Programs
Courtney Arthur
Arizona Program Director
Courtney Arthur is a dedicated professional currently serving as the Arizona Program Director. With a versatile background and extensive expertise, Courtney brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. As an accomplished project manager, Courtney has successfully navigated and overseen complex multisite initiatives. Her commitment to excellence is evident in her diverse skill set, which includes proficiency in education, leadership, coaching, research, data analysis, curriculum development, and professional development. Courtney’s passion lies in improving the quality and equity of education and healthcare, and she is driven by the mission to advance knowledge of strategies that support the holistic development of every child. Her academic journey reflects her dedication to learning and encompasses a Masters in Educational Leadership, a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, as well as a Masters in Human Biology and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Courtney is a certified doula and lactation counselor, underscoring her commitment to supporting individuals at various stages of life. In her role as the Arizona Program Director for Feeding Matters, Courtney leverages her diverse expertise to advocate for and champion the cause of Pediatric Feeding Disorders. Her multifaceted background uniquely positions her to make a meaningful impact in the field, as she works tirelessly to enhance awareness, education, and support for children facing feeding challenges in Arizona and beyond.
Paula Benzing
Family Support Contractor
Paula Benzing is an Arizona native, and Arizona State University grad who loves everything about Arizona – especially the weather. After dealing with PFD with her own children, Paula became heavily involved with Feeding Matters, first as a mentee in the Power of Two Program. She then became a volunteer coach in 2021 for the Power of Two program and has served on the Family Advisory Council, the Feed the Cause fundraising committee, and several other Feeding Matters volunteer opportunities. Paula’s family was also the featured family in the 2019 Feeding Matters Community Luncheon Event. Paula is now a contractor for the Power of Two program and is responsible for providing resources for families, onboarding new coaches, and facilitating Power of Two requests. Paula is passionate about helping others struggling with PFD by giving them resources, understanding, and connecting families together.
Kari Fischer, M.ED.
Program Manager Contractor - Strategic Initiatives
With 25 years of experience in teaching and counseling in the public high school system, Kari is enthusiastic about applying her educational experience and love for helping children to her work with Feeding Matters. She aspires to make a meaningful contribution to enhancing the quality of life for children affected by pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) through managing and monitoring programs in the Strategic Initiatives domain.
Athena Flicek
Programs and Events Manager
With a background in Communication Studies, Management, and Education, Athena Flicek oversees the planning and facilitation of the International Pediatric Feeding Disorder Conference. She has over 16 years of experience in the education field and a son with pediatric feeding disorder. Athena will be combining all of her passions and experiences to continue delivering exceptional programming for the PFD community.
Jen Lambert, M.Ed.
Senior Director of Community Engagement
A veteran in program delivery that promotes awareness, understanding, and collaborative care, Jen Lambert plans, implements, manages, and evaluates the organizations family support, professional support, and volunteer programs – most notably facilitating the International Pediatric Feeding Disorder Conference. Prior to joining Feeding Matters, Jen held leadership positions of increasing responsibility at Head Start –a program of the United States Department of Health and Human Services that provides comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families.
Alexandra Marcy
Development Coordinator
For over five years, Alexandra has been immersed in the medical field, adept in client relations, management, and event coordination. Alongside her professional expertise, Alexandra’s personal journey includes supporting her own child with PFD and ARFID, making her an invaluable experiential resource. Her involvement with Feeding Matters has evolved from mentee to family coach, where she passionately provides support. Now, as a development coordinator, Alexandra is thrilled to engage with donors and advocate for PFD and ARFID awareness.
Cuyler Romeo, MOT, OTR/L, SCFES, IBCLC
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Occupational Therapist and Pediatric Feeding Specialist Cuyler Romeo’s extensive leadership and clinical experience are instrumental in the execution and management of Feeding Matters’ strategic initiatives. In partnership with the CEO, Jaclyn Pederson, Cuyler collaborates with constituents to identify, track, and assess innovative approaches to the PFD system of care. Cuyler also facilitates strategic partnerships with select professional associations including the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Prior to joining Feeding Matters, Cuyler served as a founding partner of Mealtime Connections, LLC, and gained valuable insight on funding trends and industry implications as the director of clinical innovations at Therapy 2000. She is currently a treating clinician in Banner-University Medical Center’s NICU and works to advance the feeding skill domain by facilitating AOTA’s mealtime Occupations: Feeding, Eating, and Swallowing Community of Practice.
Heidi Van der Molen
Senior Program Manager
Mother to a charming son who has pediatric feeding disorder (PFD), Heidi Van der Molen is uniquely suited to help families in the midst of their own journeys with PFD. After three years as a passionate volunteer with Feeding Matters, Heidi officially joined the organization in 2015 – managing the organizations volunteers and family support programs, including Power of Two parent-to-parent coaching, caregiver guide, and educational family support offerings.