Kate Owens-Heins
Founder & CEO
Kate founded The Sensory Safe Solution to help personal-care professionals create more inclusive experiences for people with sensory sensitivities. She brings experience as a hairstylist and salon owner, alongside her perspective as a parent. Through education, training, and advocacy, she helps professionals build trust, support families, and make salons and barbershops more welcoming places to receive care.
Mario Johnson
Chief Operating Officer
Mario brings extensive leadership experience in air traffic control, airline operations, logistics and international business. His work at Amazon Global includes strategy, operational reporting and international site launches. In less than a year with The Sensory Safe Solution, he helped grow its provider network from approximately 2,000 to 9,000 while building technologies and workflows for continued growth. As COO, he connects people, systems and strategy to advance the mission: create trust, not trauma.
Christine Maughan, M.Ed.
Autism Consultant
Christine brings experience in education and behavioral health, with a focus on supporting individuals with autism. Her work with Deaf and autistic students shaped her commitment to education, behavioral support, and inclusion. She has helped develop programs across educational settings and collaborated on The Sensory Safe Solution’s educational platform, helping hair and beauty professionals create safe, inclusive service environments.
Valerie Bachman
Valerie brings experience in salon coordination, business management, and logistics to The Sensory Safe Solution. Her background spans salon operations, construction, and real estate. She coordinates travel, shows, and expos, supporting the organization’s education and outreach. Inspired by her nephew, Waylon, Valerie helps advance a mission rooted in understanding, accessibility, and support for people with sensory needs.
Madeline Erickson
Madeline combines her background as a Registered Behavior Technician with hands-on experience as a sensory-safe hairstylist. Her approach puts choice, comfort, and trust at the center of each haircut. A co-writer of The Sensory Safe Solution’s core curriculum, she helps professionals create more supportive experiences for clients and families through practical education, accessible services, and advocacy.
Jamie Kirschner, M.Ed., BCASE
Jamie is an education advocate, former principal, and former special and general education teacher. As founder of Education Advocates of America, she helps families navigate school systems and access support. She brings experience in educational leadership, disability advocacy, and inclusive teaching to The Sensory Safe Solution, with a focus on accessibility and stronger support for children and families.
Dominic Muniz
Dominic brings experience in barbering, business ownership, and professional education to The Sensory Safe Solution. His background includes building Hair Wizards Barbershop and mentoring professionals behind the chair. Through live training, certification, and hands-on guidance, he helps barbers, stylists, and schools better understand sensory needs and create more inclusive service experiences for clients and their families.