Meet The Team

Kristen Gray

Founder/Director

Kristen Gray grew up in the suburban landscape of Chicago and later pursued a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Southern California. Before dedicating herself to motherhood, she spent several years working in sales in both the radio and wine & spirits sectors. In 2010, she and her husband Gordon celebrated the arrival of their daughter Charlotte, followed by their second daughter Gwenyth in 2013. However, in 2015, their lives took a tragic turn when UCLA diagnosed their daughters with Batten Disease CLN6, a severe and terminal condition. Faced with the grim reality that their daughters’ lives would be drastically altered, the Grays chose to take action. They established The Charlotte & Gwenyth Gray Foundation to fund research and seek treatments for this devastating illness.
In 2016, they saw a significant breakthrough when the first Gene Therapy clinical trial commenced, successfully treating 15 patients, including their own daughters, over the following three years. Driven by their mission, Kristen launched The Gray Academy in Santa Monica in 2018 to cater to the special needs of children with complex neurological disorders. The academy has since expanded, opening a second location in Orange County, California.

Patricia Villagomez

Program Coordinator

Patricia Villagomez began her career in the classroom at The Gray Academy in 2018. She is one of the founding parents of our school and has over 25 years of experience in the field of education. Prior to TGA, she spent the majority of her career in the most highly regarded early childhood education programs in Los Angeles in several capacities, including Teacher, Department Head, Parent Educator, and Director.

As program coordinator, Patricia harmoniously orchestrates the student and therapy schedules as well as district observations, assessments, and IEPs. When she’s not mentoring, training, adapting curriculum, or joking with TGA students, Patricia enjoys spending her free time traveling, attending sporting events, and concerts with her husband and 3 adult children.

Kathryn Cox

Moderate to Severe Special Education Teacher

The Gray Academy is lucky to have Katie as our lead special education teacher. She is a classically trained singer with a love of musical theater and entertaining others. Originally from Canada, Katie moved to Los Angeles three years ago to live closer to her cousins Charlotte and Gwenyth and work at The Gray Academy. She quickly fell in love with the program and the students and decided to pursue a career as a special education teacher focusing on children with extensive needs. She uses her musical and theatrical background to incorporate music and energy into her lessons and connect with the students.

Kelli Smith

Occupational Therapist
Founder, Abundance Therapies

Kelli is a passionate and dedicated pediatric occupational therapist with a heart for helping children thrive through meaningful, play-based experiences. As the founder of Abundance Therapies and creator of the Music and Beach Camp, she brings over two decades of experience supporting children with diverse needs across therapeutic and educational settings. With a deep understanding of sensory integration, motor development, and social-emotional growth, Kelli is committed to creating spaces where every child feels safe, supported, and empowered. Her innovative approach blends evidence-based therapy with the natural healing elements of the outdoors, music, and movement—helping children build confidence, strengthen relationships, and grow through joyful engagement. Kelli’s compassionate spirit, clinical expertise, and unwavering belief in each child’s unique potential are at the heart of everything she does. Whether she’s guiding children through a school day, beach session, or working alongside families in their home or clinic, her mission remains clear: to foster connection, creativity, and lasting growth in every child she serves.

Dr. Cynthia Hughell, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist
Vida Kids Therapy

Vida Kids Therapy is a pediatric therapy clinic specializing in physical, occupational, and speech therapy for children with developmental delays, neurological disorders, and other special needs. Our team uses a play-based and evidence-driven approach to help children reach their fullest potential, integrating techniques such as Dynamic Movement Integration (DMI), Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI), and sensory integration to support functional independence, strength, and mobility. For the past two years, Vida Kids Therapy has proudly partnered with The Gray Academy, providing physical therapy services for their students on campus. We collaborate closely with teachers, occupational therapists, and other specialists as part of a multidisciplinary team to improve posture, strength, endurance, and functional mobility. At Gray, we utilize specialized equipment, including the Spider Cage, gait trainers, standers, and a vibration plate, to support upright posture, strength, and independent mobility. We also incorporate reflex integration techniques to enhance neuromotor development and functional outcomes, helping students thrive in both academic and daily activities.

Jacqueline Dougert M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech & Language Pathologist
Amplified Voices Speech Therapy, INC.

Jackie is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with over nine years of experience supporting children, teens, and adults with a variety of communication needs. She earned her Master’s degree from William Paterson University in New Jersey and holds national certification through the American Speech and Language Association. Jackie specializes in working with nonspeaking and minimally speaking individuals through Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). She also incorporates sensory integration strategies and is committed to providing compassionate, neurodiversity-affirming care. Jackie is passionate about family collaboration and creating therapy sessions that are both effective and engaging. Outside of work, she enjoys yoga, acrobatics, and traveling with her husband.