Our Team
Camp Alsing is proud to have a team of experts in the fields of child and youth development.
Year-Round Leadership
Emily Chaleff
Founder and Camp Director
Emily Chaleff, MS, owner and director, co-founded Alsing in 2017 with an enthusiasm to expand the opportunity for camp to as many children as possible. She brings over 20 years of leadership experience in business and organizational management. Prior to opening Alsing she was the executive director of the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine, where among many responsibilities she supervised the oversight of Center Day Camp and the JCA Preschool.
Emily counts her 12 summers as a camper, counselor and trip leader at Camp Thunderbird in Bemidji, Minnesota as some of the most meaningful (and fun!) experiences of her life. She is motivated by a deeply-held belief that camping has a profound impact on the emotional and social lives of all kids, and the unique opportunities camp brings should be available to all children, regardless of developmental differences. Born and raised outside of Chicago, Emily and her husband Stanley moved to Portland, Maine in 2008 where they raise their two sons, Gideon and Asher, and a goofy goldendoodle named Burt.
Stanley Chaleff
Medical Advisor
Stanley Chaleff, MD is a board certified pediatric oncologist in Maine. He is also Emily’s husband, and oversees Alsing’s health and wellness program year round.
“Dr. Stanley” loves the time he is able to spend at camp in the summers getting to know and work with our campers as they expand their horizons and try new things. He is dedicated to helping build an environment where our campers and staff are physically and emotionally safe – allowing them to experience all that camp has to offer. Dr. Stanley is an avid dog-lover, swimmer, hiker, history buff and high-quality dad.
Bri Hart
Assistant Director
Bri Hart, MA CCC-SLP began working at Camp Alsing as a coach in 2018. She fell in love with the mission and the people and returned each summer. Bri now works year-round as the Assistant Director of Camp Alsing, in addition to working part-time as a speech-language pathologist in public schools.
Bri is passionate about creating a summer camp environment full of natural opportunities to build confidence and connections – and has seen the impact it has on our campers. Bri loves Camp Alsing for the way it allows campers to be their authentic selves in a safe and supportive environment.
Bri lives in Philadelphia, PA. She loves Maine and can’t think of a better place to spend the summers.
Seasonal Leadership
Beth Schernecke
Speech-language Pathologist
Beth Schernecke, MS CCC-SLP, joined Camp Alsing in 2021. Beth loves seeing how much the campers grow while having fun. In addition to supporting the campers, as they make connections and gain independence, Beth enjoys helping the coaches to understand and utilize strategies to increase social thinking and executive functions in natural experiences.
During the school year, Beth works as a full-time speech-language pathologist at a school for students with visual impairments as well as additional challenges. Beth loves living in Philadelphia, PA but is so grateful to be able to spend summertime in Maine at Camp Alsing.
Sheri Hughes
Speech-language Pathologist
Sheri Hughes, MA CCC-SLP joined Camp Alsing in 2022. Sheri brings more than 22 years of experience to Camp Alsing with a specialized skillset in social language. She is a leader in her school district in Southern California implementing Social Thinking methodologies, training educators how to identify, treat, and educate children and young adults with social language challenges, and currently piloting a new high school program with a primary focus on pragmatic language, mental health, and advocacy. She is actively involved in the National Foundation for Autism Research as a presenter, volunteer, and grant recipient and is the owner of a part-time private practice.
Sheri loves creating opportunities for campers to be challenged to step out of their comfort zone in a supportive setting. She feels that Camp Alsing is crucial for our campers as it provides a safe space for them to be away from home, receive specialized support, and maintain their authenticity.
Sheri resides in San Diego, CA and enjoys time with her two adult children, playing beach volleyball, hiking, trying new restaurants, and listening to country music. She looks forward to spending more summers in Maine.
Kelsey Fisher
Social Worker
Kelsey Fisher, LCSW joined Camp Alsing in 2021 after moving to Portland, Maine from Colorado. Her playful energy and strengths in social connection and mental well-being made the job feel like a perfect fit. She was immediately moved by the inclusive, empowering, and adventurous spirit of Camp Alsing. Kelsey returned to camp in 2022 as Lead Social Worker.
Kelsey has worked in many different areas of social work including mental health crisis work, hospice, and child and family therapy. She loves that Camp Alsing is a place where campers and staff alike get to show up fully and experience new things, make meaningful connections, and grow into leaders and learners – it’s also the most fun job she has ever had! Kelsey lives in Portland and falls more in love with Maine as each new season comes and goes.