Deborah Giesler, MS, CCC/SLP, Executive Director

Deborah graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and from Governor's State University with a Master of Science in Communication Disorders.  

She began her career as a speech pathologist and Brain Injury Team Leader on the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit at Lutheran General Hospital. She transitioned to nonprofit work utilizing the Clubhouse Model in 2001.

Deborah is the founder and Executive Director of Synapse House, starting in 2014. 

Megan graduated from Miami University in 2004 with a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science and from Cleveland State University in 2007 with a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy (OT). 

Megan’s interest in neurology started during her clinical internship at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD and has grown throughout her career working at Loyola University Medical Center and Shirley Ryan Ability Lab. While working in the trauma intensive care unit at Loyola, Megan became skilled in treating brain injuries during the acute stages. Megan has been working at Shirley Ryan Ability lab since 2014 and focuses there on improving daily living skills and work related tasks, in order to optimize quality of life and achieve personal goals. 

Megan's passion for brain injury recovery and her OT career led her to Synapse House in 2020. Megan's goal at Synapse House is to assist Members in their rehabilitation journey to gain greater independence at home, at work, and in the community as well as feel valued in their contributions to our organization.

Erika graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and went on to get her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree in 2021 from Lewis University.

Erika began as an OT fieldwork student at Synapse House in 2021 and stayed on as a team member following graduation and obtaining her license. She immediately developed an interest in working with the brain injury population to help them regain skills and independence. She has also gained experience in trauma-based acute care at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI and in inpatient rehabilitation at Christ Hospital treating patients after stroke, trauma, or other conditions.

She enjoys cooking tasks with the Members in the culinary unit, leading group discussions to build cognitive skills and planning events for the Members in the Clubhouse. She is motivated to help our Members do the things that make them who they are and get them back to doing the things they love!

  Kristina graduated from Northern Illinois University in August 2009 with a Bachelor’s degree in Education, and a Master’s degree in Science and Education in May 2011. 

Kristina’s interest in exercise physiology began when she discovered “Exercise is Medicine” throughout her bachelor’s degree, and her internship in cardiac rehabilitation at Edward Heart Hospital, Naperville.  

She joined Synapse House in 2020 to lead our Exercise Program and work with wounded veterans in our Community Support Service program. 

   Jill has a Bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois in Speech and Hearing Science, and also a Master's of Science degree from the University of Illinois in Speech Pathology.  

Prior to joining Synapse House, Jill spent her professional career in special education serving students with multiple disabilities ages 3-21.  She served as a Speech and Language Pathologist, Vocational/Transition Coordinator, and Special Education Department Chair before retiring in May of 2021.  

Jill joined Synapse House in the Fall of 2022.  As the Employment Specialist, Jill is passionate about building our members' employment skills through authentic practice and hopes to inspire our members to identify their unique strengths and interests.  

   Dustin graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2023 with his Bachelor of Arts degree in History and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant from the ROTC program at UIC.

Currently serving in the U.S. Army Reserves, he brings military experience and a strong work ethic to any task. Working with the Veteran members is a strong passion for him.

He joined Synapse House in 2023 and is motivated to help his brothers and sisters in arms and all our Members to surpass their goals for independence!

From Chicago, Illinois, Antonio L. Chairez attended Dominican University and Southern New Hampshire University to study psychology. He attained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2022.

Before working with disabled veterans, he worked with children diagnosed with autism. Majoring in psychology has provided me with the interpersonal skills and social awareness to assist people in need. Antonio works at Synapse House because it will provide him with the opportunity to help people he highly respect and care for.  

Meg studied psychology and plans on continuing her education soon. Prior to Synapse House, Meg worked with kids as an RBT as well as a behavior tech working with adolescents and adults. 

Meg joined Synapse House in March of 2024. She enjoys seeing the progress of the members as well as recruiting new members to the Clubhouse. 

When not at work you can find Meg with at any coffee shop or planning her next road trip! 

Jim recently retired from Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA) as an Accounting Manager. He has held various positions in the accounting field throughout his career. Most of his work experience has taken place in the educational field. In addition to IMSA, he worked several years at Heinemann Raintree (Children’s Publisher) as well as Follett Higher Education Group (Higher Ed Retail Org).

He enjoys working with numbers and creating process improvements, but also enjoys working with people. Jim joined Synapse House in 2023 and finds it very rewarding to contribute and be a part of the team that is working toward improving the quality of the lives of our members in so many meaningful ways.

 Latonya is an entrepreneur and has transitioned through many fields from warehouse work to computers as well as assisting in running an urban clothing line.

Coming to Synapse may have been the ultimate transition for her. It fulfills a long-time goal of helping and assisting those in need. As a child, the idea of being a part of making a difference has always appealed to her. Feeling a strong pull towards a career that would allow her to positively touch the lives of others. Thanks to Synapse she’s accomplishing that goal one day at a time. 

David has a BS in Sociology from UIUC and MA in Ministry Studies from Moody Theological Seminary. 

Prior to joining Synapse House, David was a Career Coach & Employment Counselor at other non-profit organizations, serving mainly refugees and underserved communities. He worked as a corporate recruiter for various companies, where networking and marketing became strengths to serve job seekers best. 

With joining SH, his goals are to build relationships and empower the members through the job-seeking journey. He is committed to bringing the best candidate experience and accountability to ensure the best opportunity for employee and employer success.

 Lashelle Morrow studied at Malcolm X College and Loyola University. 

Lashelle was employed in the field of Transportation for the school systems for six years. Her interest was inspired by taking care of her parents.  

Lashelle has been with Synapse House since March of 2022. Lashelle says that she loves transportation and the Clubhouse members.