Our Team

Carrie Odrobina

Center Director/Owner

Carrie has been delighted to serve as Executive Director at Brain Balance of Oakland County since 2015! As a mom, it’s hard to watch your child struggle, whether it’s academically, behaviorally, or socially. Life is challenging enough, and when there are brain-based barriers that are getting in the way of your child being the best version of themselves, a diagnosis, or medications, or accommodations just aren’t enough. Parents want to understand the root cause of the challenge and help their child OVERCOME the barriers.

Carrie is an executive with 25+ years of experience as an entrepreneur, business consultant, executive coach, strategist, educator, and process improvement facilitator in automotive and health care industries, ensuring teams and individuals reach their fullest potential. As a Board-Certified Cognitive Specialist, with degrees in Human Resources Training/Development, Carrie now uses this background to help students and families to create lasting change as they progress through the Brain Balance program, and there is nothing she would rather do. “There is no greater gift than seeing a child accomplish what others said they could not.”

Alexandria Otto

Program Director/Assessor

Alex is the Program Director at Brain Balance of Oakland County. She is an alumna of WSU, with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science and a minor in Health Psychology. She has worked as a nanny for over a decade, has experience interning with pediatric OT clinics, taught yoga at a domestic violence shelter, and volunteered for PLANE: Physical Literacy and Nutrition Education at Wayne State University. Some of her greatest strengths are having a growth mindset and great patience. In her free time, Alex enjoys gardening, cooking, baking, reading, and enjoying live music. At Brain Balance, Alex enjoys watching students reach their goals and improve. She is an aspiring pediatric Occupational Therapist and believes the growing children of today are building the future. Her favorite quote is “The most creative act you will ever undertake is the act of creating yourself”. -Deepak Chopra

Branson, M.Ed.

Assistant Director

Branson is the Assistant Director at Brain Balance of Oakland County. He has a Bachelor of Science in International Affairs from Eastern Michigan University and a Master of Education from the University of Michigan. Branson has years of experience in secondary education as a lead teacher and varsity basketball coach. He has also worked developing custom curriculum that addresses gaps in education and as a corporate trainer specializing in team building. Some of Branson's greatest strengths include mentorship, empathy, and teaching. In his free time, he enjoys writing fiction, traveling, and hiking with his family. His favorite thing about Brain Balance is seeing participants progress towards their full potential and become mentally and physically stronger. One of Branson's favorite quotes is, "You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." - Christopher Robin

Alexa

Lead Assessor and Coach

Alexa is Lead Assessor and Sensory Motor/Academic coach at Brain Balance of Oakland County. She is an alumna of Rochester University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. With over ten years of background in early childhood education, Alexa brings an extensive level of experience and value to Brain Balance. Known for her bright smile and kind energy, she is always spreading joy and positivity in the center. Some of her strengths include empathy, patience, and creativity. In her free time, she is passionate about music, writing short stories, baking, and travel. At Brain Balance, Alexa enjoys the positive environment and getting to see each student progress over time. She aspires to develop creative expression therapy workshops to help children grow and thrive. Her favorite quote is, "You miss one hundred percent of the shots you don't take." - Wayne Gretzky

Jill

Lead Sensory Motor Coach and Assessor

Jill is the Lead Sensory Motor Coach at Brain Balance of Oakland County. She has a Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in Physical Education and a minor in Dance and is also a Board-Certified Cognitive Specialist. Jill brings many years of experience teaching Physical Education and coaching gymnastics, cross country, volleyball, and track. She is organized, honest, patient, and caring, and loves that she gets to work with the wonderful staff at Brain Balance to help kids reach their goals and succeed in life. She loves that she gets to help kids change their mindset and turn their challenges into achievements. When she is not at Brain Balance, Jill likes to be active outdoors, and spend time with her husband and two children. “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change!” Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Alec

Sensory Motor and Academic Coach

Alec is a Sensory Motor and Academic Coach at Brain Balance of Oakland County. He is an Eagle Scout and has 8 years of experience working with people of all ages and abilities, helping them to live with hope and a sense of adventure. He has served as a counselor at St. Francis on the Lake (Special Needs Camp), as a travel guide for disabled adults with Guided Tours, Inc, and as a Senior Care Manager and Activities Coordinator. Alec has a heart for helping others overcome barriers and challenges that have previously limited them from having a full and optimized life. After attending Northern Michigan University, Alec completed a 9 month Missionary Training program in Rome, Italy. Alec's favorite thing about working at Brain Balance is witnessing the incredible breakthroughs that children and adults experience on behalf of the program. When Alec is not at Brain Balance, he enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, swimming, and reading a good book. One of Alec's favorite quotes is: “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” -Mahatma Gandhi.

Zoe

Sensory Motor and Academic Coach

Zoe is a Sensory Motor and Academic coach at Brain Balance of Oakland County. Zoe is attending Wayne State University pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Fine Arts and is preparing for a master's degree in speech-language pathology. She was previously a Montessori assistant teacher at Gateway Montessori. She also worked with the organization “Color Of Autism,” where she helped curate and provide culturally competent resources and information for families and educators of autistic individuals. Some of Zoe’s greatest strengths include her creativity, compassion, and passion for learning. In Zoe’s free time, she loves to paint, spend time outdoors, read, and lift weights. Zoe loves that Brain Balance takes a holistic, evidence-based approach to improving people’s lives. She appreciates that she is constantly learning new things on the job. Additionally, she enjoys working with students and seeing the program's positive impacts firsthand. Her favorite quote is, “When one door closes, another opens”- Alexander Graham Bell

Shari

Sensory Motor and Cognitive Coach

Shari is a Sensory-Motor and Cognitive coach at Brain Balance of Oakland County. She has a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education from Eastern Michigan University and a Masters in Counseling from Oakland University. She worked in public education for 30 years. She spent the majority of her time teaching in 3rd and 4th grade as well as being a counselor for 10 years at a middle school. Her greatest strength is her positivity. She truly enjoys working with children. Outside of Brain Balance, she loves DIY projects and hanging out with her kids. Her favorite things about Brain Balance are watching how the students progress and the warm and welcoming environment.

Taylor

Sensory Motor and Academic Coach

Taylor is a Sensory Motor and Academic coach at Brain Balance of Oakland County. She is currently pursuing her Associates degree in Social and Behavioral Science at Oakland Community College with the goal of obtaining a Bachelors in Child Psychology. She previously worked as a Behavioral Technician and Daycare teacher helping children progress and thrive. Some of Taylor's greatest strengths are her compassion, creativity, patience, and passion for learning. In her free time, she enjoys listening to and playing music, singing, reading, and spending time in nature. At Brain Balance, she enjoys being a part of participants' growth journey and celebrating their many accomplishments. Her favorite quote is, "Self-confidence is a superpower. Once you start to believe in yourself, the magic starts happening." - Oscar Auliq-Ice