About
Meet the dedicated team behind the Chicago Feeding Group.
Our Mission
The Chicago Feeding Group is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting parents and professionals who work with children with pediatric feeding disorder. We believe that relationships are at the heart of feeding development.
We offer education, support, and forums to build connections in Chicago and around the world. We aim to increase access to evidence-based practices through affordable workshops and webinars for therapists, caregivers, and students highlighting current research and intervention for pediatric feeding disorder and responsive feeding.
We provide support through resources, online community, and free access to courses for families with children who are struggling to eat. While most CFG events are currently hosted online, we strive to create platforms for connection and education in order to better support children and families facing mealtime challenges.
Meet Our Team
Karen Dilfer, MS, OTR/L, C/NDT
Co-Founder | Board
Karen is an occupational therapist, feeding specialist, and food enthusiast. She has a strong pediatric background and loves to help children with motor, sensory, and mealtime challenges. Karen received her Masters of Science degree from Washington University in St. Louis and is Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) trained. She also completed post-graduate education in Sensory Integration. Karen has worked with Marsha Dunn Klein, M.Ed., OTR/L, a leading expert in the field of pediatric feeding and creator of the “Get Permission” Approach to Mealtimes. Karen works in private practice and Early Intervention in the Chicagoland area.
Stephanie Cohen, MA, CCC-SLP, CLC
Co-Founder | Board
Stephanie Cohen is a mother, speech-language pathologist, author, speaker, and lactation counselor in private practice who has worked with children with complex medical needs and their families for more than 20 years. She has advanced training in pediatric feeding and specializes in working with the birth-5 population. Her mission is to establish trusting partnerships with caregivers in order to support emotional connection and early learning.
Risa Nasatir, M.A., CCC-SLP
Board
Risa is a certified licensed speech-language pathologist with over 30 years of clinical experience. Her areas of expertise include early intervention, speech, voice, and oral-motor/feeding issues. Risa is frequently quoted in speech-related articles, lectures in the area and is a contributing author to Voice Treatment for Children and Adolescents (Singular, 2001). Risa has a wide range of professional experience from working in the neonatal intensive care units, acute care in hospitals, clinics, schools, telehealth and home care. Currently, Risa has a private practice in Chicago, where she sees a variety of patients. Risa has instituted a one-of-a-kind Bottle Bootcamp to assist families in transitioning their children from breastfeeding to bottle-feeding, which has proved to be a successful initiative for the many families she services. Risa earned her Master’s Degree at Indiana University and an undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. She is also a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.
Brittany Ray, M.S., CCC-SLP
Executive Director
Brittany graduated summa cum laude from Nova Southeastern University with a master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology. She has experience treating individuals across the lifespan from young children to older adults in both home-based and clinical settings, working with a wide range of communication and swallowing disorders.
Lindsay Hoffer, M.S., CCC-SLP, CLC
Program Director
Lindsay is a speech-language pathologist and lactation counselor who works in private practice and Early Intervention in the Chicagoland area. She received her Masters of Science degree from Northwestern University, and has advanced training in the areas of infant and pediatric feeding and swallowing. She specializes in supporting children with pediatric feeding disorder and their families, and is passionate about helping all children find confidence and connection during mealtimes. Lindsay began working with the Chicago Feeding Group as part of their Continuing Education Committee in 2019, and continues this work as their Program Director. In her spare time, Lindsay enjoys spending time with her husband and young son.
Join Our Mission
Whether you're a parent, caregiver, therapist, or healthcare professional, there are many ways to get involved with the Chicago Feeding Group.