TIPS Trainees
Meet the trainees in the TIPS for Kids 2026-2027 cohort!
Hailey Fedanzo-Dudley, Occupational Therapy
Hailey Fedanzo-Dudley is a second-year doctoral student in the Occupational Therapy program at the University of Missouri. Through the university’s accelerated early-entry pathway, she is pursuing her Occupational Therapy Doctorate while combining her undergraduate and graduate education into a five-year program. Her passion for working with children with disabilities began at a young age after developing a close relationship with her neighbor, Hunter, whose experiences inspired her interest in inclusion, advocacy, and pediatric therapy. Since then, Hailey has pursued opportunities to work with children of all abilities through volunteering in schools and local Special Olympics events, coaching swim lessons for children with developmental delays, and serving as a caregiver and mentor in her community. Beyond academics, Hailey remains actively involved on campus as a cycling instructor at MizzouRec and through leadership and service opportunities within her sorority. In her free time, she enjoys running, spending time outdoors, and making memories with friends and family. Hailey is excited to be a part of the TIPS program and she looks forward to expanding her knowledge of neurodevelopmental disabilities, strengthening her interdisciplinary teamwork skills, and learning from families, educators, and healthcare professionals. Through these experiences, she hopes to become a compassionate and effective pediatric occupational therapist who empowers children and families to thrive.
Kalin Finley, Occupational Therapy
My name is Kalin Finlay, and I am a second-year occupational therapy student at the University of Missouri, where I also completed my bachelor’s degree. Originally, I am from Centralia, MO so the Columbia area has always been home for me. I currently work at the Thompson Center in the business department where I help with insurance related needs. In addition, I completed an internship in the ABIS department, which further strengthened my passion for working with children with disabilities and neurodevelopmental differences. Since I was young, I have always been drawn to helping children and supporting families, and my experiences at the Thompson Center have allowed that passion to grow tremendously. Outside of school and work, I enjoy spending time with friends and family. I am extremely excited to continue learning more about interdisciplinary practice and the collaborative role occupational therapy plays in supporting children with neurodevelopmental differences.
Lauren George, Occupational Therapy
Lauren George is a second-year doctoral student in the occupational therapy program at the University of Missouri. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Arkansas in 2025. Lauren developed an interest in working with children with neurodevelopmental disabilities through her experiences of mentoring a college student with intellectual disabilities, working as a RBT for children with autism, and assisting in research about children’s emotion regulation. She is passionate about providing intentional and consistent care for individuals of all ages and abilities. Outside of school, Lauren enjoys reading, playing pickleball, and spending time with friends. She is excited to further her clinical and professional skills working alongside other disciplines as a TIPS trainee.
Jane Manson, Psychology
Jane Manson is a research specialist at the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment. They graduated from the University of Missouri with their Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a minor in sociology, and multicultural and honors certificates. Jane’s passion for working with neurodivergent people has developed as they learned more about the intersections of psychology with the social world in their coursework, and how disability can impact the way people interact with societal systems. Working at the Thompson Center has given them more extensive hands-on experience working with neurodivergent individuals and helped them to learn about the struggles faced by these communities. They intend to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology to further develop their skills and knowledge to better support mental health and community access for these individuals, especially as they enter adulthood. Outside of professional settings, Jane enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, playing board games, and playing video games. They are very excited to join the TIPS program to learn more about the different fields that can support these individuals and collaborate and advocate to make these supports more accessible.
Lydia Walker, Psychology
Lydia Walker is an undergraduate student at the University of Missouri pursuing bachelor’s degrees in Psychological Sciences and Health Science. She currently works as a research assistant at the Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopment, where she supports research related to autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Through her research experiences, Lydia has developed a strong interest in developmental psychopathology, neurodevelopment, social functioning, and family-centered care.
Lydia plans to pursue graduate training in clinical psychology, with the goal of providing evidence-based assessment and care for children, adolescents, and families. She is excited to be part of the TIPS program to learn alongside professionals from a variety of disciplines, deepen her understanding of neurodevelopmental disabilities, and continue growing as both a researcher and future clinician. Outside of academics, Lydia enjoys reading, playing musical instruments, and spending time with her cats, Betty and Finnigan.
Cydney Moeckli, Physical Therapy
My name is Cydney Moeckli, and I am a second-year physical therapy student at the University of Missouri–Columbia. I earned my Bachelor of Health Science with an emphasis in Rehabilitation in May 2025. My passion for pediatric physical therapy began after my little cousin was diagnosed with Warburg Micro Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. Over the last five years, I have watched therapy transform his life, giving him greater independence and inspiring me to pursue a career where I can positively impact children and their families. I further developed my interest in pediatric therapy through volunteer experiences with SKIP at the Special Learning Center and Special Olympics. Additionally, I have two years of experience as a Patient Care Technician, where I developed strong communication and patient-centered care skills. Through TIPS, I look forward to growing as a future pediatric physical therapist while expanding my leadership, communication, and advocacy skills to better serve children and families in our community.
Liz Portscheller, Physical Therapy
Liz Portscheller is a current second-year in the University of Missouri Doctor of Physical Therapy program. At the University of Missouri, she earned her Bachelor of Health Science with an emphasis in Rehabilitation, along with minors in Psychology and Business. Originally from St. Louis, Liz developed a passion for working with children at a young age. She has extensive experience working with kids through her roles at Devine Performing Arts, Bricks 4 Kidz, and Columbia Performing Arts Center. Outside of school, Liz enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and staying active. She is beyond excited to continue developing her passion for pediatric care, learning from others, and collaborating across disciplines through the TIPS program.
Mady Keating, Speech Language Pathology
Mady Keating is a second-year graduate student in speech-language pathology at the University of Missouri. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Central Missouri and is originally from the Kansas City area. Mady is known for her fun-loving personality and enjoys building meaningful connections with those around her while bringing positive energy to the individuals and communities she serves. Through her academic and clinical experiences, Mady has developed a strong passion for working with children with autism and other developmental disabilities. She has a special interest in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and multimodal communication and values helping children discover individualized communication methods that best support their unique strengths and needs. Mady is committed to empowering children and their families through meaningful communication and fostering confidence, connection, and participation in everyday life. Through her involvement with the TIPS program, she looks forward to continuing to expand her knowledge through interprofessional collaboration and advocacy while providing meaningful support to the individuals and families she serves. Outside of graduate school, Mady enjoys spending time with friends, doing Pilates, and exploring new coffee shops and restaurants.
Carley Muff, Speech Language Pathology
My name is Carley Muff and I am a second-year Speech-Language Pathology graduate student at the University of Missouri. In 2021, I earned my Bachelor of Health Science in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences from Mizzou and went on to work as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant in my rural hometown for three years. During that time, I had the pleasure of caring for neurodivergent children and their families. The experience highlighted the importance of advocacy and collaboration, further developed my love for this field, and inspired me to pursue my graduate degree. When I’m not in Lewis Hall, you can find me enjoying the outdoors and spending time with my two children. We frequent local parks and neighborhood strolls. I am honored to join the TIPS team to learn how to provide exceptional care and hope to become a Speech-Language Pathologist that a neurodivergent family is thankful to have as an advocate, teacher, and friend in the future.
Ella Riley, Speech Language Pathology
Ella Riley is a second-year graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at the University of Missouri, where she also earned her bachelor’s degree. Originally from the northern suburbs of Chicago, Ella has always had a passion for working with children, one that deepened through her clinical experiences and graduate training in neurodevelopmental disabilities. She is passionate about supporting children and their families, and is excited to be part of the TIPS program to expand that work by learning alongside others from different fields. She looks forward to growing her understanding of interdisciplinary collaboration and advocacy, and finding new ways to better serve children with disabilities and their families in the community. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, long walks, and spending time with friends and family.
Blaine Ravert, Self-Advocacy
Blaine Ravert possesses a master’s in Defense and Strategic Studies from Missouri State University and a B.A in philosophy and political science from Westminster College, MO. His academic work has focused on the impact of emerging technologies on the law, ethics, and politics of modern warfare. He seeks to apply his background toward advancing public policy to better support autistic individuals and their support systems. An edited version of his master’s thesis “Emerging Technology and U.S. Presidential War Powers” appeared in the Journal of Policy and Strategy, published by the National Institute for Public Policy. His op-ed’s have appeared in the Columbia Missourian, Columbia Tribune, Kansas City Star, St.Louis Post-Dispatch, The Cipher Brief, and the CSPC News Roundup.
Elliot Bones, Social Work
Elliot Bones is in his second year of graduate school, pursuing a Masters in Social Work at the University of Missouri. He earned a Bachelors of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Pennsylvania. Between graduating from his undergraduate program and applying to graduate school, Elliot worked as a nutrition educator in New Mexico and wilderness expedition guide in Minnesota. He hopes that his time in TIPS will help him grow his skills as a professional and advocate working with people who have a neurodevelopment disability. After graduate school, Elliot hopes to apply those skills to work as a school social worker.
A’Kaysion Soper, Social Work
My name is A’Kaysion! My son and I moved to Columbia from Iowa in May 2021 after I received my BSW. We have one dog, Loki, whom I have had for over ten years; he is essentially my first child. We love attending community events, traveling, attending my son’s sporting events, and doing various crafts. Since moving to Columbia, we have purchased a home and built a wonderful community here. During this time, I also returned to school for my MSW with a focus in Clinical Social Work. I am excited to be a part of TIPS and look forward to meeting others who will be attending this coming Fall.
Heidi Rayl, Family Advocacy
Heidi Rayl is a licensed practical nurse, parent advocate, and caregiver from Missouri whose passion for advocacy has been shaped by both her professional career and her personal journey. As the mother of a son with a rare genetic disorder, intractable epilepsy, cerebral palsy, autism, and complex medical needs, she has spent years navigating healthcare, educational systems, and community resources while providing around-the-clock care.
These experiences have given Heidi a deep appreciation for the importance of family-centered care and the value of partnering with healthcare professionals to improve outcomes for children with disabilities. She is passionate about helping families feel heard, supported, and empowered throughout their own journeys.
Outside of nursing and advocacy, Heidi enjoys building a life with her husband and two children on their family farm, where they raise livestock and continue pursuing their shared dream of sustainable farming. She finds that the farm provides balance, perspective, and countless opportunities to teach resilience, compassion, and the value of hard work.
Heidi is honored to participate in the TIPS for Kids program and looks forward to learning from fellow trainees while strengthening her ability to advocate for children with disabilities, their families, and more inclusive systems of care.