Team Members

Laura Lilly is a licensed and registered Occupational Therapist with more than 25 years of clinical experience, including over two decades dedicated to serving children and adolescents. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from the Medical College of Georgia, graduating Summa Cum Laude.

Throughout her career, Laura has worked extensively with children ages 3–21 in school-based settings, helping them develop fine motor, visual motor, sensory processing, coordination, self-regulation, and daily living skills. She is passionate about empowering children to achieve greater independence and success in the classroom, at home, and in their communities.

Laura collaborates closely with families, educators, and multidisciplinary teams to create individualized, evidence-based interventions that support each child's unique strengths and needs. Her extensive experience and compassionate approach help children build confidence, overcome challenges, and reach meaningful developmental goals.

Ashley Jefferies is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with more than 20 years of experience helping children and teens develop the communication and social skills they need to thrive. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Pathology from Tennessee State University and her Master of Arts degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Passionate about empowering young people and their families, Ashley provides evidence-based services designed to build confidence, meaningful relationships, and lifelong communication skills. In addition to her extensive experience as an SLP, she offers the internationally recognized PEERS® (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) social skills program for adolescents and young adults. Through PEERS®, Ashley helps individuals learn practical skills for making and keeping friends, navigating social situations, and developing greater social confidence.

Ashley is committed to creating a supportive and encouraging environment where clients can reach their full potential. As a wife and proud mother of one son, she understands the importance of strong connections and brings warmth, compassion, and dedication to every family she serves.

Jessica oversees daily operations across both World Upside Down (WUD) and World Upside Down Arts Studio (WUDAS), providing support to staff, clients, and families. She manages ABA scheduling, new client onboarding, and arts program enrollment, helping ensure every family experiences a smooth and welcoming journey from their first interaction with our organization.

Jessica earned both her B.A. and M.B.A. from Clemson University and spent more than 15 years in Global Trade Compliance before following a calling to serve families through World Upside Down. She first connected with the organization through its summer camps and musical theater programs and quickly fell in love with its mission. Today, she combines her passion for people with her expertise in operations and project management to build efficient systems and create exceptional experiences for the families we serve.

Outside of work, Jessica enjoys traveling with her husband and children, reading, watercolor painting, and—perhaps unsurprisingly—loves a good spreadsheet.

Megan Puello wears many hats at World Upside Down as the Marketing Coordinator. She manages all social media and digital platforms, oversees the website, and creates visual content for the organization, including photography, videography, and graphic design. With experience in UI/UX and digital graphic design, Megan designs everything from theater program posters to promotional media, helping bring World Upside Down’s creative vision to life.

In addition to her creative work, Megan also serves as the afterschool bus driver and a go-to substitute teacher. She has a deep love for music and art—and while she may not be a dancer, she’ll happily pause the day for a spontaneous dance break.