Our Mission
Axis provides services to families living with autism, developmental disabilities, and special needs. Our mission is to be an extension of your family on your journey by providing compassionate and personalized treatment. We strive to support our families, our community, and our service partners and we believe in the highest quality of care to help our clients grow into the best version of themselves.
“We wanted to create a place where children and families could come for support for everything they needed along their journey – whatever that may look like.”
-Kristin Hanson,
Founder/Owner
Our Core Values
Everything we do is anchored by the values our team and community share.
Integrity
Collaboration
Empathy
Quality
Our Founders
Kristin Hanson
M.A., BCBA, LBA
Owner & CEO
Eric Plunkett
Owner & CFO
Sonja Plunkett
Owner & Director of Human Resources
Rachael Plunkett
Owner
Kristin Hanson MA, BCBA, LBA
Owner & CEO
Kristin is the CEO, Founder, and Clinical Director of Axis. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst credentialed through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and a Licensed Behavior Analyst under the Iowa Board of Behavioral Science. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Grand View University, and her master’s degree in child and adolescent psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Most of Kristin’s clinical experience has been focused on the early detection and intervention of autism spectrum disorder and specializing in early intervention. She has completed advanced training in the administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and has experience testing toddlers and children for autism spectrum disorder. She is on the Board of Directors for the Autism Society of Iowa, on the Autism Expert Panel for the Iowa Regional Autism Assistance Program and is an active member of the Iowa Association for Behavior Analysis, Autism Speaks Iowa, and the Council of Autism Service Providers.
Kristin founded Axis in 2017 on her passion for serving children and families living with autism and special needs. Kristin couldn’t be prouder of the team, culture, and organization that Axis has become, and continuously looks for opportunities that will make the largest impact and create significant and life-changing outcomes for clients, families, and her staff.
Kristin is dedicated to the mission of Axis and is committed to her own leadership development and actively participates in advanced training, mentoring, and deep self-exploration on how to live out her purpose to love and support her family and help others reach their full potential. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 children, reading, listening to podcasts, going to major league baseball games, attending concerts, and golfing.
Eric Plunkett
Owner & CFO
Eric has always had a passion for business and leadership. He has over 20 years of entrepreneurship and business leadership experience across many different industries. He has utilized his strong communication and organizational skills to enhance the daily operations at different businesses across the United States.
He has started, built, and sold multiple different companies within his business career.
One of Eric’s biggest accomplishments is sitting on a Board of Directors for a multimillion company by the age of 30.
He has a true passion for growing the next generation of business leaders. He takes extreme pride in his work and loves watching business leaders and businesses grow on their journey to success.
Eric has a strong passion to help families with behavioral disabilities around the country get the best care possible which is what he believes Axis has.
In his free time, you will find him spending time with his wife Rachael, golfing, traveling, working out, spending time with friends, and being the best “funcle” to my nieces and nephew.
Sonja Plunkett
Owner & Director Of Human Services
Sonja is an owner and the one of the Directors at Axis. Her role in the company is HR, compliance and accounts payable. With 35+ years with experience in leadership and operations as a multiple business owner, joining the day to day operations was very natural to Sonja. Her experience includes; entrepreneurship, founding franchisor, EVP of Franchise Operations, multi-unit owner, site director and board member.
Although her other businesses are not in the therapy field, starting businesses from scratch, growing people and helping them reach their potential has been an asset to Axis. Getting to know the kiddo’s and to see the progress as well as the bond built between practitioner and client is beyond heartwarming. It has affected her so much that she sold her other businesses to devote more time to be a part of Axis.
Sonja has been blessed with many opportunities and experience, however working side by side with her adult children to start Axis and continue impacting the lives of so many families is one of her greatest achievements. There is nothing better than being available to guide the next generation and create a legacy for the next generation.
Sonja has a passion to help others achieve their personal and financial goals whether it is in the work place or as a mentor in life. Her rags to riches story is an inspiration to young woman who may think they aren’t good enough, or don’t deserve to have a fulfilled life, a career they love and raise a family.
When Sonja is not working on Axis operational items you will find her with one or all of her grandchildren. She enjoys gardening, canning and traveling with her husband / high school sweetheart, Gary. Taking care of her physical and mental well-being is a priority and finds working out while listening to leadership podcast a must. She also loves to cook and bake. Often you can find her spontaneous drop in homemade goodies in back for the Axis team.
Rachael Plunkett
Owner
Rachael has always had an extreme passion for helping others and loves building relationships with people. Her belief is the people, and the culture are what makes companies great.
Over the last 14 years she has worked in recruiting and HR where she has helped hundreds of people find employment. Along with her dedication and commitment to excellence, she quickly understands the needs of her clients and candidates. She prides herself on her in-depth interview process which enables her to fill the needs of her clients carefully and meticulously.
When she found Axis, she knew this was a place that could help her continue her passion for helping others.
In her free time, you will usually find her in the gym, hanging out with her husband Eric, cooking, finding great dive restaurants, or hanging out with her friends.