Professional Journey & Leadership

Sandra’s career has been rooted in walking alongside families during times of profound vulnerability. For eight years, she worked directly with children battling cancer and their families, supporting them from the moment of diagnosis through treatment, celebrating milestones when chemotherapy ended, and, at times, providing compassionate care during end-of-life journeys. These experiences shaped her deep understanding of family resilience and the critical role of emotional and practical support during crisis.

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Recognizing similar unmet needs among families with premature infants, Sandra founded the TEACUP Preemie Program through The Children’s Healing Institute. Since 2008, the program has provided emotional support, education, and connection to families navigating Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). What began as a local initiative has grown to reach families nationwide through community partnerships and an online support network.

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Sandra currently serves as CEO of The Children’s Healing Institute, a role she assumed within three months of joining the organization. In this capacity, she oversees programs that have supported thousands of families while focusing on organizational strategy, program development, and building sustainable systems of care. While her dedicated staff delivers direct services, Sandra’s leadership centers on ensuring long-term impact for children and families in the communities they serve.

A Personal Commitment to Child Safety

Sandra’s dedication to child wellbeing began early in her career. At age 22, she received a patent for the Baby Pool Guard, a child safety device designed to prevent drownings after a family friend lost their young son in a tragic accident. Although the patent has since expired, the experience reflects a lifelong commitment to protecting children and preventing harm whenever possible.

From Clinician to Author

Sandra’s transition into children’s literature was a natural extension of her professional and personal journey. Drawing from her background in mental health counseling and child development, she writes stories that do more than entertain—they help children understand emotions, build resilience, and navigate life’s challenges with confidence.

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Through the Fiddleswerth series, Sandra weaves enchanting adventures with meaningful lessons about friendship, courage, kindness, and self-belief. Her clinically informed approach allows her to create stories that offer children a safe space to explore complex feelings through imagination, making emotional learning accessible, gentle, and empowering.

Approach to Children's Literature

Sandra believes childhood is a time of wonder, discovery, and emotional growth—and that stories play a vital role in helping children make sense of their world. In her writing, she draws on both professional expertise and lived experience to create narratives that resonate on multiple levels.

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Her goal is to write stories children return to again and again—not only for enjoyment, but because they find new meaning with each reading. Through relatable characters and magical worlds, Sandra aims to nurture emotional intelligence, creativity, and resilience, helping children develop the tools they need to face life with compassion and confidence.