Founder

Becky Khayum, M.S., CCC-SLP

Becky is a speech-language pathologist and a nationally recognized leader in providing person-centered care for people living with cognitive conditions. Over the past 15 years, she has held leadership positions in rehabilitation centers, assisted living communities, memory care communities and home health environments with a focus on addressing the needs of people living with dementia, stroke and traumatic brain injury.

In 2009, Becky co-founded MemoryCare Corporation, a therapy company specializing in providing care for families coping with dementia. Becky currently serves as the CEO of MemoryCare.

Becky previously served as an Adjunct Instructor at the Northwestern Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology & Alzheimer’s Disease where she collaborates on research initiatives in the areas of telehealth and Primary Progressive Aphasia. She speaks nationally to train healthcare providers and families on how to creatively utilize high-tech and low-tech strategies to address common problems associated with aphasia, memory loss and behavioral challenges. She has also co-authored various articles on these topics.

Becky is passionate about providing individuals living with cognitive conditions and their family members with the tools, support, and advocacy they need to preserve dignity and participate in meaningful life activities. Becky holds an MS in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Arizona and an BA in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from Purdue University.

Founder

Omar Khayum

Omar is an experienced healthcare and energy executive, having founded and led startups across both industries.

In the healthcare space, Omar co-founded MemoryCare Corporation, which is a pioneer in providing person-centered therapy for individuals and families coping with dementia and other cognitive conditions.

In the energy space, Omar has raised equity capital for and led the development of large infrastructure projects, including natural gas liquefaction, natural gas power generation, wind, solar and battery storage projects. Omar currently serves as the CEO of Annova LNG, a liquefied natural gas export startup company in Texas.

Omar is passionate about building sustainable businesses that solve underserved healthcare and energy needs. Omar holds an MBA in Economics, Finance and Entrepreneurship from the University of Chicago and a BS in Computer Science from Purdue University.

Cognitive Consultant

Maureen O’Neil Brown, M.S., OTR/L

Maureen is a registered, licensed Occupational Therapist with over 20 years of experience working with individuals and their families to return to meaningful activity following cognitive injury or illness. With a holistic and functional approach, Maureen works collaboratively with clients and their team to problem solve, educate, and create individualized plans based upon the specific goals of individuals and their families. Maureen has partnered with those learning to cope with new diagnoses such as acquired brain injury and concussion, brain cancer, TIA and CVA, Parkinson’s Disease, Lewy Body Dementia, Multiple Sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s Disease. Forging relationships between clients, their families and community resources has been a mainstay of this comprehensive strategy for improving the lives of those for whom she is grateful to advocate.

Maureen was graduated from Springfield College, Springfield, Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Rehabilitation, Cum Laude. Following, Maureen received a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia. Maureen has worked in a variety of inpatient and outpatient acute and rehabilitative settings, skilled nursing facilities, and schools. Educating students has been a long-term commitment throughout her career and Maureen has enjoying being a guest lecturer, teaching hands-on skills to years-worth of field work students, and presenting to colleagues at conferences. In striving to be a life-long learner, Maureen has taken continuing education courses to further her skill set and to remain current with the most up-to-date research and treatment techniques. Currently, Maureen is in the process of credentialing as a Certified Brain Injury Specialist through the Brain Injury Association of America.

Maureen is committed to giving back to the community. Whether as a former Board Member and Past President of the Ocean State Montessori School or as a volunteer at Doorways, a local food pantry, being generous with time and resources has been especially important to enriching the lives of others while acknowledging the significant positive outcomes that can come from pooling resources for a good cause. When not working or volunteering, you can find Maureen spending time with family and friends and enjoying as much time outside as possible, usually hiking or gardening.

Cognitive Consultant

Taryn Bushey, M.S., CCC-SLP

Taryn is an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist with seven years of experience working with adults and geriatrics with cognitive-communication impairments. She has practiced in multiple settings including home health, assisted and independent living communities, skilled nursing centers, and memory care centers. Taryn also has experience as a Director of Rehabilitation and a Memory Care Mentor, giving her a thorough understanding of the client centered approach.  

Taryn’s passion is working with clients and their families toward the most impactful functional outcomes and improved life quality. She holds an MS and BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of New Hampshire.  

Cognitive Consultant

Samantha McGovern, M.A., CCC-SLP

Samantha McGovern is a speech-language pathologist and certified health and life coach.  She has focused her 11 years as an SLP working with adults and geriatrics with cognitive communication disorders.  Her experience as a Director of Rehabilitation has given her a well-rounded understanding and approach to her work as a clinician and cognitive ambassador.  As a health and life coach, Samantha is focused on creating a safe and supportive space to honor and understand health concerns and develop a successful plan to work toward a happier, healthier life.

Samantha’s passion is providing counseling and support to people coping with cognitive changes through a holistic wellness approach using mindset and behavior change.  She holds an MA in Communication Disorders from the University of Connecticut, a BS in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from Northeastern University, and a Certification in Health and Life Coaching from The Health Coach Institute.

Advisor

Michelle Bourgeois, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Michelle S. Bourgeois, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow, GSA Fellow, and AAAS Fellow, is a Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Florida. She has received numerous grants from the National Institutes of Aging (NIA) and the Alzheimer’s Association to evaluate memory aids and interventions for persons with dementia, aphasia, and traumatic brain injury,  to investigate interventions for spousal and nursing home caregivers designed to improve the quality and quantity of communicative interactions with residents with dementia, and to develop training programs for institutional caregivers.  A clinical researcher, Dr. Bourgeois has published numerous research articles, training manuals and CDs, and books.   She was the recipient of the 2007 Barry Reisberg Award for Non-Pharmacologic Research, Theory, and Clinical Practice and she served as an Erskine Fellow at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand.

Advisor

Audrey Holland, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS

Audrey Holland, Ph.D., CCC/SLP, BC-ANCDS, is Regents’ Professor Emerita of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at The University of Arizona. Dr. Holland is a world renowned researcher, author, and speaker in the area of aphasia. Over the course of her career, she served on some of the most prestigious and influential bodies, including the Advisory Council for the US National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIH) and the US Department of Veterans’ Affairs Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special Disabilities. Dr. Holland received the Honors of the American Speech, Language, & Hearing Association, the Clinical Achievement Award from the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences, and the Professional Achievement Award from the Council of Graduate Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She has published over 145 research articles, book chapters, and reviews, in addition to four books. She also served as Associate Editor of the Journal of Communication Disorders

Since retiring, she has tried to be her own role model for successful aging. She has undergone extensive training as a life coach, first with Coach Training Alliance, and then as a student in authentic happiness coaching, under the direction of Dr. Martin E. P. Seligman.