Our Team. Our Story.

Courtney D. Sistak, M.S., CCC-SLP

Licensed and Certified Speech-Language Pathologist

President & Co-Founder of Grow with Words, Inc.

Courtney’s passion for working with children began when she took her first client as a habilitation provider and saw the impact that the right therapies could have on a family. This led her to continue to work with additional families and professionals as she pursued her bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Science at Arizona State University. Courtney continued to further her education by pursuing her master’s degree in Communication Disorders. Between her experiences as a Habilitation Provider, Speech-Language Pathologist, school volunteer, mom, and even a Girl Scouts leader, Courtney has worked with kids of all ages for over twenty years. She has advanced training in early intervention, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, sensory-based feeding disorders, articulation and phonology, gifted and talented supports, social cognition skills, and reading, including interventions for dyslexia. When she’s not working with kids, Courtney enjoys spending time with her husband, her two children, and her fur babies, Venus, and Luna.

Ms. Bridget, B.S., C-SLPA

Certified Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Bridget is a current Master of Communication Disorders student at Arizona State University. She earned her undergraduate degree in Speech and Hearing Science from ASU and is an ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathology Assistant. With a strong passion for working with children with speech and language disorders, Bridget is dedicated to supporting meaningful communication growth.

She also serves as a graduate research student in ASU’s College of Health Solutions, investigating the relationship between musicality and students’ aptitude for phonetics. Her research was presented at the 2023 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention and received a Meritorious Poster Submission award for exceptional and innovative work. Outside of school, Bridget enjoys going to concerts, spending time with friends and family, shooting film photography, and baking.

"In a world where you can be anything, be kind" - Clare Pooley

Ms. Ryleigh, B.S., SLPA

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Ryleigh is excited to be a part of the Grow With Words team. She grew up in Gilbert, Arizona and attended Campo Verde High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Northern Arizona University in snowy Flagstaff, where she was a proud member of Alpha Delta Pi and made some of her favorite lifelong memories.

Ryleigh is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Arizona State University. She is passionate about early intervention, building strong connections with families, and helping each child find confidence in their communication.

Outside of planning engaging therapy sessions, Ryleigh loves traveling to new places, going to concerts, exploring new coffee shops with her friends and trying new hobbies like journaling!

“Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic.” - J.K. Rowling

Ms. MeLanie, B.S., SLPA

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

MeLanie was born and raised in Arizona. In 2025, she graduated from Northern Arizona University with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. In addition to her experience as an SLPA, MeLanie has worked with children in the early childhood setting for 15 years and loves watching children discover new things. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her children and exploring nature.

"Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn." - Xun Kuang

Robert Sistak, B.S.

Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder

Robert has been connected to early education for most of his life, first through his mother, a special education preschool teacher, and now through his wife of 20 years, a speech-language pathologist.

He has worked in the healthcare industry for more than 22 years, collaborating with experts in over 25 states across the country. With a strong focus on school-aged children, Robert understands how critical early intervention is to supporting a child’s success in the classroom and laying the foundation for thriving in adult life.

When he’s not working, Robert enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, playing games, watching movies, and enjoying the great outdoors.

“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” - Albert Einstein