Sandra J. Aubuchon (Sandi), MA, BSN, RN
President
Sandi joined Handi-Craft Company in 2013 in a clinical development position. In her current role, she ensures the development of innovative feeding solutions/new medical products for infants with compromised feeding issues; coordinates of all clinical/market research to support solid products; and executes both sales and marketing strategies for achieving clinical projection and sales growth by focusing on products in the NICU, Pediatric Units and Specialty Clinical Rehabilitation Centers.
Prior to joining Handi-Craft Company, Sandi has been a Registered Nurse in the St. Louis community for over 47 years. Her career started as a staff nurse in a surgical ICU; progressed to Director of a National Tele-ICU and International Networking Center; and now to her current position. Throughout her career, Sandi has been motivated by the challenge of project development with strategic implementations and data-driven accountability.
She holds her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from St. Louis University and Master of Arts in Leadership and Management from Webster University (St. Louis, MO).
Sandi lives in Eureka, MO with her husband of 45 years in their log home built in 1985. She is on the Foundation Board of Directors for Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis and a nonprofit organization (GiFT – Giving is a Family Tradition) that provides infant care items for families in need after discharge from the NICU. In her free time, she spends as much of it as possible with her wonderful family, especially with her 8 grandchildren. She enjoys traveling, being physically active, gardening, sewing, and reading.
Lisa Kleinz, MA, SLP/L, CNT
Director of Education
Lisa’s role is to explore, create, and deliver valuable educational, developmental care-focused resources to the Dr. Brown’s Medical team as well as healthcare professionals in the field of infant feeding. In this role, Lisa provides evidence-based, researched data, supporting positive feeding experiences for infants and their families.
Prior to joining Dr. Brown’s Medical in 2016, Lisa worked as a Speech Pathologist and Developmental Care Specialist for over 25 years in both Level 3 and 4 NICUs in the Chicago, IL area. Her certifications include Newborn Individualized Developmental Care Assessment Program (NIDCAP), Developmental Care Designation (NANN), Infant Massage Instructor, and Certified Lactation Specialist. She is also a Certified Neonatal Therapist and a member of the National Association of Neonatal Therapists. In addition, Lisa was one of the founding members of the Neonatal Therapy National Certification Board that facilitated the sole certification for neonatal therapists.
Lisa received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and Master’s at Indiana University. She is highly experienced with presentations at National conferences; created and presented webinars for NICU families and developed a 2-day course for Education Resources, Inc on Developmental Care in the NICU.
Lisa resides in Northwest Arkansas and while not absorbing all she can about infant feeding, she enjoys hiking, biking, reading great fiction, and ‘Calling the Hogs!’ at University of Arksansas games!
Jodi Govrik, MA, CCC-SLP
Director of Marketing & Communications
Jodi’s passion is to nurture the relationship between Dr. Brown’s Medical and neonatal professionals worldwide, who serve infants by providing positive feeding experiences to every infant.
Jodi joined Dr. Brown’s Medical team in 2017 as an Account Manager and has worked in various roles over the years, including Medical Sales Manager, Director of Marketing and Sales, and currently as the Director of Marketing & Communications. In this role, she is responsible for the planning, development, implementation, and measurement of all marketing strategies and marketing communications.
During her 20+ year career as a clinical speech pathologist, Jodi had the privilege of mentoring many coworkers and students, including supervising a Speech Pathology Clinical Fellow. She has been a guest speaker for local universities and conferences presenting on the Speech Pathologists’ role in the NICU. Her career has primarily been in the acute care setting, emphasizing care for neonates and adults. Jodi has a deep interest in dysphagia throughout the lifespan.
Jodi received her undergraduate degree in Speech Pathology at Oklahoma State University and her graduate degree in Speech Pathology at the University of Kansas. She is a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association and the National Association of Neonatal Therapists.
Jodi currently resides in Tulsa, OK, and in her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, and scrapbooking.
Erin LeSage, MS, CCC-SLP, CNT
Director of Sales
Erin’s role as Director of Sales involves ensuring that the Dr. Brown’s Medical Team meets the customers’ requests and expectations through the development and initiation of strategic plans and goals given customer feedback. Her focus is on maintaining and building relationships with professionals in the field to optimize feeding solutions available to meet the needs of all infants and their families.
Prior to joining Dr. Brown’s Medical in 2019, Erin worked in multiple level III Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) for over 19 years and also followed infants post-discharge from the NICU across a variety of settings including developmental clinic, outpatient clinic and in-home. Erin specializes in pediatric feeding and swallowing with certifications from the Fragile Infant Feeding Institute and the Sequential Oral Sensory approach to feeding. She is also a Certified Neonatal Therapist and a member of the National Association of Neonatal Therapists. Erin was a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee for five years, where she instructed undergraduate and graduate level courses and provided clinical supervision to graduate students within the department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. She has also presented at local, state, and national conferences as her “mission” has been to share knowledge with other professionals, students, and families in infant/pediatric dysphagia.
Erin received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.
Erin resides in Wisconsin and balances out her work life by spending time with friends and family. She also never passes up an opportunity to travel and explore the great outdoors via biking, hiking, and kayaking.
Lee Ann Damian, MA, CCC-SLP, CLC
Account Manager, Northeast Territory
Lee Ann joined the Dr. Brown’s Medical team in February of 2017. In her current role, she strives to grow and maintain professional relationships in her territory. For current and future clients, she attempts to problem solve, identify needs, and provide education and support as needed.
Prior to joining Dr. Brown’s Medical, LeeAnn spent over 29 years in a pediatric hospital treating patients with feeding and swallowing disorders. One of her accomplishments was developing a feeding program in a Level 3B NICU. LeeAnn also provided education to hospital residents, nursing students, and intervention providers, and the Ohio Regional Perinatal Consortium. She had the privilege of serving a variety of specialty clinics, including Cleft Palate, Newborn Follow up, Cerebral Palsy, and Autism. Her passion is working with and serving preterm and medically fragile infants and their families.
Lee Ann received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders from The University of Cincinnati, and her Master’s degree in Speech Pathology at The University of Akron.
Lee Ann resides in Springboro, OH and when she is not serving her clients, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, boating, traveling, and continuing to cheer on THE Ohio State Buckeyes.
DeAnn Huft, MNS, CCC-SLP, CLC
Account Manager, Southwest Territory
DeAnn is responsible for growing and maintaining strong working relationships with present and future customers, identifying their needs, and providing education and support.
Prior to joining the Dr. Brown’s Medical team in 2018, she worked as a Speech Pathologist in two large level 3 NICUs in the Phoenix area for over 18 years, with a focus and passion for feeding and swallowing. DeAnn mentored students and fellow speech pathologists, developed NICU Feeding Task Force guidelines, and routinely presented developmental feeding education to nursing staff. She has also worked in Head Start, early intervention, outpatient feeding clinics, and with visually impaired infants/toddlers/preschool children. DeAnn has a strong interest in working with infants and children who are medically fragile and complex and is certified in Lactation Counseling. Her career as a speech language pathologist spans close to 30 years.
DeAnn received her bachelor’s degree from Idaho State University and her master’s degree from Arizona State University.
DeAnn resides in Phoenix, AZ and when she is not traveling and meeting with customers, she enjoys exploring and traveling to new places, volunteering, and spending time with loved ones.
Melissa Haynes, MS, CCC-SLP, CNT
Account Manager, East Territory
Melissa joined Dr. Brown’s Medical as a Clinical Liaison/Account Manager in 2021. In her role, Melissa enjoys developing relationships with NICU colleagues and supporting their pursuit of best practices for infant feeding. She has worked with patients across the lifespan during her career but found her true love treating fragile infants in the NICU, where she helped organize her unit’s first developmental care committee and advanced infant-driven feeding practices. Melissa also served on a Cleft and Craniofacial Team and in the NICU follow-up clinic. She is a Certified Neonatal Therapist.
Melissa received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Clemson University and her master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2007.
Melissa lives in Midlothian, VA with her husband and 2 young sons. She enjoys traveling, cooking, and rooting for her alma mater’s football team in her free time.
Tricia Spener, MOT, OTR/L
Account Manager, Midwest Territory
Tricia joined Dr. Brown’s Medical Team in April 2023. In her current role, as the Midwest Territory Account Manager, she fosters relationships with feeding specialists to increase the recognition and value of Dr. Brown’s® Products in their feeding practice.
Prior to joining Dr. Brown’s Medical, Tricia spent over 12 years in a Level IV NICU. Her strong desire to lead and implement best practices allowed her to become the first NICU therapy Team Lead and Team Supervisor for her unit. In this position, Tricia provided ongoing developmental care and feeding education to new medical and therapy team members. She has a strong passion for developmental care as it relates to brain development and feeding.
A few of her many accomplishments include the successful implementation of the Infant-Driven Feeding™ Program in 2018 and the development of a practice change that allowed the majority of NICU patients to receive feeding therapy orders at admission. She also assisted with the creation and implementation of the NICU Cuddler program, providing education and support to volunteers about medically fragile NICU babies.
Her biggest joy is working with families and helping them navigate and understand their newly found role of being a parent to an infant that needs specialized care. With this knowledge, they can support their infant’s journey and allow him or her to reach their fullest potential.
Tricia received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and her master’s degree in occupational therapy from Maryville University in St. Louis, MO. She is currently serving as an adjunct professor in the School of Health Professions at her alma mater.
Tricia resides in St. Louis, MO, with her husband and two young children. Her family enjoys traveling, entertaining, spending time with friends and family, and anything that allows for outdoor fun with their two dogs!
Kati Knudsen, MPT, CNT, PCS, CLE
Account Manager,
Northwest US, Canada
In her role as an Account Manager, Kati aims to support hospitals in adopting and maintaining best practices around feeding to promote optimal long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Before joining Dr. Brown’s Medical in 2024, Kati served as lead therapist for two affiliated NICUs, an inpatient pediatric unit, and a pediatric intensive care unit in Portland, Oregon. After receiving her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Willamette University, Kati earned her Master of Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California. She then began practicing pediatric physical therapy in 1996, and transitioned into the NICU in 1999. In her decade as lead therapist, Kati supported adoption of Dr Brown’s feeding supplies and the implementation of the Infant Driven Feeding Program in two NICUs as well as throughout a large health system.
Kati has a strong background in developmental care and feeding in the NICU and has lectured nationally and internationally on support for preterm and medically fragile infants. She has obtained certifications in neonatal therapy, pediatric physical therapy, lactation education, neurodevelopmental treatment, infant massage, developmental care, and transportation of children with special needs to better support infants and their families. A founding member and past co-chair of the Neonatal Therapy Certification Board, Kati currently serves as their treasurer. She has participated in numerous quality improvement efforts in collaboration with the Vermont Oxford Network and serves as the therapy representative for their Multidisciplinary Advisory Council. Kati is passionate about advancing care for preterm and medically fragile infants and teaches continuing education for neonatal therapists through Education Resources, Inc and Neonatal Independent Consultants Unlimited. She has also published articles in professional journals about neonatal and newborn therapy practices.
Kati and her husband live just outside of Portland, OR where they enjoy all the Pacific Northwest has to offer including water sports, downhill skiing, hiking, and world-class wineries. They also love visiting their young adult kids who live (too far away) in Texas and Vermont.
Kathy Brim, MS, CCC-SLP
Account Manager, South Territory
Kathy aims to promote safe and consistent hospital feeding practices by implementing Dr. Brown’s Medical products and programs. She looks forward to working with other neonatal professionals to share her passion for the products.
Before joining Dr. Brown’s Medical in 2024, Kathy’s career as a Speech-Language Pathologist spanned across the lifespan, primarily focusing on dysphagia. She has served as the primary feeding specialist in a Level 3 NICU in Nashville. In this role, Kathy assisted with developing the neonatal therapy program and provided ongoing education with nurses, staff, and families about safe feeding practices. She was instrumental in introducing Dr. Brown’s products to the unit and witnessed joyful responses from families who successfully fed their medically fragile infant for the first time.
Kathy received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and her master’s degree from Vanderbilt University.
Kathy lives outside of Nashville, TN, and enjoys taking advantage of the many live music venues the area offers. She also enjoys traveling, running, and spending time with her husband and two sons on the many area lakes. Kathy has served as a volunteer for a variety of non-profits that promote inclusion and opportunities for individuals with Intellectual Disabilities.
Sonia Cantu
Medical Marketing Coordinator
Sonia joined Dr. Brown’s Medical team in 2023 as the Medical Marketing Coordinator. Prior to joining the Medical Division, Sonia was the Marketing Coordinator for the Dr. Brown’s Baby retail division. In her current role, she is responsible for aligning product marketing for medical products including market research, developing product messaging that resonates with those caring for the most fragile infants. She will design and distribute educational material for all medical products including medical accounts, distributors, and the Infant-Driven Feeding™ (IDF™) program.
Prior to joining Handi-Craft Company, Sonia worked in various medical settings, such as pharmaceuticals, hospitals, senior care, dental care and more. She will apply this diverse background to Dr. Brown’s Medical’s marketing goals. Sonia received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Central Washington University. She graduated with honors receiving Magna cum laude status.
Sonia is passionate about helping to improve infant feeding experiences in the NICU and beyond by providing educational materials needed to facilitate positive feeding experiences for all babies. This role is very dear to her heart because her daughter was born at 28 weeks and spent 6 weeks in the NICU before she was able to go home.
She currently resides in Ballwin, MO with her dog, Haley. Sonia loves hiking, tennis and is ready to learn how to play pickleball. She also loves the theatre and likes to travel.
Barbara Haines
Clinical Administrative Assistant
Barbara has been employed by Handi-Craft Company for 15 years. She joined the Dr. Brown’s Medical Division in December 2013 to assist with clinical development including research, organizing product sampling as well as coordinating all conference material. She plays a pivotal role to the Medical Team by liaising with clinical facilities and medical professionals; providing administrative support and assuring product samples are provided in a timely manner.
Before working with Handi-Craft Company, Barbara was a TWA/American Airlines Flight Attendant for 25 years. She was based and lived in New York, NY for 17 years before moving to St. Louis in 1995. While in New York, she completed her BS degree in Business Administration at Adelphi University in 1989.
Barbara resides in St Louis, MO and in her free time enjoys sewing, researching/working on her family’s genealogy, watching documentaries on Netflix and traveling.
Francesca Clark
Learning Management System Administrator
Francesca Joined Dr. Brown’s Medical in 2023 in the role of Learning Management System Administrator. In her current role as the Medical Learning Management System Administrator, she is responsible for the organization and coordination of office operations, procedures, and resources to facilitate effectiveness for the entire division. She manages ongoing operations of the on-line education learning management system for the Infant-Driven Feeding™ program and provides daily support to customers.
Prior to joining the team, Francesca spent over 10 years as an Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Anesthesia Assistant. In this role, she has managed and maintained growing practices with specialty experience in extensive sedative dental reconstruction surgeries including dental implant, facial reconstruction, frenectomy’s and cleft lip and plate. Her passion and commitment to patients and their oral health care has made her transition to Dr. Browns Medical an effortless decision.
Francesca resides in St. Louis with her daughter. She spends her free time with her beloved girl scout troop, cooking, trying new foods, and screaming “WHO THAT” for her home team the New Orleans Saints!
