Meet The Team

We are a small (but mighty) team - passionate about serving our community in big ways!

Your child’s safety is our priority. That’s why 100% of our team is CPR certified.

Founder and Occupational Therapist

Erica Zimmerman

Hi, I’m Erica! An occupational therapist, mom, and the brains (and heart!) behind DOT Playspace! With over seven years of experience helping kids build confidence in their motor skills, sensory processing, and daily routines, I created DOT Playspace as a fun, inclusive space where all children can learn, grow, and play together. When I’m not busy designing the ultimate play experiences, you can find me chasing after my energetic toddler, sipping on a cup of coffee, or singing my heart out to my current musical obsession. I believe every child deserves a space where they feel empowered, included, and encouraged to "defy gravity" (yes, I’m a Wicked fan!). Whether you're here for therapy, open play, or just a friendly chat, I can't wait to welcome you to DOT Playspace!

General Manager

Aubrey Nemire

Aubrey is DOT Playspace’s General Manager and a key part of what keeps our space running smoothly. She’s warm, creative, and always ready to jump in wherever she’s needed.

She holds a Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy and a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. With years of experience working with children, Aubrey brings a thoughtful, inclusive approach to play and programming at DOT.

Behind the scenes, Aubrey leads much of our social media planning and design, handling the scheduling and creation of most of our content.

Outside of DOT, Aubrey enjoys baking, coaching volleyball, crafting, and staying busy with whatever project or idea comes next. When she’s not on the go, she loves spending time with her dog, Franklin, and planning her upcoming wedding.

Occupational Therapist

Melinda Mortensen

Meet Melinda! She’s originally from Washington state and has always been happiest outside, whether she’s hiking, biking, swimming, camping, or chasing after her two little ones. She’s creative at heart and loves everything from painting flowers to building shelves in the garage, yes really.

She became an occupational therapist because it lets her combine two of her favorite things, helping people and getting creative. A

When she’s not at the Playspace, she’s likely reading, thrifting at TJ Maxx, rewatching The Office, or watching nature shows with her mini-me.

She lives with her husband, who makes the best bread, her two awesome kiddos, and a very furry dog who thinks he runs the house. She’s so excited to be part of the DOT family and can’t wait to meet yours!

Speech and Language Pathologist

Theresa Koelsch

Theresa is a Toledo native and a speech-language pathologist with nine years of experience helping kids find their voices in fun and engaging ways. She has worked across the country, but there is no place like home.

As a parent, she knows how important it is to feel included in her child’s therapy, so she loves collaborating with families and celebrating every success together.

When she is not in therapy sessions, you will find her and her son exploring the library or metroparks, sneaking in a yoga class, or making a “quick” HomeGoods run. She also enjoys mentoring future speech pathologists and loves how much we learn from each other.

She can’t wait to meet your family and have some fun!

Play Ambassador and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Student

Berkley Whitmore

Berkley is a DOT Play Ambassador and an Occupational Therapy Assistant student at Rhodes State College. She is passionate about working with children and supporting families through play, connection, and meaningful experiences. In addition to school, Berkley serves as a worship leader at Cedar Creek Church and loves spending time volunteering in her community.

. In her free time, she loves exploring new coffee shops, listening to music, reading thriller and romance novels, and spending quality time with her husband, family, friends, and dogs. Berkley is also a big fan of fall and anything cozy.

Play Ambassador and Pre-OT Student

Lindsey Cashen

Lindsey is a pre-OT student at the University of Toledo balancing school life with her job as a barista. She loves staying active, spending time with friends, and showing up for Bible study. When she’s winding down, you can usually find her reading, watching Gilmore Girls, or enjoying all things fall. She’s also a proud pet mom to a cat, two goldfish, and a crested gecko and will never say no to pickles.

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Jessie Materni

Jessie is our newest Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) and a recent graduate of Owens Community College! She is passionate about helping children build confidence and reach their goals through play.
When she's not at DOT, you'll find Jessie spending time with family and friends at the lake, going for walks or runs, shopping for fun finds, or enjoying a sweet treat. She also loves movie marathons, especially Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and Twilight. At home, she keeps busy with her "mini farm" of a pony, chickens, and a rooster, and she loves being an aunt to her niece and nephew, with another little niece on the way!