Megan Cales
Megan Cales is an accomplished entrepreneur and career engagement leader with a passion for innovation and mentorship. As the Founder & CEO of Sensory Bridges LLC, she leads the creation and commercialization of The Brooks Band™, a groundbreaking wearable device designed to help neurodivergent individuals self-regulate voice volume through real-time vibrational feedback. Her leadership encompasses product design, customer discovery, market analysis, strategic partnerships, and branding. Megan’s dedication to bridging gaps in accessibility drives her work, and she has secured funding and recognition through initiatives such as MOCS Innovate!, the NSF I-Corps Program, and SXSW 2025.
In addition to her entrepreneurial ventures, Megan serves as the Coordinator of Career Engagement at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Rollins College of Business. In this role, she develops and implements career readiness programs, connects students with meaningful employment opportunities, and fosters relationships among faculty, employers, and students. By leveraging data-driven strategies, Megan helps empower students to achieve their professional goals while strengthening networks that enhance long-term career success.
Megan’s career is defined by her commitment to solving problems, fostering community, and creating meaningful impact. Her diverse experience spans innovation, event planning, community relations, and floral design, demonstrating her adaptability and creative approach to leadership. A graduate of Covenant College with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Megan continues to combine her scientific curiosity with entrepreneurial vision, making her a distinctive leader dedicated to improving lives through thoughtful innovation and purposeful engagement.
• Social and Behavioral Research Investigators
• Covenant College - BA
What do you attribute your success to?
Megan explained that her career path began in higher education, event planning, and health/wellness, and has now led her to launch Sensory Bridges, a technology company for neurodivergent children. She continues her role as a career coordinator at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga while building her startup. She recently joined a women’s business club at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga and is planning to join the Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to view challenges as opportunities for growth, redirection, and learning. Every obstacle offers valuable lessons that can shape your skills, perspective, and resilience. Perseverance is key—keep moving forward, even when the path feels uncertain. Trust your instincts, embrace continuous learning, and remember that your unique perspective is a strength that can drive innovation and meaningful impact.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is determining the ideal initial market segment for our technology, especially because it has the potential to serve such a broad range of people—from ages 5 to 95. While this wide applicability is an incredible opportunity, it also requires careful research and strategic planning to focus efforts where impact and adoption will be strongest. My goal is to grow the business sustainably while expanding access to this technology so it can help as many people as possible. Ultimately, I aspire to evolve Sensory Bridges into a nonprofit organization, ensuring that these solutions are accessible to all who need them, regardless of their resources.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are balance, dedication, and passion. As a single mother, I strive to harmonize my professional ambitions with the responsibilities of raising my family, ensuring that both receive the attention and care they deserve. I am deeply committed to my work because it allows me to make a meaningful impact, but I also value the time I spend nurturing personal relationships and creating memorable moments with my child. I find joy and renewal in football and outdoor activities, which keep me grounded and energized. These experiences reinforce my belief that true success comes from aligning professional achievement with personal fulfillment, resilience, and a strong sense of purpose.