Our team

Kristen Cooper Borkenhagen is a Licensed and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Kristen is passionate about helping families achieve meaningful outcomes and has been providing behavior analytic services to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families since 2001.

Kristen earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from John F. Kennedy University in Campbell, CA before studying Applied Behavior Analysis at the Florida Institute of Technology. She held several clinical leadership positions with Trumpet Behavior Health in the San Francisco Bay Area and was the Director of Clinical Services with Achieving Collaborative Treatment in Verona, WI. The thing that excites her most about the science of behavior is its application to empower parents to create what matters most to them.

Kristen lives in Madison, WI with her husband, three kids, two cats, and six chickens. In her free time, she enjoys reading, creative projects, outdoor adventures with her family, and fostering kittens with a local animal rescue.

Dr. Ashley Whittington-Barnish (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Board Certified Behavior Analyst – Doctoral (BCBA-D), and Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP). Having dedicated over 20 years to working with individuals with autism and developmental disabilities across home, school and center-based settings, Ashley has an enduring passion for supporting young children and their families.

Ashley has worked at Stride since the beginning and loves watching clients make meaningful progress. She is also an Associate Professor at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and previously served as University Chair of the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Department and Department Chair of ABA at TCSPP’s Chicago campus. In addition to teaching numerous undergraduate and graduate classes in ABA and psychology, her research interests include staff training, caregiver training, and using technology to enhance learning opportunities.

Prior roles include developing and launching “Sprouts,” an early intervention preschool program under The Autism Program grant, and providing assessments and treatment at Livingston County Special Services Unit, among others.

Ashley earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Educational Studies from Illinois Wesleyan University, and a PhD in School Psychology from Illinois State University.

Ashley lives in the south suburbs of Chicago with her husband, three kids, and two dogs. In her free time, she loves watching Chicago sports, seeing Broadway Chicago shows, and planning Disney trips with her family.

Amanda is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She graduated with a Master’s of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Amanda has committed the past 10 years to providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities across the lifespan (aged 2 to 70 years old). She started her career working exclusively with children with Autism and soon began working with adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities and mental health diagnoses. Amanda has been a consultant for school districts, group homes, and adult day centers and is passionate about assisting individuals with disabilities lead a life that is meaningful to them.

Amanda’s professional interests include designing interventions for the dually diagnosed, developing caregiver/staff trainings, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration. Amanda was born and raised in Singapore and currently lives in Chicago. She is fluent in both English as well as Mandarin. In her free time, Amanda enjoys trying new restaurants and travelling as much as she can.

achael Cundall is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She received a B.A. in Psychology with minors in Criminal Justice and Forensic Science from Nebraska Wesleyan University. Rachael was interested in studying human behavior and was initially interested in Criminal/Forensic Psychology. While applying for graduate school, she began providing ABA services to children diagnosed with Autism. She discovered a passion for working with children and their families and decided to pursue a Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in Autism from Ball State University.

Rachael has experience working with children age 2-10. She enjoys working in Early Intervention to help children learn important skills that will help them throughout their lifetime. Rachael loves watching children and families reach their goals and feels honored to be part of the process.

Rachael lives in Omaha with her husband, son, and two dogs. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and yoga.

Katie is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst from Indiana. She graduated from Indiana University with a B.S. in Psychology and went on to the Florida Institute of Technology to study Applied Behavior Analysis and Organizational Behavior Management. She has over five years of experience working with children diagnosed with Autism and other developmental disabilities. She has training and experience working with children in clinical, preschool, and home settings focusing on teaching functional language, reducing inappropriate behavior and teaching appropriate replacements, and supporting in social skills groups. Katie enjoys teaching therapists to implement effective evidence-based treatments across all skill areas. In her free time, she likes to read, exercise, and spend time with family and friends.

Ryhanna Singleton is a Licensed and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Ryhanna received a B.S. in Psychology from Iowa State University. Following undergrad, Ryhanna worked with children with autism and developed a passion for ABA. She then pursued her Master of Education degree with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University. Ryhanna completed her independent field work and passed her Board exam to become a BCBA while living in Indiana. She then moved back to her home state of Iowa to be closer to family.

Ryhanna has experience working with individuals ages two to 20 with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is passionate about early intervention for preschool-aged children and finds joy in helping children and their families every day.

Ryhanna lives in Waukee, Iowa, with her husband, daughter and dog, Nelson. Ryhanna and her family love to go on walks to parks, attend hockey games, and spend time with friends and family.

Paulina is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with 10 years of experience in the field. Paulina received her B.S in Health Sciences with a double minor in Psychology and Biology from Dominican University and her M.S in Applied Behavior Analyst from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. After graduating with her Bachelors she began working as a 1:1 therapist in one of Midwest’s first Verbal Behavior Based Schools. She quickly developed a passion for ABA as she saw the impact it was making on her students. Paulina went on to work at a variety of settings including in-home-based therapy, community settings and therapeutic day schools.

Paulina has a passion for working on a team and has worked closely collaborating with a variety of therapists to design individual educational opportunities for her clients. She is passionate about working with our early learners and their families to help them reach their individual goals.

Paulina lives in Hickory Hills with her husband and two sons, Wyatt and Rowan. In her free time she loves spending time outdoors, hiking and exploring National Parks.

Shelley Swan is a Licensed and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She received a B.S.Ed. in Special Education from Northern Illinois University in 2011. After graduating, she worked as a special education teacher for 6 years. During that time, she developed a strong interest in ABA and began working as a behavior technician. In 2017, she completed her M.S.Ed. in Advanced Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis from Northern Illinois University.

Shelley has experience in a variety of settings including clinic, school, home, and community with both children and adolescents. Shelley is credentialed in Practical Functional Assessment (PFA) and Skill-Based Treatment (SBT) of severe problem behavior. She is very passionate about neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-informed care.

Kyleigh Bromen is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She received a B.S. in Human Development & Family Sciences from Oregon State University. Shortly after graduating, Kyleigh began providing ABA services to children diagnosed with autism. Her passion for serving children with autism and their families quickly grew and she decided to pursue her assistant behavior analyst (BCaBA) certification through Florida Institute of Technology. After becoming a BCaBA, Kyleigh then continued her education at Arizona State University to obtain her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction (with an emphasis in ABA) and her behavior analyst certification.

Kyleigh has experience providing ABA services to individuals between the ages of two and twenty diagnosed with autism and other developmental delays; however, her passion is working with early childhood learners. In addition to providing ABA services, Kyleigh spent three years working as a Services Coordinator for the state’s early development network, where she was responsible for providing families of children with developmental delays support and connecting them with local resources. Through this role, Kyleigh saw firsthand the lack of services available to children with autism in Nebraska and is excited for families in the area to have access to more services.

Kyleigh lives in Eagle, NE with her husband and son. She enjoys spending time outside with her family and completing home improvement projects.

Mickey (she/her) is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in the Des Moines metro area. She received her Bachelor’s of Science from Iowa State University in Child Development. During her time at Iowa State, Mickey worked with military youth on various bases across Europe and the U.S. After receiving her bachelor’s, she began working as a home and community based early interventionist in Tennessee.

While working in the field of early intervention, Mickey assisted with clinical ABA services, becoming an RBT soon after. During her time as an RBT, she began her Graduate studies in Applied Behavior Analysis at Ball State University. Mickey has worked in the field of ABA for 5 years and has developed a passion for creating inclusive spaces where all children can feel happy, relaxed, and engaged.

Mickey lives in Des Moines with her husband and two dogs, Lucy and Fen. In her free time, she enjoys trying too many new hobbies and spending time outside with her family.

Jordan graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2013. Shortly after graduation, she began working at an inpatient psychiatric hospital on the Behavior Intervention Unit. It was there that Jordan became exposed to Applied Behavior Analysis as she worked with children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders and severe maladaptive behavior. Jordan fell in love with the field and decided to pursue her BCBA. She graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a Master of Science degree in Behavior Analysis and Therapy in 2018 and has been a BCBA ever since! Jordan joined the Stride team in April 2023 and is excited to help contribute to Stride’s great mission!

Aly is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She received B.A. degrees in Psychology and Spanish from Creighton University, where she was first introduced to the field of ABA and began providing in-home ABA services to an individual client with autism. Through this experience, she became inspired to pursue a career in providing early intervention services to children on the autism spectrum. She went on to receive a Masters in Special Education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis through a hybrid program with the University of Nebraska-Omaha and University of Nebraska Medical Center. During grad school, Aly worked as an ABA therapist in various in-home, school, and clinical settings with children ages 2-18. After receiving her BCBA certification in 2020, she provided services in a center-based environment in Missouri for a year before moving back to Iowa to be closer to family.

Aly lives in Des Moines and enjoys reading, cooking, attending sporting events, and spending time with family and friends.

Jordan Karlson is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). He received his B.S. in Accounting and Business Administration. While putting himself through school in California, he started working as a special education teaching assistant. Through his experiences with various ages and disabilities in that role, he fell in love with ABA.

After moving to South Dakota, Jordan re-entered the field of ABA as a teaching assistant. A promotion to a BCABA role inspired him to go back to school. He obtained his M.S in Applied Behavior Analysis from National University in December 2020.

Jordan has experience with various disabilities and has worked mainly worked with ages 3-21, but has experience with adults with developmental disabilities as well. He also has experience in clinical supervision, supervising staff, trauma informed care and specializes in severe problem behavior. He enjoys working with early intervention clients to ensure they get the treatment they need and deserve to catch them up to neurotypical peers and to prevent escalation of problem behavior later in life. The progress he sees from his clients inspires him to maintain his clinician role in the field.

Jordan lives in South Dakota with his wife, toddler, and dog. He enjoys playing video games, teaching his son who has autism, and watching the Saints try to win another Super Bowl (hopefully soon!).

Stacee is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She received her B.S. in psychology from Illinois State University and her M.A. in psychology from The Chicago School of Psychology, with a specialization in applied behavior analysis. Stacee was first exposed to ABA during her undergraduate coursework where she participated in a research project to provide ABA interventions to young children with developmental disabilities.

Stacee has worked with individuals with disabilities since 2007 and has worked with all ages, birth through adulthood. She has worked in mental health, social work, foster care, schools, residential, and community-based settings. Stacee is passionate about working in early intervention with young children with neurodevelopmental differences and providing assent-based, trauma-informed, and neurodiversity-affirming behavioral interventions.

Stacee lives in the Quad City area and enjoys spending time with her children, reading, and listening to or watching anything paranormal or science-fiction related.

Zijie Ma is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst – Doctoral (BCBA-D). He earned a master’s degree and a PhD in special education from the University of Kansas. He believes knowledge and expertise become most valuable when used to serve the public good. He is passionate about serving individuals, families, professionals, and communities in ways that can improve the quality of life of individuals with ASD.

Zijie’s previous experience focused on three areas: service, research, and teaching. He has experience providing ABA service for children aged 3-10 in clinic, school, and home settings. He also provided parent training centered on practical, evidence-based strategies caregivers can use in daily activities. Relatedly, his research interest focused on evidence-based communication interventions for children with ASD and telehealth parent training. He had also taught several graduate classes in special education service for children with ASD.

Zijie lives in Iowa city with his wife, and son. He likes playing volleyball, hiking, and video games.

Maithri is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst from Michigan. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.S. in Neuroscience. She helped conduct an encopresis research study in the child behavioral health department at the children’s hospital where she learned and fell in love with ABA therapy and decided to pursue her masters in ABA at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Maithri has over 3 years of experience working with children diagnosed with Autism and other developmental disabilities. She has provided clinic-based ABA services for children ranging from 2-15 years old in pre-schools, early intervention, and pediatric clinics. She is passionate about teaching functional communication, targeting socially significant daily living skills and social skills, reducing challenging behaviors while teaching appropriate replacement behaviors, and helping parents learn more about ABA through parent training to better help their child in the home setting. Maithri has a special interest in incorporating ABA principles with technology in the education system and hopes to pursue higher education to continue learning and adding more research about this topic!

Maithri lives in downtown Chicago with her husband and loves to try new restaurants, watch a good TV show, travel, and spend time with her family and friends.

Amanda Messenger (she/her) is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She began working in the ABA field in 2012 as a 1:1 therapist. Amanda received her undergraduate degree in Behavioral Sciences from Bellevue University. She continued working as an RBT while furthering her education. She graduated with a Master’s in Applied Behavioral Analysis from Ball State University and became a BCBA in 2020.

Amanda has experience working with children and adolescents age 2-14 and has worked across home, school, and clinic settings. She is passionate about individualized teaching, functional communication training, and focusing on socially significant behaviors to improve the lives of her clients.

Amanda lives in Omaha, Nebraska and enjoys cooking, being outside, and spending time with friends and family.

Victoria Meyer is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She graduated with a M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University. Early on, Victoria developed a passion working with individuals with developmental disabilities. Starting out as a tutor and paraprofessional working up to becoming a BCBA. She has valued every experience she has had that has led her to working at Stride.

Over the past 7 years, Victoria has worked with individuals with autism ages 2 to 24. She has serviced children and adults in a variety of different environments such as schools, clinics, and home settings. When working in this field it is very important to Victoria that she is working to increase independence, improve quality of life for families, and celebrating every milestone her clients achieve.

Victoria has held leadership positions for the past 3 years and is very passionate about working to promote teamwork and collaboration in her teams to provide the highest quality of services possible.

She currently live in Illinois with her husband and furry best friend. She loves to play board games and spend time with family and friends.

Annie Palmer is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst from Arizona. She received her masters degree in Psychology from Grand Canyon University and studied Applied Behavior Analysis at Florida Institute of Technology.

Since beginning work in this field, Annie has gained experience working with clients ages 1-23. Her passion is working in early intervention to teach foundational skills to young learners. Annie’s priority in treatment is to provide quality, empathetic care to individuals and their families as they work towards their goals.

Annie lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her dog, Spooky. In her free time, Annie loves to do puzzles and watch scary movies.

Katie Spellmeyer is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She received her B.A. in Psychology & Sociology from the University of Minnesota-Morris. After graduation, she began working as a DSP in a children’s residential facility supporting individuals with a variety of disabilities. There, Katie discovered her passion was to help support these individuals to live their lives as happy and independent as possible. When her company opened up their Outpatient ABA services, Katie moved over into an RBT role, discovering how impactful 1:1 early intervention services were for individuals with disabilities. Katie then received her M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University. Katie has experience providing services from ages 2-16. She enjoys working collaboratively with parents, schools, and other therapies to provide the best services to the child.

Katie lives in Sioux Falls, SD with her husband, two sons, and a corgi named Ruxin. In her free time she enjoys watching sci-fi shows, traveling, and watching her sons grow up.

Kristy Walker is a Licensed and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with over 10 years of experience in the field. She received a B.S. in psychology from the University of Iowa and then obtained an M.A. in clinical psychology from Northern Illinois University before returning to her home state of Iowa. Back in Iowa, she worked in a PMIC for children with internalizing and externalizing disorders before becoming a behavior tech in an early skill ABA clinic. Over the last 8 years, Kristy spent the majority of her career working in the Day Treatment Clinic at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics specializing in using applied behavior analysis to decrease severe and challenging behavior. During her time in the clinic, Kristy worked to obtain her BCBA and graduated from FIT in 2018. During her years in the clinic, Kristy utilized cutting edge interventions with children and adults to quickly and efficiently decrease behaviors such as aggression, destruction, self-injury, and elopement. Wanting to expand her repertoire of knowledge and prevent challenging behavior before it begins, Kristy joins the Stride team excited to continue working in early intervention. Kristy currently lives in Cedar Rapids with her husband, daughter, and two feline friends. In her free time, Kristy likes to explore new restaurants and cuisines, spend time with family, and catch up on any horror-related movies or TV.

Dr. Jessie Weber (she/her) is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst – Doctoral (BCBA-D), and Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP). She received her B.A. in Psychology from Nebraska Wesleyan University and M.S. in Applied Clinical Psychology from the University of South Carolina – Aiken. Upon moving back to Omaha, she began working with children diagnosed with Autism and quickly fell in love with the work. She completed a graduate certificate program from Brandman University, followed by her PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Jessie has experience working with children aged 2-20 with challenging behavior in the clinical and school setting. She is passionate about ensuring treatments generalize to the client’s natural settings and has focused heavily on training caregivers and school personnel. Jessie is passionate about seeing clients and families reach their goals and be successful. Additionally, she strives to model this passion as a supervisor and mentor to the next generation of RBT’s and BCBA’s.

In her free time Jessie enjoys spending time with her husband Cody and dog Howie. Some of her favorite things to do are travel, hike, and try out new restaurants.

Colt is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). He received a B.A. in Psychology from Hofstra University in 2017. After graduating, Colt began working as a behavior technician in his home state of Pennsylvania. He became a RBT in 2018 and began working with young children diagnosed with Autism in home, school, and community-based settings. Colt moved to Nebraska with his wife in 2019 and continued working as an RBT, where he gained experience working with neurotypical teenagers and other diagnoses, while also continuing to work with clients diagnosed with Autism.

In 2020, Colt began attending Arizona State University, where he received his MA in Special Education with a concentration in ABA. Following graduation, Colt became a BCBA in July, 2022. Colt is passionate about teaching learners with deficits skills that they can use for a lifetime, while also reducing behaviors to help learners access least restrictive environments as they age.

Colt lives in Lincoln with his wife and three cats. He loves exploring new places, hiking, and playing different styles of music on the banjo.

Justine Ayres is a Licensed and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She received a B.F.A from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and received her M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis from Drake University.

Justine has experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities from ages 2 to 80 years old. She has provided ABA services in clinics, home and field settings, teaching functional communication skills, coping skills, and conducting caregiver training. Justine is passionate about providing quality and empathetic care with early intervention clients, and helping them work towards their goals.

Justine lives in Des Moines. In her free time, she enjoys being outside, painting, and spending time with family and friends.

Morgan Beck (she/her) is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She received a B.S. in Psychology and a M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis from Drake University. She has always had a passion for working with children from an early age. She discovered behavior analysis during her undergraduate coursework, which then sparked her desire to obtain her master’s degree in ABA. During her graduate program, Morgan had the opportunity to work with individuals (age 2-25) on the Autism spectrum, where she delivered behavior analytic services as an RBT and graduate clinician in many different settings.

Morgan has experience implementing early intervention services to children. She enjoys helping them develop important communication skills and become more independent within their daily lives. Morgan is passionate about serving individuals with Autism and their families through parent training, so that they can all live fulfilling lives.

Morgan lives in Ankeny, IA with her fiancé, daughter, and rescue greyhound, Reed. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, going for walks outside, and shopping at Target.

Maddie Blankenship is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She received both her bachelors and masters degrees in Psychology with an emphasis on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from Kaplan University.

Maddie has over 10 years of experience working with children ages 2-10 with 4 and a half of those years being dedicated to working in the field of ABA by providing services for children diagnosed with autism. Maddie enjoys working in early intervention and is honored to have the chance to be a child’s first contact with services in order to provide them with the opportunity of learning early skills that will help them throughout their lifetime. Maddie finds a lot of joy in being able to help the children and families that she serves reach their goals.

Maddie lives in Plattsmouth, Nebraska with her husband, daughter, and dog, Milo. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, enjoying the outdoors, and going line dancing.

Abbey is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She attended the University of Northern Iowa and received her BA in Social Work. After graduating, she didn’t know what she wanted to do with her degree then happened to stumble upon Stride. She felt a personal connection as she has three nephews and one niece who have been diagnosed with Autism. She started her journey with Stride in 2021, a few months after they opened the first clinic in Clive. It only took a few months for her to fall in love with the profession and she decided to make the decision to go to grad school. In 2023, she graduated with a M.Ed. in ABA through Ball State University.

A little bit about her: she is engaged to her high school sweetheart and will be getting married in April 2024. They have a cat named Pickles and love to do anything outside in their free time. She also loves being crafty and decorating/redecorating her house!

Emet Buenning is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who graduated with his Master’s from Arizona State University in 2022. Before pursuing his BCBA, Emet was a BCaBA for 2 years and a registered behavior technician for 4 years, having practiced in in-home and clinic settings. As an RBT, Emet enjoyed building trust and strong bonds with his clients, which led him to decide that his future belonged in ABA.

Throughout his educational journey and career, Emet has worked with a wide range of ages. Emet began implementing skill-based treatment (SBT) at the beginning of 2022 and is passionate about providing ethical, trauma-informed services to individuals diagnosed with autism. Emet strives to build strong relationships with his families and clients and enjoys celebrating all victories, no matter how small.

When not at work, Emet enjoys spending time with his 2 Boston Terriers, playing video games, cross-stitching, and listening to music.

Macy is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She received her B.S in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2020. In 2018, she began her ABA career in Early Intervention working as a 1:1 therapist for children (ages 2 to 10) diagnosed with autism in a clinical setting. Here, she found her passion for working with children and families while also being able to utilize both her analytic and creative skills to help better the lives of others. She is honored to be part of that process.

In 2023, Macy went on to receive her M.S in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. During her time here, she continued to work in Early intervention while also providing consultative services in a school setting as a part of the Interdisciplinary Behavior Consultation (IBC) program. Through this program, the goal was to focus on collaboration in schools across the fields of ABA, School Psychology, and Special education while addressing a range of behavioral concerns for those aged 3 to 18 on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Additionally, Macy is interested in functional communication training and social skills.

Macy lives in Lincoln, Nebraska with her fiance and a fluffy grey cat named Binx. In her free time, Macy enjoys reading, shopping, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family.

Chiara is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She graduated with her B.A. in Psychology from Rider University in 2009 then went on to graduate school at the Erikson Institute in Chicago IL, for a M.S. in Child Development. After graduating in 2011 she worked as a Developmental Therapist (DT) in Early Intervention for 5 years providing home-based services to early learners from 0-3 years old. Her ABA journey began when she first heard of ABA through her work as a DT. She then decided to work part-time as a Line Therapist at an in-home ABA company and eventually became a Registered Behavior Technician. Her motivation to learn more about ABA continued to grow and she then decided to pursue a M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She graduated in June 2018 and since then has been committed to making a positive impact in the lives of all individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health diagnoses across the lifespan and in different settings. She has extensive experience in training staff on best practices for behavior support, and skill acquisition and empowering them to provide compassionate care and support. She has a strong clinical background of over 6 years of working with individuals with different learning histories, ages, and diagnoses in a variety of settings such as clinics, day programs, residential/home, and in the community. Chiara’s mission is to continue to promote a supportive environment where all individuals can achieve their goals and lead fulfilling lives.

Chiara loves CrossFit and being active with her boxer dog Payton, who loves playing fetch at the dog park and beaches. Chiara’s family and friends live in Italy and NJ. She enjoys traveling to spend time with them during the holidays and summer. She also loves sushi, dark chocolate, going to concerts, arcades, and dining out at her favorite Chicago restaurants with her boyfriend.

James House is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). He received his B.A. in Psychology and Behavior Science from Briar Cliff University. While an undergraduate, he volunteered in a pro-bono applied behavior analysis (ABA) clinic, where he developed a passion for the field by providing client services, teaching, and conducting
research. Upon graduating, James worked for a local nonprofit ABA clinic as a behavioral therapist. He received his Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of North Texas. James has experience working with individuals with significant differences between the ages of two and eighteen in multiple settings, including clinic, home, school, and community.

James lives in Sioux City with his wife and cats. In his free time, he loves being an adjunct professor, volunteering as a track coach, reading, and playing board games with his wife.

Maddie Judkins is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she received a B.A. in Psychology, minoring in Educational Psychology. While working towards her undergraduate degree, Maddie began providing services to toddlers with autism as a Registered Behavior Technician. She fell in love with the field of ABA and the idea of getting to work with such an amazing population every day. Maddie went on to earn her M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Nebraska-Medical Center and became a BCBA.

Maddie has experience providing early intervention services to kids between the ages of 2 and 10 years old in clinical, in-home, and in-daycare settings. During her graduate experience, Maddie also provided outpatient parent coaching services to families via telehealth. Additionally, Maddie enjoys staying up-to-date on and conducting research, particularly in the area of imitation skills. Maddie is passionate about teaching communication and independent daily living skills, promoting autonomy and providing compassionate care. She loves helping kids and families reach their goals and feels lucky to be part of their growth.

Maddie lives in Omaha, NE with her fiance. In her free time, Maddie enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing soccer, watching her sister play soccer for Creighton, and shopping.

Morgan Jungwirth (she/her) is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in Clive. She received a BS in Behavior Analysis and Therapy from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. While there, she worked at a research clinic as a behavior technician where she provided behavior analytic services to children aged 3-7 with a wide range of disabilities. She then moved on to receive a M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Cincinnati. Morgan then spent an additional 2 years working as a Behavior Technician with individuals on the autism spectrum (age 2-27) where she delivered a wide range of behavior analytic services in various settings.

Morgan has worked in home, clinic, and field settings. She has also worked on and published research related to teaching communication and perspective taking skills to children with ASD as well as research on the benefits and utilization of coping skills. Through her time in the field, she has grown strong interests in teaching communication skills, conducting parent trainings, and teaching coping skills to clients. She looks forward to utilizing these interests and skills with all of the clients she serves at Stride clinics!

Morgan lives in Norwalk, IA with her fiancé and their kitten Frankie. In her free time, she loves anything crafty, time outdoors, and a good book.

Jamie Kenney is a Licensed and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She received a B.S. in Early Childhood education from Kendall College and a B.S from Oregon State in Anthropology. In 2019, Jamie began working part-time as a behavior technician, while she was attending Northern Illinois University to pursue a M.S.Ed in Early Childhood Education with licensure. However she fell in love with ABA and decided to pursue a second Masters and added Applied Behavior Analysis.

After 13 years in an early childhood classroom, Jamie decided to change her profession to ABA. Jamie has experience providing behavioral services to individuals, ages 2 to 12, with an Autism Spectrum Disorder in both home and clinic based settings. She is passionate about helping individuals with autism and teaching their families the skills they need to understand their children and help them to thrive.

Jamie moved from Northern Illinois to Cedar Rapids, IA with her 2 teenage boys, 2 cats, and a dog. She has another 19 year old son that stayed back in IL. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with family.

Alisha Lange is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She obtained her bachelors in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Wyoming, and worked as a speech language pathology assistant for two and a half years.. Her love and passion for helping individuals with communication disorders lead her to discover ABA. She moved to Dayton,Ohio with her husband where she worked in ABA for 5 years and pursued her masters degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University.

Alisha has experience in early intervention and loves working on preschool readiness and communication skills. She enjoys helping children learn at their own pace and watching them grow.

Alisha lives in Glenwood IA where she enjoys fishing and boating with her husband, hiking with her three dogs, working out, and golfing.

Kelsey is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She earned her master’s degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from the University of Nebraska at Omaha as an Interdisciplinary Behavior Consultant Scholar.

Kelsey has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with challenging behavior in various settings including, home, clinic, and school. Her fieldwork experience primarily involved coaching and consulting with teachers and administrators in the school environment. She is passionate about collaborating with parents, teachers, and other healthcare professionals to better generalize treatment to the natural setting. Kelsey’s favorite part of her job is connecting with her clients and watching them crush their goals.

In her free time, Kelsey enjoys going on adventures to the zoo with her husband and two little boys, playing at the dog park with her golden retriever, Millie, and eagerly planning her next magical trip to Disneyland.

Tressa Phelps is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, originally from Decatur, Illinois. She received her master’s degree in Special Education from Liberty University and studied Applied Behavior Analysis at Florida Institute of Technology.

Tressa has a myriad of experience that she brings to the Stride team – ranging from early intervention to the school system to adults with developmental disabilities. Her passion lies in early intervention to teach young learners and their families on their autism journey. Tressa is also a mom of a son with autism, which brings a unique perspective to her treatment to provide quality services and care to learners as they work to reach their goals.

Tressa lives in Omaha, Nebraska, with her new husband, Jason, and her two children, Clayton and Carly. Often found with a Diet Coke in her hand, Tressa enjoys reading, spending time with her family and friends and baking yummy chocolate chip cookies.

Jennifer Prante is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Nebraska Omaha. While working toward her undergraduate degree she found work providing early intervention services as an RBT for toddlers with autism. Jennifer enjoyed her work in the field so much she decided to go back to school and received her M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and became a BCBA.

Jennifer has worked with children ages 2-7 years old diagnosed with ASD in clinical settings as well as in home and via telehealth. She has also worked on research related to teaching receptive and communication skills and has presented the findings at state and international conferences. She has a passion for teaching functional communication training, tolerance training for daily living skills, and involved caregiver training.

Jennifer lives in Omaha, NE with her husband and dog. In her free time she enjoys reading, going to the movies, baking, and traveling.

Emily is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She attended The Chicago School of Professional Psychology where she received her Master’s of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis and her Master’s of Art in Counseling Psychology, concentrating in trauma studies. Prior to entering the field of ABA in 2019, Emily worked as a special education teacher for children and adolescents in the public school system. Through her ABA clinical experience as both a Behavior Therapist and BCBA, she has worked with individuals across the lifespan diagnosed with various developmental disabilities, including individuals with dual diagnoses (e.g., anxiety, depression, OCD). Emily has experience providing in-home, clinic-based, and consulting services. She is passionate about advocating for her clients and their individual needs across all of life’s settings.

Emily’s professional interests include trauma-informed care, organizational behavior management/people operations, and collaborative care. In her free time, Emily enjoys going on walks on the lakefront, watching reality TV, and spending time with her family, friends, and 2 cats!

Erin is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She completed her B.A. in Biology and Religion at Augustana University and her M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University. During her undergraduate studies, Erin discovered her passion for supporting individuals with disabilities in a residential direct-support role. Erin has experience providing services to individuals ages 3-18. She emphasizes the individualization of programming for each of her clients based on socially significant goals, learning styles, and compassionate care. Erin loves to see the progress her clients and families make through their ABA journey!

Erin lives with her husband (Kyle), dog (Otter), and cat (Lila). In her free time, she enjoys spending time outside, traveling, and doing home improvement projects.

Sammi is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She attended George Mason University and earned a Master’s of Special Education in Applied Behavior Analysis. She began working in the field of ABA during her senior year of undergrad and found her passion in working with kids and in the field. Throughout her career, Sammi has provided services to individuals with developmental disabilities across ages 2-21. Sammi is passionate about generalizing skills from ABA to the home and working with caregivers to increase independence for each learner.

Sammi lives in Chicago and enjoys trying new restaurants, being outside, and spending quality time with her family and friends.

Allison Thorenhill (any/all) is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. They received a B.S. in Psychology and an M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis from Drake University. Allison developed a passion for behavior analysis during their undergraduate program as she learned about behavioral principles and how to apply them to everyday life.

During their graduate program, Allison had the opportunity to work with children ages 2 to 21 with a wide variety of needs in a clinical setting.

She most enjoyed working with children to develop initial communication skills and collaborating with RBTs to create the most effective treatment plan for each individual child. Ever learning, their passion for their career continues to grow as she watches her clients learn in their own individualized ways.

Allison lives in Urbandale with their significant other and their dog. In her free time, she loves working on household projects, playing board games, and baking.

Kaleigh Vesely is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She graduated with her B.S. in Psychology from Iowa State University. After graduation, Kaleigh worked as a special education aide in a middle school where she discovered ABA and decided to pursue a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Drake University. During graduate school, she had the opportunity to work with children aged 18 mos – 21 yrs in a severe challenging behavior unit at a developmental clinic.

Following graduation and certification, Kaleigh moved to South Florida where she spent a few years providing both early intervention and challenging behavior reduction services to children with autism aged 2-6. She is excited to be back in Iowa and bring all she has learned to her home state. Kaleigh is passionate about helping children with autism grow and teaching their families the skills to help them be successful.

Kaleigh lives in Ankeny, IA with her dog. In her free time she enjoys hiking, reading, and acrylic painting.

Kasey Villa (she/her) is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She graduated with a B.A in Applied Psychology before going on to receive an M.A. in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University. While completing her undergrad, Kasey worked at a non-profit organization, providing individualized educational and behavioral services to children with a variety of needs. From there, she discovered her passion for ABA. Before pursuing her BCBA, Kasey worked as a Registered Behavior Technician for 10 years. She has experience providing services in a variety of settings, including school, clinic, community, and in-home settings with children between the ages of 2 and 19 years old. Kasey is passionate about providing early intervention services to help children develop communication and self-advocacy skills. Kasey lives in Des Moines with her husband, her cat, and her dog. In her free time, she loves to read, bake, and spend time with her husband.

Taylor Vogt is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in Hiawatha. She received her BA in Psychology from University of Northern Iowa. After graduation, she discovered ABA and began her work as an RBT in a clinical setting. While working in the clinic, she quickly developed a passion for the field and decided to further her education in the field. Moving forward, she received her MA in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University. After completion of her degree in 2020, Taylor became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Taylor has experience in various settings and has worked with individuals throughout all stages of life (2-65). Taylor’s true passion lies in early intervention and serving children and their families. She also has experience providing ABA remotely and is looking forward to sharing here knowledge and experience in providing services in this way. Additionally, she is looking forward to taking what she has learned and using it to help families and clients achieve their goals throughout her time at Stride.

Taylor lives in Centerville with her boyfriend and 2 dogs, Edith and Olive. In her free time, she loves spending time with family, baking/cooking, and spending time outdoors.

Stephanie is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She attended National Louis University and earned a Master’s of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis. Throughout her career, Stephanie has provided services to individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health diagnoses across the lifespan (ages 3-70). She has worked in clinics, in-home, and has done consulting work in schools, day programs, and group homes. Stephanie is passionate about promoting independence and goes into each opportunity with a caring, optimistic, and encouraging attitude.

Stephanie’s professional interests include developing caregiver/staff trainings, organizational behavior management, and trauma-informed care. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys spending time with friends/family, walking her dog along the lake, and baking sweets!

Erika Wold is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She graduated with her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa in 2019. Erika first heard of ABA through an internship where she trained service dogs for veterans and children with ASD. After graduation, Erika worked as a behavior technician in an ABA clinic before becoming one of the first RBTs with Stride in November 2020. She decided to pursue a Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University and graduated in May 2023

Erika has experience working with individuals with ASD throughout the lifespan (18 months – seniorhood). She enjoys getting to know their unique personalities and celebrating their big and little victories.

Erika lives in West Des Moines, IA with her son, boyfriend, and their two dogs. She prefers to be outdoors but can also be caught with a good book or refurbishing her latest thrift shop find.

Alexis is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) from San Diego, CA. She graduated from Loyola Chicago University with a B.S. in Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience. After graduation, she started working at Stride as a Registered Behavior Technician and found so much joy and fulfillment in working with kids and the field of ABA. She decided to further her education at George Mason University and earned a Master’s in Special Education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis. She is passionate about collaborating with staff and families to provide individualized support, ensuring each learner is set up for success. Alexis is dedicated to fostering an environment where individuals feel supported to explore, learn, and develop the skills necessary to navigate challenges with confidence and resilience.

Alexis lives in Chicago, IL, and enjoys running by the lake, reading, trying new restaurants, and filling her apartment with lots of plants!

Taylor received her BA in Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa. After graduation, she worked in several ABA clinic settings and decided to further her education in the field. Taylor received her MA in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University and finished in 2023.

Taylor has experience working in a variety of settings, including in home and in the clinic with clients ages (2-10). She has been with Stride for 3 years and was previously an RBT before transitioning into this new role as a Behavior Analyst. Taylor is looking forward to taking what she’s learned with Stride as an RBT to continue helping families and clients achieve their goals while at Stride.

Taylor currently lives in Cedar Rapids with her husband Adam and 2 dogs, Stella and Trigger. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, and spending time outdoors.

I’m a BCBA. I received my undergraduate degree in health and human physiology from the University of Iowa in 2018. I did SCL and respite work with children, teens and adults during my undergrad. I began working in ABA in 2019 as a behavior technician and loved the field immediately. I graduated from Ball State University with my Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis in December of 2021 and became a BCBA January of 2022. I have experience working with individuals with disabilities from the ages of 2 to 30 and ABA specific experience with 2 to 15. I am passionate about teaching communication and socially significant skills while providing trauma-informed, assent-based treatment.

I live in Des Moines with my husband and dog, Buster. In my free time I like to read, watch movies and spend time with friends & family (especially my 2 nephews).

Yira is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She received a B.S. degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Behavioral Neuroscience from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. During her undergraduate years, she worked as a research assistant in the neuroscience department, conducting developmental animal research. Her interest in development led her to pursue a career working with children. After working as an assistant preschool teacher, she discovered ABA. She decided to pursue a master’s degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University, following a year of experience as a Registered Behavior Technician.

Yira has experience in early intervention and enjoys teaching technicians how to make ABA sessions fun to promote social skills, communication, and peer interactions.

Originally from Colombia, Yira moved to Ohio in 2010. She currently lives in downtown Chicago with her fiancé and dog. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new places in the city, traveling, and staying active through CrossFit.

Taylor Kuck is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Taylor received her B.S. in Psychology from South Dakota State University in 2019 and started in the field of ABA as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) in 2020. As an RBT, Taylor supported individuals with ASD at a children’s outpatient clinic and discovered her passion for the field of ABA and for providing early intervention services. Taylor continued working as an RBT for a couple of years before transitioning into a school based position, where she provided behavioral supports to elementary students and trained school based teams on preventative strategies, behavioral de-escalation, and function-based teaching approaches. Taylor received her M.A. in Applied Behavioral Science from the University of Kansas and successfully defended her thesis in May 2024. Across both clinic and school settings, Taylor has experience working with children and adolescents ages 3-16. She is passionate about utilizing natural environment teaching, functional communication training, and individualization when targeting socially significant skill areas.

Taylor lives with her husband and their cat named Greg in Sioux Falls, SD. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching reality TV shows, traveling, and reading.

Dr. Meadan-Kaplansky is a professor at the Department of Special Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a Goldstick Family Scholar, and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Her focus areas include social-communication skills and challenging behavior of young children with autism and intervention methods to enhance these spheres of functioning, including developing a parent-implemented intervention program for children with limited expressive language.

Having published more than 100 articles and book chapters in leading journals in the field of special education, Hedda has a strong track record of grant management, scholarly activity, and student mentorship. Two of her current research projects study the use of technology to support service providers, therapists, and families of children with disabilities. She is also the Principal Investigator (PI) on three US Office of Special Education Programs leadership grants and the Co-PI on two grants: (1) a cross-university federal grant focused on ABA and (2) an Institute of Education Sciences research grant to develop and test Family Behavior Support mobile software application.

Brad is the Founder and CEO of Stride Autism Centers. Inspired by his adult sister who has a severe ASD-related disorder called Rett Syndrome, Brad is personally and professionally dedicated to supporting individuals with complex needs.

Brad began his career in investment banking at Moelis & Company in New York. Before founding Stride, Brad was a private equity investor at Madison Dearborn Partners and TZP Group, where he evaluated, executed and oversaw investments in growth-oriented companies.

Brad earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BBA with High Distinction from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. Brad serves on the Board of Rett Syndrome Research Trust (RSRT) and in 2015 founded Reverse Rett Chicago, a fundraiser that has generated ~$3 million for Rett Syndrome Research since inception. Brad also serves on the Board of Aspiritech, a non-profit that employs adults with autism. Brad previously served as Treasurer of the Illinois Association for Behavior Analysis (ILABA).

Emily Patrizi is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 20 years of experience in the education and autism fields. She began her career working in group homes and school districts, eventually transitioning into Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Throughout her career, Emily has held various clinical and operational roles. More recently, she served as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Trumpet Behavioral Health, where she spent over 13 years. She also has experience in establishing and expanding an ABA program within a multi-site, multidisciplinary service provider.

Emily has contributed to the field as a BACB Ethics Subject Matter Expert for several years and recently co-authored Daily Ethics: Creating Intentional Practice for Behavior Analysts. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Special Education from East Stroudsburg University and a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism from Sage Colleges.

Emily’s most important and valued role is being a mom to her two children: her 14-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son. She lives with her family in Colorado, where she enjoys being outside, whether it is skiing, hiking, dirt biking, camping, or sitting by a campfire!

LeSia brings over a decade of administrative expertise honed through diverse roles across multiple organizations throughout high school and college. Since venturing into ABA three years ago, she has found her niche at Stride, where she contributes her administrative talents with passion, creativity and dedication. Originally from Michigan, LeSia relocated to Chicago during the pandemic, embracing new experiences with resilience. Beyond her professional pursuits, she finds solace in the pages of books and the exploration of new destinations, cherishing moments spent with her closest friends and family. LeSia’s commitment to excellence and fervor for life permeate every aspect of her journey.

Lynn has 20 years experience in Home Health and Hospice billing. Lynn’s past responsibilities were multifaceted including billing, posting payments and AR review. Lynn is looking to using her experience and growing with Stride Autism Centers.

‪Vanessa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. ‪She first got introduced to the ABA field in 2018 through a clinic that provides behavioral and mental health services to children and adolescents. From that day forward, her passion for ABA has gotten stronger and bigger. ‪‪‪She enjoys seeing the positive impact ABA has on Stride’s clients and their families, thus making her want to be a part of their journey! ‪Vanessa first joined Stride as an RBT when the Omaha clinic opened. She’s excited to transition to a Recruiting Specialist to help find more great team members who want to join this impactful movement of ABA at Stride!

‪During her free time, ‪she loves to spend time with her two boys and being outside, exploring! ‪When ‪not with her busy toddlers, ‪you can find Vanessa at the gym doing some heavy lifting or comfortably reading a book in bed!

Abrianna is the Contracting and Credentialing Specialist for Stride Autism Centers. Her areas of responsibility include coordinating and managing payer relationships and provider enrollment. Abrianna has five years of revenue cycle experience, working in multi-site healthcare systems for both hospital medical staff offices and physician group practices. Abrianna is excited to contribute to expanding the population of children who receive improved outcomes with evidence-based treatment plans.

Jasmine is a dedicated professional with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the College of William and Mary. With nearly two years of experience as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), she brings a strong foundation in behavioral therapy and a passion for making a positive impact in children’s lives. Jasmine combines this clinical expertise with a solid background in business management, enhancing her ability to strategize and execute effective solutions.

Jasmine loves holding the recruiting specialist role at Stride, where she can leverage her skills in client relations, strategic communication, and talent acquisition. Jasmine looks forward to connecting with and attracting talented individuals who align with Stride’s mission and contribute to its vibrant community.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Jasmine is an avid traveler who finds inspiration in exploring diverse cultures and a beach enthusiast who values moments spent by the ocean!

Abbi’s journey into the world of ABA began during her time working in special education classrooms for the Wichita Public School system. Witnessing the profound impact this therapy had on her students and their families ignited a deep passion within her for ABA. Her dedication and love for the field grew as she collaborated with exceptional ABA therapists and BCBAs during her tenure as an educator. Leaving the classroom behind, Abbi took on a pivotal role in supporting ABA clinics behind the scenes. Her journey at Stride commenced as a Recruiting Specialist, where she quickly demonstrated her capabilities and commitment, and was promoted to Talent Acquisition Lead. In this role, Abbi skillfully developed an ethical, intentional, and educational recruiting process, ensuring that Stride continues to attract exceptional individuals who share her passion for making a difference in the lives of clients and their families. Her tireless efforts in spreading awareness about ABA and Stride throughout the Midwest have contributed significantly to the growth and success of the organization. Her dedication to Stride Autism Centers and spreading ABA awareness throughout the Midwest drives her forward in her role as Director of Talent Acquisition and Community Outreach.

Outside of work, you can find Abbi spending time with her nose buried in a good book, most likely Stephen King. She also cherishes the great outdoors, often exploring new hiking trails in national and state parks. At home, Abbi’s heart is filled with love for her furry companions Fritz and Emmitt.

Over the past two years, Angela has had the privilege of being a part of the Stride family, contributing to our mission of providing exceptional services to families affected by autism. She took on the challenge of expanding our intake department, leaving footprints across various facets of Stride. Her commitment to our mission led her to explore different avenues where she could contribute, driven by the desire to make a positive impact on the lives of the families we serve. In her initial role, she focused on facilitating the delivery of crucial services to families, ensuring that each individual’s unique needs were met with compassion and expertise. Her dedication to Stride’s vision has fueled her professional growth, leading to this exciting new chapter in her career as Client Navigator. While continuing the expansion of our intake department and ensuring that families receive the support they need promptly, she is eager to streamline the access to therapies for our current kiddos waiting, facilitating a quicker and more efficient journey towards the care that Stride offers. Her passion for helping families navigate the complexities of autism services has been the driving force behind her journey at Stride.

In her downtime you will find her in New York with family, especially her nieces who love spending time with their “Titi” or watching a Buffalo Bills game in hopes that one year they will make it past the divisional round.

Grace has over 20+ years of RCM experience. She has worked in different specialties from Orthopedics, OB/BYN, Emergency Medicine and most recently Behavioral Health She has a passion for navigating through the intricacies of medical billing and coding as well as implementing strategies to maximize revenue. She looks forward to working with the Stride team!

Working in the healthcare industry for over a decade, Megan has seen the ins and outs of many areas including family practice, many forms of therapy, oncology, hematology, and infusion services. She has an extensive amount of knowledge with insurance companies and obtaining authorizations for all forms of treatment. She is excited to grow with Stride, helping guide families through the journey of getting their child/ren enrolled with ABA therapy. Megan is from a small town in Michigan where she enjoys the country life with her husband, four boys and many dogs.

Gabi discovered her passion for helping others as she worked in Special Education in the public school system, where she unexpectedly stumbled upon the principles of ABA in her role as Academic Interventionist. Upon learning more, it became clear ABA was the next step in her career. In 2023, she left her classroom and joined Stride Autism Centers as an RBT, soon jumping into leading the PreK program at the West Davenport clinic. Gabi infused two of her greatest passions into the curriculum—music and art, nurturing and enhancing an engaging classroom environment for Stride’s learners. This experience deepened her passion and dedication for her role as an RBT, which soon led to taking on the role of Recruiting Specialist, where she now gets to shape Stride’s future by attracting and cultivating exceptional teams who bring passion, energy, and dedication to their clinics—qualities that truly set Stride’s team apart. Gabi’s journey with Stride is fueled by her unwavering dedication to making a meaningful impact in the field of ABA and ensuring our clients receive the best possible care.

When she is not working, you can find her cooking something delicious in her kitchen, seeking out the funkiest vintage gems at the local thrift stores, or painting on her porch. She also enjoys making music and taking care of her house plants—her plants enjoy the music, too!

Sabrina has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in School Psychology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She has been working with children since she was 17 years old in multiple settings including daycare, preschool, tutoring, and ABA. Being the daughter of two educators, Sabrina has always had a deep connection to education. Before joining the Stride family, she worked as an in home RBT. After making the switch to Stride, Sabrina’s passion for ABA therapy has expanded after seeing the crucial benefits clinical therapy offers young clients. She does her very best to be a positive and uplifting influence for all that are around her!

In her free time Sabrina enjoys spending time at the theatre indulging in a musical, as well as rooting for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Minnesota Vikings! On weekends in the summer you can find her at the dirt track cheering on her favorite race car!

Conner is the Operations Supervisor at Stride Autism Centers. Conner graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Iowa State University in 2020. After graduating he began exploring work closely related to his degree. In 2021 he was met with an opportunity to work as an RBT with Stride. Inspired by the story of Stride and feeling a personal connection to ABA through the presence of autism in his own family, Conner eagerly entered the Stride team in Johnston, IA.

In just a little over a year Conner worked his way up through Stride from RBT to Center Coordinator, added in the Logistics Coordinator role and now he is the Operations Supervisor. The progress he’d seen clients make and the collaborative nature of Stride helped motivate Conner to keep finding more ways to help.

Conner currently lives in Des Moines, Iowa. He enjoys spending time with his cat and painting with his close friends.

Sandy is a retired special education teacher who went on to be a high school administrator, Dean of Students and Special Education Administrator at a large public high school.

Sandy started her career as a special education teacher and an educational specialist in public schools, private schools and hospitals. She has worked with students of all ages, ability levels and a variety of disabilities. After years of being in the classroom, Sandy moved into school administration. She was an Assistant Principal in a private school and then Dean of Students and Special Education Administrator in a large public high school.

Sandy earned her BS in Ed from Illinois State University, her M.Ed. from National College of Education (now National Louis University) and her Type 75 school administration certificate from Aurora University.

She now enjoys the freedom retirement offers to allow her to explore new avenues including being part of Stride.

Jessica is a certified medical assistant with an associate’s degree in applied science. She has been working in the medical field for over 15 years; working with referrals and authorizations. She is excited to continue on an authorization team and grow with Stride. She lives in Michigan with her husband and son along with a golden retriever and two cats.

Gwen has worked for over 20 years in the Healthcare Industry. For the last 7 years Gwen has been working in the ABA Industry, this includes claims submission, researching, resolving billing problems or issues, and working AR.

During that time, she trained on several different software platforms & systems.

She is looking forward to bringing her knowledge & experience and being part of the Stride Autism Team!

Zach serves as Growth Advisor for Stride Autism Centers where he advises on strategies for reaching new families and driving awareness of new centers. Zach is currently the President and co-founder of Swift Homes, a rapidly growing real estate marketplace that connects home sellers and home buyers. Zach began his career in investment banking and earned dual-degrees in Finance & Accounting from the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Sam is a developer and manager of award-winning hotels and restaurants, overseeing ~50 properties across the Midwest. Sam’s experience realizing brand vision helps Stride develop joyful centers that meet the unique needs of its clients and staff. Additionally, Sam’s leadership role within the hospitality industry provides Stride with important insights on managing physical spaces’ health and safety during COVID-19. Sam earned a Bachelor’s in Engineering and a Masters in Design & Innovation from Northwestern University where he specialized in human-centered design.