2024 40 Under 40: Elise Mitchell

Elise Mitchell discovered her calling while working for her first employer upon completion of Missouri State University’s speech-language pathologist program. She wanted to be a leader that creates more leaders.

So, what’d she do? Started her own company. The Therapist Support Network, since 2019, has been providing speech, occupational and physical therapists materials and support needed to contract with school districts for their services. She says many districts struggle to recruit these providers.

“To date, I have supported over 10,000 professionals by providing free and paid resources needed to school contractors and/or start a contract company,” says Mitchell, 35.

She gives back in her field as adjunct faculty at MSU, and in her community serving at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church and fundraising for Lifehouse Crisis Maternity Home.

Your proudest moment? Having customers in every state is amazing, but the one that made me most proud was the first customer I landed in the Springfield area. It felt so good to be serving our community!

What did you learn the hard way? That it’s OK to professionally deviate and change roles before you land in the dream position. Cut your losses instead of wasting time to try and fit a square peg into a circle hole!

Favorite hobby or creative outlet? Gardening! I love grocery shopping in my backyard.