Leading with heart and vision

Elizabeth (“Liz”) brings decades of experience and a deep passion for helping children thrive in their world. Her journey began in high school, where she started working with children with disabilities, and it has only grown since.

Education & Training

University of Texas at Austin – B.S. in Nutrition. During her studies, Liz volunteered at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, nannied for families with children with special needs, and worked as a lead therapy technician at a sensory integration clinic.

University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio – Master’s in Occupational Therapy. During this time, she trained with renowned OT Patricia Wilbarger, MEd, OTR, FAOTA.

Professional Experience

Over 13 years in Austin-area sensory integration clinics, specializing in occupational therapy for children.

Founded her own OT practice, providing consultations for teachers in schools and working with families privately.

Known for her creative, movement-based sessions — earning the nickname “the obstacle course queen.”

Areas of Specialty

Liz has worked with children of all ages and abilities, with a special passion for supporting autistic children. Her experience also includes:

ADD/ADHD

Fragile X syndrome

Down syndrome

Social and emotional challenges

Fine and gross motor delays (including handwriting)

Approach & Methods

An OT session with Liz feels like purposeful play. She uses obstacle courses, swings, trampolines, and sensory-rich activities to strengthen fine and gross motor skills. She incorporates evidence-based programs such as:

Learning Without Tears

How Does Your Engine Run?

Superflex Social Skills Curriculum

Liz also has extensive experience with therapy dog programs, bringing warmth and connection into her sessions.

Christy Harden is a holistic speech-language pathologist with over 20 years of experience supporting communication across the lifespan. She specializes in integrative, evidence-based therapy that honors each client’s unique strengths, nervous system, and learning style.
Christy is also a writer, joyful RSA mama, nature lover, and passionate advocate for whole-person wellness. She brings heart, creativity, and presence to every session—believing that connection is the foundation of meaningful progress.

Jessica is a brand-building visionary, known for creating and scaling impactful brands from the ground up. She played a key role in taking Mint Mobile from startup to industry leader, earning the top spot on the Inc. 100. As the head of an internal creative studio, she built and led a team of designers, animators, and copywriters, crafting compelling brand stories across multiple platforms to align with business objectives and connect with target audiences.

With a talent for strategic storytelling and meaningful brand development, Jessica ensures that every brand she touches resonates deeply. Her expertise helps Raphael Springs Academy communicate its vision, values, and mission in a way that inspires and engages our community.

​Dr. Karla Mehlenbacher is a Board-Certified Chiropractic Neurologist, holistic autoimmune practitioner and founder of Take Root Brain & Body. Dr. Mehlenbacher uses Integrative Neurology and Functional Medicine to help people struggling with post-concussion syndrome, childhood developmental disorders, chronic pain and many other neurological and autoimmune conditions.

After developing an auto-immune disease as a child, and later a discovery of Lyme Disease, she was drawn to the field of holistic health and healing. Dr. Mehlenbacher received a Doctorate of Chiropractic from Parker University, Fellowships from the International Board of Functional Neurology and the American Board of Brain Injury and Rehabilitation and has degrees in human anatomy, biology and clinical neuroscience. She weaves perspectives from these disciplines to support full-body wellness. Her hope is to build a community where anyone suffering with chronic illness can seek wellness and feel supported by a wide variety of resources specific to the healing journey.

• Doctor of Chiropractic

• Board- Certified Chiropractic Neurologist

• Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Neurology Board

• The International Board of Functional Neurology

• Fellow of the American Board of Brain Injury and Rehabilitation

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• Advanced Clinical Training:

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  • • Carrick Institute of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation: mTBI and Vestibular Rehabilitation

  • • Institute for Functional Medicine

  • • Medical Academy of Pediatric Special needs (MAPS)

  • • International Board of Functional Neurology (IBFN): Childhood Neurodevelopmental Disorders

  • • ICPA Webster Certified

  • • Certified Autoimmune Paleo (AIP) Practitioner

As a seasoned finance executive, Kevin brings extensive expertise in corporate financial management, strategic restructuring, and high-growth business operations. He specializes in fundraising, securing financing, and implementing financial strategies that drive both stability and long-term growth. With his keen financial acumen and strategic vision, Kevin plays a vital role in ensuring Raphael Springs Academy remains financially strong and sustainable, allowing our mission-driven education to flourish for generations to come.

Vili brings a deep passion for holistic empowerment and cultural connection to the Raphael Springs Academy board. Raised in Austria, she resonates with many of the Waldorf-inspired values now being passed on to her children.

As a women’s empowerment coach and certified womb healer, Vili supports women in healing trauma, reclaiming their feminine power, and unlocking aligned confidence and creativity. With a background as a stage actress in Vienna and an elite EMS trainer in Los Angeles, she blends practical tools with intuitive healing in her work and life.

Vili will bring her natural gifts of connection, networking, and inspiration to her role, offering a focused, heart-led approach to enriching our community through school-wide gatherings, meaningful parent involvement, and unifying outreach efforts. She is honored to support the vision of raising strong, conscious, free-thinking children through community engagement and aligned leadership.