WHO WE ARE

About Us

Speak To Me, Inc. is a pediatric therapy practice providing Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech/Feeding Therapy services including evaluations, diagnosis, and therapy to infants and children.

Founded in 2007 by Leslie Giambrone, Speak To Me Pediatric Therapy meets the growing need for pediatric speech and therapy services in the Charlotte area. What began as a solo practice has grown into a multidisciplinary clinic, adding:

  • Occupational Therapy (2021)

  • Physical Therapy (2024)

Leslie’s vision is team-based care, ensuring families receive comprehensive, coordinated therapy tailored to each child’s needs.

About Leslie Giambrone, M.S., CCC-SLP:

  • Over 27 years of experience as a Speech-Language Pathologist

  • Specializes in Feeding and Swallowing Disorders

  • Global experience with Operation Smile, helping children and adults with cleft lip and palate in:

    • Asia

    • Africa

    • Middle East

  • Current member of a Charlotte-based cleft palate team under Dr. Kapitan at Carolinas Center for Oral and Facial Surgery

  • Specialized training in PROMPT Trained, DIR, TOTS (Tethered Oral Tissues) and Orofacial Myology, inspired by personal and family experience with Tongue Tie

At Speak To Me Pediatric Therapy:

  • Therapists receive ongoing training, mentorship, and education

  • We handle complex cases and provide specialized care for children who need it most

Our mission: Making a difference in every child’s life, every day.

Meet Our Amazing Team of Staff & Therapists!

OWNER & FOUNDER

Leslie R. Giambrone, Speech-Language Pathologist

Leslie is the owner and founder of Speak To Me and helps infants, children, and adults improve their communication and feeding skills for over 25 years. Leslie is married to Gary and has two children, Evan and Ryder, a boxer named Nayla, and two hermit crabs, Blue and Sandy. She enjoys hiking, camping, and doing Pilates.

She has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Disorders from North Carolina State University and a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from North Carolina Central University. She is a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) with a Certificate of Clinical Competency in Speech Pathology and licensed by the North Carolina Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology.

Specialized Training: Introduction to PROMPT-trained (2013), TOTS (Tethered Oral Tissues Specialty-2017), Orofacial Myology Training (2021)

Office Support Team

Melissa Grossman

Practice Manager/Administrator

Melissa Grossman has spent nearly 20 years in business and operations and has always loved working with people, building strong teams, and helping organizations grow. A Maryland girl at heart, Melissa was born and raised there and still believes there’s nothing quite like a good Maryland crab feast! 🦀 She now lives in Lake Wylie, SC, with her husband and their daughter. When she’s not working, Melissa’s favorite place to be is with her family. She loves spending time outdoors, being at the pool or on the lake, traveling, and making memories with the people she loves most. She’s also a proud cheer mom, and you can usually find her traveling around the country cheering on her daughter at competitions! 📣

Melissa joined Speak to Me in 2026 as the Practice Administrator and immediately felt a special connection to the team and the families they serve. She loves supporting the amazing therapists and staff behind the scenes so they can focus on what they do best—helping children learn, grow, and reach their goals. One of Melissa’s favorite parts of being at Speak to Me is getting to know the children and their families and seeing their progress along the way. If you see her around the office, please stop and say hi—she loves connecting with our families! She feels incredibly blessed to be part of the Speak to Me family and is excited to help the practice continue to grow while keeping the warm, family-centered environment that makes it so special.

Alisa Frady

Lead Intake Coordinator/Community Liaison

Alisa Frady attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She then continued her education at Asheville Buncombe Technical College, where she graduated with an Associate’s degree in Applied Science in Radiography. Soon after graduation, Alisa and her husband, Jamie, plus their two children Kylee (23) and Kannon (21), moved to Mooresville, NC, where they’ve been for more than 19 years.

Alisa joined Speak to Me in 2014 and has watched the company grow. Throughout her time on our team, she’s enjoyed helping so many children with a wonderful group of therapists. She finds it such a pleasure to be a small part of changing kid’s lives.

Ali Vicenty

Patient Care Coordinator

Kenley Beck

Patient Care Coordinator

Kenley is originally from a small town in Indiana and is the youngest of five children. Growing up in a big family, family has always meant everything to her. She spent much of her childhood playing softball, basketball, and tennis and has always loved staying active and being around people. Kenley recently made the big move to North Carolina to start a new chapter in her life, even though it meant leaving her family back home in Indiana.

Kenley has always had a special love for working with children. She started babysitting in middle school and high school and has now spent more than six years working in childcare. She joined Speak to Me as our Patient Care Coordinator and loves getting to know the children and families who come through our doors each day.

If you see Kenley’s friendly face at the front desk, be sure to pop your head in and say hi—or, more than likely, she’ll pop her head out to say hi to you! She loves seeing our families walk through the front door and making everyone feel welcome and at home. Kenley is so excited to be part of the Speak to Me family and looks forward to continuing to grow both personally and professionally here in North Carolina.

Venus Bagaipo-Inventado

Virtual Assistant

Venus is our Virtual Assistant who supports the Speak to Me team from the Philippines. With a background in patient care, medical documentation, and healthcare administration, she helps keep things running smoothly behind the scenes. Before beginning her career as a virtual assistant, Venus worked for five years as a Registered Radiologic Technologist, giving her valuable firsthand experience working with patients and healthcare teams.

After spending almost four years as a full-time mom, Venus decided to return to healthcare in a role that would allow her to continue doing meaningful work while still being present for her daughter. Her experience in both healthcare and motherhood has made her a natural multitasker who brings organization, compassion, and a helping hand to the Speak to Me team and our families.

Outside of work, Venus loves traveling, cooking, trying new recipes, and making memories with her family. She enjoys learning new things and continuing to grow both personally and professionally. We are so happy to have Venus as part of the Speak to Me family—even from all the way across the world! 💙

Pediatric Physical Therapy Team

Nikki Degner

Lead Physical Therapist

Nikki graduated from Marquette University with her Masters in Physical Therapy and Bachelors degree in Psychology.  She has over 20 years of experience in pediatrics in multiple settings including private practice, early intervention, schools, and NICU settings.  She specializes in treating infants, torticollis, children with gross motor delays, and coordination deficits. She has taken many courses in therapeutic taping, NDT, aquatic therapy, and is a Certified Infant Massage Instructor.  Nikki has a passion for working with children and watching them achieve their goals.   When she is not at work she enjoys spending time with her husband, three kids-who keep her very busy, and her dog.  She enjoys being outside, traveling, and loves going to the beach.

Natalie Cheek

Physical Therapist Assistant

Natalie graduated from Central Piedmont Community College as a Physical Therapist Assistant in 2024 and is now working toward her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management at UNC Charlotte. She has experience with the adult population working in an acute care setting and has a lifelong passion for working with children. From her early days coaching youth volleyball and babysitting to her pediatric rotation in PTA school, Natalie has developed a diverse background in caring for children and remains eager to continue learning about pediatric conditions and helping children achieve their goals.

Outside of work, Natalie enjoys spending time in nature hiking, exploring new places, and trying new coffee shops. She also loves traveling, going on long walks, and spending time with her friends, family, and her cat, Sadie.

Kendall Hyatt

Physical Therapist Assistant

Kendall graduated from Western Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science degree before later returning to school to earn her associate degree and become a Physical Therapist Assistant. She has always had a passion for working with children and has spent the past five years in a pediatric outpatient setting. Prior to that, Kendall gained experience working with children in a variety of settings, including providing in-home nursing care.

Kendall loves being able to help children build their strength, confidence, and independence while making therapy fun along the way. She especially enjoys getting to know the children and families she works with and celebrating all the little wins that lead to big progress.

Outside of work, Kendall loves calling the Mooresville area home. You can often find her exploring downtown with her husband and their dog, checking out a local food truck festival, or spending some time at the bookstore. She is excited to be part of the Speak to Me family and looks forward to getting to know all of our wonderful families!

Pediatric Occupational Therapy Team

Deirdre O’Malley

Occupational Therapist

Deirdre O’Malley is from New York just outside of NYC and moved to North Carolina in 2021. She graduated from Sacred Heart University in CT with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science with a minor in Psychology in 2018 and her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy in 2021. Deirdre has always enjoyed working with kids, from her time as a coach, camp counselor and now occupational therapist. She loves seeing kids become more confident, engaged and independent in activities that are meaningful and important to them and their families!

When not at work, Deirdre loves finding new parts of North Carolina to explore, exercising on the Peloton, listening to music, going for walks, finding any excuse to get coffee, going out to eat and spending time with family and friends.

Caroline Philbeck

Occupational Therapist

Caroline graduated from East Carolina University in 2021, with a Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy and a minor in Psychology. She recently earned her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Presbyterian College, where she completed her Doctoral Capstone on the emerging practice of Neonatal Hydrotherapy. Additionally, Caroline volunteers with the nonprofit, Therapy Across Borders to provide direct therapy services, advocacy, and education for children with disabilities in Kenya.

Caroline has always enjoyed working with kids. While nannying for children with special needs, she discovered the diverse field of occupational therapy. The ability to assist children in meeting their developmental goals through fun, yet meaningful occupations, such as play, is what sparked her passion to be an OT!

Caroline loves spending time with her family, friends, and goldendoodle named Stella. She loves to travel, decorate, and help others in any way that she can!

Carsen Weichman

Occupational Therapist

Carsen grew up in upstate NY. She graduated from  Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology in 2018. She then went on to get her Masters degree in OT in 2020.
She has always enjoyed working with children through multiple daycare jobs and clinical OT opportunities in an Elementary school (K-5) and in an all inclusive daycare setting. She finds great joy in helping children find their true independence and assisting families reaching their goals!
Apart from work, Carsen enjoys boating on Lake Norman with her husband/dog/ and son, going out to eat, and spending time with family and friends.

Kate Mehrkens

Occupational Therapist

Kate is a pediatric Occupational Therapist who is passionate about helping children grow, learn, move, eat, play, and connect. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with infants and their families in both NICU and outpatient pediatric settings, with a special focus on infant and sensory development, feeding, and supporting families through those important early stages of life. Kate is also a Certified Lactation Counselor and Certified Infant Massage Instructor, allowing her to provide additional support and education to the families she works with.

For Kate, one of the most rewarding parts of being an OT is helping parents better understand their child’s development and giving families the tools and confidence to help their little ones thrive.

Outside of work, Kate loves spending time with her family, cooking and baking, going for walks, reading, and traveling. She is excited to be part of the Speak to Me family and looks forward to getting to know our families and being a part of their children’s journeys!

Suzanne Jenkins

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

Suzanne graduated from Western Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education.  She was an Exceptional Children’s teacher for the Rowan-Salisbury schools, where she worked with children (PK-5) with varying disabilities, delays and disorders.  She is trained in Orton-Gillingham and Reading foundations.  She holds a current NC teaching license in Learning Disabled K-12.  She graduated with an Associate degree from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program and is a newly licensed Occupational Therapy Practitioner.  She has a true passion for working with children with developmental delays and they bring such great joy to her life!  Suzanne is married to Ryan (her Catamount sweetheart), and they live in Salisbury.  They have one son, Carter (21) and one daughter, Parker (18).  Suzanne enjoys traveling to tropical destinations with her family, spending time with her friends, shopping for shoes, and making fun activities for her kiddos that she works with.  She loves to teach kids skills that will help them flourish.

Haley O’Grady

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

Haley is originally from Georgia and moved to North Carolina in 2018. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology before continuing her education at Central Piedmont Community College, where she earned her associate degree through the Occupational Therapy Assistant program in 2021.

Haley has always known she wanted to work with children. She started babysitting and nannying at just 13 years old and later worked as a teacher in a two-year-old classroom before pursuing occupational therapy. Since becoming a COTA, Haley has worked exclusively in pediatrics and especially enjoys helping children with emotional regulation, feeding, reflex integration, and the everyday skills that help them become more confident and independent.

Outside of Speak to Me, Haley loves trying new recipes in the kitchen and spending time with her husband and their dog. When fall rolls around, there’s a good chance you’ll find her watching football and cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs or Buffalo Bills! 🏈 Haley loves being part of the Speak to Me family and getting to know the children and families she works with while celebrating their progress along the way.

Cheyenne Barbagallo

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

Cheyenne Barbagallo is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant who has been working with children in pediatrics for more than five years. Originally from Virginia, Cheyenne graduated from Longwood University with a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy and a minor in Psychology. She later continued her education at Eastern Virginia Career College, where she completed the Occupational Therapy Assistant program.

Cheyenne has a true passion for helping children reach their full potential while making therapy fun, meaningful, and engaging. She believes some of the best learning happens through play and loves finding creative ways to help children build confidence, learn new skills, and become more independent in their everyday lives. She especially enjoys working on sensory processing, self-regulation, fine motor skills, and functional skills—and loves celebrating all the little wins along the way!

Outside of Speak to Me, Cheyenne loves spending time with her husband, Joseph, and their two dogs, Daisy and Goose. You can often find her thrifting and shopping, tackling her latest DIY project, or traveling to visit family and friends. Cheyenne loves building relationships with the children and families she works with and feels lucky to be a part of their journey as they learn, grow, and reach their goals.

Pediatric Speech Therapy Team

Caroline Brannon

Community Speech-Language Pathologist Lead

Caroline earned her Bachelor’s in Communication Disorders (2012) and Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology (2014) from Appalachian State University. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and has experience treating a range of conditions across all age groups, including Dysphagia, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Language Disorders. Previously, she worked at CMC Northeast Outpatient Rehabilitation and Rowan-Salisbury Schools, showcasing her passion for helping children communicate effectively and supporting their families. Outside work, Caroline enjoys time with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs, as well as reading, traveling, shopping, and lake outings.

Yuliya Orlandini

Lead Speech Language Pathology Assistant

Yuliya began her career in massage therapy. However, early on, she knew she wanted to do more. She’s always loved kids and wanted to do something that would change the world for the better and make an impact. At Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, Yuliya discovered she wanted to become a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant. And when she graduated in 2017, she joined our team. She immediately fell in love with the speech and communication world, enjoys working with children, and has since addressed various communication disorders. She finds it very rewarding to see these kids succeed in their communication skills and know she played a part in positively impacting their lives. In her spare time, she plays pickleball, watches Netflix, cares for her two fur babies – Nala and Keke, both cats, and spends time with her two daughters. Yuliya is originally from Ukraine and moved to the United States at seven years old. She has a huge tight-knit family who loves eating traditional Ukrainian dinners together with foods like – Borscht, Plov, and Olivie. For vacation, she enjoys traveling and exploring new places with her husband, Jayson and her daughters.

Annie Abbott

Speech Language Pathologist

My name is Annie Abbott.  I have worked in the speech and language field since 2004. I was born and raised in a small town in upstate New York.  I received my bachelor’s degree from SUNY Cortland.  From there I started graduate classes at Ithaca college then, finishing my Master’s degree in speech language and communication disorders majoring in speech pathology at Nova Southeastern University in Florida.  I hold my certificate of clinical competence and Speech -language Pathology from ASHA.  I have experience with both adult and pediatric population.  As well as experience in various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, outpatient settings, hospital, home health.  Areas of specialty would include voice treatment, including LSVT focusing on patients with Parkinson’s disease.  Experience with dysphagia assessment and treatment as well as experience with swallow instrumentation, including FEES.   Experience with patients with cognitive deficits or impairments, implementing strategies for maintaining a level of independence  I moved to North Carolina in 2013 and have called it home ever since.  My hobbies include gardening, walking, hiking, cooking, and spending time with my family and friends.

Tricia Hall Chacchia, MS, CCC-SLP

Speech Language Pathologist

Tricia Hall Chacchia is a speech-language pathologist with over 15 years of experience supporting young children in developing strong communication skills. She has extensive experience working with children with developmental delays, childhood apraxia of speech, phonological disorders, and autism spectrum disorder.

She is certified in DIR® Basic Floortime™ and Hanen’s It Takes Two to Talk®, and uses a play-based, developmental approach that actively involves parents—recognizing them as their child’s most important communication partners.

With a background as a certified special education teacher, Tricia has a deep understanding of how children learn and grow. Her goal is to create a supportive, engaging environment where children and their families feel empowered throughout the therapy journey.

Tricia lives in Mooresville with her husband, Bart, their four kids, and their lovable dog, Rocky. She loves yoga, swimming, and spending time outside with her family.

Susan Daubenmire, MS, CCC-SLP

Speech Language Pathologist

Susan graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Communication Disorders in 1995 and a Master’s of Arts in Communication Disorders in 1997. She is a member of the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) with a Certificate of Clinical Competency in Speech Pathology. She is licensed by the North Carolina Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology. She began her career working with adults with CVA and TBI at a rehabilitation center. Beginning in 2000, she started working with pediatrics and has worked in a variety of settings including home health, day cares, school settings and clinic settings. Susan has worked with a variety of different speech-language disorders including Articulation and Phonological Disorders, Expressive and Receptive Language Delays, Developmental Disorders, Oral Motor Disorders and Feeding/Swallowing Disorders. Susan has a son and a golden doodle that live with her. She enjoys gardening, cooking, spending time with friends and walking.

Nell Miller, MS, CCC-SLP

Speech Language Pathologist

Kristine White

Speech Language Pathology Assistant

Kristine has been with Speak To Me since August 2020 and has two children. However, she didn’t start her career in the speech world. Before joining our team, Kristine spent six years in the NC Air National Guard based at the 145th Airlift wing in Charlotte, NC. She also graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice in 2016, and her goal was to work in forensics. But when Kristine had her son that same year, her plans changed. Her interest in communication grew during his journey through speech therapy. She was amazed at his growth in such a short period, and it encouraged her to research the field further. He helped her find her calling, and now, it’s her passion to help little ones learn to communicate better and more effectively. In her role, she can give back to the community and assist other children in finding their voice like her son!

When she’s not working with little ones, Kristine enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, hiking, kayaking, or going on any other outdoor adventure. She loves finding new experiences and trying cultural foods.

Beth Ferriss

Speech Language Pathologist

Beth graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Disorders, and a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from North Carolina Central University. She is a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) with a Certificate of Clinical Competency in Speech Pathology. She is licensed by the North Carolina Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology. She has served in various pediatric settings, including private practice, early intervention, schools, daycares, and in-home visit. Beth has worked with different populations and speech-language disorders, including Articulation and Phonological Disorders, Auditory Processing, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Delays, Expressive and Receptive Language Delays, Oral Motor Disorders, and Fluency. Beth also enjoys spending time with her husband, and two kids who are in high school and college. She loves reading, the beach and shopping.

Stephanie Monterroso

Speech Language Pathology Assistant

Stephanie has been with Speak To Me since July 2023 and was a student at Speak To Me since October 2022, while she was completing her degree in SLP-Assistant at Caldwell Community College. She also graduated with a degree in Multidisciplinary Anthropology and Spanish from Appalachian State University in 2019. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Speech and Language Pathology. Her interest in communication grew during her time at Appalachian State University when she started taking ASL classes. Growing up, she has worked with pediatrics in various settings (behavior, education, etc.). It is such a great joy for Stephanie to work with little ones and help them learn how to communicate better. When Stephanie is not working at Speak To Me, she enjoys traveling, going to the mountains, trying new foods, and spending time with her friends, family and boyfriend.

Liz Augenreich, MS, CCC-SLP

Speech Language Pathologist

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