Christi began her journey in supporting adults who experience disabilities in 1996 in Decorah, Iowa. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with concentrations in Psychology and Social Work from Luther College, she went to work in a vocational training center serving individuals with a wide range of disabilities. When taking this job, Christi’s plan was to only work for five years in the job while planning her career path. However, through this experience, she found her passion for serving others, and Human Services became her life’s mission. 

Christi has been in roles ranging from direct care, to senior management within the Human Service field, gaining expertise in CT Waiver Programs such as Mental Health, Elder Care, and Acquired Brain Injury, receiving training in the areas of Person-Centered Planning, Applied Behavioral Analysis, and Community Based Psychiatric Rehabilitation. With this training, she worked closely with interdisciplinary teams and clinicians to develop highly individualized, person-centered goals, behavior plans, and strategies, always striving towards excellence in service delivery.

During the course of her career, Christi transferred to residential services and was charged with developing Home and community-based Waiver service programming for individuals with developmental disabilities. This learning opportunity was significant in preparing her for the challenge ahead. Since 2002, Christi has been serving brain injury survivors under the CT ABI Waiver program. Her role has been to work with individuals and their teams to identify the needs and the goals of this vulnerable population, never forgetting to put the individual’s desires first, and designing a plan to get there. 

Christi has been certified as a Brain Injury Specialist and Trainer. She served on the planning committee for organizations such as the Brain Injury Alliance of CT, serving at their annual conference for many years. She has also facilitated live ABI Basic Training courses and advanced training for Allied Community Resources. She is well known as a dynamic and engaging trainer, not only for her direct care support staff but to larger audiences, developing awareness in her community about the populations she serves. 

Christi joined the Supported Living Group in 2019 as Director of Operations. She has been powerful in engaging the teams she supports to share in the SLG philosophy of focusing on what a person can do in an environment where safety, respect and dignity are at the forefront. Her ultimate goal is to see every individual living and learning with a disability reach their self-described personal best!