Our Team.

Cordelia Van Aalst and Jess Nakkour

Two women smiling for a selfie in front of a colorful, abstract patterned wall.

Owners, Directors and Senior Speech Pathologists

Jess and Cordelia both opened TSST in October 2022. They have both worked across a number of different settings, including in the clinic, daycare, preschools, primary, high school and college settings.

They are both passionate about providing Neurodiversity Affirming therapy in a family-centred approach that is individualised to achieve success in a supportive, fun and calming environment.

Cordelia and Jess graduated from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Speech and Hearing Sciences and a Master in Speech and Language Pathology. They both founded the Macquarie University Speech, Hearing and Linguistics Society (MUSHLS).

Cordelia and Jess are Certified Practising Members of Speech Pathology Australia. They are strongly committed to evidence-based therapy and attend professional development courses regularly to keep their clinical skills up-to-date.

Jess and Cordelia are both mums and each have two beautiful children who keep them busy when they’re not at work in their new Willoughby clinic.

Chantel Leseberg

A woman with long blonde hair standing outside a building, smiling, next to a sign that reads 'The Sydney Speech Team.' She is wearing a black t-shirt, a long floral skirt, and black sandals.

Speech Pathologist

Chantel has been working at The Sydney Speech Team for 3 years. She holds a Bachelor of Speech and Hearing Sciences and a Master of Speech and Language Pathology. She brings a calm, compassionate approach to our clinic, supporting each client with patience and encouragement. Chantel loves seeing her clients’ confidence grow as they achieve their goals across all areas of speech pathology.

With a background in performing arts and music, Chantel brings creativity and energy to her sessions, and she’s widely regarded as the best singer in the clinic!

Outside of work, she’s a devoted dog lover, especially Border Collies, and enjoys spending time with her furry friends whenever she can.

A woman with glasses and a green t-shirt smiling, standing outside a building with a sign that reads 'The Sydney Speech Team' on a dark gray brick wall.

Christie Ransley-Keen

Speech Pathologist

We like to joke that Christie moved across Australia just to join our clinic- even if that’s not entirely true, we couldn’t be happier to have her on the team!

Christie is in her 2nd year working with us at The sydney Speech Team. She brings a wealth of experience from working in a large NDIS private practice in Perth, where she completed both her Undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Speech Pathology.

Christie combines calm professionalism with a fun, engaging energy that makes her a favourite among clients. She has experience across a broad range of areas, including speech sound disorders, literacy, preschool and school aged language, and written language. She is neurodiversity-affirming in her practice and has considerable experience supporting language development through AAC.

Want to Join Our Fabulous TEAM?

We’re always on the hunt for another Speechie to join our fabulous TEAM.

Feel free to email us at info@sydneyspeechteam.com.au