Our Team

Carrie Odrobina

Center Director/Owner

Carrie is delighted to serve as Executive Director at Brain Balance of Oakland County, and has been in this position for 8 years, since experiencing first-hand the impact that this holistic, developmental program had on her own teenage children, and their friends. As a mom, it’s hard to watch your child struggle, whether it’s academically, behaviorally, or socially. Life is challenging enough, and when there are brain-based barriers that are getting in the way of your child being the best version of themselves, a diagnosis, or medications, or accommodations just aren’t enough. Parents want to understand the root cause of the challenge and help their child OVERCOME the barriers.

Carrie is an executive with 25+ years of experience as an entrepreneur, business consultant, executive coach, strategist, educator, and process improvement facilitator in automotive and health care industries, ensuring teams and individuals reach their fullest potential. As a Board-Certified Cognitive Specialist, with degrees in Human Resources Training/Development, Carrie now uses this background to help students and families to create lasting change as they progress through the Brain Balance program, and there is nothing she would rather do. “There is no greater gift than seeing a child accomplish what others said they could not.”

Caelan

Program Director

Caelan serves as the Program Director at Brain Balance of Oakland County. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with a minor in Human Behavior and Social Services, from Michigan State University. She also holds a Cognitive Specialist Certification from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards. With years of experience working with children in both educational settings and enriching after-school programs, Caelan brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her role. One of her favorite aspects of working at Brain Balance is collaborating with students and families to celebrate their progress and achievements. She considers it a privilege to play a part in their transformative journeys. Outside of Brain Balance, Caelan enjoys spending time with her friends and family, playing with her cats Prince and Violet, practicing yoga, reading, and rollerblading. Her favorite quote is “There are no mistakes, only opportunities.” -Tina Fey"

Nancy

Assistant Program Director

Nancy is the Assistant Program Director at Brain Balance of Oakland County. She received a Bachelor’s of Arts in French Language and Literature. She has worked with kids her whole life - as a dance teacher, a music teacher, a special education para, a tutor, and an ESL teacher. Since 2008, she has worked for Kaleo Arts, a youth performing arts organization as a teacher, director, and curriculum/creative writer. Some of her greatest strengths are collaborating and working on a team that has a shared goal, learning new things, and being adaptable. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her family - playing board games, being outside, cooking, reading books, gardening or having dance parties. In her “me time”, she enjoys reading, listening to audiobooks, and writing. Her favorite thing about working at Brain Balance is that there is always something new to learn here. She would like families to know that she has 3 boys and a foster baby girl right now. She relates so deeply and personally to so many of our families here. Her favorite quote is: “One of the greatest gifts you can give anybody is the gift of your honest self. I believe that kids can spot a phony a mile away.” -Fred Rogers

Jill

Lead Sensory Motor Coach and Assessor

Jill is the Lead Sensory Motor Coach at Brain Balance of Oakland County. She has a Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in Physical Education and a minor in Dance and is also a Board-Certified Cognitive Specialist. Jill brings many years of experience teaching Physical Education and coaching gymnastics, cross country, volleyball, and track. She is organized, honest, patient, and caring, and loves that she gets to work with the wonderful staff at Brain Balance to help kids reach their goals and succeed in life. She loves that she gets to help kids change their mindset and turn their challenges into achievements. When she is not at Brain Balance, Jill likes to be active outdoors, and spend time with her husband and two children. “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change!” Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Alec

Sensory Motor and Academic Coach

Alec is a Sensory Motor and Academic Coach at Brain Balance of Oakland County. He is an Eagle Scout and has 8 years of experience working with people of all ages and abilities, helping them to live with hope and a sense of adventure. He has served as a counselor at St. Francis on the Lake (Special Needs Camp), as a travel guide for disabled adults with Guided Tours, Inc, and as a Senior Care Manager and Activities Coordinator. Alec has a heart for helping others overcome barriers and challenges that have previously limited them from having a full and optimized life. After attending Northern Michigan University, Alec completed a 9 month Missionary Training program in Rome, Italy. Alec's favorite thing about working at Brain Balance is witnessing the incredible breakthroughs that children and adults experience on behalf of the program. When Alec is not at Brain Balance, he enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, swimming, and reading a good book. One of Alec's favorite quotes is: “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” -Mahatma Gandhi.

Zoe

Sensory Motor and Academic Coach

Zoe is a Sensory Motor and Academic coach at Brain Balance of Oakland County. Zoe is attending Wayne State University pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Fine Arts and is preparing for a master's degree in speech-language pathology. She was previously a Montessori assistant teacher at Gateway Montessori. She also worked with the organization “Color Of Autism,” where she helped curate and provide culturally competent resources and information for families and educators of autistic individuals. Some of Zoe’s greatest strengths include her creativity, compassion, and passion for learning. In Zoe’s free time, she loves to paint, spend time outdoors, read, and lift weights. Zoe loves that Brain Balance takes a holistic, evidence-based approach to improving people’s lives. She appreciates that she is constantly learning new things on the job. Additionally, she enjoys working with students and seeing the program's positive impacts firsthand. Her favorite quote is, “When one door closes, another opens”- Alexander Graham Bell

Alex

Sensory Motor and Academic Coach

Alex is a Sensory Motor and Academic Coach at Brain Balance of Oakland County. She is completing her Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science with a minor in Health Psychology. She has worked as a nanny for over a decade, has experience interning with pediatric OT clinics, taught yoga at a domestic violence shelter, and volunteered for PLANE: Physical Literacy and Nutrition Education at Wayne State University. Some of her greatest strengths are having a growth mindset and great patience. In her free time, Alex enjoys gardening, cooking, baking, reading, and enjoying live music. At Brain Balance, Alex enjoys watching students reach their goals and improve. She is an aspiring pediatric Occupational Therapist and believes the growing children of today are building the future. Her favorite quote is “The most creative act you will ever undertake is the act of creating yourself”. -Deepak Chopra

Shari

Sensory Motor and Cognitive Coach

Shari is a Sensory-Motor and Cognitive coach at Brain Balance of Oakland County. She has a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education from Eastern Michigan University and a Masters in Counseling from Oakland University. She worked in public education for 30 years. She spent the majority of her time teaching in 3rd and 4th grade as well as being a counselor for 10 years at a middle school. Her greatest strength is her positivity. She truly enjoys working with children. Outside of Brain Balance, she loves DIY projects and hanging out with her kids. Her favorite things about Brain Balance are watching how the students progress and the warm and welcoming environment.