. Her credentials include a Minnesota state speech therapy license, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s certificate of clinical competence, as well as certification in the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and the Beckman Oral Motor Protocol. Emme specializes in providing services to children with ASD in the areas of: receptive-expressive language development, speech sound production, motor speech disorders, alternative and augmentative communication, feeding, and more. The foundation of her clinical approach is helping individuals find their voice through child- and family-centered care.
Marina Parendo is a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from UW – Eau Claire in 2017 and completed her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from UW – River Falls in 2019. In 2020, Marina moved to the Twin Cities area, where she spent over three years working at an autism center, providing Speech-Language Therapy to individuals aged 2 to 21. She has a passion for working with and educating others about Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Outside of her professional life, Marina enjoys spending time outdoors during the summer, hiking with her husband and dog, and relaxing with a good book.