Archives: Team Members

LaCharla Welch is a second-year graduate student at Webster University, majoring in a Master of Arts in Special Education.  She currently teaches  in North St. Louis County. LaCharla enjoys in her spare time hanging out with family/friends, traveling and being a dog mom to her Yorkie/Corgi Bruno Mars.  She has always been a champion for all people and firmly believes in the words of Oprah Winfrey, “Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody is going to know whether you did it or not.”

Jodi Woessner joined Pathways to Independence in June of 2017 and has more than 25 years of experience working with people with developmental disabilities. She graduated from the University of Minnesota, Morris with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and started her career as a direct support professional assisting adults with developmental disabilities living in the community. Jodi spent over a decade leading The Belle Center first as Program Director, then as Executive Director and finally as the Vice President of Belle Children’s Services and Family Support after they merged with the St. Louis Arc in 2012.  She served as a member of the Program Advisory Committee for the Deaconess Foundation and is currently the Chair of the St. Louis Provider Coalition. Jodi is a wife and mother of two, and she enjoys reading and gardening.

Phone: 314.863.0202 ext. 2

Kate Wilkins joined the Pathways team in the spring of 2023 as a Program Specilist and assumed her role as the Young Adult Program Manager in the fall of 2023.  Kate attended Washington University in Saint Louis and received her Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor’s of Arts in International Studies, as well as a minor in Legal Studies. She plans to attend law school in the future and is passionate about serving her community. In her free time she enjoys running, baking, and hanging out with her cats.

Amber received her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology as well as her Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from Roosevelt University. She is currently working with children, young adults, and adults with a wide variety of disabilities. Amber enjoys going to sporting events and reading in her down time.

Emma is currently a student at Saint Louis University. She is working towards receiving her Bachelor of Occupational Science degree and Master of Occupational Therapy degree. In her free time, Emma enjoys exploring new restaurants in St. Louis and being outside. Emma began at Pathways as a volunteer, and has recently joined the Part-Time staff team.

Lenka supports both Pathways to Independence and LifeBridge Partnership. At Pathways, Lenka manages billing and funder invoicing, among other things!

Mary’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Communications and a Master’s of Art in Human Resource Management, both degrees from Washington University in St. Louis. She has a diverse business background which includes sales, marketing, customer service and office management, as well as experience as a direct support professional in a community living home and in a sheltered workshop. Mary is compassionate in supporting individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those with developmental disabilities and is committed to helping our participants achieve their goals and reach their full potential. In her spare time, Mary enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her husband, two grown daughters, and future son-in-laws, and a sassy red lab-mix rescue dog named Ellie. Her brother-in-law John, is also a Pathways participant and shares their home. Mary enjoys cooking, going out, reading, music, decorating, crafts, and going on road trips. Her happy place is at the beach and the lake!

Christine received her Masters of Social Work from the University of Missouri St. Louis in 2014. She has worked as a job coach at Paraquad and in the residential programs at the St. Louis Arc. Christine started at Pathways part-time in 2022 as a Program Specialist. She is currently a full time Program Manager. In her free time she enjoys playing volleyball and spending time with her husband, three kids, and three dogs.

Sasha received her Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology with a minor in Dance & Movement Studies. She is currently a graduate student at Washington University’s George Warren Brown School of Social Work working on a Master of Social Work degree. Sasha enjoys spending time with her cat and exploring new places.