Alina
Krol

FASD Diagnostic Team Coordinator
FASD Evaluation & Services

Alina was born and raised in Fairbanks, and received a BA Degree in Social Work from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Hawaii Pacific University. She has her LMSW in the State of Alaska. Alina joined the ACCA team in 2022. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, photography, video games, and exploring Alaska (especially in the summertime).

Amy
Davis

Program Support Specialist
Administration

Amy joined the ACCA team in 2014 as the ILP Program Assistant. She holds an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor’s in Business Management and a Bachelor’s in Accounting. When she isn’t supporting staff and families at ACCA, she enjoys spending time with her family.

Angie
Gingue

ILP Coordinator
Infant Learning Program

Angie was born and raised in Alaska, and has been with ACCA since 2010. She attended UNCO in Greeley, Colorado and received a B.S. in Audiology and Speech-Language Sciences. Angie returned to Alaska, and worked as an itinerant speech services provider before finding her passion for Early Intervention. Angie has also received her M.Ed. in Early Childhood Special Education from UAA. When not working, Angie enjoys spending time with family, friends and her dogs, reading, trying new recipes, and spending time outdoors.

Brittany Wesseling

Family Services Coordination Specialist
Infant Learning Program

Brittany provides support to families as an Early Intervention Family Services Coordination Specialist. Brittany was born and raised in the Fairbanks area and loves spending time with family and volunteering in the community in her free time. Brittany has a Bachelors in Social Work and her previous experience at the school district and now at ACCA has inspired her to work towards a Masters of Education in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education.

Carrie Opgenorth

Billing Specialist
Administration

Raised in Fairbanks, Carrie joined ACCA in 2022 as a Billing Specialist. Carrie is a very talented costumer for FACT, a local theater company and volunteers many hours supporting local theater. She also enjoys gardening and spending time with her kids.
CAE

Calista
Elzey

Family Service Specialist
Infant Learning Program

Calista was born and raised in Fairbanks and is new to the ACCA team. She received a BA degree in Psychology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and is currently working towards getting her Master’s degree in Social Work. When not working, Calista enjoys reading and spending time with her family.

Colleen
Elzey

Developmental Therapist
Infant Learning Program

Colleen grew up in California but has raised her two children in Fairbanks and has been a member of the ACCA team since 2004. She earned her Bachelor degree in elementary education and a Master’s degree in Special Education Birth to Five. In her time off, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She enjoys hiking, walking her two golden retrievers, and participating in crafts.

Ellen
May

Occupational Therapist
Infant Learning Program

Ellen is originally from Pennsylvania and worked in early intervention in Pittsburgh before moving to Alaska in 2017 and joined the ACCA team in 2022. When she is not working she enjoys cross-country skiing, camping, hiking, bon fires, game nights, and going on walks with her son. Ellen completed her undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh, earning a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science and a Master of Occupational Therapy degree. Ellen minored in Spanish and completed a certificate in Psycho-Social Issues in Rehabilitation.

Emily
Hagen

Developmental Therapist
Infant Learning Program

Born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska, Emily  received her Bachelors degree in Elementary Education in 2013 at UAF, and continued on at UAF graduating in 2015 with her Masters in Special Education. Emily joined ACCA after 7 years in the school district. Emily loves anything creative and  dabbles in all art forms. She also  spends a lot of time gardening in the summer with her mini golden doodle named Lola.

Emily
Gingue

Developmental Therapist
Infant Learning Program

Emily holds a BA Child Development and Family Studies, MEd Early Childhood Special Education, and is Certified in Infant Massage. Emily has also received additional training for working with fragile infants and young babies, as well as in a wide range of developmental concerns and domains to further support children and their families. Emily was raised in Alaska and joined ACCA in 2013. Outside of work, Emily looks forward to her time time with family, being outside with her dog, and gardening.

Fontana Dawson

DDRC Coordinator
Developmental Disabilities Resource Connections

Fontana joined the ACCA team in 2019 as the DDRC Coordinator. She earned a Bachelors of Science in Public Health Nutrition with minor in Kinesiology from Kansas State University. Growing up in Kansas, Alaska has opened a lot of opportunity for Fontana and her family. She enjoys being outdoors, hiking, camping, nature walks, gardening, and spending time with her husband, kids and three dogs. Each year, Fontana has a goal to step out of my comfort zone and try something new, learn a new skill or try a new food.

Hanna
Austin

Developmental Therapist
Infant Learning Program

Hanna has been working in the special education field for over 25 years. Through her diverse experiences and background, she found her way to this amazing program that she loves, Alaska Center for Children and Adults Early Intervention program. She has the honor to work with amazing, smart people in a collaborative team effort to help support families in the Fairbanks community. 

Hannah
Carlson

Physical Therapist
Infant Learning Program

Hannah received her bachelors degree in Exercise science at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan where she participated in collegiate cross country skiing and cross country running. After completing her under graduate degree, she attended Regis University for her doctorate degree in Physical Therapy (DPT). Hannah was born and raised in Alaska and enjoys the outdoors, backcountry skiing, fishing, snowmachining, and exploring Alaska but she also enjoys traveling the world.  Hannah joined the ACCA team in 2021.

Heidi
Haas

Executive Director
Administration

Heidi was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska, and spent several years outside of Alaska before returning with her husband to raise their family. Heidi enjoys traveling, spending time at the lake, and watching her children engage in activities they excel in. Heidi has been with ACCA since 2013 serving as the Deputy Director prior to becoming the Executive Director in 2021. Heidi holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources.

Jennifer
Traver

Finance Director
Administration

Jennifer began with the ACCA administrative team in 2005 and became the Finance Director in 2018. She earned a BA in Business Administration and MS in Accounting. Jennifer grew up in Fairbanks and enjoys camping, biking, gardening, and traveling as much as possible.

Joan
Esser-Farmer

Speech-Language Pathologist
Infant Learning Program

Joan has served children in early intervention and with ACCA for many years. She enjoys working with families and sharing coaching strategies to support the care of their children. Outside of her work at ACCA, Joan is a talented potter with her work being featured throughout the community!

Keri
Herning

Occupational Therapist
Infant Learning Program

Keri attended Colorado State University and received an MS Occupational Therapy. She first worked with ACCA as a summer intern before joining the team in 2005. Keri was raised in Fairbanks and outside of her work at ACCA she looks forward to spending time with her family and watching her 2 boys grow, tending to her flowers, BBQing with friends, traveling to warm places, and cozying up with a good book.

Kristen Panamaroff

Developmental Therapist
Family Wellness

Kristen joined the ACCA Infant Learning Program team in 2011 and holds an M.Ed in Early Childhood Special Education and an Infant Mental Health Endorsed level III. In 2021, Kristen became the Family Wellness Specialist supporting children birth – 8 and their families who may need support strengthening family relationships or connecting them to mental health support. Kristen enjoys reading mystery novels, spending time with her family and watching their favorite shows and movies, and beading.

Kristin Bradshaw

Occupational Therapist/Therapy Supervisor
Infant Learning Program

Kristin received her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from SUNY Downstate and Masters in Rehabilitation Sciences from University of Oklahoma. She was an ACCA Summer Intern prior to accepting employment in 1997. When she isn’t providing services to families or supporting staff, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, traveling, hiking, antiquing, and cooking.

Rachael Timmons

Billing Specialist
Administration

Rachael joined the ACCA administrative team in 2016 providing support to all programs. Raised in Fairbanks, Rachael looks forward to her time with family and traveling when she isn’t working.

Sarah
Hnilicka

Developmental Therapist
Infant Learning Program

Sarah was born and raised in Fairbanks and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and a Master’s Degree in Special Education from the University of Alaska Southeast. Sarah is a true Alaskan and enjoys being outside in any season; water skiing, cross country skiing, running, biking, hiking, etc. Sarah joined the ACCA team in 2021 after working for many years in the school district.

Sarah Kleinschmidt

Referral Specialist
Infant Learning Program

Sarah began at ACCA in 2019 as the Referral Specialist and enjoys connecting and talking with families about the Infant Learning Program. Sarah was born and raised in Alaska and has a background in early childhood education. When away from work Sarah enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs. She loves to be active outside during those short, but beautiful Alaskan summers.

Tiffany Timmons

Office Manager
Administration

Tiffany joined the administrative team in 2016 and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science from University of Alaska-Fairbanks. She enjoys running, baking, and hiking and biking with her family. Tiffany is passionate about being a part of the Admin Team at ACCA and has found it to be an incredibly rewarding experience. While she isn’t the one delivering direct service to the families ACCA serves, she knows that the work she does is an important part of making that happen.