Margie Abualkhail, M.A., BCBA, LBA, found her passion for Behavior Analysis through her personal experience of supporting her own son’s treatment over the past 15 years. She began working in the field in 2020 while advocating for compassionate care in ABA. She has earned a Level 5 credential in Practical Functional Assessment and Skill-Based Treatment through FTF Behavioral Consulting. As a parent herself, she is dedicated to delivering the same gold standard level of treatment that her own family benefited from. She finds deep satisfaction in supporting parents and caregivers while empowering her clients to reach new heights.
Dr. Natalia Baires (pronounced "by-res") earned her B.A. in Psychology and Chicano/a Studies from California State University Northridge, went on to complete her M.S. in Counseling/Applied Behavior Analysis from California State University Los Angeles, and earned her Ph.D. in Psychology/Behavior Analysis and Therapy from Southern Illinois University. An English-Spanish bilingual, doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D), Dr. Baires' research interests include culturally responsive interventions/service delivery, social justice and equity within and outside the field of behavior analysis, compassionate approaches within behavior-analytic services and supervision/mentorship, the role of language and cognition from a Relational Frame Theory framework, and the use of Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) to ensure sustainable behavioral flexibility and psychological well-being. As a scholar, Dr. Baires regularly conducts symposia and panels at national and international conferences within behavior science in both English and Spanish. Her scholarly work includes publications on the importance of distinctions between open- and closed-ended indirect assessments, sexism, observational learning, the importance of listening (from a Skinnerian perspective) and intercultural communication to combat racism, stimulus-stimulus pairing, an intersectional examination of disability and race models in behavior-analytic practice, pay equity among practitioners who serve children, a contextual behavioral framework for enhancing culturally responsive services for Latino families, and a cultural adaptation of ACT for Spanish-speaking parents of children with autism.
Brittany Bauerle is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a master's degree in Education, with a specialization in Early Childhood and Autism. Brit has spent the last 18 years working in homes, clinics, schools, and communities with a variety of diagnoses, neurodiversities, and across a wide variety of ages (birth through early adulthood). Providing mentorship to clinicians in the field has become a passion over the past several years, especially in the areas of SBT/PFA and Universal Protocols. Brit is an active moderator of the PFA & SBT Community, which is an online community that offers support to practitioners for Practical Functional Assessment and Skills Based Treatment. At Centria, Brit is able to combine both passions of providing mentorship and coaching clinicians through a company-wide clinical shift in PFA/SBT and Foundations of Care.
As Vice President of Clinical Services at BlueSprig, Kelly Bernard is responsible for ensuring high-quality services for our clients and families by collaborating with the clinical and operations team to design, execute, train, and evaluate strategic clinical initiatives. Kelly brings over 20 years of experience working with children and adolescents across various settings including, early intervention, school, in-home, community, and center-based programs. Kelly has been with Florida Autism Center and BlueSprig since 2018 as a Center Director and Associate Vice President of Clinical Services. She was awarded the 2019 Center of the Year for providing high-quality ABA services, staff training, and exceeding operational benchmarks. Before joining BlueSprig, Kelly worked as Clinical Supervisor and ABA staff trainer. Kelly worked in the public school system as a behavior specialist for nine years, providing ABA services to preschool and middle school students. Kelly received her Bachelor’s in Psychology at Ashford University and Master’s in Special Education with a graduate-level certificate in ABA from Fitchburg State College. Kelly lives in Florida with her husband, Scott, two daughters, and three small crazy dogs. She loves being with her family, going to the theater, spending time at the beach, and traveling.
Andi Brennan is currently serving as the Vice President of Clinical Services at BlueSprig Pediatrics. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (California, 2010) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (2010). Andi received her doctorate degree in Child and Adolescent Psychology and is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Andi enjoys viewing our field from a mental health perspective and involving a client's family system as an integral component of their treatment team. Andi is passionate about mentoring clinicians and feels humbled to work in a field where she can continue to learn new things every day.
Dr. Kristen Byra is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at a doctoral level (BCBA-D) and a licensed behavior analyst in Arizona and Texas. She completed her master’s degree in psychology from Western Michigan University in May 2007, specializing in autism and organizational behavior management. By May 2010, she received her Ph.D. in Psychology from the same university, specializing in Behavior Analysis. Her thesis and dissertation centered around the evaluation of prompting strategies for children with autism and related disorders, focusing specifically on matching to sample and receptive identification skills. Following her graduation, Dr. Byra concentrated her professional efforts on delivering center-based and home-based services for children diagnosed with autism and related disorders. She also provided consultation services for several school districts in Arizona and Nevada. Since 2017, Dr. Byra has been creating Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) and Clinical Intelligence Forms (CIF) for various prominent insurance companies and provider agencies. She has contributed as an expert witness in several court cases and has functioned as an ad-hoc reviewer for the Behavior Analysis in Practice journal. Her ongoing dedication is to the dissemination of information and research concerning the best practices in behavior analysis. She accomplishes this through web-based learning platforms and consultation. Most recently she has been appointed by the Governor of Arizona to be a committee member on the Committee for Behavior Analysts. |
Diana Davis-Wilson, DBH, LBA, BCBA, IBA
Chief Executive Advisor
Aspen Behavioral Consulting
Dr. Diana Davis-Wilson, DBH, LBA, BCBA, IBA is an Arizona Licensed Behavior Analyst with extensive experience in providing consultation and training to families, school districts, and organizational personnel across the nation. For several years, Dr. Davis-Wilson held a leadership position at an autism provider organization based in Arizona. In this role, she oversaw applied behavior analysis programs for numerous children throughout the state. Driven by her commitment to professional development and sustainability within the field of behavior analysis, she created an inclusive curriculum-based supervision program that provided employment opportunities and training for aspiring professionals and students. In addition to her clinical leadership roles, Dr. Davis-Wilson has actively contributed to various boards both in Arizona and on a national level. Her positions have included AzABA (Association for Behavior Analysis), the Autism Advisory Council of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), Glendale Community College's Behavioral Health Sciences Occupational Advisory Board (BHS-OAB), the Behavioral Health Centers of Excellence Scientific Advisory Board (BHCOE), and the Development Disabilities Safety Council. Furthermore, she has been appointed by the Governor as a board member with the Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners. Dr. Diana Davis-Wilson is also a university professor. She actively collaborates with other professional organizations to provide education, advocacy efforts, and guidance on early access to care, best practices, and evidence-based treatment methods. Additionally, she is deeply passionate about offering law enforcement training regarding autism developmental disabilities, crisis response, and behavior analysis.
Batoul Dekmak, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
Area Director of Clinical Services
Centria Autism
Batoul Dekmak is a dedicated Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with a strong focus on practicing compassionate care. Their expertise lies in utilizing evidence-based approaches to provide effective treatment and support to individuals in need. With a deep passion for disseminating compassionate assent-based treatment, Batoul is committed to promoting ethical and empathetic practices within the field.Currently serving as the Area Director of Clinical Services at Centria in Phoenix, Arizona, Batoul plays a vital role in overseeing and implementing high-quality care programs. She has chosen Centria due to the organization's foundations of care and commitment to excellence in behavior analysis.
Brittany D. Eastman, M.Ed
Director of Clinical Services
Enhanced Living Centers
Amber Feick, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
Senior Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Ally Pediatric Therapy
Amber Feick, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA was introduced to the field of ABA in 2012. She received her undergraduate degree from California State University, Chico in Child Development with a minor in Psychology and her master's degree from Arizona State University in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis. Through her time in the field, Amber has supported children across the clinic, home, school, and community environments with a focus on early intervention. She is passionate about training and compassionate support for professionals in the field, collaboration with other healthcare providers, and neurodiversity-affirming practices. In her free time, Amber enjoys spending time in the community with her family, reading books, and propagating plants.
Nia Flowers, BCBA
Quality Improvement Manager- Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers
Nia Flowers is a Quality Improvement Coordinator and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with over a decade of experience working with children, adults, and families on the Autism Spectrum. Nia brings classroom, residential, clinic, and home experience to Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers. Nia is a powerful force in the workplace striving for excellence through quality services and advocating for diverse, equitable, and inclusive practices throughout the organization. Nia finds solace in her husband and two children. In her free time, Nia enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with her family.
Stephanie Gates, M.A., BCBA, LBA
Clinical Manager
AZA United
Stephanie Gates, M.A., BCBA, LBA has worked in the field of behavior analysis since 2013, and has been a BCBA since 2016. She is currently serving as a Clinical Manager for AZA United where she oversees the BCBA supervision program and manages a team of 8 trainees and first year BCBAs. With over 8 years of experience providing BCBA supervision, she has a passion for providing quality supervision and educating others on supervision best practices. Stephanie has spent 7 years developing and maintaining a competency-based supervision program within AZA United that has lead to the development of more than 12 BCBAs. More recently, she acquired the BHCOE Training Site Accreditation for AZA United.
Tia Glover, MPH, M.S., BCBA
Regional Director
Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health
Joseph Hacker, MA, BCBA, LBA
Senior Director of Education and Professional Development
Attain ABA
Amanda Hineline, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
Clinical Director
Ascend Behavior Partners
Amanda Hineline, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA, is a Clinical Director in Phoenix, AZ, with over a decade of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis and growing experience in social work. She holds a Master’s degree in ABA from Arizona State University and is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Grand Canyon University. Amanda has dedicated her career to supporting foster children and other vulnerable populations, specializing in trauma-informed behavioral interventions.
Her expertise includes conducting comprehensive behavioral assessments, providing direct therapy, crisis intervention, and developing individualized, evidence-based interventions that prioritize both ethical ABA principles and social work values. Passionate about bridging these disciplines, she advocates for reinforcement-based strategies that respect autonomy, promote healing, and foster emotional resilience.
Beyond her professional work, Amanda is deeply involved in the foster care community as a mentor, further strengthening her commitment to compassionate, trauma-sensitive care. Her belief is that every child deserves understanding and support, challenging deficit-based perspectives with a strengths-focused, trauma-informed approach. By integrating ABA and social work, Amanda equips providers with the tools to better serve foster children, helping them heal, grow, and thrive.
Jamie Hughes-Lika, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA, IBA
ESDM Trainer
The NDBI Navigator
Dr. Hughes-Lika is a Board Certified Behavior Behavior Analyst at the doctoral level (BCBA-D), a licensed behavior analyst (LBA), an International Behavior Analyst (IBA), and an Early Start Denver Model Certified Therapist and Trainer. She has been providing evidence-based services for children with autism and related disorders for over 29 years, and for the past 14 years, she has specialized in interventions for young autistic children (0-4 years). She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology from Saint Ambrose University, her Master of Arts degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Ohio State University, and her Ph.D. in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities from the University of Kent in Canterbury, UK. She has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses on behavior analysis, positive behavior support, ASD, and supervision in the US and abroad. She is passionate about the dissemination of behavior analysis. In 2015, she was the recipient of the Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis (SABA) International Development Grant for her work to promote research, education, training, and behavior analysis for professionals and families in Albania. She presents her research at national and international conferences and her research studies are published in peer-reviewed journals. Her current research interests and publications are focused on the use of technology to disseminate evidence-based behavioral training to parents and caregivers of children with ASD (OPT-In-Early), the implementation of Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs) for infants and toddlers with ASD, and competency-based supervision systems. She is the founder of The NDBI Navigator, an organization dedicated to supporting professionals working with young autistic children. Rooted in the principles of Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs), it offers accessible, evidence-based, and developmentally appropriate resources to help clinicians, educators, and behavior analysts turn knowledge into meaningful practice.
Stu Law, BCBA
Student
University of Nevada, Reno
Stu Law is a senior Ph.D student at the University of Nevada Reno under the supervision of Dr. Steven Hayes. He has worked in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities for 10 years and is interested in creating curricula and assessment tools which compare people to the stated outcomes of themselves and their support network(s).
Kyle Lininger, MPA, LBA
Vice President of Clinical Integration
Intermountain Centers
Kyle Lininger is Vice President of Clinical Integration at Intermountain Centers. Concentrated areas of interest presently are: public policy, non-profit management, behavior systems analysis, the Community Reinforcement Approach for Substance Use Disorders, and integrated value-based healthcare modeling and intervention. In previous roles Kyle has provided and overseen programs supporting in-home delivered comprehensive and focused Applied Behavior Analysis. He has been a school Principal. Kyle has supervised and supported Behavioral Health Residential Facilities in addition to foster care programs. Kyle believes that there is no better place to practice ABA than Arizona!
Katarzyna Motylewicz, DBH, BCBA, QBA, LBA
Clinical Director and CE coordinator
The Perfect Child
Dr. Katarzyna Motylewicz, DBH, BCBA, QBA completed her undergraduate program in psychology at the City University of New York (CUNY), graduate training in education and special education at the Graduate School of Education and Psychology (Touro College), graduate training in applied behavioral analysis at the Pennsylvania University (Penn State), and her doctoral degree in behavioral health with a specialty in integrated care. She is interested in an integrated approach in treatment of individuals with autism. Her clinical focus is on addressing motor impairments affecting social-communication and play skills, and motor difficulties affecting feeding skills in the pediatric population with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
As a former athlete, karate practitioner and instructor, she was able to bring her passion into her clinical work, which resulted in the development of a functional training protocol for clinicians working with individuals with ASD.
She worked as a consultant and as a lead BCBA in various fields, including the NYS early intervention program, schools, and a private sector. She served a full term as the QABA’s International Standards Committee Member and as a faculty associate at the doctoral program at the Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies in Phoenix, Arizona. She is a certified PEERS Program provider and a feeding specialist. Currently, she works as a clinical director and CE coordinator at The Perfect Child.
Ariel Nicoara, MS, BCBA, LBA
Licensed Behavior Analyst
Aspen Behavioral Consulting
My name is Ariel Nicoara, I am a licensed behavior analyst with Aspen Behavioral Consulting where I have been working with children and adults for over 6 years. When I entered this field, I did not know what to expect, I was a physical therapy major. In pursuit of experience in mental health, I worked at a group home during which time I quickly identified a significant need for change but, I didn't know how or where to start. Shortly after this experience, I started my journey at Aspen. As I grew in this field it was Aspen that helped me identify my passion through opportunity. My passion is supporting adults in group homes where I train individuals to implement behavioral strategies to increase systematic and or individual success.
Shane Olson, MS, BCBA, LBA, IBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Enhanced Living Centers
Shane Olson, MS, BCBA, LBA, IBA, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over seven years of experience supporting individuals with mild to severe interfering behaviors across home, group home, school, clinic, and community settings. Shane earned his Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and specializes in Practical Functional Assessment (PFA) and Skill-Based Treatment (SBT), with advanced training through FTF Behavioral Consulting. Shane holds licensure in Arizona and Iowa and is internationally certified as an IBA. He is committed to compassionate, assent-based care and collaborates closely with caregivers, interdisciplinary teams, and clinical staff to achieve meaningful outcomes.
Cynthia Owens, M.S., BCBA
VP of Clinical Services
BlueSprig
As Vice President of Clinical Services at BlueSprig, Cynthia Owens is responsible for supporting and upholding high-quality standards of care for the clients and families we serve. Through collaboration and teamwork across departments, Cynthia supports alignment with the organization’s mission and values to produce meaningful client outcomes.
Cynthia earned her Master of Science in Psychology with an emphasis in Behavior Analysis from California State University, Stanislaus. She began her career supporting clients through ABA treatment more than 20 years ago. Cynthia has delivered presentations and workshops at state, national, and international conferences on topics such as social skills, early intervention, staff training, and caregiver collaboration. Prior to joining BlueSprig, Cynthia led a curriculum development team and regularly worked with a group of subject matter experts to support the development of training modules, goal banks, caregiver engagement activities, and other resources to assist clinicians in their work to maximize treatment outcomes.
Cynthia is passionate about building resources to support high-quality treatment for clients across their lifespan. She is equally passionate about training and mentoring new clinicians in the field. Outside of work, Cynthia enjoys spending time with her family in her home state of California.
Mellanie Page , BCBA, MBA
Founder and CEO
The ABA Collective,
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.
Kylee Pitts, M.S.
Ally Pediatric Therapy
Mercy Care
Kylee is a Navy veteran and dedicated behavior analyst with a strong foundation in both clinical and academic settings at the technician level. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health with an emphasis in Childhood and Adolescent Psychology from Grand Canyon University and a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University. She completed her fieldwork requirements at Ally Pediatric Therapy, where she continues to practice as a Supervising Clinician. During her graduate studies, she was honored with the Capstone of the Year award for her innovative research on modifying skill-based treatment for non-vocal autistic children. Driven by a passion for socially significant outcomes, Kylee is committed to delivering meaningful change in the lives of her clients. She is equally enthusiastic about the training, supervision, and ongoing professional development of behavior technicians, particularly Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). Her unique blend of military discipline, academic rigor, and clinical compassion positions her as a powerful advocate for quality care and professional excellence in the field of ABA.
Casey Russ, M.Ed. BCBA LBA
Behavior Analyst
Centria Healthcare
Casey Russ is a behavior analyst with over fourteen years of experience in Education and Behavior Analysis, including direct therapy, caregiver collaboration, supervision of clients and behavior technicians, mentorship of behavior analytic trainees, and inter-departmental collaboration. Casey has participated in initiatives focused on comprehensive fieldwork programs for practicum students, leadership training, reflective practices, and ongoing clinical development for current behavior analysts. Her passions include assent-based care, organizational behavior management, and servant leadership.
Olivia Setzer, MS, BCBA, LBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Attain ABA
Alexandra Tomei, M.Ed, BCBA
Director of Clinical Standards
BlueSprig
Alexandra is a dedicated professional with a passion for child and youth development with over a 15 years of experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
In 2012, she achieved her board certification as an assistant behavior analyst. Two years later, in 2014, she further solidified her expertise by becoming a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst).
Recognizing the importance of research and collaboration, Alexandra completed the LEND program at the University of Washington in 2013. During this time, she focused her research on behavior-based feeding interventions, working alongside other professionals to address feeding deficits. Her dedication to inclusive education led her to pursue a master's degree in the field, further enhancing her understanding of creating inclusive environments for all learners.
In addition to her work in child and youth development, Alexandra has also contributed significantly to the governance of a local K-12 charter school. Serving as the secretary for four years, she focused on documenting the school's operations and adhering to governmental standards. This included pivoting operations during the COVID crisis, demonstrating skills in crisis management at the organizational level. Through this experience, she honed her leadership and public policy skills, further complementing her expertise in behavior analysis.
Currently, Alexandra serves as the Director of Clinical Standards for BlueSprig. In this role, she collaborates across departments to establish clinical standards and operating procedures, ensuring that the organization delivers the highest quality clinical services to their clients and families. Furthermore, she coordinates various clinical committees, fostering a supportive environment for staff and promoting ongoing professional development. In 2024, Alexandra was elected to a 3-year term on the COABA board and is currently serving as the Chair of the Professional Development Committee. She leads the committee in supporting opportunities for learning via workshops, webinars, and the annual conference while also supporting public policy initiatives in the state through the public policy committee.
Alexandra's unwavering dedication to the field of child and youth development, extensive experience in leadership development and public policy, and commitment to advocating for effective clinical services make her a valuable asset to BlueSprig and the broader community.
Tanya Tompkins, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
Clinical Director
Attain ABA,
Tanya Tompkins is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) in both Arizona and Nebraska. She currently serves as the Clinical Director at Attain ABA, overseeing clinical services across both states. Tanya earned her undergraduate degree in Child Development from Northern Illinois University and her Master of Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from Arizona State University. Since entering the field in 2014, Tanya has worked with children and young adults with autism spectrum disorder and a variety of developmental, emotional, and behavioral needs. She has experience delivering services in home, school, and community-based settings. Tanya is especially committed to caregiver support, client advocacy, and developing treatment plans that reflect each individual’s unique strengths and needs. As a Clinical Director, she focuses on promoting ethical, person-centered care and supporting the professional growth of her teams.
Maranda Trahan, PhD, BCBA-D, HHA
Aging Services
Abilities Behavior Services,
Dr. Maranda Trahan, PhD, BCBA-D, is a nationally recognized leader in aging-related behavior services. She co-coordinates senior care programming at Abilities Behavior Services, a division of Trinity Services in Southern Illinois, where she designs and oversees care plans for older adults with and without dementia. A Louisiana native, Dr. Trahan earned her undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University, followed by a master’s in Behavior Analysis and Therapy and a PhD in Rehabilitation from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology at Johns Hopkins University. In 2014, Dr. Trahan launched the nation’s first ABA clinical practice dedicated to seniors with dementia. Today, she continues to lead the field, developing training programs for clinicians nationwide to better understand and manage the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Beyond her professional work, Dr. Trahan is passionate about nature, family, and cultivating her spiritual life.
Emily Urban, BCBA, LBA
Senior-Level Clinical Supervisor
AZA United