Our Leadership Team
Lauren Specht
Melissa Peterson
Gracie Parkhouse
Chrysalis Kendall
Cindy Myers
Lauren Specht, BCBA
Board President
Co-Founder
Hello! I'm Lauren and I'm honored to have been ECI's Board President since 2018. Our organization has grown and changed in so many ways over the years and it has been a privilege to be one of the guiding leaders. At 15 years old, I quickly learned that working with people with disabilities was my passion. After many years of volunteer work, I decided to pursue my undergraduate degree in Special Education and completed my Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis. I love having the opportunity to empower individuals with disabilities as part of my career and through this non-profit organization. Working with these individuals, as well as supporting their parents and teachers, has truly become my life's work and I am so grateful for all of the opportunities I have been given.
Melissa Peterson, CNP
Vice President, Treasurer
Co-Founder
eciMelissa@gmail.com
I was born and raised in Germantown, TN. I have been working with people with disabilities since I was 15 years old, serving the greater Memphis community in many different capacities. In college, I had originally been on the Occupational Therapy career path, but it didn't seem like the right fit. After experimenting with a few different majors in the disability field, I switched career paths and followed my other passion: working with animals. I have been at the Memphis Zoo for over 10 years now and I am currently the Associate Curator over Primates and China. While I love animals and my job, my passion for helping people with disabilities receive the acceptance and services they deserve has never changed. I am proud that I am able to continue to pursue both of my passions by working at the Memphis Zoo and serving as Vice President, Treasurer, and a travel leader for ECI.
Grace Parkhouse, BCBA
Secretary
My name is Grace Parkhouse. I grew up in a small town in northern Minnesota where I loved spending time with my friends and family and enjoyed all time spent on a lake. This is also where my love for working with children began. I graduated from the University of North Dakota and not only got a degree, but also gained a profound sense of adventure. Continuing my journey, I obtained my master's degree from Central Washington University. I then moved to Western Washington, alongside my husband, where we have built a beautiful life together, complete with our friends, family, and dogs.
I am a dedicated Behavior Analyst with a commitment to supporting and advocating for individuals with disabilities. My work with people with disabilities began in 2013 and I have been a behavior analyst since 2018. I love helping others meet their communication, social, and behavioral goals. I have thoroughly enjoyed expanding my experience and expertise through my role on ECI's Board of Directors since 2022, and am beyond thankful for being involved in numerous international projects with the ECI team. I'm passionate about helping and advocating for others. Through ECI, I have been grateful to learn through other professionals in the field, to include our partners, and my life has greatly expanded through all the amazing people we have met and continue to meet. In addition to my professional pursuits, I also have a love for travel, hiking, and games, reflecting my belief in the importance of balance and joy in both work and life.
Chrysalis Kendall, OT-RL
Board Member
My name is Chrysalis Kendall. I joined the ECI team in 2022. I am an occupational therapist, nature lover, and amiture artist. I grew up in a small (ish) university town in upstate NY. Ithaca is a very special area, with people of all walks of life from all over the world. Growing up with my family in this community fostered my appreciation for culture, community, and adventure.
I have had the privilege of traveling extensively, making connections around the world in big and small communities. I have volunteered with several great organizations and groups of people to support children, collect data for research, and even done a little translating.
I am honored be part of an organization that allows me to use the skills I have developed and knowledge I have collected working as an occupational therapist to engage with and support current and new programming for education, acceptance, and meaningful engagement in communities around the world.
Cindy Myers
Co-Founder
BIO Coming Soon!
