Meet the Team
Suzanne English
Suzanne’s passion is working with children who are medically involved. “I like seeing them do things that people said they couldn’t do. I like seeing their abilities, not their disabilities.” Suzanne is a graduate of the University of South Carolina where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Social Work. Later she earned her Master’s degree in Counseling. Suzanne worked for DSS as a Child Protective Investigator for six years. For over two decades, she has been an Early Interventionist. She is the proud mother of two. One of her children was diagnosed with ADD and the other with dyslexia. These diagnoses have only helped her more when relating to parents. She is an active community member with her local church. In her spare time she enjoys traveling with her family and going to concerts with her husband.
FOUNDER
Brantley Jenkinson
Brantley has over twenty years of experience on the service provider side of the business. She is a graduate of Greenville Technical College, where she majored in Early Childhood Development. She worked as a preschool teacher for two years. She began her career as an administrative assistant for early intervention providers in the area. A few years later, she became Respite Coordinator and Companion Trainer. Since 2014 she has been overseeing the tasks that allow Beyond Early Intervention to function smoothly. Brantley serves on the Human Rights Committee for United Cerebral Palsy of SC. She is a mom, beekeeper,and avid gardener. Brantley also is the founder and operator of a local Dog rescue in Lexington.
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER / HR
Kelly Oswald
Kelly is a graduate of Winthrop University where she majored in education. She then went on to receive her Masters degree in Divergent Learning from Columbia College. Kelly has had a long career in the fields of education and Early Intervention. She loved finding strengths and potential in the children she worked with within the classroom as well as the home setting. She now enjoys helping the EI staff fine-tune their skills and offer them support to make sure we are in compliance with file reviews. Being the mom of two very active children keeps Kelly busy outside of work. She is very involved in their sports and having family adventures in the great outdoors.
QUALITY ASSURANCE COORDINATOR
Whitney Starling
Whitney is a graduate of Winthrop University. She has been an Early Interventionist for over 10 years and has served as a Care Coordinator for a pediatric company in the Midlands area. Whitney loves working with all children with special needs but loves educating parents on Sensory Processing Disorder. She received her certification to complete the Screening Tool for Autism Testing (STAT) through Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. Whitney and her husband live in West Columbia with their three children. They love going to the beach, the park, family game nights and tailgating for USC games!
DIRECTOR OF EARLY INTERVENTION
LeeAnne Couture
LeeAnne is a graduate of East Carolina University where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work. She worked for the Department of Social Services upon graduation, and has been a preschool teacher for many years. LeeAnne feels that her calling is working with young children. She has been working with children for 20 years. LeeAnne believes there is nothing more fulfilling than being a positive influence in the life of a child. In her spare time you can find her spending time at the beach and traveling with her husband and children.
TRAINING COORDINATOR/ TRAINING ASSISTANT
Rebecca Rivas
Rebecca has been supporting children with developmental delays and their families for over 15 years in the classroom and home settings. She believes helping parents and caregivers discover new ways to connect with their child is an essential goal of early intervention. She particularly enjoys working with children with Autism. Rebecca received her Masters degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina. She currently lives in the Columbia area with her husband, and three children. A few of her favorite things include her kindle, label maker, and KitchenAid mixer.
SERVICE COORDINATOR
Sarah Hodge
Sarah Hodge is a native of SC and Alumni of South Carolina State University. She has a love of children and is very enthusiastic in her approach with them. She is committed to helping children and the families adjust smoothly through the journey of Early Intervention. Sarah is married and has 2 cats. She enjoys dancing, singing and serving at church as well as in her community. She is also an author and local book publisher. She focuses on stories that help children focus on healing.
EARLY INTERVENTIONIST
Lyvonnia Hyche
Lyvonnia graduated Summa Cum Laude from Ashford University with her degree in Early Childhood Education. She has 30 years of experience working with young children and families. For the past twelve years she has been in Early Intervention. Before, she ran her own nationally accredited family childcare program for 18 years through the United States Air force where she provided care for many military and civilian families. Lyvonnia is passionate about helping children grow, supporting families and creating environments where everyone feels seen and supported. Lyvonnia is a wife and the proud mom of 3 adult daughters. In her spare time, she enjoys crafting, making personalized gifts and trying new restaurants with her husband.
SUPERVISOR/ CHARLESTON
LaDonna Simmons
LaDonna is an Early Interventionist who is passionate about supporting young children and families during the most import years of development. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Rhode Island College. She previously worked as a preschool teacher and ABA therapist.
LaDonna truly enjoys helping children learn, grow and reach new milestones while building trusting relationships with their parents and caregivers. She believes every child deserves encouragement, patience and a supportive environment to succeed. Outside of her professional life she is a wife and mother, and dog mom. LaDonna loves to do arts and crafts and enjoys listening to music and caring for her pets.
EARLY INTERVENTIONIST/CHARLESTON
KelLeigh Dantzler
At Columbia College, KelLeigh was given the gift of working with a young girl with autism doing ABA. She fell in love with watching her grow and learn her new skills. After completing her Master of Rehabilitation Counseling at USC School of Medicine, she was given the opportunity to do an internship at Midlands Autism Division, which led to meeting leaders in Early Intervention in the Columbia community. Since 2000, KelLeigh has provided Family Training and Service Coordination to hundreds of families throughout the Midlands of SC. She continues to feel passionate about helping families with accessing resources to help their children grow. KelLeigh loves to spend time on the water with her family, friends and dogs.
EARLY INTERVENTIONIST
Asha Simmons
Asha holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master of Business Administration and a master's degree in health administration. Her educational background reflects a strong commitment to understanding both human and organizational aspects of care and service. Asha has more than 20 years of experience in child development. She has dedicated her career to supporting growth, development and the early development of young children. Her focus centers on strengthening families and creating meaningful opportunities for children to thrive. Asha strives to provide exceptional person-centered services and a supportive environment that promotes well-being, dignity and success.
EARLY INTERVENTIONIST/ CHARLESTON
Heather Williams
Heather is a graduate from the University of South Carolina with an undergraduate degree and a Masters degree in Social Work. Heather interned for Children’s Trust during her graduate career and that’s where she fell in love with early intervention. She has always had a passion for working with children and believes that development during childhood is very important. She loves early intervention because she is able to make learning fun and be that support for families to count on. Heather enjoys watching Gamecock football, spending time with friends and family, and loves being on the water!
EARLY INTERVENTIONIST
Lindsey Perry
Lindsey graduated from the University of South Carolina-Aiken with a bachelor’s degree In sociology, and a minor In communications. Her passion for working with children began in elementary school where she had an opportunity to assist In various special education classrooms. This early experience Ignited a lifelong commitment to supporting diverse learners. Her career has included substitute teaching, and working as an infant/toddler developmental specialist. She has dedicated herself to empowering families and ensuring that every child has the necessary resources to grow and thrive. Lindsey participates In many volunteer opportunities including Habitat for Humanity, Relay for Life, Boys and Girls Club and the Cumbee Center for abused children. In her spare time, she likes to stay active and enjoys running, and hiking in nature. She also enjoys relaxing by the lake and spending quality moments with her husband and two children.
EARLY INTERVENTIONIST
Harly Shelton
Harley is a proud graduate of the University of South Carolina, where she earned both her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and her master’s degree in Language and Literacy. With eight years of experience in early childhood education, she brings a deep passion for supporting young children and their families- particularly those navigating developmental delays. Harley is excited to begin a new chapter in her career. She is now a family trainer and service coordinator where she can continue to make a meaningful impact. She currently lives in Cayce with her husband and son. She has two dogs and enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and cheering on the Gamecocks!
EARLY INTERVENTIONIST
Courtney Freidah
Courtney graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. While she enjoys working with children of all ages. In her career of early interventions she has been focusing on younger children. This has been particularly rewarding. Courtney finds it incredibly fulfilling to help young children achieve significant developmental milestones. In her free time, she enjoys reading, trying new restaurants, and cheering on the gamecocks with friends and family!
EARLY INTERVENTIONIST
Sherry Wright
Sherry is a graduate of Columbia College where she majored in early childhood education. She taught early childhood special education for 12 years before starting a new career in early intervention. She has a passion for serving children and their families and finds joy in watching children grow, develop, and make progress. “It’s exciting to see the light bulb turn on when they discover new things.” Sherry enjoys spending time with her family and dogs in her free time.
SERVICE COORDINATOR
Becky Bumgarner
Becky is a graduate of the University of South Carolina where she earned a BA in public relations with a minor in education. Becky has had a long career in the field of education serving both in the classroom and throughout the school environment. She loves working one-on-one with children to find their strengths and the best strategies to help them succeed. With three kids at three different schools, Becky is always on the move (or seated on the bleachers at a ball field). She is active with her children’s sports and school activities and enjoys reading, coming up with DIY projects for her husband to do, and spending time with friends and family.
EARLY INTERVENTIONIST/TRAINING COORDINATOR
Greyson English
Greyson Graduated from The College of Charleston where she studied Special Education for students with intellectual disabilities. After graduating she realized she wanted to work with infants and toddlers. Working with children and their guardians is a passion she feels deeply. She hopes to be a positive light for the families she serves. She enjoys being creative through art, and spends her spare time with her husband, family and their two rescue dogs.
EARLY INTERVENTIONIST
Alicia Hartsell
Alicia is a graduate of North Greenville University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education. Her passion for helping children grew while she was teaching preschool within an adult education center. During that time, she discovered a deep calling to serve and support families. She has worked as an Early Interventionist in the Chapin/Newberry area for the past few years. Alicia lives in Chapin. She is a wife and a mom of two boys and her dog Lucy. During her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family on Lake Murray, cheering on the Gamecocks and supporting her sons with all of their activities.
EARLY INTERVENTIONIST
Elizabeth Johnson
Elizabeth graduated in 2024 with her bachelor's degree in Developmental Psychology. She has always had a passion for Early Childhood development and Education. During her nine years in a child development center, she was able to work with children of varying abilities. She loved working with children that had special needs. Elizabeth enjoys being able to assist families in all aspects of Early Intervention from family training to navigating school systems and extra services. In her spare timeYou will find her spending time with family, reading and crocheting.
EARLY INTERVENTIONIST
Heather Davis
Heather received her Bachelor's of Science in Education/Early Childhood Education. Since 2014 she has worked with children in both preschool and Early Intervention settings. She is committed to working closely with families to make sure they receive the support and resources they need. Heather loves seeing children thrive and accomplish their goals. Outside of her professional role, Heather enjoys singing, caring for her chickens and making memories with her three children and two bonus children.
EARLY INTERVENTIONIST
Mary Nell Vinsant
Mary Nell has been an Early Interventionist for over 12 years. She earned her degree in Early Intervention from Francis Marion University. Her passion for working with children began early. It started with babysitting, serving as a camp counselor and teaching kindergarten. She ultimately found her true calling in Early Intervention. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family. She loves traveling with her husband and son and exploring restaurants and events in Columbia. Mary Nell cheers on all things Kentucky sports!! She is especially fond of Kentucky Basketball and the Kentucky derby! She loves reading thrillers, playing mahjong and filling her home with family and friends!
EARLY INTERVENTIONIST
Stephanie Sheppard
Stephanie is originally from Upstate New York. She decided to trade the snow for a little southern charm and attended the University of South Carolina. She received her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. For the past five years she has been working as an Early Interventionist/Supervisor in the Midlands area. Stephanie loves seeing little ones reach their full potential. When she is not helping her BEI team or advocating for her families, you can find her chasing after her energetic toddler. She also has three rescue dogs and a three-legged cat! With the right intervention and enough coffee Stephanie believes anything is possible!
SUPERVISOR
Kathleen White
Kathleen is a graduate of Winthrop University and has devoted more than 30 years to her work as an Early Interventionist. Throughout her career, she has been deeply committed to empowering families and ensuring that every child has access to the resources they need to grow, develop and thrive. Kathleen is the proud mother of two and a loving grandmother of four. Her grandchildren are her pride and joy! In her spare time, she enjoys the great outdoors, especially swimming and watching her grandchildren play and grow.
SUPERVISOR
Join the team.
Beyond Early Intervention is looking to hire Early Interventionists and Supervisors in Columbia and Lexington South Carolina. Click below to learn more.