Area of Expertise
Speech-Language Pathology, Health-Tech Innovation, Early Childhood Intervention, Assistive Technology, Organizational Leadership, Special Education
Degrees/Certifications
Ph.D., Rehabilitation Sciences (LLU), M.S., Speech-Language Pathology (LLU), B.S., Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (LLU), Certificate, Business Administration and Management – Harvard Extension School, ATACP Certificate – Assistive/Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering (CSUN), Certified Autism Specialist (CAS), Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM), SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), CCC-SLP (Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology)
Volunteer Experience
Leadership Council Member, National Small Business Association (2024–present),
Peer Reviewer, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Bio
Dr. Givona Sandiford is a nationally certified speech-language pathologist, health-tech entrepreneur, and longtime advocate for equitable early intervention. With over 20 years of clinical and leadership experience—including 15 years in the public school system—she currently serves as CEO/Founder of Melospeech Inc., a multi-state, award-winning speech and occupational therapy organization founded during the pandemic.
She has served as a member of the Forbes Business Council and Young Entrepreneurs Council (2024–2025), and maintains active memberships with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Her work has been recognized by Cosmopolitan’s 2024 New C-Suite, Fast Company, Forbes, and Titan Women in Business. Her HIPAA-compliant AI tool, The SLPeaceBot™, was a 2025 EdTech Awards finalist.
A Riverside County resident and proud parent of a River Springs Charter Schools student, Dr. Sandiford is committed to educational choice and expanding access to high-quality services. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the Inland Empire, taking short family trips, and spending time at the beach with her son.