Our team.
Dr. Michele Leone DNP, LMHC
Dr. Leone is the Chairman, President, and CEO of COSTA Therapy Inc., and a United States Air Force Retired Veteran. She brings a foundation of professional skills relative to the nursing field, ambulatory home health, case management, perioperative nursing, mental health counseling, military practice, aero-evacuation, forensics, health & wellness, and clinical instructor. Her background includes volunteer advocacy for foster and at-risk youth, equine-facilitated psychotherapy, and mindful nutrition. Dr. Leone is the first Registered Nurse to receive a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) specializing in Surf Therapy including aquatic/adaptive-based rehabilitation therapy. She is the mother of 3 children and 2 golden doodles.
In addition to the non-profit, she manages Under the Melbourne Sun-Airbnb and enjoys interacting with her urban farm animals.
Cory Nichols
Cory Nichols is the Founder of COSTA and is a passionate and driven Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) licensed in Florida and California. Cory is a Navy Veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom and has extensive experience with the military, rehabilitation therapy for physical and emotional disabilities, substance abuse therapy, and adaptive sports. He has spent the last 25 years surfing around the world. Cory also serves as our Executive Director of Water Therapy and works closely with our athletes creating healing waves of change.
Patrick Jenkins
Patrick is the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of COSTA and he provides surf instruction and support in surf therapy. Patrick is a native Floridian and has worked in the nonprofit community in various organizations for 25 years. He has been surfing since he was 12 and instructing for the last 10 years. Patrick developed a strong sense of devotion for the COSTA nonprofit as he believes surfing is a way to improve quality of life and promote positive mental health for veterans.
Zachary Bruno
Zach (Chief of Program Operations, CPO) is a Navy veteran and mental health advocate with a dedication to helping others. Husband to a beautiful wife, Jordan, and father of two boys, Liam and Mateo, Zach is devoted to leading a healthy and purposeful life.
Zach’s interest in Certified Ocean Surf Therapy Adventures derives from his personal experience with its effectiveness in treating both mental and physical health. Without surfing and other forms of physical activity, Zach feels confident that he would not be close to where he is today. His goal is to show others who struggle with anxiety, depression, addiction, post-traumatic stress, etc., the incredible and therapeutic nature of surfing on the mind, body, and soul.
Sydney Osborne Collins Surf Coach Coordinator
I’ve had a love of the ocean for as long as I can remember.
As a Florida native, respect for the water was instilled within me from the beginning. I am proud to be a member of several surf teams in Florida: Central FL Women's and Treasure Coast Boardriders; I compete in Central FL ESA, Eco Pro and the Boardriders events. Also, I am the founding member of the Treasure Coast Women’s Surfing Social and blessed to be a member of Gurf Gang and the CFL women's surf group. I have two wonderful surf sponsors, Turtle Cover and Sober Surfers International who have allowed me to compete and win in many competitions. Thanks to their support I just won the women’s longboarding title through the Eastern Surfing Association. I believe in continuous learning and that's why I’ve recently obtained my certifications to be an Adaptive Surf Instructor. I think everyone deserves to learn from Mother Ocean and enjoy the ride she gives.