Our Team
April McFarland
April was raised in Tucson, Arizona. Over 25 years ago, she relocated to the Columbus area and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Dartmouth College and a Master's degree in Speech Communication from Auburn University. April is a certfied Speech-Language Pathologist and a proud member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She holds a Certficate of Clinical Competence through the Georgia Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology. Additionally, April received specialized training in the Orton Gillingham Reading Program, Linda Mood-Bell Reading Program, and LSVT voice program. Since 1996, April has been dedicated to her work at the Columbus Speech & Hearing Center. Outside of the office, she cherishes spending me with her family, especially her son, Ian, who is the light of her life. They enjoy staying busy with friends and taking trips to the beach whenever possible. Ian is a thriving homeschooler, and we love learning together.
Jan Kent
Jan is a dedicated educator and environmental advocate who spent her formative years in the small town of Yatesville, GA. Her passion for the natural world led her to pursue degrees at the University of Georgia, where she earned a dual bachelor’s degree in Wildlife and Forest Environmental Resources, followed by a master’s degree in Forest Resources with a focus on education. Throughout her career, Jan has made significant contributions to various educational seminars. She began her journey by teaching high school students in the prestigious Governor’s Honors Program before transitioning to Valdosta State University, where she imparted her knowledge of biology to non-biology majors and early education students. In her role at Columbus State University’s Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center, Jan further expanded her impact by developing educational and public programs, organizing fund-raising events, and fostering community engagement. She excelled in managing the facility and its staff while ensuring the care of the grounds and wildlife was a top priority. To complement her extensive experience, Jan also taught middle school science, nurturing the next generation's curiosity about the environment. Jan is a mom of 2 kids, her daughter has Down syndrome and Autism. Jan works to ensure that her kids work to live up to their greatest potential.
Jessica Camp
Jessica is a long-term resident of Columbus, Georgia, and Smiths Station, Alabama, with her husband, John, and two children, Morgan and Isabella. Jessica is a retired special education teacher with 30 years of experience working with all ages of children and adults with disabilities. Now, she works for a local LLC as a special education advocate and as a homeless prevention specialist with a local non-profit agency. Jessica looks forward to helping the Down syndrome community have access to a welcoming and positive space in the area.
Kellie Lemons
Kellie is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with over 22 years of experience in various healthcare settings. She lives in Columbus, Georgia, with her 7-year-old son, Kyrin, who has Down syndrome. Kellie’s passion for providing educational opportunities for Kyrin to ensure he reaches his full potential drives her commitment to supporting individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Kellie is excited to encourage community support for individuals with Down syndrome and to use her experience and dedication to help create for opportunities the community.
Susi Hobgood
Susi grew up in Columbus, Georgia and recently moved back with her husband, Ron, and their three children—Christian, Jackson, and Anna. Anna has Down syndrome, which drives Susi’s passion for inclusive education and disability support.
She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology from Jacksonville State University and has worked in the environmental field for over 25 years. Her science background shapes her advocacy for quality education and opportunities for children like Anna.
In her free time, Susi enjoys hiking, kayaking, traveling, and running 5Ks with family and friends. She’s dedicated to helping families of children with Down syndrome find the resources they need to thrive.
Mary Minkanic
Born and raised in Columbus, Georgia, Mary has over 28 years of experience in client relations and has dedicated 22 years to volunteering with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Mary’s journey into supporting individuals with Down syndrome began through her lifelong friendship with Susi, whose daughter has Down syndrome. Through them, Mary observed the critical need for robust community and family supports. This experience inspired Mary to contribute to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.
Sadiyah Abdullah
Sadiyah is the mother of three: Safiyyah, Sahlimah, who happens to have a little something extra and Salih! In her professional life, Sadiyah is an educator with 30 years of experience. Prior to education, she served children in the social service sector. Sadiyah loves learning new things and exploring new adventures. Diversity and inclusion are the lenses through which she views life.
Emily Griswell
Emily has lived in various towns in the Southeast, but has considered Phenix City home for nearly 30 years. She earned her bachelor's degree at the University of Montevallo, in the area of Education of the Deaf. Emily taught for the Russell County School District as the teacher for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for 15 years, traveling among three elementary schools, the middle school, and high school. After leaving the school system, Emily accepted a job with the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries. This led to her second career as a Librarian. She earned her Masters in Library and Information Science from Valdosta State University in 2024 and now works for North Columbus Public Library as an Adult Services Librarian. In this role, she has been fortunate to partner with local groups to host several programs to support parents of disabled children in the Chattahoochee Valley. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her spouse and children, reading, genealogy, and enjoying local events in Columbus.