LifeNet Staff

Catie Ryan, MS, OTR/L
LifeNet Associate Director of Clinical and Program Development
(617) 393-3824, ext. 268
[email protected]

Catie is a licensed occupational therapist who most recently served as an OT supervisor for a respected Massachusetts-based multi-service provider, winning multiple organizational awards for “going above and beyond.” Catie did clinical fieldwork at the Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) and is a Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) fellow. She earned a BA with honors in human development/family studies and psychology from the University of Connecticut, and an MS in occupational therapy from Boston University.

Yezmin Alamanza, LMHC
LifeNet Clinical Case Manager/ Personal Advocate
(617) 393-3824, ext. 292
[email protected]

Yezmin was born and raised in Mexico and she moved to the US to complete her BA in psychology and an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Yezmin has clinical experience working with adults, couples, and families in outpatient as well as residential programs. In 2018, Yezmin completed AANE’s Intensive Autism Coach Training (IACT). Since then, with a comprehensive whole-person approach, she has worked to help Autistic adults on the path toward independence. In her free time, Yezmin loves traveling, skiing, and immersing herself in artistic endeavors.

Christina started an early career in marketing before her lifelong love of dance and movement led her to a path working as an Occupational Therapist. Her clinical experience includes working with patients of all ages, from newborns to older adults , across diverse practice settings including acute care hospitals, early intervention, acute rehabilitation, and school-based programs with a special interest in neurology. Christina is passionate about helping individuals engage in their most meaningful activities. She earned an undergraduate degree in mass communication from Boston University and a graduate degree in occupational therapy from New York University. Outside of work, Christina enjoys being in nature, gardening and learning about native plants, live theatre and musicals, a good home design show, and cherishes time spent in California and Vermont.

Natalie Brelsford, OTD, OTR/L
LifeNet Clinical Case Manager/ Personal Advocate
(617) 393-3824, ext. 609
[email protected]

Natalie earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo and graduated from Boston University with her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy. Natalie gained experience working with AANE clients while she was in graduate school for her occupation based practice, group leadership, and capstone project experience. In her free time, Natalie enjoys going on outdoor adventures with her dog and spending time with family. She is also a big Star Wars, Marvel, and Taylor Swift fan.

Betsy DeLorenzo
LifeNet Support Partner
(617) 393-3824, ext. 266
[email protected]

Betsy is LifeNet’s inaugural Support Partner. Betsy has more than 20 years of professional experience supporting people with autism and other developmental differences in school, work, community, and home-based settings. Betsy also serves as a live-in caregiver to an adult brother on the spectrum, with whom she volunteers regularly at a respected local cat shelter. In her spare time, she is pursuing a degree in animal-assisted therapy.

Brendan Stock
LifeNet Support Partner
(617) 393-3824, ext. 280
[email protected]

Brendan has been working in the field of special education and adult services in Massachusetts for the past six years. He has served in multiple roles during that time, including a personal care attendant (PCA), paraprofessional, classroom instructor, job coach, ABA behavioral technician, and vocational case manager. When he isn’t working, Brendan is pursuing a degree in human services and also enjoys playing golf and watching sports.

Julie L’Heureux
LifeNet Support Partner
(617) 393-3824, ext. 298
[email protected]

Julie has professional experience supporting adults with developmental differences in residential and community-based programs. She is trained in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and served as a program manager, group facilitator, and housing coordinator for a provider agency in southeastern Massachusetts. Julie earned a BS in psychology from Bridgewater State College, and in her spare time is a nature photographer who volunteers with several local conservation groups. She enjoys kayaking, hiking with her dog, spending time in nature, and creating art.

Bob Waters
LifeNet Client Support/Admin Coordinator
(617) 393-3824, ext. 282
[email protected]

Bob is an Autistic advocate and a longtime volunteer at AANE and other New England-area organizations that support Neurodivergent people, he has a deep commitment to ensuring that Neurodivergent people have access to professional, academic, and personal lives that are fulfilling, healthy, and secure. To this end, he has worked at the NextStep college living preparedness program run by the Judge Baker Children’s Center and has helped facilitate several educational workshops through AANE. He earned his BA with honors in history and theater from Clark University. In his free time, Bob loves to sing, write, attend live theater, take piano lessons, and watch documentaries.

Allie Everest
LifeNet Support Partner
(617) 393-3824, ext. 216
[email protected]

Allie is a neurodiverse teacher, artist, explorer, and thinker. She believes passionately in creating and nurturing communities where Autistic people can be their authentic selves. In addition to being a Support Partner for LifeNet, she is also an AANE Social Group Facilitator for the Crafting Group. In her spare time, she is a great lover of nature and enjoys many forms of art creation including ice tie dye, calligraphy, and sewing clothing. Allie earned her Masters of Education from Boston University Wheelock School of Education.

Sarah Bainer
LifeNet Support Partner
(617) 393-3824
[email protected]

Sarah is a long time community contributor, with over 10 years gladly volunteering with organizations in their day to day operations and 7 years working professionally in her local community. She believes firmly that everyone deserves to live a life of their choosing that brings them fulfillment and joy. This passion for helping others led her to work at AANE supporting neurodivergent individuals with their daily lives. In her free time, she enjoys reading, camping, playing video games, and spending time with her two dogs.