Ascend Training Institute Expands its Leadership Team
Katrina Huels named Executive Director &
Sarah Smith named Director of Training and Customer Education
ATLANTA (July 9, 2024) – The Jacob’s Ladder Group announces Katrina Huels as the Executive Director of Ascend Training Institute and Sarah Smith as the Director of Training and Customer Education. Designed for parents, professionals, and institutions, Ascend Training Institute provides in-person and remote training solutions in all areas of the Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care® (IWBMC™), a revolutionary, science-based care method rooted in neuroplasticity.
With these appointments, Ascend Training Institute can further its work in changing the conversation for those with neurobiological challenges.
“I am honored to have Katrina lead our training initiatives for Ascend,” said The Jacob’s Ladder Group Founder and CEO Amy O’Dell. “Her dedication to children with neurobiological conditions over the past two decades is invaluable. I am excited to see her work with Sarah, who has been with us for over a decade, to bring the IWBMC™ to those seeking better solutions.”
Huels brings extensive experience and knowledge to her new role as Executive Director. Holding a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Tampa, Huels studied learning, memory, and cognition at Oxford University before earning her graduate degree from Oxford Brookes University and her Master of Education in educational leadership. With over 20 years of experience – including 14 years leading a specialized program for students with autism and emotional-behavioral disorders – Huels has a strong background working with clients facing many types of neurobiological challenges and is an IWBMC™ Certified Provider.
Smith steps into her new role as Director of Training and Customer Education from within The Jacob’s Ladder Group family. In her over 10 years at Jacob’s Ladder, she has served as a Neurodevelopmental Provider, Program Director for multiple settings, Initial Evaluator, and Director of Training. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in child and family development from Georgia Southern University, Smith completed her child life practicum at Atrium Health Navicent Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital and her internship at Inova Children’s Hospital. She became a Child Life Specialist in 2013 and is certified in Integrated Listening Systems (iLs), the Advanced TheraSuit Method, and the IWBMC™ as a Certified Evaluator.
Ascend Training Institute offers assessment-based certificate courses, online resources, and live trainings for varying experience levels. The assessment-based certificate courses are pending accreditation from the prestigious Assessment-based Certificate Accreditation Program (ACAP). Participants can also use the integrated AHAVA software to implement the IWBMC™ in various therapeutic settings.
ABOUT THE JACOB’S LADDER GROUP: Founded in 1998, The Jacob’s Ladder Group is a leader in therapeutic, educational care for the neurodiverse population, consisting of five entities based on the union of science and love. Central to each entity is the Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care® (IWBMC™), a methodology that provides a whole-brain, whole-person approach with individualized treatment plans rooted in neuroplasticity. Jacob’s Ladder School serves children and adults at its two Atlanta-area campuses, offering SAIS-Cognia-accredited programs with full- and part-time enrollment options. Pillar Research Institute contributes to cutting-edge educational and developmental neuroscience, accessing a vast collection of data compiled over the last three decades. AHAVA is a software platform ensuring integrated access to assessment, program design, and data tracking components, while Ascend Training Institute allows families, communities, and professionals to learn the IWBMC™ methodology and deliver quality care globally. The Jacob’s Ladder Network offers resources for replicating our Model of Care at home, in existing programs, or as new community schools or part-time centers. The Jacob’s Ladder Group is changing the conversation from the impossible to the possible, offering a better model with better outcomes. We are The Jacob’s Ladder Group: Grounded in Science, Guided by Love.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Molly Wyatt, Public Relations Manager, Brown Bag Marketing, MWyatt@BrownBagMarketing.com
Jaclyn Rhodes, Chief Operating Officer, The Jacob’s Ladder Group, JaclynR@TheJacobsLadderGroup.org
