The Georgia Aphasia Project (GAP) is incorporated with the state of Georgia and in the process of applying for our 501(c)(3), non-profit status. Our goal is to provide access to quality programs, resources, and treatment to persons with aphasia and their care partners. At the heart of our mission, we strive to bridge the GAP in the continuum of care, ensuring individuals with aphasia can effectively communicate their wants, thoughts, and needs – both within their community and to their loved ones. By adding your email below we will continue to keep you updated on GAP's journey!
Founding Board Members
Lorelei Benham
Chair
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Lorelei Benham, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, is a seasoned speech-language pathologist with a decade of experience at the Shepherd Center, specializing in neurological disorders and brain injuries. She is the co-owner of Atlanta Speech & Wellness, LLC and serves as a PRN Speech-Language Pathologist at the Shepherd Center. Lorelei has presented at the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine in 2019 and 2022 and guest lectures for SLP master’s programs. She volunteers and serves as a consultant with CAN DO® Multiple Sclerosis, offering education and resources to participants worldwide. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, coaching her younger daughter's soccer team, and serving as a Girl Scout Troop Leader for her oldest daughter's troop.
Ariella Kaplan
Vice Chair
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Ariella Kaplan is a speech-language pathologist and certified brain injury specialist based in Atlanta. She earned her Bachelor of Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her masters from the University of Georgia. Ariella co-founded Atlanta Speech & Wellness, a private practice dedicated to supporting individuals with brain injuries. Her commitment to this population grew while working at the Shepherd Center. Ariella currently serves as Healthcare and Private Practice Chair on the Executive Council of the Georgia Speech-Language and Hearing Association (GSHA). A native of the Atlanta area, Ariella is dedicated to helping individuals living with brain injuries overcome barriers and re-integrate into their communities.
Dalise Robinson
Treasurer
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Dalise Robinson has over 36 years of clinical experience, as a speech language pathologist, in rehabilitation services for those with Acquired and Traumatic Brain Injuries. Her experience covers settings from acute to post-acute, community re-entry, home health and skilled nursing. She has represented Shepherd Center as a speaker at both the local and national level on the topics of cognitive rehabilitation, executive functioning and clinical programming at the post - acute level. Dalise has served as clinical supervisor for a staff of 19 outpatient speech therapists, 2 state licensed speech therapy aides and 3 vocational rehabilitation counselors across 4 programs, for the past 26 years. She coordinates the speech pathology clinical graduate internships and the Clinical Fellow Residency at Shepherd Center. As a minority clinical provider, Dalise has served marginalized populations all of her career. Her participation in DEIA initiatives at the program and organizational level serves as a platform for pursuing her passion for reaching the wider community. Her career and personal goals are to educate the current and future clinicians on the recognition and reduction of health care inequities and disparity for the populations they serve.
George Mori
Secretary
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George Mori is an entrepreneur, attorney and experienced non-profit Director. Most recently, George co-founded SolAmerica Energy, a leading Developer of solar and battery-powered energy projects across the U.S. Earlier in his career, George was an executive in the internet and real estate markets, and a practicing lawyer with Alston & Bird in Atlanta. George served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Conservancy and is a member of Leadership Georgia. George graduated from Duke University and UGA Law School. Having recovered from a brain injury, George can relate and work to improve the lives of individuals with aphasia.
Dr. Jacqueline Laures-Gore
Jacqueline Laures-Gore, PhD, CCC-SLP, is a Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Georgia State University and Director of the Aphasia and Motor Speech Disorders Research Lab. She has dedicated her career to helping persons with aphasia through research, teaching, service, and clinical care. She is a Fellow of the American Speech, Language, Hearing Association and has received Honors of the Association from the Georgia Speech, Language, Hearing Association.
Andrei Mikhalevsky
Andrei Mikhalevsky is a highly experienced senior-level executive, with global manufacturing and marketing expertise, as well as senior-level strategic planning and business development experience. He currently serves as a strategic advisor and board director. Mr. Mikhalevsky is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of California Dairies Inc., a leading milk marketing and processing cooperative. He has held senior executive positions at Fonterra (NZ), Campbell Soup Company, Georgia Pacific Corp. and Symrise Inc. He has been affiliated with numerous food & dairy industry-related boards, trade associations, and charitable boards. He has extensive board-level oversight experience as director of several large private and public companies.
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