This steering leadership council is made up of a Medical Director, a Family Advisory Council Chair, Pillar Chairs, and Committee Leads. The Executive Council is responsible for contributing to the long-term vision of Feeding Matters’ efforts. These responsibilities include providing oversight of the PFD Alliance by determining committees, committee direction, and the strategic plan of the organization.
Executive Council
AMY L. DELANEY, PHD, CCC-SLP
Education Pillar Chair
Assistant Professor, Marquette University, Director, Neurodevelopmental Feeding and Swallowing Lab; Adjunct Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology, Medical College of Wisconsin
KATE BARLOW, OTD, OTR/L, IMH-E®, FAOTA
Education Pillar Chair Elect
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy, American International College
Amber Mieras
Family Advisory Council Chair
Family Advisory Council Chair
About Me: I live in Peoria, AZ and am a mother of two. My son, Jax, has Down Syndrome and has struggled with eating since birth. He is now 8 years old and we have learned about the importance of celebrating the smallest successes and surrounding yourself with a strong community.
Yomi Ogedegbe
Family Advisory Council Chair Elect
Family Advisory Council Chair Elect
As a parent of two children, my family’s experience with Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) began with our older child, though we didn’t have a name for it for years. From early on, we faced countless challenges with Joshua’s eating habits. However, it wasn’t until he was 7 years old that we finally received a diagnosis of PFD, specifically oral dysphagia. Following both intensive feeding therapy and weekly feeding sessions, he is now able to chew appropriately and is successfully enjoying a variety of foods
Paula Rabaey, PhD, MPH, OTR/L
Research Pillar Chair
Associate Professor OT Grad Program St. Catherine University
Meg Simione, PhD CCC-SLP
Research Pillar Chair Elect
Clinician-Scientist, Mass General for Children; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School
NIKHILA RAOL, MD, MPH
Advocacy Pillar Chair
Associate professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine; Pediatric Otolaryngologist and Surgical Director of Swallowing Program, Texas Children’s Hospital
Toneisha Bush, MA, CCC-SLP
Shannon Goldwater Summit for Change Committee Chair
Private Practice Owner
Raquel Garcia SLPD, CCC-SLP, CNT, BCS-S
Conference Committee Co-Chair
Neonatal Therapist, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Craniofacial Team
Anais Villaluna, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CLC
Digital Outreach Committee Chair
Sr. Speech-Language Pathologist, Board Certified in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders
Will Sharp, PhD
Research Initiatives Task Force Chair
Associate Professor, Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics