Our Team
Cherie Finocchiaro
Founder, Director & Principal Speech Pathologist
Cherie Finocchiaro is a dedicated Speech Pathologist committed to empowering clients of all ages to achieve functional, lasting communication success. Her practice focuses on tailored, person-centered care designed to build confidence and support meaningful participation at home, school, work, and in the community.
Cherie holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) from the University of Sydney and a Master of Business Administration (Health) from the University of Technology Sydney. She is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP) and a member of Speech Pathology Australia.
Drawing on extensive clinical experience across diverse populations, Cherie integrates specialised, evidence-based frameworks into her therapy, including:
- Sounds-Write Synthetic Phonics (reading, writing, and spelling)
- Hanen: It Takes Two to Talk (early language development)
- Lidcombe, Westmead, Oakville, and Camperdown Programs (fluency and stuttering)
- LSVT LOUD (Parkinson’s and neurological conditions)
- Resonant Voice Therapy (voice care and professional voice users)
Cherie takes pride in working collaboratively with individuals and their families to achieve meaningful, everyday communication milestones.
Natalia Byrnes
Administrative Assistant
Natalia Byrnes is our dedicated Administrative Assistant, committed to ensuring every client and family experiences a warm, supportive, and stress-free visit from the moment they walk through our doors. Driven by a genuine passion for speech pathology and client care, Natalia handles clinic operations with exceptional organization and enthusiasm, creating an inviting environment where everyone feels valued and comfortable.
Alongside her role at the clinic, Natalia is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Speech and Hearing Science with a minor in French Studies at Macquarie University. Her academic background in communication sciences gives her a deeper understanding of our clinical work, allowing her to support both our therapy team and our families with insight and empathy.
Outside of her studies and front-desk responsibilities, Natalia stays active on the soccer field on weekends, enjoys exploring new cultures and destinations through travel, and loves unwinding at home with her beloved cat, Noodle.
Join the Team
We believe exceptional client care starts with supporting our clinicians. At Apex Speech & Language, we prioritise dedicated clinical supervision, manageable caseloads, and a collaborative environment where you have the time to deliver thoughtful, evidence-based therapy.
If you are a speech pathologist interested in joining our team, we welcome expressions of interest.
