Leadership Team
Meet our village leaders! Our talented leadership team reinforces and ensures our mission of fostering growth and independence is maintained throughout schools and clinics so that your child can reach their fullest potential.
Dr. Cindy DeRuiter Blackwell, OTD/OTR/L
Dr. Cindy DeRuiter Blackwell, OTD/OTR/L
Director of Medical Services
Dr. Blackwell completed her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Cindy is the current president of the Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association. She is an AOTA Emerging Leader, class of 2014. Cindy has worked in a variety of settings, including public and private schools, home-based services, outpatient pediatric clinics, and academia. Her passion is working with children with disabilities or developmental delays and their families, to help empower them to reach their fullest potential.
Why do you love working at PPT?
I love getting to help children reach their fullest potential through PLAY! I get to have fun and find joy at work every day with the best team of therapists!
What do you do in your free time?
I love to get outside for a hike or relax at the park.
Cindy Minnis, NCSP
Cindy Minnis, NCSP
Consultant to the CEO
Dr. Cindy Minnis is originally from the Midwest but has lived in the Nashville area for almost 30 years. She is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist with a passion for helping children develop their strengths and realize their fullest potential. She enjoys learning and teaching others, especially about topics close to her heart, such as evaluation of emotional and behavioral disorders in children, trauma-informed practices, multi-tiered systems of support, threat assessment in schools, and implicit bias in decision-making, among other social justice initiatives. Cindy loves facilitating team collaboration and fostering leadership development in others. So much so, that she went back to earn her doctorate as a full-time working mom so that she could nerd out on all things organizational leadership and strategic change. Cindy is married to her best friend and has 2 amazing children.
Why do you love working at PPT?
We have an incredible company culture! It feels like family in that we truly care about each other, while also holding ourselves and each other accountable to one another in our actions and in our work.
What do you do in your free time?
My family is my world, so spending time with my kids and husband is my favorite thing ever! I also love nature! I spend most of my free time outside enjoying the hills, trees, and area wildlife. I also love listening to music, especially if I get to dance along!
Jenna Blanchard, M.Ed.,BCBA, LBA
Jenna Blanchard, M.Ed.,BCBA,LBA
Director of School Psychological and Behavior Services
Originally from New Hampshire, Jenna earned her undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education from Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. In 2010, she moved to Nashville, where she discovered her passion for special education, a path that ultimately led her to pursue her master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. She became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at the end of 2021 and joined Project Play as a BCBA in January 2022. It has been a remarkable journey working for a company she believes in wholeheartedly — one that has invested in her growth and supported her development into this leadership role.
Why do you love working at PPT?
It comes down to our core values, especially "We Love Our Village." I believe real change begins with a solid foundation, and that foundation is built on relationships...with our students, our families, our school partners, and each other. We don't just talk about these values, we live them out in our everyday work. That authenticity is what makes this team special, and it's why I truly believe we're changing the game for the students and communities we serve.
What do you do in your free time?
When I'm not working, you can usually find me curled up with my dog (Junie B.) - catching up on the latest true crime series.
Kyle Keene
Kyle Keene
CEO
Kyle Keene co-founded PPT with his wife, Sarah, and is the engine driving the operation, serving as CEO. A MBA graduate of INSEAD, a global business school in Singapore, he is eager to help spread the power of pediatric therapy and is committed to advocating for children in need. Previously, Kyle obtained his Master of Accountancy degree from the University of Tennessee and spent six years with Ernst & Young in various roles, such as serving Fortune 500 orgs out of the Brussels, Belgium office. He is a serial entrepreneur and problem solver.
Why do you love working at PPT?
Our team is truly mission driven and focused on creating sustainable change in our village.
What do you do in your free time?
Family and adventure. Yes, please!
Sarah Keene, M.A. OTR/L
Sarah Keene, M.A. OTR/L
VP of Community & Culture
Sarah is co-founder with her husband Kyle. She is a registered and licensed occupational therapist (OTR/L). Sarah has experience in both the US and abroad in pediatric private practice & school systems. She completed her Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota. Sarah is determined for all to know about the power of therapy!
Why do you love working at PPT?
PPT is literally part of our family. I love working with people that inspire me everyday. Our team is out there grinding day in and day out to make our world a better and more inclusive place. Nothing is better than that.
What do you do in your free time?
I just love being a mom! Our family enjoys camping, hiking, traveling, and our girls’ various sports. I enjoy reading, yoga & sipping hot things!
Taylor Palazzi
Taylor Palazzi
Director of Related Services
Taylor is originally from a small town in southeastern Massachusetts and earned her undergraduate and masters degrees in speech language pathology from UMASS Amherst. She is married to her high-school sweetheart and they have one beautiful daughter!
Why do you love working at PPT?
I love working for PPT where we share the mission of making a lasting difference in the lives of those in our community. It's a joy to empower others to do their best work and a privilege to witness the incredible growth that happens when passionate individuals come together.
What do you do in your free time?
In my free time you will find me spending quality time with my husband and daughter, checking out a local coffee shop, going for walks or watching my favorite shows!
Cady Branch
Cady Branch
Director of Clinical Behavior Services
Cady grew up in the Nashville area and received her bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Tennessee (Go Vols!). She then received her Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis from Lipscomb. Cady has worked in the field of ABA since 2013 and has been a BCBA since 2016. She loves working in the field of ABA to help support learners achieve meaningful outcomes, and enjoys the connections she is able to make with each provider and family she works with! An interesting fact about Cady is that she plays competitive pinball with her husband in local weekly pinball tournaments!
Why do you love working at PPT?
I love working at PPT due to the supportive environment and the ability to collaborate with other providers. PPT is centered on relationship building from providers to our school partners and families we work with. We constantly are innovating and evolving our approaches to better serve our clients and provide each client with the best care possible, while treating the whole child.
What do you do in your free time?
Outside of work, I love live music of any kind, spending time with my husband and daughter, traveling, reading and discovering new restaurants. I love being outside, whether it's hiking, camping, enjoying a meal outside, or just enjoying a beautiful day!
View Our Village!
Project Play Therapy is a community of experienced, credentialed therapists with a single shared goal: helping children achieve their fullest potential.
