Founder and Director
Ursula Portolesi
Founder and Director
Speech Pathology
Jo Brenecki
Speech Pathologist Team Leader
Caitlin Pywell
Senior Speech Pathologist
Caitlin graduated as speech pathologist in 2018. She has experience working with children and adults with disability in clinic, home and school settings. She is passionate about working with those with complex communication needs that require alternative and augmentative communication. She enjoys up-skilling parents and teachers to support children to reach their goals.
Caitlin works across both clinics with clients as well as supporting our less experienced team members to grow their skills.
Alyce Carmichael
Speech Pathologist
Alyce completed her studies in Speech Pathology at La Trobe University and has experience working with children with speech and language delays, literacy difficulties, social communication and autism.
Alyce has worked in Adelaide since completing her studies. She enjoys working with preschool and school aged children with speech delays and disorders, social communication challenges and language delays. Alyce completed her training in SOS feeding in 2022, to further develop her skills in working with children who are fussy eaters.
Kyra Zoina
Speech Pathologist
Kyra completed her degree in Speech Pathology at Flinders University in 2021 and began at Making Milestones in 2022. She works part time from our Woodville office.
Kyra has experience working with working with children in clinic, school and preschool settings. Kyra has experience working with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention hyperactivity deficit disorder (ADHD), gestalt language processors (GLPs), childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), speech difficulties, language difficulties and literacy difficulties.
Kyra is passionate about creating an environment of support, trust and enjoyment, building on children’s strengths and areas of interests as the foundation to facilitating communication and engagement. She also enjoys supporting parents in developing skills and strategies to help their children achieve their goals.
Michelle Ogunniyi
Speech Pathologist
Jess Langguth
Speech Pathologist
Jess completed her degree in Speech Pathology at Flinders University in 2022. She worked as an Allied Health Assistant with children with speech and language delays and autism in schools, preschools and child care centres at Making Milestones in 2022.
Jess joined our team in 2023 as a speech pathologist working with children in schools, child care centre and home settings. Jess works with both paediatric and adult clients. She is particularly passionate about feeding difficulties, complex needs, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Jess enjoys integrating sensory experiences and needs into therapy sessions, recognising their importance in facilitating communication and engagement. With a belief that establishing trust and enjoyment are foundational to progress.
Julia Olah
Speech Pathologist
Julia graduated with a degree in Speech Pathology from Flinders University in 2015. She has had some time away from the workforce, raising her two children. She is currently doing her re-entry training at Making Milestones.
Julia enjoys working with children of all ages, with speech, language and literacy delays and disorders.
Ally Armiento
Speech Pathologist
Ally completed her degree in Speech Pathology at Uni SA in 2023. She has been at Making Milestones from the beginning as a valued member of our team who worked across a number of programs initially as an AHA and now as a qualified speech pathologist. She has a great rapport with our younger clients in particular.
Ally provides support for children and adults with speech and language needs and feeding challenges in both the Woodville and Eyre clinics as well as at preschool, school and child care.
Maddi Campbell
Speech Pathologist
Maddi moved to Adelaide in 2022 and joined the Making Milestones team. She enjoys working with children with speech delays and disorders, fluency issues, autism and language delays. She loves to work with children in preschool and primary school, working on speech, language and social communication. Maddi completed her training in SOS feeding in 2022, to further develop her skills in working with children who are fussy eaters.
Maddi will be on maternity leave in 2024 as she and her partner welcome their new daughter.
Anna Semmens
Speech Pathologist
Anna completed her degree in Speech Pathology at Flinders University in 2023. Anna previously worked as an Allied Health Assistant at Making Milestones in 2023, and is now a qualified Speech Pathologist working at both Woodville and Eyre clinics, as well as school, childcare and home settings.
Anna enjoys working with children of all ages, particularly supporting speech, language and literacy difficulties. She is passionate about supporting her clients and their families in fulfilling their speech therapy goals.
Isabella Haddad
Speech Pathologist
Issy completed her degree in Speech Pathology at Uni SA in 2023 and completed a final year placement at Making Milestones. We were delighted to welcome Issy to our team in 2024 as a qualified speech pathologist.
Issy provides support for children and adults with speech and language needs, AAC and feeding challenges in both the Eyre clinic as well as at preschool, school and child care.
Grace Lukac
Speech Pathologist
Grace completed her degree in Speech Pathology at Uni SA in 2023. She joined the speech pathology team at Making Milestones on a part time basis in 2024.
Grace works with both children and adults with speech and language needs, AAC and feeding challenges at the Eyre clinic as well as in local schools.
Occupational Therapy
Caitlin McKenzie
Occupational Therapy Team Leader
Caitlin joined Making Milestones in 2021 and in 2023 took the role of OT Team Leader. This role includes supporting the less experienced OTs to provide the best possible service to their clients while developing their OT practice.
Caitlin has many years experience and a passion for working with children of all ages with a variety of learning difficulties including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She aims to increase independence in activities of daily living, fine and gross motor skills, sensory and emotional regulation and behaviour. She is passionate about working closely with families to provide the best support for children.
Maria Halkias
Senior Occupational Therapist
Maria Nguyen
Senior Occupational Therapist
Nicholas Lopresti
Occupational Therapist
Nick completed his studies in Occupational Therapy at the University of South Australia in 2021. He joined the Making Milestones team as a student working as an Allied Health Assistant and has worked as a qualified Occupational Therapist since 2022.
Nick enjoys working with children of all ages and developing their emotional regulation skills.
Henry Thai
Occupational Therapist
Stephen Lor
Occupational Therapist
Sonia Dahdah
Occupational Therapist
Sophie Summers
Occupational Therapist
Sophie completed her studies in Occupational Therapy at UniSA in 2022. She has joined the Making Milestones team in 2023.
Sophie enjoys working with children of all ages and of all abilities to develop their play and social skills. Sophie prides herself on forming good relationships with children and their families. She enjoys helping clients work towards and achieve their goals, but most importantly she loves to see children learn and have fun during therapy sessions.
Sophie works in schools, child care centres and homes as well as from our Northern Office at Eyre.
Isaac Handley
Occupational Therapist
Isaac completed his degree in Occupational Therapy at Uni SA in 2023. He worked at Making Milestones as an Allied Health Assistant beginning in 2022 and we are excited to have him join the team as a qualified Occupational Therapist in 2024.
Isaac works with clients from preschoolers to adolescents in clinic and community settings. He enjoys providing individual support for children to develop daily living and life skills across both our Eyre and Woodville clinic.
Tayla Douglas
Occupational Therapist
Tayla enjoys working with children of all ages and abilities to develop their skills and achieve their goals. Building relationships with clients and their families is central to her work. She loves seeing children learn while having fun and enjoying their session.
Tayla works in schools and child care centres as well as from our Northern Office at Eyre.
Tia Hafiza
Occupational Therapist
Tia completed her studies in Occupational Therapy at UniSA in 2021. She joined the Making Milestones team in 2023 after working in other areas of private practice.
Tia enjoys working with children of all ages and of abilities to develop their fine motor, sensory and emotional regulation, play and social skills.
Tia works in schools, child care centres and homes as well as from our Northern Office at Eyre.
Gemma Victory
Occupational Therapist
Gemma completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at Uni SA in 2023.
Gemma enjoys working with children of all ages and abilities to develop their skills and achieve their goals. She enjoys building relationships with clients and their families and seeing children learn and develop.
Gemma works in schools and child care centres as well as from our Northern Office at Eyre.
Bianca Pajevic
Occupational Therapist
Bianca completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at UniSA in 2023. She worked at Making Milestones as an Allied Health Assistant from mid 2023.
Bianca is passionate about supporting children to reach their full potential and achieve their goals, as well as forming strong relationships with families and support networks. She enjoys creating a positive and engaging environment where children can learn whilst having fun. Bianca works in schools and childcare centres, as well as from both Eyre and Woodville clinics.’
Social Work
Gina Mezzino
Mental Health Social Worker
Gina is a social worker with over 25 years of experience.
Gina has extensive experience working with parents and children to support children’s social emotional development and behaviour. She has many years experience in working with First Nations families.
Trish Nesci
Mental Health Social Worker
Dietetics
Christina Mahoney
Accredited Practicing Dietician
Early Childhood
Kate Vinci
Early Childhood Educator
Kate is a qualified and experienced early childhood educator with experience in working with children who are neurodiverse and who have developmental and sensory challenges, who has been a part of the Making Milestones team from the beginning, developing and running our sensory playgroup and school holiday programs.
As she returns from maternity leave she will be offering more supports for families with children with behavioural and social emotional challenges and further developing our group programs.
Administration, Finance and Program Development
Leia Lastella
Administration Manager
Leia is a founding member of Making Milestones who manages the day to day running of the clinic including referrals, bookings, enquiries and billing. Leia has a background in business management and her friendly manner and professional skills keep everything running smoothly.
Leia is available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays to support both clients and other team members.
Tammy Francesca
Administration Manager
Tammy works alongside Leia to manage the day to day running of the clinic including referrals, bookings, enquiries and billing. Tammy has a background in business management. Her friendly manner and passion for supporting both staff and clients is a great asset to our team. Tammy is also currently studying to be an Allied Health Assistant focusing on speech pathology support.
Tammy is available on Wednesdays and Fridays to support both clients and other team members.
Cathy Armiento
Finance Manager
Cathy has many years experience in finance and has been supporting Making Milestones from the beginning. She joined the team full-time in 2022 and supports both clients and team members with all aspects of accounts and finance.
Cathy is available Mondays through to Thursdays at the Woodville office.
Sophie Hill
Administration
Sophie works alongside Lissa to manage the day to day running of the Eyre clinic supporting both our northern clients and clinicians. Sophie has worked in allied health and private practice for a number of years and is both friendly and efficient.
Sophie is available most mornings at our Eyre to support both clients and other team members.
Lissa Stoneman
Administration
Lissa works alongside Sophie to manage the day to day running of the Eyre clinic supporting both our northern clients and clinicians. Lissa has worked in a business setting for many years and is skilled at a range of administrative tasks.
Lissa is available most afternoons at our Eyre to support both clients and other team members.
Lisa Romeo
Adminstration
Lisa has many years experience in a business setting and works as the main receptionist at our Woodville clinic. Lisa supports both clients and staff with tasks such as bookings, and invoicing.
Lisa is available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Woodville office.
Allied Health Assistants
Caitlin Gilligan
Allied Health Assistant
Caitlin is currently in her final year, studying Speech Pathology at Uni SA. With experience working with children spanning across disability support work and allied health assisitance, Caitlin is passionate about supporting children to meet their developmental goals. Caitlin also has an interest in using AAC to support children’s communication.
Caitlin works at Making Milestones as an Allied Health Assistant providing individual support for children with speech and language needs at school and home under the direction of our clinicians.
Alana De Rosa
Allied Health Assistant
Alana is currently studying Speech Pathology at UniSA. She is keen to support people of all ages to develop their communication skills.
Alana joined the Making Milestones team in 2023 as an Allied Health Assistant providing individual support for children to develop their communication skills under the direction of our clinicians at both Woodville and Eyre clinics.
Ellie Luckett
Allied Health Assistant
Ellie is currently studying Speech Pathology at Flinders University. She is keen to support people of all ages to develop their communication skills.
Ellie joins the Making Milestones team in 2023 as an Allied Health Assistant providing individual support for children to develop their communication skills under the direction of our clinicians at our Eyre clinic.
Laura Batten
Allied Health Assistant
Clarice Davey
Allied Health Assistant
Clarice is currently studying Speech Pathology at Flinders University. She looks forward to supporting people of all ages with their communication skills but particularly enjoys working with kids!
Clarice joined the Making Milestones team in 2024 as an Allied Health Assistant providing individual support for children to develop their communication skills under the direction of our clinicians at our Eyre clinic.
Monica Pham
Allied Health Assistant
Monica is a qualified and experienced Allied Health Assistant and also a qualified Exercise Physiologist. She is currently studying Occupational Therapy. Monica has experience supporting people of all ages and abilities.
Monica joined the Making Milestones team in 2023 as an Allied Health Assistant to work alongside our team of therapists to support clients to develop their skills in a range of settings.
Stephanie Savaidis
Allied Health Assistant
Stephanie is currently studying Occupational Therapy. She is keen to support people of all ages to develop their motor skills, self care skills, daily living skills and to support social emotional development.
Stephanie joined the Making Milestones team in 2024 as an Allied Health Assistant providing individual support for children to develop under the direction of our clinicians at our Woodville clinics.
Cynthia Khuu
Allied Health Assistant
Cynthia is currently studying Speech Pathology at UniSA. She enjoys supporting people of all ages with their communication skills in schools, clinic and child care.
Cynthia joined the Making Milestones team in 2024 as an Allied Health Assistant providing individual support for clients to develop and maintain their communication skills under the direction of our clinicians at our Woodville clinic.
Leah Underkov
Allied Health Assistant
Leah is currently studying Occupational Therapy. She is keen to support people of all ages to develop their motor skills, self care skills, daily living skills and to support social emotional development.
Leah joined the Making Milestones team in 2024 as an Allied Health Assistant providing individual support for children to develop under the direction of our clinicians at our Woodville clinics.
Dominique Sherratt
Allied Health Assistant
Dominique is currently studying Occupational Therapy. She is keen to support people of all ages to develop their motor skills, self care skills, daily living skills and to support social emotional development.
Dominique joined the Making Milestones team in 2024 as an Allied Health Assistant providing individual support for children to develop under the direction of our clinicians at our Woodville clinics.
Mehak Dhillon
Allied Health Assistant
Mehak is an Occupational Therapy student at Uni SA. She currently works with clients in pre-schools and primary schools.
Mehak joined the Making Milestones team in 2024 as an Allied Health Assistant. Under the guidance of our clinicians at the Woodville clinic, she provides one-to-one support to children with varying needs.
Danielle Sartor
Allied Health Assistant
Danielle is currently studying Speech Pathology at Flinders University. She is keen to support people of all ages to develop their communications skills.
Danielle joined the Making Milestones team in 2024 as an Allied Health Assistant providing individual support for children to develop under the direction of our clinicians at our Woodville clinics.
Stephanie Costanzo
Allied Health Assistant
Stephanie is currently in her final year of study at UniSA, studying occupational therapy. She has a passion for assisting all to live a meaningful life through having the ability to learn, engage and achieve.
Stephanie has worked as an Allied Health Assistant at Making Milestones since 2023. She particularly enjoys helping children develop various skills to function optimally in daily life and particularly those with high vibrancy and energy.