Meet the Instructors
We've got the team to bring you #real, #raw, #relatable continuing education!
Click the buttons below to learn more about each instructor.
Amy DeFusco, MA, BCBA, ECSE
About Amy: Hi! I'm Amy, and I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Early Childhood Special Educator living and working in Denver, Colorado. I have been working in Early Childhood since 2011, in Special Education since 2015, and I have been a BCBA since 2021. I genuinely love my job, and I very much enjoyed my time working within the public school system and spending time advocating for systemic changes to create the classrooms all students and educators deserve. Most recently, I took a position with an incredible Intensive Early Intervention Center as a BCBA, and I cannot wait to see the impact of Early Intervention on my kiddos and their families. When I am not working, I enjoy traveling and spending time making memories with my husband, family and friends!
Angela Reid, BCBA LBA-TX, CTP
About Angela: Angela Reid is a BCBA, LBA-TX and CTP (Certified Trauma Professional) and the Director of Educational Partnerships in Texas for RethinkEd. Angela spent over 10 years in the special education classroom, seven years at Texas Education Service Centers and six years serving Paris ISD as a district behavior specialist for both general education and special education students. She is a long-term parent/student advocate after advocating for her daughter with Down syndrome. Angela also contracts as a special education court expert for capital crime court cases interpreting special education records and testifying to the long-term implications of failing to identify, serve and support students with disabilities. She lives in Sulphur Springs, TX with her family, three cats and two Golden Retrievers.
Angie Pickering, M.Ed, BCBA, LBA
About Angie: Angie Pickering is a BCBA based in Portland, Oregon. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences from Oregon State University and a Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis and Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University, and completed a post-graduate fellowship at Oregon Health and Sciences University, specializing in assessment and interdisciplinary collaboration within neuropsychological teams. Angie's career in ABA began in 2006, culminating in her certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2019. Angie has specialized training in naturalistic developmental behavior interventions such as Pivot Response Training (PRT) from Stanford University and the U.C. Davis Early Start Denver Model, both of which she is certified. She has held pivotal roles within ABA agencies, including Training Director and BCBA in Early Intervention Clinics and Intensive Behavior Units. Currently, Angie owns her practice, she provides consultation for clinics nationwide, on PRT and Supervision. She also teaches as a graduate-level instructor at Portland State University. She is passionate about high-quality supervision and created Tracker! To support students in tracking their fieldwork hours. Outside of work, Angie enjoys gardening, particularly cultivating dahlias, green beans, and raspberries. She also finds joy in spending quality time with her family, indulging in a good cup of coffee, and exploring Portland's scenic bike trails.
Dr. Antonio M. Harrison, Ph.D., BCBA-D, CPT
About Antonio: Dr. Antonio Harrison is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst at the Doctorate level (BCBA-D) and has an MA and Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis. Much of his work focuses on Health, Sports, and Fitness, Leadership & Diversity, OBM, and Self-Management. He is a graduate school professor, consultant, keynote speaker, fitness coach in a Virtual Reality app called Supernatural, podcast host, and has coached varsity high school football for sixteen years. Dr. Harrison is a husband and father of 3 boys. He was born and raised in Pasadena, CA. All social media can be found @onecoachdoc.
Ashley Ochi, MA, BCBA
About Ashley: My name is Ashley Ochi, and I am a BCBA in Santa Barbara, CA. I have worked officially in behavior intervention for over ten years, but my experience as a caregiver for children and teens with Autism and intellectual disabilities spans nearly twenty years. Early in my ABA career, I was fortunate to have a diverse caseload ranging from toddlers to septuagenarians. It was during this time that I realized my passion for working with older adults and began to develop my specialized skill set in this area. As I grew my own family, my career evolved into its current form, which is working as a telehealth-based Parenting Specialist at Little Otter. I now have the privilege of meeting parents daily who present with challenges related to their children's various mental health diagnoses, and empowering them with the tools and knowledge needed to turn things around.
Audra Jensen, M.Ed., BCBA
About Audra: Mom to an autistic adult, special education teacher, BCBA, author, and all-around nice person (most days). Taught special education classrooms, built and ran a successful ABA therapy company, wrote a few books, now enjoying creating engaging, evidence-based resources for neurodiverse learners. My mission is to make learning fun and accessible for all! 🍎
Audra's Courses:
Breanna Merhar, MA, BCBA, LBA-SD
About Breanna: Breanna, aka Brea, holds an MA in Special Education and is a BCBA who has combined her interests in behavior analysis and swimming. Without a clear future path, Brea followed her interests in traveling, water exploration, and jobs centered around connecting with others. Through these experiences, she immersed herself in the ABA community and aquatic instruction. While working in various roles and settings in ABA, she was most passionate about applying behavior strategies in the pool setting. Why pick one when you can have them both?! Motivated by the gaps in traditional teaching methods and the high drowning rates in the U.S., particularly among autistic individuals, Brea co-founded Blended Aquatics in 2022. Blended Aquatics focuses on adaptive swim lessons, training & consulting around water safety, drowning prevention, and challenging behaviors in the pool setting. She advocates for increasing quality, accessible, and inclusive swimming lessons and making it a positive experience for swimmers and their families. Inclusion matters, and through education, more families can be included in water-based environments and be better equipped to prevent drownings. Blended Aquatics can be found on Instagram @blendedaquatics or visit their website www.blendedaquatics.com.
Caitlin Beltran, M.Ed., BCBA
About Caitlin: Caitlin is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a Masters in Special Education. She has classroom experience both as an aide and a special education teacher in a private school for students with autism. These experiences drove her to pursue her BCBA, and she currently works as a district behaviorist for a public school. In addition, she teaches part-time for Rutgers University in the Graduate School of Education. You can find her on Instagram @BeltransBehaviorBasics or read her blog at beltransbehaviorbasics.com.
Carlos Torres, BS
Co-Presenter
About Carlos: Carlos is a published author, coach, and Program Director of a young adult program for people with disabilities. Additionally, he creates curriculum and designs groups to develop social skills, vocation skills, leisure skills, and relationship skills. In his free time, he coaches special needs sports teams for the Miracle League of Wisconsin. Carlos has a degree in special education. He dedicates his time to help at risk children and young adults gain skills for independence.
Casey McDaniel, M.S., BCBA
About Casey: Casey is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Co-Teacher of our own Study Notes ABA Collective (i.e., weekly test prep sessions), and Co-Host of the Behavior Bitches Podcast. Casey went to the University of New Hampshire for her undergrad and got her Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis from Antioch University. Before joining the Study Notes ABA (SNABA) team, Casey spent 6 years working with Autistic Adults in center-based and community-based settings. Her passion is in seeing her clients learning skills to increase independence within their respective communities, and most importantly living their best and most authentic lives. At SNABA, Casey has used this passion to best support and help students to learn the tasklist and pass the test! She loves to tie in the importance of understanding the social significance and how it can impact specific clients in the short and long (until adulthood) term when it comes to task-list-related information. Casey lives in the beautiful state of New Hampshire (ask her about her tattoo to show her devotion to this state). She has a “wicked” strong New England accent that we constantly correct her on, but nothing seems to help. You can find Casey floating along a river, ocean, pool, glacier, lake, swamp, or puddle. If there is water, this girl will find it.
Cassandra (Cassie) Leutenegger, MEd., BCBA, LBA Certified Special Education Teacher
About Cassie: Cassie is a behavior analyst on a mission! She loves to empower educators with innovative resources and research-based courses so that teachers like you can easily create a thriving special education classroom that runs on autopilot. As a former special education teacher with 8+ years of teaching. She spent 5 years working with students in a behavior support program and currently teaches middle school Math and Science in the Functional Academics program. Cassie is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and has experience providing ABA therapy in a private setting. She has a passion for working with students and using ABA strategies within her classroom. She is passionate about disseminating information to fellow special education teachers, general education teachers, parents, and other related service providers. You can find her on the 'gram @adventuresofabehavioranalyst
Chris Topham M.Ed., BCBA
About Chris: Hi, I’m Chris. I started Celeration, an ABA company that is based in Northern California. The twist? We only hire BCBAs and do all of the direct work ourselves. Yup, myself included. I’ve worked in the ABA field for over ten years and have been practicing as a BCBA since 2016. I believe that we can improve the field of ABA by shifting toward a scientific approach, maintaining high clinical standards, and most importantly, connecting with the families we serve.
Christine Tanner, BCBA®, R.BA (Ont.)
About Christine: My name is Christine Tanner, BCBA® and R.BA (Ont.). I have enjoyed many years working in a variety of milieus with a variety of mental health disorders. Starting as a Child and Youth Practitioner, I developed an interest in managing behaviour, and I truly believe that the experience of being front-line has helped tremendously in understanding behaviour from a Behavioural Analytic lens. I also love disseminating ABA information and sharing my experiences through teaching at two Ontario colleges, as well as providing workshops to professionals in the field, such as support staff in elementary and secondary school settings. I am also a CBS Behavior Sexology program. I am thoroughly excited to share my experience in the area of Schizophrenia with you. I am currently an independent contractor, and this is my website: www.ctbehaviourconsulting.ca. You can reach me at CTbehaviourconsulting@gmail.com.
Daniela Galvez Moreno, M.S., BCBA
About Daniela: Daniela Galvez Moreno (Dani) is a dedicated and passionate Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with a deep-rooted commitment to enhancing the lives of others through the principles of behavior analysis. Born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, Dani’s journey in psychology and behavior analysis began at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, where she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Communication. Her academic excellence continued at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida, where she earned her Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis. Dani's professional journey is marked by a series of progressive roles that showcase her expertise and dedication to the field. Starting as a Behavior Technician and evolving into a BCBA, Dani has worked across various settings, including hospitals, clinics, homes, and schools. Her work has not only focused on designing effective behavior intervention plans and training registered behavior technicians but also on collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure the comprehensive care and development of her clients. In 2023, Dani co-founded Brawn and Bloom, where she currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer. At Brawn and Bloom, she leverages her expertise to create engaging and educational content for professional women, focusing on self-care, personal development, and the challenges of work-life balance from a behavior-analytic perspective. Dani's passion extends beyond her professional life. She is an avid traveler who recently spent four months traveling solo to discover herself, exploring new cultures and experiences along the way. In addition to her love for adventure, Dani enjoys practicing hot yoga and spending quality time with friends and family. As a visionary in the field of behavior analysis, Dani is committed to fostering personal growth and helping others find joy and balance in their lives. Her work with Brawn and Bloom reflects her dedication to creating products that empower individuals to thrive in both their personal and professional lives.
Danielle MacDowell, M.Ed., BCBA®, M.S., CNS, LDN
About Danielle: Danielle is a Master of Education in Severe Special Education and is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®). Danielle also has a Master of Science in Human Nutrition and is a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) and licensed dietitian nutritionist (LDN). Additionally, Danielle has received specialized training in functional medicine for ADHD and is now a certified functional medicine ADHD provider. Danielle brings a unique set of specialized skills to the field with her 12 years of experience as a severe special education teacher and her behavior analysis credential. As such, she has made it her mission to increase awareness of health-promoting principles across disciplines and abilities. Along with supporting neurodiverse communities, her passion lies in supporting mental, gut, and brain health. In particular, she strives to integrate behavioral and nutritional interventions that support all three of these health domains and does so in her private practice, True Potential Nutrition. True Potential Nutrition can be found on Instagram @truepotentialnutrition or at www.truepotentialnutrition.com.
Danielle Stevens, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
About Danielle: Danielle is a dedicated Board Certified Behavior Analyst with extensive experience in public education. In addition to her role as a co-teacher at Study NotesABA and a tutor for board exams, Danielle draws from over seven years as a former special education teacher. Her fervent commitment lies in advancing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) within public education, aiming to empower students and staff for success. Recognizing the challenges of the public school environment, Danielle's passion is to bridge understanding of our science, making it accessible and impactful for all involved.
Dr. Didiana De La Osa, DBH, BCBA-D, IBA
About Didiana: Didiana De La Osa, aka Didi, became interested in Behavior Analysis when she saw that loved ones with developmental disabilities did not have access to Quality Care. She obtained her BCBA certification in 2015 and has been supervising student analysts ever since. Didi also obtained an OBM certification in 2017 and launched several projects, including starting a mentorship program and improving staff performance. She later obtained a BCBA-D certification in 2020 which prepared her to move further into OBM and immerse herself in the systems and processes necessary to run an organization. Didi has clinical experience in school, clinic, in-home, and community settings. Her clientele has consisted of a diverse population and has helped her grow in her cultural awareness. Didi also has experience in OBM across company structures, including clinic, in-home, and group home settings.
Dominique Shorter-Taylor, MA, BCBA
About Dominique: Dominique Shorter-Taylor is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Speaker, CEO of Shorter-Taylor Behavior Consulting, and Co-Founder of Beyond ABA, LLC. Dom is most known for her YouTube channel, Dom the BCBA Mom, where she creates vivacious content on real-life situations as a BCBA, different career paths, and her unique journey as an Autism Mom. Dom received her certification from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She received a master's degree in clinical psychology in her hometown, Chicago, and she is a proud alumnus of South Carolina State University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). She also has a remote Supervision company where she guides and mentors aspiring BCBAs along their journey. Dominique has been working with adults and children with Autism and other neurological differences for over 13 years. While working in the field of behavior analysis and navigating systems with her own child, she determined a need for accessible services, specifically in communities that are traditionally underrepresented and underserved in the field of ABA. Dominique has made it her mission to collaborate with other professionals and disseminate the benefits of ABA in unconventional ways to all in need. Dominique has presented at CalABA 2024, the Women in Behavior Analyst (WIBA) conference, for the last three years in diversity, inclusion, and leadership. She has presented at the Black Applied Behavior Analyst (BABA) 2022 Conference. She was an invited speaker at the Autism Expo, The Answer Inc. events, UICF Bible College, Proviso Township Minister’s Alliance and interviewed on the AC Green show 106.3, The Talk of Chicago 1690 WVON, Gospel Radio 1390, and CAN TV, sharing the benefits of applied behavior analysis not only to individuals with Autism but to our entire community. When not working, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and four children, volunteering at community organizations like Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and PTMAN, and leading the media team at her local church. She loves creating content for her YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok audience and promoting a healthy work/life balance.
Emily Chesbrough, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
About Emily: Emily is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst committed to delivering safe, ethical, and evidence-based ABA services to individuals with developmental disabilities who engage in challenging behaviors. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from John Carroll University and her master’s degree in Special Education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis from Saint Joseph's University. From 2017 to 2024, Emily worked on the Neurobehavioral Inpatient Unit (NBU) at Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, where she received specialized training in the assessment and treatment of severe challenging behavior. She currently provides in-home ABA services to children, adolescents, and families through Amigo Care ABA, an organization dedicated to expanding access to high-quality ABA services within underserved communities. Throughout her career, Emily has trained parents, caregivers, teachers, and clinical staff in behavioral principles and intervention strategies across a variety of settings. She has also led behavior management trainings for professionals, with an emphasis on safety, dignity, and ethical care when supporting individuals with severe challenging behaviors. Since 2024, Emily has served as Secretary of the Maryland Association for Behavior Analysis (MABA), whose mission is to advance the science and practice of behavior analysis through research, service, and professional training throughout Maryland and the surrounding region. In addition to her clinical and leadership experience, Emily has authored six peer-reviewed publications and contributed to a book chapter. Her future goals include expanding research on effective behavioral interventions in less restrictive environments, particularly within home and community settings.
Emily Varon, MS, BCBA
About Emily: Emily Varon is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a dedicated focus on sleep-related behaviors. She has worked in the field of behavior analysis since 2000 and has devoted her practice to improving the sleep habits of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder since 2010. By combining the science of behavior analysis with the science of sleep, Emily creates a consumable learning opportunity for BCBAs to enhance their practice by providing context for the way sleep and behavior both complement, and sabotage, one-another.
Emma Farber, MS, BCBA
Co-Presenter
About Emma: Emma Farber is a practicum student at Empowered: A Center for Sexuality under the supervision of Nicholas Maio-Aether. Emma graduated from the University of Southern California in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Science, and in 2022 with a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis. Emma worked for an early intervention ABA agency for over three years prior to starting to work at Empowered in June 2022. Since recording her course with SNABA, Emma has passed her certification exam in behavior analysis and is now a BCBA!
Dr. Frank Cicero, PhD, BCBA
About Frank: Dr. Frank Cicero is a New York State licensed psychologist, licensed behavior analyst, and board-certified behavior analyst with over 25 years of experience working in the fields of applied behavior analysis, autism spectrum disorders, pediatric/school psychology, and education. He received his master’s degree in school psychology from St. John’s University and his doctoral degree in educational psychology from the City University of New York Graduate Center. Dr. Cicero is currently an assistant professor and ABA program director for Seton Hall University, New Jersey. Prior to this position, he served as the Director of Psychological Services for the Eden II Programs, an applied behavior analysis agency in the New York City area serving children and adults on the autism spectrum. Dr. Cicero has served on and for the board of the New York State Association for Behavior Analysis since 2000 in various positions, including President of the Board in 2015 and 2016. He currently sits on the Board of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) and the Affiliate Chapters Board of the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). Dr. Cicero continues a private practice for pediatric psychology and ABA, as well as conducts program consultations in best practice treatment for autism, developmental disabilities, and problem behavior. Dr. Cicero frequently conducts workshops and trainings nationally on a variety of topics within his fields of expertise, including treatment of problem behavior, sexual education for individuals with ASD, toilet training, and ethical practice of behavior analysis.
Grant Sparks, MS
Co-Presenter
About Grant: My path towards counseling began when I became a member of Alcoholics Anonymous and chose to work towards a sober life. I saw how using experience, strength, hope, and empathy could bring about significant and insightful changes in a person’s way of life. From those experiences as a newcomer in recovery, and then a peer counselor for several years, I focused on pursuing my education in Psychology. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Human Services from Clayton State University in 2018 and followed that with a Master of Science in Clinical and Counseling Psychology in 2020 from Clayton State University. It was during my master’s program that I truly found my passion: being a geek therapist. Believe it or not, that’s a thing! Using my knowledge of psychology and my life experience of being a huge nerd, it is my dream to bring healing and care to an often-misunderstood population. One of the greatest aspects of being a geek is the intersectionality inherent in the community! I work with geeks, nerds, dorks, and dweebs, LGBTQIA folx, members of the Kink community, ethical non-monogamists, and people of all cultures and spiritualities.
Dr. Heather Cobb, Ed.D., BCBA-D
About Heather: I have my master’s degree in clinical psychology, an Emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy, and my Applied Behavioral Analysis Masters Certificate. I practice as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst for the California Department of Development Services. I also have experience working in private practice and within a non-public school. I volunteered at the National Suicide Hotline for two years and am currently a doctoral student at the University of Florida.
Heather's Courses:
- Cultivating Compassionate Care Bundle
- Cultivating Compassionate Service Delivery: An Alternative to Treatment Programming Through Compassion-Focused ABA
- Cultivating Compassionate Parent Training: An Alternative to Collaboration through Cultural Responsiveness
- Cultivating Compassionate Supervision: An Alternative Way to Supervise Through Empathy
Heather Mroczenski, M.S., BCBA, LBA
About Heather: Heather Mroczenski is a BCBA® and Certified Financial Coach whose mission is to disseminate ABA through her work in personal finance. Heather has spoken about personal finance and ABA at several conferences, both in the field and otherwise, and is a mentor for a local nonprofit whose goal it is to empower those who are low-income financially. She has also published a book called “ABCs of Money” to introduce people to the basics of managing their finances. You can find her on Instagram at @financialbehaviorcoaching or online at www.financialbehaviorcoaching.org.
Heather's Courses:
- Increasing Healthy Financial Behaviors Through ABA
- Private Equity in ABA: Why It’s Our Ethical Duty to Understand
Dr. Jenee Vickers Johnson, Ph.d., BCBA-D
About Jenee: Jenee Vickers Johnson is a BCBA-D and assistant professor of special education. She completed her BCBA while working in public schools, and she is passionate about developing efficient and socially valid interventions in applied settings.
Jordan Litt, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA (NYS), IBA
About Jordan: Jordan is a BCBA, LBA-NYS and the ACE Coordinator and Co-Founder of CEUs by Study Notes ABA. My start in our “world” wasn’t a straight shot to learning. In the beginning, I really struggled to find my footing until the day I was introduced to Verbal Behavior (the approach and book by B.F. Skinner). From then on, I’ve worked each and every day to cultivate my skills and knowledge of the science of behavior analysis. I’ve worked in a variety of environments that have taught me the true value of generalization. What truly lights me up is helping other people understand more from “simple” to advanced concepts, because I think that's also one of the barriers to being a good BCBA. Accepting the fact that concepts/ideas are advanced for a reason means that, I'm going to have to study it, it's not going to be cut and dry, there will always be things I don't quite understand, and so I must keep on learning. This is the hard part. But it’s also the fun part! The Behavior Bootcamp Series is my labor of love to all of those that are in the same, or similar situation I was. You want to learn, you want to do better, but maybe don’t know where to start. So, I invite you to join me, and let’s learn together! On the rare occasions when I'm not doing all things CEUs by SNABA related, you can find me hanging out with my baby Moose.
Dr. Katie Saint, PhD, LPC, BCBA-D
About Katie: Dr. Saint has presented locally and internationally on ACT therapy. Katie has had students come from around the world to observe her at her practice and study her application of ACT in ABA therapy. Dr. Saint works for an ABA company as the training director, and she has a private practice for mental health counseling. Katie has written college courses as well as published several books/assessments. You can find Dr. Saint on Instagram @doctorbehaviorboss.
Kayla Raaflaub, BA
(Co-Presenter)
About Kayla: Student and Practitioner in the field of ABA for 15 years, based out of beautiful rural Ontario, Canada. In this time, she has served clients across the lifespan beginning in early intensive behaviour intervention to direct and mediator model ABA services for neurodivergent adults as part of a multidisciplinary team employing a biopsychosocial approach. Areas of interest for which she continues to receive training and supervision include mediator model coaching via telehealth for remote regions, and education and skill building in sexual health and wellness.
Dr. Keira Moore, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA
About Keira: Dr. Moore is the owner of Moore Behavior Consulting and specializes in the assessment and treatment of sleep problems and severe behavior problems. In addition to clinical consulting, she is an adjunct faculty member for Regis College, supervises BCBA candidates all over the country, and offers webinars and training to behavior analysts around the world. Dr. Moore has been working as a behavior analyst since 2004, when she began her career at the New England Center for Children. Since then, she has worked with individuals with autism and related disorders in every setting imaginable, has conducted and published numerous research projects including federally-funded grant research, and has been teaching in various behavior analysis masters programs since 2010. Dr. Moore received her Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis from Western New England University in 2015, and has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst since 2009.
Keira's Courses:
Landa Fox, MA, BCBA, Certified Sexual Health Educator
About Landa: Landa is a BCBA and Certified Sexual Health Educator. She has formed a practice by merging her interests of teaching fundamental skills to folks of various abilities and sexual health and relationship education. She believes that access to inclusive, accessible, and accurate sexual health education is a fundamental human right that should be afforded to all. Areas of passion include: individualized teaching of sex education; teaching consent and body autonomy early; and access to pleasure for all.
Lani Lawson, M.Ed., BCBA
About Lani: Lani is passionate about coaching educators in how to get great school behavior. Lani was a self-contained classroom teacher for 5 years and later pursued her BCBA. She took those new skills back to the schools to figure out the best ways to help educators get better results. Her company is now trusted by over 40 school districts to provide behavioral services to their educators. Her goal is confident, happy educators who are optimistic about students who struggle with problem behavior.
Liat Sacks, M.Ed., BCBA
About Liat: Liat is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), she completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Special Education at the University of Maryland before enrolling in FIT’s ABA Program. After graduation health sh** happened (#adultingproblems), and Liat found herself having to start from square one. Liat’s background spans from special education classrooms to clinics to potty training in homes to reading Cooper and studying for the past four years. Liat is most well known for creating drool-worthy (and hilarious) study notes, for teaching (and creating) a behavior analytic study method that doesn't #suck. She utilizes the principles of ABA in a very unique way to make sure people really grasp the material by making it real, raw, and relatable and also applies the principles across all of her businesses #OBM. Liat is passionate about sharing our science and making it accessible to anyone whether it regards needing to shape a friend’s post-breakup ice cream eating behavior or manipulating the environment to get a pal more likes on the gram. Basically, she takes the APPLIED part of our science very seriously. This is why she is the perfect person to teach a CEU on the dissemination of our Science! Liat is also the co-creator of CEUS by Study Notes ABA, the Study Notes ABA App. When it comes to the dissemination of ABA across a variety of tools, this chick does it all.
Lindsay Gross M.Ed, BCBA, LBA, LABA
About Lindsay: Lindsay has been in the field of ABA for over five years in various roles, including being a RBT®, Training and Program Specialist, Practice Manager, and BCBA®. With a degree in Organizational Behavior Management, she is passionate about disseminating the implications of OBM through the field to impact clients and employees positively. She primarily works with children on the autism spectrum in clinic-based settings as well as via telehealth. Additionally, she makes RBT® training content video packages and provides tutoring/supervision to RBT®s and individuals studying for or planning to take the BCBA® exam.
Dr. Liza Bergman-Geonie, PhD, MS.ED, BCBA-D®, LBA-NY
About Liza: Dr. Liza Geonie, PhD, BCBA-D, is a doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 25 years of experience in the field of applied behavior analysis. Her work spans special education, staff training, and research on digital behavior and misinformation. Dr. Geonie’s dissertation investigated precommitment and direct instruction interventions to promote responsible information-sharing on social media. She regularly presents at ABAI and NYSABA conferences and is passionate about expanding behavior analysis beyond traditional applications to address contemporary societal issues like digital literacy, misinformation, and social influence.
Makenzie Danis, M.Ed, BCBA, LBA
About Makenzie:Makenzie is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst dedicated to providing child-centered and innovative ABA services. Makenzie holds degrees in psychology, and child development, along with graduate degrees in both special education and ABA. She has worked in the public school system for over 8 years ensuring students have effective behavior support plans and the skills to be successful in whatever life path brings joy and fulfillment. Additionally, Makenzie Danis is a Certified Sexuality Educator through the Sexual Health Alliance. She believes firmly that all individuals, including those with disabilities, have a right to comprehensive sex education. Makenzie is also trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in both small groups and individual therapy. She is the proud owner of Danis Behavioral Solutions, which provides affirming behavioral support to individuals and families, along with progressive supervision services to future BCBAs.
Makenzie's Courses:
- Sex Education and Toilet Training? Yes, you can do both!
- Addressing Sex Education in Caregiving Training: Meeting the needs of all stakeholders.
- Anatomy Instruction: Using ABA to instruct anatomy across developmental milestones
- Masturbation 101: Responding to self-stimulatory behavior at various developmental milestones
Mari Cerda, TI-BCBA
About Mari: Mari Cerda is a Mesoamerican Indigenous woman, wife, mom of 3, and board-certified, trauma-responsive behavior analyst who consults with teachers and schools to provide professional development coaching on various Neurodivergent-affirming topics. A former special education teacher, Mari has been working with public education for nearly 13 years. She is currently completing her doctoral dissertation on Examining the Effects of a BST Training Package for Public Educators Administering the VB-MAPP Assessment at Texas Tech University and is set to defend this spring. Mari is also the co-founder of The LEAP (Lighthouse of Equitable Access and Practices) Institute, a non-profit whose mission is to increase equitable access for marginalized and intersectioned groups entering the field of applied behavior analysis through quality supervision support and testing scholarships. LEAP is also working to shift the culture around the supervision relationship in the field of ABA. Mari currently sits on the advisory board for the Standard Celeration Society, Next4Autism Committee, TX-ABA Promoting ABA Committee, and BHCOE Person and Family Workgroup. You can find her dropping #real facts on her Instagram @autie.analyst
Marissa Ayala, M.Ed., BCBA, IBA
About Marissa: My name is Marissa Ayala, M.Ed, BCBA, and I am a Latina I own my own remote supervision company, Local ABA. Where we specialize in helping individuals obtain their unrestricted hours in unique and creative ways! My area of focus is supervision and I love storytelling and teaching! I am striving to build a community of competent, culturally responsive, and well-rounded future analysts that encourage their supervisees to ask questions and build meaningful change in our ABA community. You can catch Marissa on the gram @marissalocalaba.
Maxi Glamour
Co-Presenter
About Maxi: Maxi Glamour (they/them) is a renowned drag and music artist, and founder of the St Louis organization Qu’art, which showcases local queer art and assists minority-intersected queer artists in gaining recognition and pay for their talents. Maxi’s talents went worldwide in 2020 when they were featured as a Season 3 contestant on the Boulet Brothers’ Dragula, where they faced their fears and put out some killer looks. Maxi has since begun their undergraduate journey at Webster University, and has also just started tenure as a commissioner for the St Louis City Civil Rights Enforcement team. They continue to produce drag shows locally and to travel nationally, showcasing not only their drag, but also their music, having released an album in 2021 entitled Modernadada. Their website is: www.maxiglamour.com
Megan Pennington, M.A., BCBA
About Megan: Megan Pennington is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst employed by her local school system. She currently provides service to the county’s preschools. Previously, she provided services to K-12 special education classrooms. Before becoming a BCBA, she taught in a high school autism room, worked in several capacities in Title 19 waiver, and worked at Marshall University’s Autism Training Center, providing home-based PBIS.
Mellanie Page M.Ed, BCBA, MBA
About Mellanie: Mellanie Page is the Founder and CEO of The ABA Collective, a platform designed to support behavior analysts and entrepreneurs ready to step outside the box. With a specialized focus in Organizational Behavior Management (OBM), online business strategy, and clinical entrepreneurship, Mellanie is on a mission to help BCBAs turn their passion into purpose-driven programs that create real impact. Whether she’s teaching OBM consulting strategies or helping BCBAs launch digital offers, Mellanie is passionate about creating pathways to work-life harmony and long-term success for those who want more than just the 1:1 grind.
Mitalben Patel, M.S., BCBA, LBA (AZ)
About Mital: I have been a BCBA since February 2021. I got my Masters of Science in Behavioral Psychology from Pepperdine University in 2020. I have worked as a BCBA in clinics, in home, in group homes, and in school settings. I joined the field of ABA in 2018. I have worked with both children and adults. I currently work as a BCBA in a clinic-based setting in Arizona. I enjoy reviewing research articles and learning about advances in our field, especially performance management/OBM and ACT. Outside of ABA, I enjoy hiking in the mountains and trying out new foods. My favorite hiking spot in Arizona is inside Oak Creek Canyon.
Nicholas A. Maio-Aether, MAMFT, MSPSY, LBA, CSC, IBA, BCBA
About Nicholas: Nicholas owns Empowered: A Center for Sexuality in St Louis, where he and his occasional teams of partnered Universities' students work to assist humans with and without disabilities to achieve sexual access, sexual freedom, gender affirmation, and self-control of compulsive behaviors. Nicholas works throughout the US training BCBAs/Behavior Analysts so persons in Individualized Supportive Living (ISL) programs gain access to applicable and generalizable comprehensive sex ed and sexual opportunities. Nicholas provides Sexual Behavior Analysis, and has assisted polycules, kinksters, gay couples, trans and nonbinary humans, among others, on their journeys. Trained by GLSEN in 2003, Nicholas started Gay-Straight Alliances across Alaska while in high school, and provided them sex ed materials and trainings. Nicholas spent five years managing Hustler Hollywood in St Louis before moving into Behavior Analysis, and joined AASECT, where he currently sits on two committees. He then completed a Sex Therapy practicum under Linda Weiner, LMSW, CSTS, in 2019 before getting a second Masters in Marriage & Family Therapy, and meeting those hour requirements under Angela Skurtu, LMFT, CST, along with his LGBTQIA+ Family Systems Specialist certificate in 2021.
Nicholas' Courses:
Nicole Shallow, M.Ed., BCBA
About Nicole: Nicole Shallow is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Sleep Specialist. She is extremely passionate about this topic and has become an authority figure in the sleep education space. She has partnered with many large brands to speak about the importance of sleep, has spoken on 10+ podcasts outside of the world of behavior analysis, and is the CEO and founder of her own company, Your Behaviour Gal Consulting Inc! She has only been certified for four years and is breaking barriers both with her clients and in the online space. Nicole supports clients directly one-to-one, with a specialized focus on supporting neurodivergent children and their caregivers. She prides herself in the relationships she can build with her clients, parents, professionals, supervisees, and mentees to help be their guide toward what they truly want. Her three values are compassion, knowledge, and inclusion. These are the three words she lives by every day, and this truly reflects in her presentation style.
Nicole Williams, M.S., BCBA
About Nicole: What’s up y’all! It’s me, Nicole from the SNABA fam! I bring to your courses over 10 years of experience from a variety of settings including in homes, in clinics, and in schools. My experience across all things SNABA provides learners with an in-depth application of the science of behavior. I am in all settings an educator, taking pride in a gentle approach to learning, allowing the learner to navigate their learning experience, and develop critical thinking and autonomy (for both children and adult learners). I continue to teach undergraduate psychology courses at SNHU as an adjunct professor while pursuing my doctoral degree. My passion is sharing the benefits of science with everyone.
Nicole's Courses:
- 8+ Hour Supervision Course
- Goal Writing: Combining Anti-Ableism and S.M.A.R.T. Approach
- Supervising Through Burnout: A Behavior-Analytic Guide
PDU Courses
Parker Ellison, MS, MA, BCBA, LBA-GA
About Parker: Parker is a BCBA with a clinical background teaching skills and addressing challenging behavior across the spectrum of severity in both home and clinic-based settings. In the clinic setting, he most recently served as the Director of Clinical Training for a multidisciplinary practice providing ABA, ST, and OT.
Currently, he is the founder of Ellison ACT Group, a private practice specializing in clinical behavior analysis utilizing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). His practice focuses primarily on supporting neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ adults through individual sessions, providing values-driven parent guidance for autistic children, and implementing a specialized "medication runway" program that collaborates with psychiatrists to help individuals collect and self-manage data during psychotropic medication transitions.
Passionate about Relational Frame Theory (RFT) and the ACT account of private events, Parker has completed advanced training from industry pioneers including Steven Hayes, Kirk Strosahl, Mark Dixon, DJ Moran, and Russ Harris. He also leads an interdisciplinary ACT book club in Atlanta for upcoming practitioners across multiple therapeutic fields to learn about ACT.
Known by colleagues as the "Teacher BCBA," he enjoys translating theory into structured, accessible tools. He has authored comprehensive company-wide RBT training programs, an original 97156-friendly Family Guidance Curriculum, and clinical ACT guides aimed at translating adult practice into working with children using ACT. His approach to assent-based care is rooted in the practical philosophy that reinforcing active, willing choice is fundamentally more effective and values-driven than coercion.
Peggy Karwiel, BCBA, LBA
About Peggy: I initially discovered ABA when I took a position as a Special Education Teacher in the Hawai’i DOE. I worked with students with severe problem behavior, and we focused on communication, life skills, and community-based instruction. Once I became a BCBA, I continued to work in schools but gained additional experience in-clinic, in-home, as well as, in the community. Having a very challenging supervision experience myself, I partnered with Local ABA to provide quality, remote supervision. I’ve been providing remote supervision for the past two years. Additionally, I’ve recently started my own business called PK Behavior Consulting where I provide 1:1 therapy to individuals navigating challenging times in their lives, in addition to, providing parent training, education, and support. I am passionate about using ACT in my practice which has allowed me to step outside of the “traditional” ABA box.
Quintara Tucker, MS, BCBA, IBA, LBS, LBA-MI, LBA-NJ
About Quintara: Quintara Tucker (she/her) is a distinguished Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), International Behavior Analyst (IBA), Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA), Licensed Behavior Specialist (LBS), and a doctoral learner. As an author, speaker, and CEO, Quintara is dedicated to transforming the lives of children and empowering professionals within the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). With extensive experience across public schools, clinics, and home settings, she specializes in working with individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Quintara’s passion for staff training and coaching has driven her to author two widely used Staff Training Manuals, designed to train professionals in special education classrooms around the globe. As a Black woman, she brings a culturally sensitive and compassionate approach to training, fostering an inclusive environment that resonates with diverse audiences. Through her consulting business, QB Consulting, LLC, Quintara delivers impactful professional development and continuing education presentations, equipping educators and professionals with the tools they need to excel in their roles. Quintara serves as the Events Co-Chair on the New Jersey Association for Behavior Analysis (NJABA) Board of Directors. She is also an award-winning volunteer, actively involved with the Alumni Society Board of her undergraduate alma mater, and mentors first-generation college students of color. As a frequent speaker at university events, Quintara inspires undergraduate students to become compassionate, ethical, and forward-thinking leaders. Beyond her clinical and professional endeavors, Quintara is the creative force behind the popular Instagram page and YouTube channel, @themysticalanalyst. Through these platforms, she creates engaging content, tackles challenging conversations, and advocates for the empowerment of Black clinicians in ABA.
Rachel Benson, M.Ed., LBA, BCBA
About Rachel: Rachel Benson (she/her) is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and has been working with the neurodivergent population for over ten years in various settings including school, home, and clinic locations and water therapy. Rachel is currently under practicum for her Sexual Educator Certificate. Her current work is focused on sexual health, safety, relationships, and empowerment with both neurodivergent and neurotypical populations. Her philosophy is grounded in access to sexual health and sexuality for all and being able to obtain comprehensive and inclusive sexual education.
Rosangela Estrada, M.S., BCBA, NY-LBA
About Rose: Rosangela, A.K.A Rosie, better known as @Behaviorfy, is a BCBA and NY licensed behavior analyst. Rosie has been in the field since 2016. In 2021, Behaviorfy was born with a mission to bring quality training to RBTs and slowly grew as a source of material prep for aspiring professionals in the field, including BCBAs. Behaviorfy also heavily focuses on sparking conversations about essential issues in the field, ranging from neurodiversity and client dignity, ethical behavior, supervisory practices, and other controversial issues, such as private practice ABA. You can find Rosie on Instagram @behaviorfy, and check out her website, behaviorfy.net, for study resources, freebies, and other services!
Rosie (Rose) Jeffers, MAT, BCBA, LABA
About Rosie: Rosie Jeffers is passionate about three things in life-- food, behavior analysis, and cats. Her dissemination efforts can be found through her podcast Behavior Bites, instagram @rosie.eats.bx, and website rosiebx.com. Rosie is a member of multiple organizations including MassABA, BABAT, and an Advocate/Ally Member of BABA. Rosie’s work includes three CEU courses with Study Notes ABA (A DINK's Guide to Caregiver Coaching, Soft Skills – This Time, It’s Personal, and We Need to Talk: A Webinar on Ethics). Rosie lives and works in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Salena Davila-Schilling, M.A., BCBA
About Salena: Salena Davila-Schilling hails from Chicago, IL, and now calls Denver, CO, her home base. As an Entrepreneur, Project Manager, and Founder of The Traveling Project Manager, she brings a unique blend of expertise to the table. With a Masters in Clinical Psychology specializing in ABA and Counseling, she holds a BCBA certification,and Project Management Certification. Salena is a seasoned Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Project Manager. Her passion lies in leading digital projects for creative agencies, Entrepreneurs and Solopreneurs where she oversees initiatives from inception to fruition, consistently surpassing expectations. While also traveling around the globe. Central to her approach is a dedication to effective communication and a steadfast commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. By fostering inclusive team dynamics, Salena elevates project outcomes and drives success at every turn.
Samantha Olivas MA, M.Ed, BCBA
About Sam: Sam (she/her) is the owner and chief clinical officer of Iris Behavioral Health in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Sam provides adaptive behavior therapy and group support for late-diagnosed, high-masking, and self-identified neurodivergent adults and teens, using both her 10+ years of clinical experience and her lived experience as someone who needed that type of support. Sam is focused on organizing people and environments to support a high quality of life for all.
Dr. Shane T. Spiker, PhD, BCBA-D
About Shane: Shane T. Spiker is a BCBA in Ormond Beach, Florida. Shane received his MS of Psychology in 2012 and his second MS in applied Psychology in 2016. In May 2019, he graduated with his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a concentration on instructional design. He has been providing services in the field of ABA since 2010, with the majority of his experience with autistic learners and other disabilities. Shane specializes in working with teens and adults with dangerous problem behavior, sexual behavior, and medically complex individuals in home and community-based settings. Primarily, Shane serves as the Clinical Training and Safety Director at PBS, Corp. Shane previously served as the Vice President of the Sexual Behavior: Research and Practice SIG through ABAI. He has written and published several articles related to behavior analysis and practice. Additionally, he serves as a co-instructor at Florida Institute of Technology, Arizona State University, and Regis College, where he teaches graduate-level coursework. He enjoys reading and appreciates a really good cup of coffee. To keep up with his ongoing work, please feel free to check out the following resources:
- Instagram: @drshanetspiker, @WNDPress, @WWDWWDPodcast, @paperbackbehavior, @TeamPBS, @sixthandcenterpublishing
- Podcasts: Why We Do What We Do and Paperback Behavior
- Websites: ShaneTSpikerPhD.com, WNDPress.com (for books and publications), TeamPBS.com (for trainings), Sixthandcenterpublishing.com, Appliedbehavioralsexualitylab.com
Teressa Borrayo, MA., BCBA
About Teressa: Teressa Borrayo is a BCBA from Southern California. She has been in the field of ABA for over 12 years and is loving every minute of it. Teressa specializes in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Parent Education, Early Childhood Education, and Adaptive Skills. She is the owner and Clinical Director of Behavior Highway, located in Claremont, CA. Through this program she provides ABA services, social skills groups, adaptive skills, parent education, and sex education.
