Lorell Marin
Founder/CVO 
 M.Ed, LCSW, BCBA, DT 

Nico was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. He then moved into the city of Chicago to attend the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) for both his undergraduate degree in psychology and his master’s degree in social work. Nico has extensive experience working with children with diverse needs in multiple settings including client’s homes, therapeutic clinics, and in-patient psychiatry. After working in these settings throughout his education and post graduation, Nico decided to further pursue his education within Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and complete an additional master’s degree in ABA through Arizona State University where he graduated and became board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) in 2021.

 
Nico currently provides both social work and ABA services to children individually and within groups at Quantum Leep Academy where he continues to enjoy supporting children and their families achieve their goals.

Corrine grew up in East Lansing, Michigan, where she attended Michigan State University. After graduating from MSU with a Bachelors in English, Corrine moved to Chicago to teach in Chicago Public Schools. Corrine received her Masters in Occupational Therapy from University of Illinois at Chicago in 2021 and began her career as an OT. 
 

As an Occupational Therapist, Corrine strives to use a neurodiversity affirming approach to help clients and families accomplish their personal goals. Corrine particularly enjoys participating in play-based therapy that incorporates the clients' own interests and strengths. In her spare time, Corrine enjoys playing board games and snuggling with her cats. 

Zoey was born and raised in the great city of Chicago. She moved to St. Louis where she attended Washington University in St. Louis for her undergraduate and graduate studies, earning her Masters in Occupational Therapy in 2022. After earning her Master's, Zoey moved back home to Chicago and has worked in pediatrics ever since. She has a passion for providing client-centered and strengths-based therapy to meet clients where they’re at and to help them reach their fullest potential. Zoey’s areas of interest include sensory processing and integration, fine motor skills, and executive functioning.

In her free time, Zoey enjoys spending time outdoors, crocheting, and trying new restaurants in the city.

Jenae grew up in Eastern Iowa before moving to Omaha, Nebraska to attend the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She then completed her Masters of Occupational Therapy at Nebraska Methodist College in 2021.

Jenae is passionate about building trusting therapeutic relationships and meeting each child where they are. She values play, children’s strengths, and natural curiosity as the foundation for learning. Jenae has experience in sensory based feeding therapy, aquatic therapy, and motor praxis skill development where she enjoys being able to support and create an individualized sensory-safe environment.

She recently relocated to Chicago and is excited to be joining the LEEP Forward team! In her free time she enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, thrifting and learning new hobbies.

Brianna grew up in Chicago, Illinois and just recently moved back from St. Louis, Missouri to continue her career as a physical therapist. She obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Education and went on to get her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Saint Louis University. Brianna started her career as a physical therapist in an Assisted Living Facility and then transitioned into the school districts around the St. Louis area. Brianna loves challenging kiddos with gross motor activities and helping them maximize their potential. In addition to work, Brianna enjoys concerts, rollerblading, spending time with friends and family, and all things Disney.

Aneli was born in Miami, Florida, and is new to Chicago. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Science and Disorders from Florida State University and her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Florida Atlantic University.

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She has experience working with children of all ages and has a special interest in feeding therapy and expressive and receptive language disorders. Aneli has worked in outpatient hospital settings and has also had the opportunity to shadow in the NICU. She is excited to join LEEP Forward to collaborate with other disciplines and build meaningful relationships with students.

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Outside of work, Aneli enjoys hot yoga, traveling, and exploring her new city. She is looking forward to being part of the LEEP Forward team!

Allison grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. She received her Bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University and her Master's degree in Speech Pathology at Marquette University, where she went on to receive her CCC's. Allison's past experiences including, working in Early Intervention and with children aged 2-15 in outpatient settings. She has experience in supporting children with their expressive, receptive, and pragmatic language skills through individual sessions and social group settings.

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Allison is excited to join LEEP and believes in the importance of supporting functional communication and building a strong, positive language experience. She is looking forward to supporting the students in every way she can. In her free time you can find her reading a book, at a concert, or simply on a walk around the neighborhood.

Lindsey is originally from Indiana and moved to Chicago in 2022. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Indiana University and then went on to achieve her Master’s in Science in Communication Disorders at Governors State University. She is thrilled to join the LEEP team as a Speech-Language Pathologist! Her clinical experience has focused on supporting neurodivergent children and young adults, with a special interest in play-based therapy, gestalt language processing, and AAC implementation. She is passionate about meeting each client where they are and using strengths-based approaches to foster meaningful communication.

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In her free time, she enjoys yoga, getting lost in a good book, and exploring the city with friends!

Valeria was born in El Paso, Texas and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Illinois at Chicago and her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Pennsylvania Western University.

She began her career as a preschool teacher in Chicago and has since gained experience working with both children and adults in school and rehabilitation settings. Along the way, she discovered her true passion lies in helping kids grow their communication skills through play and connection. She is excited to join LEEP Forward and continue supporting children as they find their voices and thrive.

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Outside of work, she enjoys long walks along the lake, traveling, and exploring new coffee shops and restaurants. She is thrilled to be part of the LEEP Forward team and looks forward to building meaningful relationships with students and families.

Erin was raised in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan. She attended Michigan State University where she received her bachelor's degree in Kinesiology in 2019. She then moved to Chicago to attend The Chicago School of Professional Psychology where she received a master's degree in ABA. In March of 2022, Erin passed her boards to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. After working at QLA as an AC for a little under a year, Erin continued her career at QLA as a BCBA. Throughout high school, college, and in her master's program she was lucky enough to have worked and volunteered in different settings and fields, such as hospitals, schools, clinics and camps, with children of all abilities and ages.

Erin has always loved working with children, and is so excited to continue that work at LEEP. In her free time, Erin loves to hangout with her dog Winnie, explore chicago with her friends, and watch MSU football!

Anthony was raised in the suburbs of Chicago. This is where he discovered his passion for working with children. He volunteered as a youth leader for four years at his church. After high school he moved to Texas where he received his bachelor’s degree from Prairie View A&M University. Upon graduation he moved back to Chicago to pursue his master’s degree at Loyola University. Anthony has experience providing individual, family, and group mental health services to clients from a wide range of backgrounds. Nothing brings him greater fulfillment than bringing a smile to a child’s face and helping them navigate the struggles of everyday life.

In his free time Anthony likes to spend time in nature, hangout with his sisters, and read.

Lucy was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. Her journey working with children with intellectual and developmental disabilities began in high school through recreational programming—an experience that quickly sparked a deep passion. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Media and Cinema Studies from DePaul University, but soon realized her true calling remained in working with children and families. This led her to pursue a Master of Science in Child Development at Erikson Institute, with a concentration in Infancy (birth to three). During her time at Erikson, Lucy completed a two-year internship in Developmental Therapy with the Center for Children and Families. After graduating, Lucy joined the research team at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, where she worked on Project Corbett—a study focused on supporting infants and caregivers in addressing developmental delays through early neuromotor interventions. In 2023, Lucy returned to Erikson to pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW), graduating in 2025 with a concentration in Children, Adults, and Adolescents. She brings a wide range of experience to LEEP, including roles as a behavior technician in ABA Therapy, developmental therapy, camp counselor, and teaching assistant in schools.

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Outside of work, Lucy enjoys spending time with her family and friends—especially her two-year-old nephew. She’s a fan of movies, TV, and music, and her perfect day involves reading and swimming by the lake.

Itzel was born and raised on the North Side of Chicago, she earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Disability and Human Development (2023) and her Master of Social Work with a specialization in Children and Families (2025) from the University of Illinois Chicago.

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Itzel brings a rich and diverse background to her work. During her undergraduate years, she supported neurodivergent children as a behavioral technician. In graduate school, she gained experience as a case manager at a refugee resettlement organization and later served as a clinical case manager in a pediatric dental clinic, where she worked closely with families navigating complex systems of care.

Itzel is passionate about creating inclusive, accessible, and affirming spaces for all, especially for neurodivergent individuals and communities who are vulnerable, oppressed, or historically marginalized. She approaches her work with empathy, cultural humility, and a strong commitment to social justice.

Outside of work, you can find Itzel at the gym, running along the lakefront, going on trips, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Ofelia was born and raised in Chicago, near Rogers Park. She graduated from Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) with both a BSW and MSW, and is a licensed social worker (LSW). During her MSW program, Ofelia interned at an agency where she ran skills groups for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). During grad school, she was a mental health therapist for children and adolescents. Ofelia has always been passionate about working with children and adolescents. Before completing her BSW, Ofelia had also worked at a daycare and as a full-time nanny.

Outside of work, Ofelia enjoys being in the kitchen. She enjoys making new dishes and trying out new flavors. During the pandemic, she also picked up baking as a new hobby. She likes visiting different coffee shops and exploring new restaurants. Did I mention she is a foodie? She also enjoys reading mental health related memoirs. Although she may not be very artistic, she enjoys anything related to arts and crafts and playing instruments (and also going to concerts).

 

Yvonne grew up in Maryland and moved to Chicago in 2021 to be near friends and family. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor's in Sociology, focused on Law, Justice, & Social Change. Yvonne completed her MSW at the University of Maryland, completing internships in residential crisis and domestic violence mental healthcare. Yvonne has experience providing individual and group psychotherapy services to children and families in outpatient, residential, community, and therapeutic day school settings. She also taught literacy in Detroit Public Schools for 3 years. Yvonne is certified in Psychological First Aid, and Disability Inclusion & Accessible Design. She is passionate about social justice and creating therapeutic spaces where clients feel valued and supported. Yvonne has facilitated racial development groups, parent guidance sessions, and creative writing therapy groups. She loves working in pediatrics and supporting the intersection bewteen education, community, and therapy.

In her free time, Yvonne likes reading, baking, puzzles, and going on tour with her favorite band!

Rachelle grew up in southeast Michigan and received her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from University of Toledo and her master’s of Education from Ashland University. Prior to moving to Chicago, she lived in Columbus, Ohio where she taught 1st grade for 9 years years and worked as an Intervention Specialist through the Ohio Autism Scholarship Program for 2 years. As an Intervention Specialist she worked 1:1 in the homes for school aged children with Autism. When Rachelle moved to Chicago, IL she began working at Leep Forward as a Lead Therapist while pursuing her Developmental Therapist credential. She is now a Developmental Therapist Clinical Supervisor for Leep Forward and happy to be a part of the Leep Family! She enjoys working collaboratively with Leep’s comprehensive team to support the children and their families at Leep Forward.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and hiking.

Alyse grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology and Health Promotion from Miami University of Ohio. Following her undergraduate studies, she returned to Chicago to further her education, pursuing a Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) at Ball State University. She successfully completed her master’s program and shortly thereafter achieved her Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification. 

Alyse brings a wealth of experience from both school and clinical settings, working with children and young adults of all abilities. She was inspired to join Leep Forward because of its innovative and dynamic practice model, which aligns with her passion for redefining ABA therapy beyond traditional, table-based methods. By integrating play-based strategies, she nurtures meaningful connections and crafts personalized interventions that cater to each individual’s needs. Her dedication to this progressive approach has shaped her into a compassionate, versatile, and highly effective BCBA. 

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Outside of work, Alyse loves spending quality time with her family by hosting family holidays, traveling to new and familiar destinations (New Buffalo, Michigan being a favorite!), and discovering all that the city has to offer alongside her husband and 18-month-old daughter. 

​Mikayla O’Neill is a recent masters graduate of Adler University and is currently working as a counselor and registered art therapist at Quantum Leep Academy/Leep Forward. With a background in theatrical costume design and a degree in psychology, Mikayla brings a unique blend of creativity and clinical insight to her practice. She is passionate about using art as a healing tool and often incorporates mindfulness-based approaches to support her clients on their journey toward growth and self-discovery.

Aria was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her three younger siblings. After completing high school, she ventured to Chicago to pursue a BA in Psychology at Roosevelt University. There, Aria immersed herself in the vibrant academic community and developed a passion for learning more about human behavior. She sought to apply her knowledge and experiences in ways that positively impact others. Aria started at LEEP as an assistant clinician, then stepped up as a classroom lead facilitator, and now she’s taking on the role of Leads Coordinator.

Aria is thrilled to spread playfulness and support positive collaborations across all of our classrooms! In her free time, Aria enjoys spoiling her two cats, biking by the lake, spending time with friends, and taking trips to see her family.