Meet The Team

Jane Connely is an Occupational Therapist and neuro specialist based in San Luis Obispo, CA. She received her MA in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California, her BA in English Literature from Loyola Marymount University, and she is also NDT Certified (Neurodevelopmental Training).

In 2018, Jane launched Heal The Brain With Jane, an online platform where she and others offered tips and resources for brain injury survivors. This evolved into the global survivor and clinician-centered non-profit we now know as Heal the Brain. Today, Jane continues her daily work with Heal the Brain and is a practicing in-person occupational therapist in San Luis Obispo.

Jane is happily married and has two darling little boys she calls her “dragons”. They can’t even think about getting a pet.

Alice Lee is a 2nd year occupational therapy student at MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston, MA. She received her bachelors degree in Behavior and Health from Boston University, cum laude, with a minor in Deaf Studies.

Before starting her OT journey, Alice was a trained artist living in Irvine, California and especially loved printmaking, ceramics, and black and white film photography. She also worked as a Registered Behavior Technician for children with autism, providing one-on-one, home based, behavioral intervention.

Heal the Brain has allowed Alice to learn more about the life-long recovery process for brain injury survivors and what it means to advocate and support those in the community.

Hadas Tankel is an undergraduate student at the California Polytechnic State University of San Luis Obispo perusing a B.S. in Psychology and Child Development. Hadas worked as an educator at Mind Craft Academy, Tutorly Academy, and in private practice teaching K-12 mathematics and reading literacy/comprehension. To Hadas, the most significant aspect of her role was instilling confidence in her students, including children with learning and developmental disabilities. Her passion for education, empowerment, and biopsychology led her to explore the field of neurorehabilitation.

With Heal The Brain, Hadas grew as a supporter in mental health and stroke recovery through the occupational therapeutic and mindfulness practices of the wonderful workshop leaders. She is extremely grateful for the community and the knowledge she’s gained from her role.

In addition to recovery, Hadas loves social psychology and is presenting her research on COVID-19’s impact on college students’ interpersonal relationships in the 2023 Western Psychology Association annual conference.

Outside of her studies, you can find Hadas making latte art at Kraken Coffee, on a hiking trail, backpacking, camping, and enjoying the gorgeous central coast.

Veronique is an encephalitis and acquired brain injury survivor who provides an honest insight into the challenges linked to living with a brain injury.
She's contributed to various projects led by national and international brain injury associations such as Brain Injury NZ, Synapse, The Encephalitis Society, SameYou and the World Health Organisation.
Through her advocacy work, she aspires to initiate changes that will allow for timely diagnosis, treatment and adequate support once the patients get to go back home."

Sarah Kutscher is an attorney at a boutique law firm specializing in public school law. Sarah provides legal counsel to public school districts on a variety of school law matters, including special education law issues, labor and employment matters, and student rights and discipline, and has successfully litigated cases in both state and federal court on behalf of public schools. She received her law degree from DePaul University College of Law, magna cum laude, in 2012 and her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University, cum laude, in 2007.

Brain injury awareness and recovery affects people of all ages, and brain injuries in school-age students impact their access to their education in complex and challenging ways. Support for the unique needs of those with brain injuries is critical at every age and every stage of recovery.

Michelle has more than 12 years of work experience in consulting, operations, finance, and improving the customer experience. She holds a BA in Economics/Mathematics from UCSB and an MBA from Kenan-Flagler Business School at University of North Carolina. In her spare time she enjoys travel, volunteering, hiking, and spending time with her family and dogs.

Michelle’s older sister’s life trajectory was altered by a TBI in 2016. Michelle recognizes the essential nature of access to care and community in her sister’s ongoing recovery and is drawn to helping HTBWJ provide that to all who need it.