Givona Sandiford
Founder CEO @Melospeech Inc
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WORK HISTORY
Founder CEO @Melospeech Inc
Riverside, CA, US
Melospeech Inc. is a tech-enabled mobile early childhood education start-up dedicated to transforming the lives of at-risk infants, toddlers, and youths with disabilities through infant education, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. Its mission is to eliminate barriers to early childhood education, particularly in underserved communities, thereby establishing a strong impact in the fields of healthcare, education and technology. The company provides community-based and virtual educational pediatric services for business and government partners, focusing on creating a child-centered atmosphere for skill mastery through meaningful activities and family/caregiver participation. Melospeech® leverages innovative technology such as their SLPeaceBot ™ and CMSP:B-5™ to make services more accessible, aiming to improve communication skills in the pediatric population. Its work has been recognized with multiple awards including the 2024 Gold Stevie American Business Award for Tech Innovator of the Year - Services, the Titan Women in Business Award, and the Silver Best in Biz Award. These awards reflect Melospeech Inc.\'s commitment to revolutionizing early childhood education through cutting-edge technology and expanding access to life-changing services.
EDUCATION
Loma Linda University
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Rehabilitation Sciences
California State University, Northridge
ATACP Certificate Program, Assistive/Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering
Loma Linda University
Master’s Degree, Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
Loma Linda University
Bachelor’s Degree, Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
Harvard Extension School
Certificate, Business Administration and Management, General
ABOUT GIVONA SANDIFORD
Dr. Givona Sandiford is an award-winning, licensed and nationally certified speech-language pathologist, SHRM Certified Professional, Certified ScrumMaster®, and lifelong learner. With 20 years of experience, she has worked with children and adults across settings such as private practices, schools, hospitals, outpatient clinics, home health, skilled nursing facilities, and through telepractice. She served on the 2024–2025 Forbes Business Council and as a peer reviewer for the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Dr. Sandiford has also served as adjunct faculty for undergraduate and graduate students in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She holds an advanced certificate in assistive technology and has a strong interest in supporting nonspeaking individuals using respectful, strengths-based approaches. Dr. Sandiford is the developer of Melodic Based Communication Therapy (M.B.C.T.), the focus of her 2008–2012 doctoral dissertation research. Her early work received Loma Linda University’s School of Allied Health Professions 2013 Outstanding Doctoral Research Award and has been cited in multiple peer-reviewed publications. She has spoken nationally on best practices for working with nonspeaking autistic individuals and has developed tools and apps to support caregivers and clinicians in providing effective care rooted in both research and experience. Dr. Sandiford founded Melospeech, Inc. during the COVID-19 pandemic to offer flexible, specialized speech therapy services both online and in person. She is a member of ASHA SIG 11: Administration and Supervision. The Melospeech® team began as a small team of 1 and grew to over 60 professionals supporting thousands of families across multiple regions in a span of just three years through the use of self-developed technology and automation.
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