meet the team
Cara Schroeder (she/her)
Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist; Speech-Language Pathologist
I am grateful to be part of the Ampersand Therapy team as a Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist! As a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with nearly a decade of experience, including six years working directly within a school district, I understand how vital a supportive and collaborative team is to both clinician success and student outcomes. This perspective fuels my passion for connecting exceptional specialists with school communities where they can grow, contribute, and truly thrive.
Outside of work, my life revolves around my lovely family, including my husband, daughter, and son. Spending time with them is always my favorite, but I also enjoy bingeing the latest tv series, exploring new restaurants, and traveling (whenever I get the chance!).
Background
Masters in Speech Language Pathology, Northwestern University
Experience as an SLP in preschool through high school settings, in-person, hybrid, and remote
3+ years of experience in talent acquisition and recruitment
Charlotte Sherrer (she/her)
Director of Talent Acquisition; Speech-Language Pathologist
Hello! I am so excited to be a part of the Ampersand Team as the Director of Talent Acquisiton! As an SLP myself, I understand how important it is to find a supportive and collaborative team so that you can best support the students you work with. I love working with like-minded specialists, pairing them with incredible school districts, and watching them flourish in their roles. Supporting students through partnering with therapists, special education personnel, and school districts is such a privilege!
In my free time, you can find me spending time with my husband and daughter, catching up on the latest TV series, or being active outdoors!
Background:
4+ years as an SLP including high school, elementary school, telehealth, and clinic-based settings
MS in Communicative Sciences and Disorders
BS in Business Administration
Colleen Cappellini, MA CCC-SLP (she/her)
Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist; Speech-Language Pathologist
I am so excited and proud to be a Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist of the Ampersand Therapy team!
My journey in this field started with a Masters degree in Speech-language Pathology from the University of Texas at Austin, followed by 12 years of diverse clinical experience across hospitals, rehabilitation centers, home health, and schools.
In 2022, I joined Ampersand as a school speech-language pathologist and was immediately impressed by the supportive and responsive team. The position they found for me was such a great fit that I renewed my contract the following year without hesitation. Now, as part of the Talent Acquisition Team, I’m thrilled to help others find their ideal roles with a company that truly values social equity and sustainability.
Outside of work, I am an avid swing dancer and volunteer to support my local swing dance and live jazz music scenes. As a hiking enthusiast, you can also find me exploring the many amazing trails of Western North Carolina, painting, curled up with a good book, and spoiling my senior rescue pup, Pepper.
Background:
MS in Neuroscience from The University of Texas at Austin (2009)
MA in Communication Sciences and Disorders (2012)
Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology
Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
Colleen Eckl, M.Ed. (she/her)
Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
I am delighted to be a part of the Ampersand Therapy team as a Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist! It is a dream come true to work with such an inclusive team to support specialists, school districts, and students across the country. I also love collaborating with recent graduates as they take the first step towards their career. Every new connection is so rewarding!
In my free time, you can find me enjoying a good book or going for long walks with my Australian Shepherd, Bailey. I live in New Hampshire and love hiking and skiing in the White Mountains or exploring other parts of New England with my fiancé.
Background
M.S. Elementary Education (University of Rochester, 2022)
B.S. Psychology (Rochester Institute of Technology, 2021)
Erika Menninger, OTD, OTR/L (she/her)
Talent Acquisition Lead; Occupational Therapist
I am passionate about empowering others in the school setting and value the opportunity to support specialists by placing them in positions to make a difference in their communities. Driven by a dedication to enhancing the lives of children in the education setting, I earned my Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy from Creighton University. Ampersand Therapy has been the ideal position for me because it allows me to blend my passion for children, as well as collaborate with other like-minded specialists. I have been supporting the school setting with Ampersand Therapy since I started my career in 2017. I feel grateful to be able to use my experiences to mentor others and build impactful teams in the state of Colorado.
When not working at Ampersand, I can be found on the softball field, leading fastpitch softball camps and pitching lessons. In my free time, I enjoy time with my son and daughter, wake surfing, skiing, hiking, gardening and doing home DIY projects with my husband.
Background
Doctorate of Occupational Therapy, Creighton University (2017).
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Minor in Psychology, Western Washington University (2013).
Jan Thomas (she/her)
Talent Acquisition Specialist; Occupational Therapist
I have been an Occupational Therapist since 2015, with experience across a wide range of settings, including schools, outpatient clinics, acute care hospitals, sensory gyms, and home care. While I’ve worked across the lifespan, my true passion lies in serving children.
I am also deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of therapists and specialists. Guiding and shaping future professionals has always been an important part of my career. That’s why I’m thrilled to be part of Ampersand Therapy as a Talent Acquisition Specialist, where I can combine my love for pediatrics with my passion for mentoring. In this role, I help bring talented specialists into school districts, ensuring students receive the support they need to thrive academically and personally.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, children, and our dog. I’m also passionate about singing, songwriting, mentoring women through life’s journey, and writing.
Background
MS in Occupational Therapy from Mercy College (2015)
BS in Health Science from Mercy College (2012)
Mariah Tank (she/her)
Talent Acquisition Specialist; Physical Therapist
As a Talent Acquisition Specialist, I love connecting amazing specialists with school districts and the students who need them most. I bring eight years of experience as a physical therapist, including five years working in all school settings, which gives me a strong understanding of how important a supportive, collaborative team really is.
Outside of work, you can find me spending time with my husband and two boys, trying out new recipes in the kitchen, being outside, and getting creative with pottery and painting classes. I love having a creative outlet and finding little ways to bring balance and fun into everyday life.
Background
5 years as a school based physical therapist working in preschool, elementary, middle, and high school settings
Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree, Azusa Pacific University (2018)
Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, Western Washington University (2012)
Megan DeBuse, M.Ed. (she/her)
HR Generalist, Middle School English Teacher
I am ecstatic to be part of the HR team at Ampersand Therapy! I was previously a middle school teacher for 7 years, where I had the opportunity to work in both the Bay Area and rural Montana. I then transitioned to a non-profit that focused on poverty alleviation, and I was able to connect with donors from around the globe. Although I loved my nonprofit work, I am passionate about education, and I am so happy to be working with educators who make a difference in the lives of students everyday.
I currently live in Montana with my husband, daughter, and 2 dogs. When I am not at work, I love going out to eat, reading a good book, and going for walks with my family (as long as there isn’t too much snow!)
Background
7 years as a middle school teacher
MEd in Curriculum and Instruction (Montana State University, 2017)
BA English and Communication (Wake Forest University, 2015)