Play Attention Vice President & COO
Gwen Sorley is a veteran educator. She holds a master’s degree in education and psychology, with specialization in math, science, and technology. She is currently the vice president and COO of Play Attention.
After observing many of her bright, creative students with ADHD struggle in school and experiencing the lack of educational tools to help these students thrive and succeed, Sorley assisted in enhancing NASA technology to produce Play Attention, an interactive learning system that actually allows students to control cognitive exercises by mind (attention) alone!
Sorley leads her team to help children and adults develop the foundational skills they need for strong executive function.
Play Attention is the most widely used educational neuroscience program for ADHD students globally. Play Attention has three independent, randomized, controlled studies performed by Tufts University School of Medicine. All have outstanding results and have been published in three peer reviewed journals.
Her contributions to the field of neuroscience and its practical application in the field of education and human performance have garnered 5 patents with others pending. She has lectured on behalf of NASA at the National Space Society in Washington, DC. She has also lectured at the United Nations in Vienna, Austria, and is co-author of a white paper on human performance with the International Atomic Energy Agency of the United Nations. Sorley has helped create and patent body-based brain monitoring eliminating the need to place headsets on the head to read brain activity.
This technology is currently used within the Play Attention program.
Oncology Certified Nurse and Nurse Navigator
Denise Steuber is a compassionate Oncology Certified Nurse and Nurse Navigator devoted to patient-centered care and lifelong wellness. She helped develop a nationally accredited Breast Program recognized for its excellence in treatment, education, and support—work that reflects her deep commitment to empowering patients and families through every stage of healing.
Drawing on her extensive experience and understanding of the healthcare system, Denise has guided countless individuals in finding the right care, resources, and support. She recognizes not only the medical but also the emotional and cognitive challenges that come with aging and illness.
Having cared for loved ones with cognitive decline, Denise brings a deeply personal understanding of how vital mental sharpness, community, and connection are to quality of life. Through Silver Minds, she continues to share her knowledge, empathy, and advocacy to help others stay mentally strong, engaged, and confident.
Educator
Rita McKinnish has dedicated her life to learning, teaching, and caring for others. A lifelong educator, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Western Carolina University in 1974, followed by a Master’s in Middle School Education in 1981. Her passion for learning and communication led her to pursue a second Master’s degree in Media Coordination from Appalachian State University in 1995.
Rita spent more than three decades inspiring young minds as a teacher before serving as a Media Coordinator, where she helped both students and teachers embrace technology and new ways of learning. Her experience fostering curiosity, creativity, and connection continues to shape her approach to lifelong growth.
Her dedication to caring for others deepened when she became the primary caregiver for her mother, whose health challenges taught Rita profound lessons about patience, compassion, and the importance of mental and emotional well-being.
At Silver Minds, Rita brings together her background in education and her personal caregiving experience to help others discover ways to stay mentally active, socially engaged, and emotionally resilient through every stage of life.
Assistant Professor
Alexis Brieant is an Assistant Professor of Psychological Science at the University of Vermont. She received her PhD in Psychology from Virginia Tech, followed by a postdoctoral research fellowship at Yale University.
She is a developmental psychologist with expertise in social and environmental influences on the brain, health, and well-being. Her research leverages functional neuroimaging, advanced quantitative methods, and behavioral assessments to better understand neurocognitive mechanisms of risk and resilience in human development.
Her work has been published widely in academic journals including Biological Psychiatry, Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, and Child Psychiatry and Human Development.
Attorney and Board Certified Elder
Caroline Knox is a North Carolina attorney and Board Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) recognized by The National Elder Law Foundation.
Deeply committed to the well-being of older adults and their families, Caroline combines legal expertise with a compassionate understanding of the challenges that come with aging, caregiving, and cognitive change. She advises clients on guardianship, Medicaid and public benefits, and helps families plan wisely to preserve assets, independence, and peace of mind for future generations.
Her practice focuses on estate planning, elder law, and guardianship, with a special emphasis on special needs trusts and planning tools for individuals with disabilities. Through her work, Caroline empowers families to navigate complex systems with confidence—supporting not only financial and legal security but also the emotional and cognitive health that Silver Minds celebrates as the foundation of purposeful living and lifelong growth.
Neuroscience and Wellness Coach
Teresa Ward is a Neuroscience and Wellness Coach who helps individuals cultivate focus, emotional balance, and overall cognitive vitality through brain-based coaching, mindful movement, and holistic wellness practices.
With over two decades of experience in leadership and service, Teresa brings a calm, compassionate, and empowering presence to her work. As a certified Group Fitness Instructor, she integrates movement, neuroscience, and behavior change to support the mind–body connection essential to well-being.
Through her collaboration with Play Attention and Silver Minds, Teresa partners with professionals, educators, and families to strengthen attention, impulse control, and executive function. Her integrated approach—combining cognitive training, mindfulness, and community engagement—helps clients build resilience and rediscover joy in purposeful living.
Teresa’s mission is to nurture both mental clarity and emotional connection, inspiring others to live each day with greater focus, energy, and meaning.
We believe in treating every client with kindness and empathy, ensuring they feel valued and respected in every interaction
We uphold the highest standards of honesty and transparency in our services. Trust is essential in the work we do together.
We are committed to delivering the highest quality coaching and support. Our team continuously seeks improvement and innovation.
We listen, understand, and connect with each client’s needs, meeting each person where they are with warmth and respect.
Have questions or need assistance? Our dedicated team is here to help you every step of the way. Reach out today, and let’s start a conversation
