President

The President is the chief elected officer of ACLP and is responsible for the functioning of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. The President shall exercise personal leadership in the motivation of other board members, committee chairs, committee members, and the general membership. The President oversees the establishment of goals and objectives for ACLP. The President shall act as spokesperson and leader for ACLP and shall work in partnership with the Executive Leader to achieve established annual goals and objectives. President requires 5-12 hours per week, including weekly calls with ACLP CEO and monthly calls with the executive committee

Roles, Responsibilities, and Authorities:

1. General
   • Oversee the work and activities of the Board, Executive Committee, and other association committees and task forces.
   • Support and defend policies and programs adopted by the membership, Board, and Executive Committee.
   • Ensure progress in implementing the strategic plan.
   • Safeguard ACLP’s reputation and credibility.
   • Maintain active ACLP membership in good standing.
   • Maintain active Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential.
   • Hold an employed position practicing or teaching in the child life profession or using child life training and skills in a community-based role at time of nomination.
2. Board Functions
   • Preside at and facilitate all meetings of the Board and Executive Committee and coordinate agenda material with the Executive Leader.
   • Ensure Board focus on, and progress in, formulating, implementing, and monitoring the strategic plan.
   • In concert with the Executive Leader, ensure that the Board Members are kept fully informed about the conditions and operation of ACLP.
   • Serve as a resource to other Board officers and all other Board members in executing their duties.
   • Work closely with the President-Elect in preparing them to assume the duties of the President.
3. Committees and Task Forces
   • Appoint the chairs of committees and task forces and other appointed leaders for additional groups (i.e., advisory groups); outline the purpose and duties of these committees and task forces, which includes the writing of charges to present to the BOD for approval; and monitor group progress in conjunction with the Board Liaison.
   • Consult with the President-Elect and Executive Leader on the appointment of incoming committee, task force, and other leadership chairs and members. Committee and task force membership is established using the process outlined in the Committee Infrastructure and Appointment Policy.
4. Leadership Liaison to Membership
   • Promote membership interest and active participation in ACLP and report activities of the Board and association to members by means of letters, publications, speeches, podcasts and other forms of technology to meet the current trends in technology.
   • Identify and nurture future leaders of ACLP.
   • Foster an environment that attracts and energizes outstanding volunteer leaders.
5. Collaboration with the ACLP Executive Leader
   • Work with the Executive Leader to ensure basic policies and programs designed to further the goals and objectives of ACLP are planned, formulated, and executed following presentation to and approval from the Board.
   • In cooperation with the Executive Leader, ensure compliance with all operating procedures, protocols, and resolutions of the Board.
   • Work with the Executive Leader to ensure compliance with all relevant legal and ethical standards, including policies and standards governing corporate relationships.
   • Work with the Executive Leader to oversee implementation of the strategic plan, ensure organizational effectiveness, and plan for future development.
   • Ensure competent management of ACLP and set specific management goals and objectives in collaboration with the Executive Leader.
   • Initiate and oversee an annual performance and salary review of the Executive Leader by the Executive Committee (salary and bonus structure inclusive of the Finance Committee’s recommendations).
6. External Representation of ACLP
   • Act as spokesperson for ACLP to the press, the public, and related organizations.
   • Participate in fundraising activities.
7. Reporting

   a. Term of office: one year.

   b. Method of appointment:

   • Succeed from President-Elect position.
   • Elected by membership.
   c. Accountability: Reports to the Board of Directors.

8. Ad Hoc Responsibilities

1. Committee and task force conference calls.
2. Attendance at various committee meetings as desired and budgeted.
3. Calls and e-mails to volunteers and members.
4. Involvement with external organizations.
5. Oversee and chair the Past Presidents Committee.

See the full list of past ACLP Presidents

President-Elect

The President Elect is a key member of the President’s team and as such serves as a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee and assists the President in the performance of duties. 

• 5-8 hours per week
• One-year term, then assumes role as President on the Board the following year, following by a year as Past-President 
• Participation in Board Liaison Committee Meetings and other Task Force conference calls
• Weekly calls with ACLP CEO
• Monthly calls with the Executive Committee

Roles, Responsibilities, and Authorities:

1. Serve as a member of the Board and Executive Committee.
2. Serve as an appointed member, ex-officio member or officer, or Board liaison with oversight of association committees, task forces, working groups, and meetings as assigned by the President.
3. Serve as the official representative of ACLP at meetings as assigned by the President.
4. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Board or the President.
5. Actively supports and participates in the programs and activities of ACLP.
6. Work to increase member/leader involvement in association activities.
7. Maintain contact with other Board members and reports association developments to the President.
8. Assist the President in all duties, and generally becomes acquainted with the duties of the President.
9. Assist the President and strengthen leadership skills in preparation for assuming the presidential role.
10. With the President, help ensure compliance with Board policies and procedures and all relevant legal and ethical standards, including policies and standards governing corporate relationships.
11. Assist the President in the execution of duties.
12. Act as a representative or spokesperson for ACLP at the President’s request.
13. Proactively strengthen professional networks and leadership skills in preparation for assuming the office of President.
14. Consult with the outgoing President about the appointment of incoming committee chairs and members, according to leadership development and succession planning procedures.
15. Upon request, participate as a voting member of the Executive Committee.
16. Perform the duties of the President in the President’s absence or incapacity.
17.  Complete the Presidential term in the event of a vacancy.
18. Perform other duties as directed by the Board or the President.
19. Possess abilities as described in President’s role for successful succession.
20. Maintain active ACLP membership in good standing.
21. Maintain active Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential.
22. Hold an employed position practicing or teaching in the child life profession or using child life training and skills in a community-based role at time of nomination.
23. Reporting

• Term of Office: One year
• Method of Appointment: Elected by membership.
• Accountability: Reports to the Board of Directors.

Immediate Past President

The Past President requires 4-6 hours of work per week, including monthly calls with the ACLP Executive Committee, quarterly director calls, and participation in board liaison committee and/or task force conference calls. Past President requires 4-6 hours per week, including monthly calls with executive committee, quarterly director calls, and participation in board liaison committee and/or task force conference calls

Roles, Responsibilities, and Authorities:

1. Provide advice and counsel to the President and Board.
2. Serve as a voting member of the Board and of the Executive Committee.
3. Serve as a nonvoting member of the Child Life Certification Commission.
4. Serve as a chair, appointed member, ex-officio member, officer, or Board liaison with oversight of association committees, task forces, working groups, and meetings as assigned by the President.
5. Work with the President to ensure compliance with Board policies and procedures and all relevant legal and ethical standards, including policies and standards governing corporate relationships.
6. Act as a representative or spokesperson for ACLP at the President’s request.
7. Act as a mentor and coach to senior volunteers and emerging leaders to help them strengthen their leadership skills and develop professional networks of value to ACLP.
8. Act as both a member and liaison to provide guidance and support with current BOD lens.
9. Perform other duties as directed by the Board or the President.
10. Maintain active ACLP membership in good standing.
11. Maintain active Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential.
12. Hold an employed position practicing or teaching in the child life profession or using child life training and skills in a community-based role at time of nomination.
13. Reporting:

• Term of Office: One year.
• Method of Appointment: Succeed from office of President.
• Accountability: Reports to the Board of Directors.

Treasurer

6-12 hours per month, two-year term, then two-year additional service on the ACLP Finance Committee, participation in conference calls for the Finance Committee (monthly), Executive Committee (monthly), and any other committees with whom this position liaises.

Roles, Responsibilities, and Authorities:

1. Serve as a voting member of the Board and of the Executive Committee.
2. Serve as a chair, appointed member, ex-officio member, officer, or Board liaison with oversight of association committees, task forces, working groups, and meetings as assigned by the President.
3. Serve as chair of the Finance Committee.
4. Manage, with the Finance Committee, the Board’s review of, and action related to, the Board’s financial responsibilities.

1. Work with the Executive Leaders to ensure that appropriate financial reports are made available to the Board on a timely basis.
2. Assist the CEO and COO in preparing the annual budget and presenting the budget to the Board for approval.
3. Work with the Finance Committee and the CEO and COO to develop fiscal policies for recommendation to the Board to ensure the financial integrity and sustainability of the organization.
4. Work with the Finance Committee and the CEO and COO to develop long-term financial strategies.
5. Keep informed of legal, regulatory, and sector developments relating to the Board’s financial responsibilities and work with the President to help ensure compliance with Board policies and procedures and all relevant legal and ethical standards, including policies and standards governing corporate relationships.
6. Review financial issues and deviation from expected income or expense categories at Board meetings, in collaboration with the CEO and COO.
7. Act as a representative or spokesperson for ACLP at the President’s request.
8. Act as a mentor and coach to senior volunteers and emerging leaders to help them strengthen their leadership skills and develop professional networks of value to ACLP.
9. Annually solicit monetary contributions from Board of Directors and Committee Chairs.
10.  Perform other duties as directed by the Board or the President.
11. Maintain active ACLP membership in good standing.
12. Maintain active Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential.
13. Hold an employed position practicing or teaching in the child life profession or using child life training and skills in a community-based role at time of nomination.
14. Reporting
    • Term of Office: Two years.
    • Method of Appointment: Elected by membership.
    • Accountability: Reports to the Board of Directors.

Secretary

6-12 hours per month, two-year term, participate in conference calls for the ACLP Executive Committee as well as conference calls as Board Liaison with assigned committees and Task Forces.

Roles, Responsibilities, and Authorities:

1. Provide advice and counsel to the President and Board.
2. Serve as a voting member of the Board and of the Executive Committee.
3. Serve as a chair, appointed member, ex-officio member, officer, or Board liaison with oversight of Association committees, task forces, working groups, and meetings as assigned by the President.
4. Record the proceedings of the ACLP Board of Directors and ACLP Annual Conference and maintain a current record of all motions made by the ACLP Board of Directors.
5. Keep minutes of each meeting and post them within two business weeks; include motions, main points of discussion, votes for or against, and abstentions. 
6. Provide draft minutes to all members within 30 days of the meeting. (Board members have a responsibility to review draft minutes within five days of receipt and advise the Secretary of any needed revisions.)
7. Work with the President to help ensure compliance with Board policies and procedures and all relevant legal and ethical standards, including policies and standards governing corporate relationships.
8. Act as a representative or spokesperson for ACLP at the President’s request.
9. Act as a mentor and coach to senior volunteers and emerging leaders to help them strengthen their leadership skills and develop professional networks of value to ACLP.
10. Perform other duties as directed by the Board or the President.
11. Maintain active ACLP membership in good standing.
12. Maintain active Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential.
13. Hold an employed position practicing or teaching in the child life profession or using child life training and skills in a community-based role at time of nomination.
14. Reporting
    • Term of Office: Two years.
    • Method of Appointment: Elected by membership.
    • Accountability: Reports to the Board of Directors.

Director

6-12 hours per month, two-year term, quarterly Directors' calls, conference calls as Board Liaison with assigned committees and task forces.

Roles, Responsibilities, and Authorities:

1. Provide advice and counsel to the President and Board.
2. Serve as a voting member of the Board.
3. Serve as a chair, appointed member, ex-officio member, officer, or Board liaison with oversight of Association committees, task forces, working groups, and meetings as assigned by the President.
4. Work with the President to help ensure compliance with Board policies and procedures and all relevant legal and ethical standards, including policies and standards governing corporate relationships.
5. Act as a representative or spokesperson for ACLP at the President’s request.
6. Act as a mentor and coach to senior volunteers and emerging leaders to help them strengthen their leadership skills and develop professional networks of value to ACLP.
7. Liaise with assigned committees and provide updates to the Board of Directors.
8. Perform other duties as directed by the Board or the President.
9. Participate in quarterly Director calls facilitated by the Past-President.
10. Maintain active ACLP membership in good standing.
11. Maintain active Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential.
12.  Reporting
    • Term of Office: Two years.
    • Method of Appointment: Elected by membership.
    • Accountability: Reports to the Board of Directors.

Canadian Association of Child Life Leaders President

Roles, Responsibilities, and Authorities:

1. Provide advice and counsel to the President and Board.
2. Serve as a nonvoting member of the Board.
3. Serve as a chair, appointed member, ex-officio member, officer, or Board liaison with oversight of Association committees, task forces, working groups, and meetings as assigned by the President.
4. Update and advise the Board on activities and issues relating to the CACLL.
5. Work with the President to help ensure compliance with Board policies and procedures and all relevant legal and ethical standards, including policies and standards governing corporate relationships.
6. Act as a representative or spokesperson for ACLP at the President’s request.
7. Act as a mentor and coach to senior volunteers and emerging leaders to help them strengthen their leadership skills and develop professional networks of value to ACLP.
8. Perform other duties as directed by the Board or the President.
9. Participate in quarterly Director calls facilitated by the Past-President.
10. Maintain active ACLP membership in good standing.
11. Maintain active Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential.
12. Maintain active service as President of the Canadian Association of Child Life Leaders
13. Reporting.
    • Term of Office: Two years.
    • Method of Appointment: Board position is assumed by the current President of CACLL.
    • Accountability: Reports to the Board of Directors.

Child Life Certification Commission Chair

Roles, Responsibilities, and Authorities:

1. Provide advice and counsel to the ACLP President and Board related to certification.
2. Serve as a nonvoting member of the ACLP Board.
3. Work with the President to help ensure compliance with ACLP Board policies and procedures and all relevant legal and ethical standards.
4. Act as a representative or spokesperson for CLCC.
5. Act as a mentor and coach to senior volunteers and emerging leaders to help them strengthen their leadership skills and develop professional networks of value to ACLP and CLCC.
6. Maintain active ACLP membership in good standing.
7. Maintain active Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential.
8. Maintain active service as CLCC Chair.

9. Perform other duties as directed by the ACLP Board or the President not in direct conflict with CLCC decisions and tasks regarding certification.
10. Reporting
1. Term of Office: Two years on the Board (one year beginning in 2020).
2. Individual must be a Certified Child Life Specialist in good standing.
3. Method of Election: Succeeds from Chair-Elect position, Formally elected by the members of CLCC.
4. Accountability: Accountable to the Board of Directors, Reports to the ACLP Board of Directors and Executive Leader.

President

Sarah Patterson, MSc, CCLS

Associate Professor & Curriculum Coordinator 
Master's of Science, Child Life & Pediatric Psychosocial Care Program 
McMaster University

Sarah Patterson is a Certified Child Life Specialist whose career has spanned over 30 years, providing care to children in a number of clinical areas at Sick Kids Toronto coupled with over 20 years of teaching at several universities. Currently Sarah is an Associate Professor and the Curriculum Coordinator for the Master of Science in the Child Life and Pediatric Psychosocial Care Program at McMaster University, Canada. She played a critical role in the co-creation of the design and content from inception and establishing the only child life masters program across Canada.  Sarah’s current research within psychosocial practice and simulation education brings together many different discipline collaborators to the studies she is involved with and she has been invited to present her work locally, nationally, and internationally.

Sarah’s expertise and engagement in child life extends beyond her clinical and academic work.  She is an international subject matter expert consultant for Sick Kids International.  Sarah has designed, developed, and delivered pediatric psychosocial training and education initiatives in Austria, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, Mongolia, Pakistan, South Africa, and Qatar.

Sarah’s deep commitment to child life locally and globally extends to her active involvement over many years with the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP). She has held several committee member and leadership roles, both positional and within committees, including serving as a board member, journal reviewer, mentor, leadership development academy chair, and within partnership development. In addition to her diverse work with ACLP locally, she has been an invited keynote speaker and trainer for international initiatives in pediatric psychosocial care, representing the ACLP.

Beyond her direct work in child life, Sarah serves as an educational simulation expert. She lends her expertise within simulation faculty development workshops, with committees at INSPIRE (International Network for Simulation-based Pediatric Innovation, Research, & Education), and IPSS (International Pediatric Simulation Society). In the last two years, Sarah was elected to the IPSS Board of Directors as the first child life specialist to serve on the board, and was invited to deliver the INSPIRE inaugural grand rounds in 2022 on unifying emotional and physical safety within simulation-based education.

Sarah is grateful to all child life leaders who pioneered and paved the way.  Sarah believes the child life field of practice continues to thrive and flourish in novel and innovative areas.  Her passion, wisdom, and deep commitment to emotional safety, clinical simulation-based learning, preparation of learners entering the field, overall education, and diversity, equity, and inclusion continue to drive her.

Immediate Past President

Alisha Saavedra, MA, CCLS

Assistant Professor & Director of Clinical Training
Loma Linda University

Alisha Saavedra (she/her) is an Assistant Professor and the Director of Clinical Training for the Master of Science in Child Life Specialist program at Loma Linda University. She began her career 23 years ago as a child life assistant in the Hematology-Oncology unit at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital. Alisha has since held a CCLS position in the Hematology-Oncology, Acute Care, and Surgery areas in addition to coordinating practicum and internship programming. Her high regard for educating and providing mentorship to aspiring professionals led her to pursue a position in academia and she has been a full-time educator since 2014.    

Working in conjunction with students, developing community partnerships, and providing service to others have been focal points of her professional pursuits. Alisha has partnered in the development of the child life program at The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University, P.R. China and continues to be a consultant. Her involvement in local and global partnerships has allowed her to take part in expanding the reach of the child life profession and sharing the importance of psychosocial care for children and families. Alisha has a decade long history of service with ACLP, where she has held the Chair position for the Internship Accreditation Oversight Committee (2021-2022) and Chair-Elect for the Practicum Task Force (2021). In these leadership roles she contributed her perspectives from an academic viewpoint and as an advocate on behalf of student needs. This also influenced her style in building a collective teamwork approach among members who encompass diverse experiences and knowledge. Additionally, she served as a subject matter expert for the Internship Readiness Practice Analysis and Alignment Study (2021-2022), participated in strategic planning (2021), the Think Tank (2020), and has been involved in various DEI efforts. As a co-leader of the Priorities workgroup, participant in the DEI Summit, and RCC leadership series, Alisha engaged in collaborative work that reflects her strong value for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. This inspired her to pursue her Collaborator Certification™ through Racially Conscious Collaboration in 2021.

Alisha holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development, Child Life Concentration from the University of LaVerne and a Master of Arts in Psychology, Child Development Concentration from California State University, San Bernardino. She was the recipient of the 2019 Faculty Scholar Educator Award (School of Behavioral Health, Loma Linda University) and values lifelong learning in and outside of the classroom.

President-Elect

Elana Brewer, MS, CCLS

Senior Director of Child Life, Education & Creative Arts Therapy Department
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Elana Brewer has been a Certified Child Life Specialist for 24 years and has more than 20 years of experience as a child life administrator. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Hope College in Holland, Michigan where she first learned of the child life field from one of her professors. She acquired her master’s degree in Child Development and Family Studies from Purdue University, remaining in the Lafayette, Indiana area where she worked for three years with families and children involved with the Division of Family & Children and the Juvenile Justice court system.

After relocating to Southern California, Elana completed her child life internship at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) where she worked as a child life specialist before being promoted to manager. During her tenure at CHOC, she was responsible for the growth of the child life program, the development of the Family and Youth Advisory Councils, the expansion of volunteer animal assisted activities, and the launch of Radio Lollipop. In her final months at CHOC, she was appointed as the interim director of Family Services. In this capacity she served as chair of the hospital wide Family-Centered Care Committee and was responsible for the pediatric psychology, social services, spiritual care, and language service departments while managing the daily operations of the child life program.

For the past 16 years, Elana has served as the Senior Director of Child Life, Education & Creative Arts Therapy Department at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). During her time at CHOP, she was also temporarily responsible the Family-Centered Care program, and oversaw the Volunteer Department for 11 years. Some of the achievements at CHOP under her leadership include the implementation of Seacrest Studios, the creation of an in-person December toy shop for families, and significant expansion of department staff and volunteer services across the enterprise.

Elana has a history of serving the Association of Child Life Professionals. She has been a member of the Nominating and Mentor Committees, served as Chair-Elect and Chair of the Professional Development Mega Committee, and most recently was the Chair of the Staffing Analytics Task Force.

As the mother of a child with Type 1 Diabetes, Elana has the perspective of both parent and child life administrator which drives her passion for making medical experiences better for patients and their families. She is married and the proud mother of two daughters. They reside in the suburbs of Philadelphia where Elana enjoys DIY projects around the house in her spare time.

Secretary

Rebecca Meyers, MS, CCLS

Manager, Child Life & Creative Arts Therapies
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Rebecca is currently the manager of Child Life and Creative Arts Therapies at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.  In her role, she mentors and leads a dedicated team of child life specialists, art therapists and music therapists fostering a collaborative environment.  Their commitment to professional development has resulted in a highly skilled and motivated team, dedicated to providing the highest quality care for pediatric patients and their families.  In her time as a leader over the last 10 years, she has doubled the size of her team utilizing CLPDC data and strong partnership with her frontline staff in advocacy.  Rebecca has increased the scope of psychosocial care provided through the addition of technology specialist and facility dog handler roles.  Rebecca has also demonstrated impact through her involvement in efforts across the medical center to integrate the ideas of emotional safety and address the needs of patients with behavioral health concerns from a systems perspective.  Additionally, Rebecca serves as an adjunct professor at Erikson Institute supporting the growth and development of graduate level CCLSs. 

Rebecca holds a master’s degree in Child Development and Certificate in Infant Mental Health from Erikson Institute.  This strong academic foundation has helped to inform her work as a NICU/Infant focused CCLS for over 13 years as well as a manager for the last 10 years.  She has volunteered with the ACLP since 2016 with the strong belief in the power of the collective voice of child life specialists.   Committees and task forces that she has contributed to include the Nominating Committee, Governance Committee, DEI Summit, and the Clinical Ladder Task Force.  

Treasurer

Riley Hammond, MS, CCLS 

Manager of Child Life Services
CHRISTUS Children's
San Antonio, TX

Riley is a passionate creative with a heart for people and programs that facilitate growth.  Riley completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Texas A&M University in 2011 and her master’s degree in Family & Child Studies at Texas State University in 2013.  Over the past 11 years, Riley has worked in a variety of clinical settings at The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, Texas Children’s Hospital, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, and CHRISTUS Children's.

Currently, Riley is the Child Life Manager for Special Programs at CHRISTUS Children's.  She oversees the Puppyatrics facility dog program, Music Therapy, Child Life Zone, hospital school, Gaming & Technology and is involved in many department process improvement projects.  In 2020, Riley supported the opening of Dream Big Studio, an independent radio/TV studio at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and managed the daily programming and operational needs. 

Riley currently serves as the Treasurer on the ACLP Board of Directors and formerly served as a Director on the Board, chair for the ACLP Web and Online Networking Committee, and a member of the ACLP Education and Training Committee.  She also served on the Southern Association of Child Life Professionals Board and coauthored an ACLP Bulletin article.  Riley has given presentations at regional and national conferences including the Child Life Annual Conference and the Texas Pediatric Palliative Care Consortium.  Riley love crafting, goals, and do-goodery.

Director (1)

Katherine Bennett, MS, CCLS

Child Life Team Lead
Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital

Katherine has worked as a Certified Child Life Specialist at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital for over two decades. She has worked clinically with infants, children, adolescents, and their families in multiple areas. Currently, she works as a Child Life Team Lead where she splits her time between clinical practice in the NICU and staff supervision and coordination of departmental projects and initiatives. Katherine has also worked in the role of educator for Child Life and Volunteer Services, planning and coordinating the clinical training experiences for emerging child life professionals and onboarding new employees. This role also included working with the department's clinical advancement program and providing education about the needs of children in healthcare settings to colleagues both in and outside the Vanderbilt community. In addition to her work inside the hospital, she also had the opportunity to teach for four years as an adjunct instructor at Lipscomb University.

Katherine has written and presented at international conferences and in several published outlets about such topics as medical play and its impacts, developmental theory applied to hospitalized children, and teaching child life in the clinical and university settings. Specifically, she is a co-author of The Value of Certified Child Life Specialists: Direct and Downstream Optimization of Pediatric Patient and Family Outcomes, as well as a chapter in the second edition of The Handbook of Child Life. She served on editorial team of ACLP Bulletin as executive editor, associate editor, and as a Focus review board member. She currently serves as a peer reviewer for The Journal of Child Life and on the ACLP Publications Committee. In the past, Katherine has co-chaired the ACLP Internship Accreditation Task Force, and served as a mentor in the ACLP Mentorship Program. Regionally, she has been an active member and leader in the Southeastern Association of Child Life Professionals (SEACLP) since its beginnings, serving on the leadership service team as chair, chair-elect and co-chair of SEACLP Conference Planning.

Katherine completed her undergraduate work at Freed-Hardeman University and received her Master’s degree from Vanderbilt University. She and her husband have three lively daughters with strong verbal skills and opinions. They all share a love of live music, vintage finds, and dogs.

Director (2)

Nicole Gandolfo, MA, CCLS

Child Life Manager
Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware

Nicole is a Child Life Manager at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware.  She completed her Bachelor of Arts at Boston University and earned a Master of Arts in Child Development from the Eliot-Pearson School of Child Development at Tufts University. Nicole has been a Certified Child Life Specialist since 2005, working with children and families in various inpatient and outpatient healthcare settings. She has worked in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric care, Cardiology, and Pediatric Intensive Care, and has spent the majority her clinical child life career supporting children and families with an oncology diagnosis. Prior to entering a management role, Nicole spent over 4 years as Education Specialist at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, where she had the privilege of coordinating the child life internship and practicum programs. Throughout her career, Nicole has presented on various topics, including patient education, family-centered care, grief and bereavement, and the benefits of a clinical ladder to child life programs. Most recently, Nicole co-authored an article for the ACLP bulletin on addressing social determinants of health through child life practice (Spring 2023). In her current position, Nicole serves as Child Life Manager, supporting a mid-sized child life, creative arts therapy, and school program. Some initiatives that Nicole has engaged in since joining Nemours in 2020 include, a clinical ladder refresh, revamp of child life competency assessment, integrating child life into the electronic medical record interdisciplinary care plan, supporting the opening of a behavioral health care zone in the emergency department, and various continuous improvement and staffing advancements.  

Nicole has participated in several Association of Child Life Professionals committees and task forces and has served as a past ACLP mentor.  Her involvement has included the CLC Webinar Advisory Group, Child Life Program Review and Development Committee, Practicum Task Force (member and chair), Internship Readiness Work Group, co-chair of Pre-internship Work Group, and Internship Accreditation Oversight Committee, where she serves as the current chair. Nicole is passionate about the child life field and is dedicated to strategizing ways to increase access to the pathway to the profession. 

Director (3)

 
Alyssa Luksa, MSP-I/O, CCLS

Director of Operations III
Child Life & Expressive Therapies
Children’s Volunteer Department
Ronald McDonald House
Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital
Houston, TX

For more than 28 years, Alyssa has worked as a Certified Child Life Specialist.  She attended Baylor University studying child psychology and child development.  Later, she graduated from the University of Phoenix with a Master's degree in Psychology with a focus on Industrial and Organizational Behaviors. She began her career as a PRN Child Life Specialist at Our Children's House- Baylor in Dallas in 1996 and soon after secured a full-time position at Children's Hospital of San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas.  She had the opportunity to work in oncology, hematology, and bone marrow transplant in San Antonio.  After four years, she made the decision to take a different route and started her long-term career at Children's Memorial Hermann in Houston, where she has now worked for 24 years.  Alyssa served as a Child Life Specialist in various areas including the Neonatal Intensive Care unit, Day Surgery, Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, and Pediatric Emergency Department.  Alyssa began her career in management in 2007 as the manager for the Child Life and Expressive Therapies team.  Alyssa was promoted to Director of Operations in 2018 and is now responsible for the Child Life and Expressive Therapies Team,  Academic Programming, Ronald McDonald House, and Children’s Memorial Hermann volunteers. 

Her achievements include expanding the team to 16 Child Life Specialists, 3 Music Therapists, 3 Art Therapists, 3 Facility Dogs, an academic coordinator, and a volunteer coordinator, as well as implementing a full-time Child Life Specialist serving the adult population at Memorial Hermann- Texas Medical Center.  She also developed an artist in residency program in collaboration with CMHH and Theater Under the Stars (TUTS).    
Alyssa is committed to and enthusiastic about her profession.  Alyssa has been actively involved in ACLP since 1996.  She has participated in mentor programs, presented at conferences, and dedicated 7 years to the Benchmarking committee (Co-Chairing the committee for 3 years).   She keeps strategizing, considering ways to enhance procedures and uphold best practices.  Her dedication to the child life field for 26 years demonstrates her love for hospitalized children and families.

Director (4)

Janelle Mitchell, MS, CCLS

Associate Clinical Professor
Ohio University
Athens, OH

Janelle is an Assistant Clinical Professor at Ohio University and a Certified Child Life Specialist.  She completed her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science from The Ohio State University and graduated from Bank Street College of Education’s Child Life master’s program in 2009.  Upon returning to Ohio, Janelle worked as a child life specialist at Nationwide Children's Hospital for 12 years in various outpatient and inpatient settings while teaching adjunct at Ohio University.

Janelle has participated in several hospital-wide workgroups and was a practicum and internship preceptor for Nationwide Children’s student program. In addition, she has served on ACLP’s Education and Training Committee, Transition Taskforce, Strategic Planning, Academic Excellence, Governance Committee, and Educator-At-Large for the regional Great Lakes of Child Life Professionals (GLACLP).

At Ohio University, Janelle’s clinical interests include creating partnerships within the College of Health Sciences and Professions and Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine to build further interprofessional education and collaboration efforts with future healthcare professionals.  She has been awarded by the College of Health Sciences and Professions for Innovative Teaching and recognized by the Department of Social and Public Health for the Chair's Award for Excellence.

Canadian Liaison

Emily Synnott, RECE, CCLS

Child Life Specialist
Trillium Health Partners
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Emily is a certified child life specialist and registered early childhood educator with 15 years of experience.  She graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Child, Youth, and Family Studies before completing a post-graduate diploma in Child Life Studies at McMaster University.  Her career in child life has encompassed multiple settings, including children’s hospitals, community hospitals, non-profit organizations, and child advocacy centres.  Emily enjoys building innovative programs and has had the privilege of embedding emerging roles for child life specialists into regular practice in her past work with the child abuse community.  Currently, she is a community hospital child life specialist at Trillium Health Partners in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.  She provides service to children and youth within the paediatric inpatient unit and outpatient oncology clinic, with support via consult to children’s outpatient services, day surgery, the emergency department, neonatal intensive care unit, and children of adult patients.

Emily is passionate about the growth and sustainability of the child life profession and has served in every executive role within the Canadian Association of Child Life Leaders.  She has volunteered with the Association of Child Life Professionals, serving on committees and task forces throughout the last decade.  Emily also currently sits as co-chair for the Paediatric Pain Network of Children’s Healthcare Canada.  Emily has a budding interest in knowledge translation and has taken training to further her skills in this area to ensure she shares best practices and the latest research with others in effective and accessible ways.  

Child Life Certification Commission Liaison

Toni Crowell-Petrungaro, MS, CCLS

Child Life Program Director
Yale New Haven Children's Hospital

Toni Crowell-Petrungaro is currently the Child Life Program Director at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital. Throughout her 27-year career as a child life specialist she has worked in a variety of clinical, academic, and leadership roles spanning three countries - The United States (CT, RI, NY, MA, & MO), Canada, and Qatar. Toni is a master’s graduate of Boston University’s Wheelock College of Education & Human Development and received their (inaugural) Alumni Global Impact Award in 2019 for her international contributions to the child life field.  Toni has been volunteering with ACLP since 2000 and with the CLCC since 2016 where she has been part of item-writing, item-review, exam assembly, and appeals. Toni lives in Connecticut with her husband and son.