Kylie Schell-Founder + Executive Director
Kylie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker employed as a School Social Worker + Behavior Specialist with Jefferson-Lewis BOCES. Kylie is married and has three children, two with Autism.-all three awesome! Kylie is also a photographer, and amateur beekeeper with a passion for altruism and helping out where needed. Motivated by a desire for more inclusive and equitable activities in the area, she founded Encompass Recreation in August 2022.
Heather Homan-Program Assistant for Accessibility
Heather has been working in the education field for five years and is a Teaching Assistant working with exceptional students at a local school district. She is also a proud Direct Support Professional, supporting disabled adults within their communities. She is in her final year of college, working towards her dual Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Special Education.
As the Program Assistant for Accessibility, Heather will focus on increasing accessibility for places that already exist in the community by managing our Open Doors designation, as well as a resource for accessibility reviews for programs, businesses, and organizations.
Joy Lee-Program Assistant for Community Based Programs
If you have participated in any programs with Encompass Recreation, you have likely seen Joy and her son there... it’s their favorite place to be! Joy is a mother of three, homeschool mom to one, who has spent the better part of the last 23 years going to workshops, classes, and conferences learning all she can about neurodiverse populations. She is currently enrolled in the DSP1 micro-credential program at JCC to help individuals who need higher support in our community. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from the University at Buffalo, and seven years of experience working in the inpatient mental health unit at Samaritan Medical Center. Joy is dedicated to this cause and so excited for the opportunity to work with Encompass Recreation, where the values of equity, community, belonging, and acceptance are accentuated.
As the Program Assistant for Community Based Programs, Joy will be the point of contact for the local businesses and organizations that host Exceptional programming for our populations.
Rachel Ellingsworth-Program Assistant for Outreach
Rachel has been in the education field for six years. When Rachel realized the struggle in finding supports for students with higher needs and their families, she earned a certification in Students with Disabilities to better assist the growing population. In her free time, Rachel enjoys spending time with family and delving into art projects like painting and photography.
As the Program Assistant for Outreach, Rachel will be out in the community, spreading the word about Encompass programming and events.
Carlie Watson-President, Board of Directors
Carlie is currently a school social worker with Jefferson-Lewis BOCES. For the previous 8 years she had been the YEAH! Program Coordinator for North Country Prenatal/Perinatal Council, Inc. serving as a community educator based out of Lowville Academy and Central School. Her spouse, two children, golden retriever, and cat keep things lively and entertaining. She has passion for education at all levels and is experienced in working in middle school, high school, college, and in continued professional development settings. Her drive to lift up youth voices and create safe and inclusive spaces permeates all of the aspects of her work, school, and home life.
Mallory Jackson-Vice President, Board of Directors
Mallory Jackson is an Assistant Professor, and department chair of Human Services at SUNY Jefferson Community College (JCC) in Watertown, NY. She holds master’s degrees in public administration and mental health counseling, and is working on her doctorate in human services, where she is specializing in trauma-informed care, education and systems change. She lives in Jefferson County with her husband, Pete (a NYS DEC Police Officer), their two sons and their energetic puppy.
Jennifer Sibley-Secretary, Board of Directors
Jennifer is the Family Support Services Program Director at Northern Regional Center for Independent Living (NRCIL), where she has worked in various roles for 15 years to support families of children with developmental, mental, physical and social-emotional disabilities. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Childhood Education from SUNY Potsdam. Her favorite role is that of mom to her two boys, Wyatt and Tyler. Wyatt, now an adult, was diagnosed at 4 with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The joys and challenges of helping Wyatt grow and be successful have motivated Jennifer to seek out inclusive opportunities for all children in the community. She is honored and excited to be a part of Encompass Recreation and all that it will accomplish.
Jean St. Croix-Board of Directors
Jean is married with 3 children and has taught and coached in Watertown, Carthage and Lowville for over 30 years. Jean has taught in a variety special education settings and coached multiple sports at various age levels. Jean was instrumental in establishing the Carthage Exceptional Games and is passionate about athletics and working with identified students.
Ashley Dobmeier-Burke- Board of Directors
Ashley is a registered and licensed occupational therapist employed by The Arc Jefferson-St. Lawrence. She has a bachelor’s degree in Health Studies and a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, both from Utica College. Ashley provides services to children from ages birth to 5 years, as well as adults with varying intellectual and developmental disabilities. She lives in Watertown with her husband and two fur babies. Ashley grew up playing sports in the north country and is excited to be a part of this opportunity to utilize recreation as a means to embrace our community’s neurodiversity.
Matthew Fagan-Board of Directors
Matt was born and raised in Auburn, NY. He completed his undergraduate education at Syracuse University, majoring in physical education with a double minor in exercise science and coaching. Matt then attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he was employed as a graduate student assistant, teaching classes for the school while completing his master’s degree in Health, Physical Activity, and Chronic Disease in one year. Matt is employed by Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES, as the Assistant Principal in the P-TECH program. Matt is thrilled to contribute to an inclusive physically active culture in the North Country.
Emily Soderquist-Board of Directors
Emily is a Mom, Coach, healthcare leader and forever a gym class hero. She is the Manager of Education at Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown and has lifeguarded and coached swimming for 20 years. Emily has played and coached at the youth, school, and college level for lacrosse, and is a true lover of all things sport, all things physical activity. Emily has also worked for our local YMCA for many years as a coach for the YMCA Blue Shark swim team, swim instructor, and lifeguard. Emily attended SUNY Cortland, SUNY Jefferson and graduated from SUNY Oswego with a Bachelors in wellness management. I then went on to pursue a masters of education while holding a graduate assistant position which entailed the privilege of coaching both women’s field hockey and lacrosse for the university.
Her daughter, Harper is the light of her life and you can often times find them exploring or making obstacle courses. Emily is excited to be a part of this amazing team!
Hannah Millich-Auxiliary Board of Directors
Hannah is in her 8th year of teaching Special Education at her alma mater, Carthage Central School District, in special education as the 12:1:1 Special Education Teacher at Carthage High School. She completed her undergraduate degree of childhood education and special education at SUNY Geneseo, and a master’s degree of curriculum and instruction, at SUNY Potsdam. With teaching, she also loves being a coach. She has always loved athletics and love being able to make all sports and other extracurricular activities more inclusive. Hannah is excited to bring new ideas to shed light on all of the amazing things Encompass Recreation has to offer and to continue providing opportunities that are accessible for our community.
Kalie Shanahan-Auxiliary Board of Directors
Kalie is married to her high school sweetheart, and is the mother of two beautiful kids, Grace and Jack, a bunny, and three labs. Kalie and her husband own and operate a local small business, Platinum Property Services, you may have seen their awesome chill zone at the Encompass events! She is also a special education teacher for the Carthage Central School District. One of her labs, Daisy, is a trained therapy dog and gets to go to work with her daily, you may have seen her at some of Encompass’ events over the past year! Kalie absolutely loves inclusion and everything it stands for. Encompass is such a wonderful opportunity for our local communities, and she is beyond excited to be a part of this great organization in such a meaningful way!
Madison Draper-Auxiliary Board of Directors
You may recognize Madison Draper from her time as an Ambassador for our local and state Children’s Miracle Network. Now in her adult life, she is passionate about educating others on how to create more inclusive classroom and neighborhood communities. Madi is currently a Fourth Grade teacher in the Watertown City School District and is the Assistant Director at Rhonda’s FooteWorks where she is an award winning choreographer.
Diane Zikowitz-Auxiliary Board of Directors
Diane earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Development with a concentration in Elementary Education (K-8) and Special Education (K-12) from Rivier University in Nashua, NH. She spent almost 10 years in the classroom setting before seeking out a career in the mental health field. She has been employed at the Children’s Home of Jefferson Country (CHJC) for 5-years and currently manages three programs: Jefferson County SPOA, Jefferson County Crisis Response, and the Community School Liaison Program.
Diane enjoys working with children of all ages and loves to make a difference in the lives of youth, especially those with higher support needs and those struggling with their mental health. Diane is engaged to be married, and is patiently waiting for a wedding date to be set. In her spare time, Diane can usually be found doing the laundry of her 2 children and 2 bonus children and driving them all over the state for gymnastics and other various extracurricular activities. In her spare, spare time, Diane enjoys reading, boating, having deep conversations with her puggle, and avoiding all things winter related.
Cyd Converse-Auxiliary Board of Directors
Cyd is a Watertown native who considers herself lucky to love several children with higher support needs. These children, their parents and the impact Encompass Recreation has had on their families is what inspired Cyd to join the Auxiliary Board of Directors. By day, Cyd works in social impact for a tech company where she works alongside her teammates to dream up big ways to make the world a better place. She attended Alfred State College where she received a Bachelor of Science in architectural engineering before attending St. Bonaventure University where she completed her Master of Business Administration. Cyd is also the co-founder of The Love Michaela Foundation, a charity fund established with the Northern New York Community Foundation to provide financial support to local families and individuals fighting cancer.
Cyd is excited to bring her many years of experience in marketing, volunteerism management, content creation and event management to Encompass Recreation’s Auxiliary Board of Directors while helping to drive further advocacy for families and children in the local community.
Lorie Converse-Auxiliary Board of Directors
Lorie lives with her family in Watertown, NY. She is a mortgage loan officer, along with her husband, Mark with Movement Mortgage. Lorie also has served on the Watertown City School District School Board for the last 3 years, and just started her second term. Lorie has a passion for children and education for all. Lorie has sponsored Encompass events in the past along with her husband Mark. Lorie truly enjoys being able to help local non profits in her area and is excited to join Kylie and the entire encompass team to help seek out their passion of inclusion for all children in the North Country.