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.
Carissa Baun
Carissa Baun
Client Support Director
Carissa began her career as an RBT over 12 years ago and found a deep passion to help kiddos meet their fullest potential. In addition to her direct experience, her daughter was diagnosed with several developmental delays from birth to 3. Through her personal and professional experiences she began learning the difficulties of navigating insurance and billing regulations. Seeing this burden on families and small businesses, Carissa transitioned her focus towards administration and advocacy for care. With a background in behavioral health and education in organizational leadership, she has spent the past 10 years supporting families throughout the southeast to access medically necessary services.
Why do you love working at PPT?
I love the culture that PPT cultivates. When your coworkers feel like family, you know you are in the right place!
What do you do in your free time?
I am a momma of 4 beautiful children! I spend every moment I can cherishing all of their milestones and being their # 1 fan.
Dr. Cindy DeRuiter Blackwell, OTD/OTR/L
Dr. Cindy DeRuiter Blackwell, OTD/OTR/L
Director of Medical Services
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
VP of Clinical & School Services
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!
Jessica Colton, M.Ed.,BCBA, LBA
Jessica Colton, M.Ed.,BCBA, LBA
Director of School Psychological and Behavior Services
Jess entered the special education field after her time serving as a coach for a competitive cheerleading team for disabled individuals. She received her Bachelors in Special Education from Ole Miss (Hotty Toddy!) and her Master's in Education from Vanderbilt (early childhood SPED and ABA) in 2018. Fun Fact: She was the first BCBA hired at PPT (non-manager)!
Why do you love working at PPT?
I love working at PPT because of how much every employee from the top down cares for this village. Everyone is willing to collaborate to best serve every child in our community or to help one another out.
What do you do in your free time?
I love walking or hanging out with my pup, Arnie, and trying new restaurants across Nashville.
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!
Stephanie Dougherty, M.S. OTR/L
Stephanie Dougherty, M.S. OTR/L
Director of Regional and Staff Development
Stephanie is originally from Pennsylvania where she attended Misericordia University. She received her Master’s in Occupational Therapy and obtained a specialization in pediatrics. Project Play was her first job out of college and she could not love it more. She loves working as an OT and incorporating play into therapy.
Why do you love working at PPT?
There are so many reasons why I love working at PPT, but the main reason is the people! I love the kiddos we get to serve, the schools and families we partner with, and all the incredibly talented people that work for PPT! I love our village here at PPT!
What do you do in your free time?
In my free time I usually am with friends, family, or my dogs. I can usually be found singing or dancing to some Taylor Swift or Harry Styles. I also coach 2nd grade basketball!
Travis Spaw
Travis Spaw
Director of Facilities & Human Capital
Travis has an undergraduate degree in psychology and a Masters in Business Administration. He has experience in social work and non-profit operations. Something interesting about him is that his first job (when he was 8) was a livestock handler with a rodeo company!
Why do you love working at PPT?
First and foremost, our values and mission as a company are what make PPT special. Before everything else comes the mission of helping all children reach their fullest potential. That is the "why" to everything we do. Second, I love our company culture and how the organization is filled with smart people who work hard. I believe it is this expertise and hardworking attitude that separates us from anyone else. Lastly, I love that it is fun! We all play just as hard as we work which makes for some great times at the office!!
What do you do in your free time?
In my free time, I like to go to my sons’ sports games, kayak, hike, bike, camp, and fish! Most importantly, I love going on adventures with my wife and three boys!
Rachael McLean
Rachael McLean
Director of Related Services
Rachael McLean is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma and moved to Nashville in 2019 for her husband's job. She attended Oklahoma State University for her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders and is a nationally certified Speech Language Pathologist. Rachael was recently awarded the Distinguished Early Career Professional Certificate through the American Speech Language-Language-Hearing Association for her dedication to making an impact to the field through leadership and advocacy. She is passionate about helping others see and celebrate the gifts that each child possesses!
Why do you love working at PPT?
I love working at PPT because of the culture. We truly value each person we get to work alongside and I love that I get to play a part in collaborating with and celebrating each person that is a part of the PPT family!
What do you do in your free time?
My husband and I recently welcomed our first baby so we have been spending lots of time setting up his nursery and shopping for all the baby things. I also love traveling, eating at new restaurants, spending time with friends and family, and playing with my dog, Fitzgerald.
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.
