Arizona, Colorado, and Utah
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Ken Baumgartner – BCBA Tucson
Ken Baumgartner is a BCBA in Tucson, Arizona with 20 years of experience in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis. He began his career with a degree from Northern Arizona University in the field of forestry, due to his love of nature. He transitioned to a graduate degree in Special Education due to his passion for helping others. Ken became a BCBA in 2015, and has since worked in schools, clinic and home-based settings with children and adults with a wide range of diagnoses. He finds joy in the work that he does, and enjoys hiking, photography, mountain biking, gardening, and home renovation projects in his free time.
Alexandrea (Alex) Ririe – BCBA Phoenix
Alexandrea’s journey into ABA began in 2020 while working as a paraprofessional in the public school system, where she discovered a passion for supporting children with autism. Wanting to make an even greater impact, she transitioned into the field of Applied Behavior Analysis in 2021 and worked as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) in both home and clinic settings before becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2024.
Alexandrea enjoys partnering with families to help children build meaningful, lifelong skills that promote independence, confidence, and success at home, in school, and in their communities.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from the University of Northern Colorado before moving to Arizona in 2018. She later earned her master’s degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University.
Outside of work, Alexandrea enjoys reading, gardening, spending time with her husband and their two dogs, and recently began her running journey with the goal of one day completing the New York City Marathon.
Kristine Hassle, BCBA
Sometimes, truly finding yourself means recognizing your place in pouring into others. In 2002, Kristine Hassler found this fit in the field of ABA, working with children and families impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder. She started her journey in ABA in Northern California as a psychology undergrade student at Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly at Humboldt). After graduation, Kristine paused pursuit of her career to get married and have four children. She resumed striving towards becoming a BCBA in 2010, gaining valuable experience working in homes, schools, centers, and the community. In 2014, Kristine became a BCBA. She’s had the opportunity to practice in California, Washington, and now Colorado. Kristine has a total of 20 years of experience, improving the quality of lives of people she has the privilege of working with.
Yesenia Lazos, Intake & Referral Specialist
Yesenia is an Intake & Referral Specialist at GreenLight ABA who is passionate about helping families feel supported from their very first interaction. She works closely with families, physicians, and community partners to guide them through the intake and referral process, ensuring each step is as smooth and welcoming as possible. She enjoys supporting both English- and Spanish-speaking families and is committed to creating a positive, compassionate experience for every family she serves.
Outside of work, Yesenia enjoys traveling, exploring new coffee shops, spending time outdoors, and continuing to learn about psychology and personal growth. She believes that kindness, meaningful connections, and lifelong learning are at the heart of both her personal and professional life.
Gabriella (Ella) Niskanen, Intake Coordinator
Gabriella is in pursuit of her BCBA. She is attending CU Denver to get her Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in education and a Medical Spanish certification. Through an advanced program, she is also getting a Master’s in special education with an emphasis in ABA. Although she has worked in the field for almost 4 years, her ABA exposure began when she was around 8 years old. Her older brother has a rare brain disease, and ABA gave him the ability to talk, manage social situations, and improved his quality of life and relationship with her family. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with my family and friends, playing pickleball, and coaching a baseball team for children with disabilities.
Katlynn Acrey, Operations Coordinator
Katlynn Acrey brings extensive experience in ABA operations and practice management to her role as Operations Coordinator at GreenLight ABA. Based in Rome, Georgia, Katlynn has been deeply committed to the field of Applied Behavior Analysis since 2019, building an impressive background that spans both clinical coordination and operational leadership.
Katlynn’s journey in ABA includes serving as Practice Manager at Chicago Autism Behavior Specialist, where she directed daily practice operations and provided high-level support to clinical and administrative teams. She went on to serve as Operations Manager and Intake Coordinator at Academy ABA, where she oversaw intake operations across both ABA and Autism Evaluation departments, supervised a team of 30 therapists, and ensured adherence to clinical standards and company policies. Most recently, she served as Intake and Marketing Specialist at Infinity Behavior ABA, where she managed all aspects of client onboarding, insurance verification, and community outreach.
Her comprehensive skill set includes intake coordination, client onboarding, marketing and community outreach, recruitment and staff training, workflow optimization, insurance verification and authorization, and policy development. Katlynn is known for her clear communication, process improvement expertise, and solutions-focused approach to challenges. She excels at building strong relationships with families, referral sources, and clinical teams to ensure seamless service delivery and exceptional client experiences.
Katlynn studied Early Childhood Education at Georgia Highlands College, which has informed her compassionate, family-centered approach to operations. She is passionate about providing meaningful care and resources to the autism community, and is committed to enhancing the quality of services families receive through collaboration, strategic planning, and continuous improvement.
Katlynn is very much looking forward to supporting GreenLight ABA’s clients, their families, and our entire team as we continue to grow and serve more families across Colorado and Arizona.Outside of work, Katlynn values spending quality time with family and staying connected to her community in Georgia.
Sierra Moore, Director of Operations
Sierra “Sisi” Moore brings over 20 years of dedicated experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis to her role as Director of Operations at GreenLight ABA. Her journey in ABA began as a Registered Behavior Technician, where she spent more than 15 years providing direct therapy services to clients in both home and clinic settings. This hands-on clinical experience gave her an intimate understanding of what families need and what makes ABA therapy truly effective.
Recognizing her talent for operational leadership, Sisi transitioned into ABA operations and administration, where she has spent the past five years building and refining the systems that drive successful therapy outcomes. Her extensive operational experience spans every facet of running an ABA practice, from clinical coordination and compliance to team development and family support services. She has a proven track record of creating efficient workflows, implementing best practices, and ensuring seamless service delivery that prioritizes both clinical excellence and exceptional client experiences.
This unique blend of expertise, clinical insight paired with operational strategy, allows her to design systems that support BCBAs, empower RBTs, and ensure families receive the highest quality of care throughout their ABA journey. She takes great pride in fostering a collaborative, compassionate work environment where both staff and clients can thrive, and is deeply passionate about advancing the field of ABA through operational innovation and a relentless commitment to quality.
Outside of work, Sisi loves traveling the world and exploring different cultures (especially through their cuisine!), spending quality time with her husband and their two dogs, and enjoying meaningful moments with friends and family.
Alejandra Garcia, BCBA
Alejandra is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with 2 years of experience working in the field of ABA across school, clinic, and home settings. She was introduced to the field of ABA in 2020 and was a Registered Behavior Technician until 2023. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Arizona State University and later obtained her master’s degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis. She is passionate about providing individualized and compassionate care for the clients that she services. Her favorite part of working at Greenlight ABA is witnessing her clients make daily progress and providing support to families. In her free time, Alejandra enjoys traveling, completing puzzles, coloring, and spending time with her pets.
Amber Feick, BCBA
Amber Feick, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA (AZ) 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 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.
Kira Acosta, BCBA
Kira is a recent Board Certified Behavior Analyst with four years of experience working in the field of ABA across hospital, clinic, and home settings. She has a passion for providing individualized, quality clinical care to children and adolescents, using a trauma-informed and client-centered approach. She loves collaborating with families and multidisciplinary team members to prioritize socially significant goals and achieve meaningful outcomes. Kira is also pursuing her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Denver to expand her knowledge on how to further support children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. When she’s off the clock, Kira loves to cook, travel, and spend quality time with her family and friends.
Julissa Robles, BCBA
Julissa is a BCBA with over 7 years of experience supporting children and families in achieving meaningful developmental and behavioral goals in the clinic, home and community settings. She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Florida (Go Gators!) and soon after obtained her Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of South Florida in Tampa. She has a passion for teaching functional communication through American Sign Language (ASL), PECS, and vocal training, empowering children on the autism spectrum to express themselves and connect with those around them in meaningful ways. Julissa also supports families with feeding therapy and potty training, creating individualized treatment plans that make daily life easier and more enjoyable. She emphasizes making learning a fun, positive, and engaging experience for all the clients and families she works with. Recently relocated from South Florida to Denver, Julissa enjoys exploring all that Colorado’s nature has to offer, spending time outdoors with her tripawd dog, rollerblading, and ice skating.
Breanne Jojola is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has been supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) since 2012. She earned her undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Family and Human Development from Arizona State University, and later obtained her master’s degree in Human Relations with an emphasis in Positive Behavior Support from Northern Arizona University.
Since becoming a BCBA in 2019, Breanne has gained valuable experience working in school, clinical, and home-based settings. She is passionate about compassionate care for the clients that she services.
A proud Arizona native, Breanne enjoys spending her free time traveling around Arizona rediscovering the beauty of her home and exploring its many hidden gems in historic cities. She is also on a mission with her husband in pursuit of their goal to visit every Major League Baseball stadium in the United States.
Damaris graduated from Regis University in Denver with a master degree in Applied Psychology, initially planning to pursue a career in psychotherapy. However, when the pandemic shifted her path, she was introduced to the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and quickly discovered her passion for it. She went on to complete the coursework required to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
Originally from Venezuela, Damaris has called Colorado home for over 20 years. She finds deep fulfillment in working with children and adults with disabilities and is committed to supporting their journey toward a higher quality of life.
Damaris believes that flexibility and compassion are essential in this field. She values the understanding that progress looks different for everyone even small steps, or what may seem like no change at all, can still be meaningful growth.
Outside of work, Damaris enjoys spending time with her daughter and pets, as well as exploring the outdoors. She loves traveling, hiking, paddleboarding, and taking full advantage of Colorado’s beautiful natural resources.
BCBA – Tucson
With over 16 years of experience in developmental and behavioral care, Maggie is a dedicated Board Certified Behavior Analyst who partners with families to support children with autism in developing confidence, communication, and everyday life skills.
Maggie has experience supporting individuals of all ages across diverse settings, including homes, schools, hospitals, and supportive housing. Known for her calm and compassionate approach, she is dedicated to developing practical, evidence-based programs that help children succeed in their daily lives, at home, in school, and within their communities.
With a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology and a Certification in Applied Behavior Analysis from Capella University, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Sciences from Northern Arizona University, Maggie brings a uniquely blended perspective to her work, integrating psychological insight, behavioral science, and communication expertise to support meaningful, whole-person care.
Outside of her clinical work, Maggie finds balance between city life and time spent on her family’s farm, and enjoys reconnecting through creativity and nature. She believes in celebrating every small step forward and is honored to walk alongside families on their journey.
BCBA – Denver
Anne-Alyce earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Health Humanities. She later obtained a Master of Science in Criminal Justice with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis from Saint Joseph’s University. Anne-Alyce began her career in ABA in 2017 as a registered technician at an ABA clinic. After completing her master’s degree, she transitioned to working as a program supervisor in homes, schools, and communities. As a BCBA, Anne-Alyce is dedicated to integrating compassionate care practices into her work, with a particular emphasis on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Originally from California, Anne-Alyce spent much of her childhood in Costa Rica before returning to the United States in 2003. She has called Colorado home for the past 13 years. Outside of work, Anne-Alyce enjoys exploring Colorado’s beautiful outdoors, whether hiking, visiting parks, or relaxing at hot springs. At home, she treasures spending time with her husband, young son, and their three cats and two dogs.
BCBA – Denver
As a lifelong learner, Lisa L. Nigrelli has earned graduate degrees in Counseling Psychology (Lesley University), Education (Regis University), and an Applied Behavior Analysis graduate certificate (University of Northern Colorado-Greeley). Currently, she is a licensed BCBA in the Denver Colorado area, where her time is happily spent connecting with families in the autism community.
Lisa was an Art and Design teacher for 11 years in an International Baccalaureate school in Thornton, Colorado. She evolved from the classroom to enter the ABA domain and works tirelessly with children touched by an autism diagnosis. The one-to-one support speaks to her desire to offer unique programming to unique capabilities in the children she meets. Working in early intervention clinics and in-home environments, Lisa fell in love with Natural Environment Teaching (NET). Her creative nature opens scores of opportunities to teach various skills while her clients play. Skilled in assent-based teaching, Lisa believes in the possibilities of choice. She trains her staff how to follow the lead of their young clients to build on their individual interests as they learn new ways of communicating.
Outside of the wonderful world of designing ABA treatment plans, Lisa enjoys making mosaic art and firing ceramics in her home studio kiln. Sharing her home with two curious cats, Nosey Rosie and Jo-Jo Bunny, plus her partner of 10 years, Lisa reports that life is good.
BCBA – Denver
Anna is a BCBA with over 6 years of experience working in the field of ABA in clinic, home and school settings. She is originally from New York and is currently living and providing ABA services in Denver, Colorado. Anna uses a client centered approach focused on the unique strengths, goals, and values of each child, in order to achieve meaningful outcomes for children and their families. She is passionate about providing compassionate and trauma-informed care, and making the learning process fun and filled with joy. She is passionate about using evidence-based practices and continued learning within the field of ABA, with specific interests in perspective taking, executive functioning, and emotional regulation skills. In her free time, Anna enjoys hiking, traveling, spending time outdoors, and learning aerial.
BCBA – Tucson
Wendy L. Broder is a licensed BCBA in Tucson, Arizona, with 25 years of experience teaching and leading special education programs for children ages 3-21 with Autism and other developmental disabilities. Her extensive experience in school settings includes collaborating with multidisciplinary teams of educators, speech therapists, occupational and physical therapists. In 2008, Wendy established the first educational business of its kind in Nevada, providing tailored educational services to individuals with disabilities within the community. As a passionate advocate for children’s rights, she is committed to ensuring every child receives the support and resources they need to thrive.
Following her extensive career in education, Wendy pursued a new learning path in Applied Behavior Analysis. She is a proud graduate of the Florida Institute of Technology and has experience working in both clinical and home settings. Wendy is particularly interested in ABA research, with a focus on ACT, Trauma-Informed ABA, and parent training.
Since February 2024, Wendy has been happy to call Tucson home. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, traveling, and spending quality time with her husband, their two dogs, and visiting her adult children. Wendy is dedicated to her work with children on the Autism spectrum and is excited about the opportunity to work with your family!
BCBA – Colorado Springs
Kourtney is a graduate of the University of California, Davis and the University of La Verne. She received her Master’s degree in Child Life and spent several years working with children in the hospital and healthcare setting. In 2012 Kourtney transitioned to the field of early intervention and applied behavior analysis as a behavior technician. Shortly thereafter she was promoted to a Program Manager where she directly oversaw the delivery of ABA services for a caseload of children receiving services in the home setting.
Kourtney moved from California to Arizona, continuing to work in the field with clients as young as 18 months and as old as 19. During this time, she completed her certificate in Behavior Analysis from the Florida Institute of Technology and became certified as a BCBA. Kourtney values and incorporates family centered care, trauma informed practices and compassionate care practices into her work as a BCBA. Additionally, she is passionate about applying mindful and behavioral based strategies from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy into her work with caregivers and parents.
Kourtney now calls the state of Colorado her home. When she is not working, you can find her playing tennis, reading mystery novels, or out exploring natural parks with her beloved pug Kingston.
BCBA – Tucson
Judith Pedersen is a BCBA with extensive experience in Applied Behavior Analysis serving families in Arizona. She has supported children and adolescents with ASD and other developmental conditions since 2017. Judith empowers caregivers by equipping them with effective ABA techniques to enhance their quality of life and fosters client progress and independence through individualized treatment plans. Passionate about training and supervising Registered Behavior Technicians, Judith ensures high standards of care while collaborating closely with families and multidisciplinary teams to provide compassionate support. In her free time, she enjoys gaming, reading, and spending quality moments with her family.
BCBA – Colorado Springs
Abigail is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with over 7 years of experience in ABA currently serving families in Colorado. She is passionate about providing trauma-informed and person-centered care that highlights the strengths and interests of clients while supporting areas of new learning and growth. With a close understanding of the challenges autistic family members may face, Abigail strives to help families understand and manage both the challenges and joys that accompany an autism diagnosis while advocating for their needs in a world that’s still catching up. Outside of work, you can find Abigail doing yoga, baking, and enjoying time with her family.
BCBA Deputy Clinical Director- Colorado
Alexandra Hakeem is a BCBA who thoroughly enjoys working with a variety of families in the state of Colorado. As a BCBA, Alexandra demonstrates dedication to her work by providing compassionate care and kindness to all of her clients. She continues to learn and grow in the field of ABA by staying up with new research and has a strong passion for evidence-based practices. In addition, taking pride in mentoring staff is one of her specialties. Alexandra collaborates with parents and other providers to increase the quality of life for her families. In her free time, Alexandra enjoys snowboarding, softball, and spending time with her family and friends.
VP of Operations
Amanda Sorensen is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with over a decade of experience working in the field of ABA with children and families impacted by autism and other developmental disabilities. She specializes in the mentorship of BCBAs and those working toward certification, as well as creating systems and processes to improve the quality of care for clients and the training and supervision of staff. Amanda has experience building ABA programs and has held director-level positions for nearly four years. She has worked in various home, community, and clinic settings in California and Colorado. Currently, Amanda lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with her two dogs, two cats, and six chickens. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her animals, reading, writing, and photography.
Clinical Advisory Board Member
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 at 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, Kristen 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, she has been creating Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) and Clinical Intelligence Forms (CIF) for various prominent insurance companies and provider agencies. Kristen 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 passion is to disseminate information and research concerning the best practices in behavior analysis, which she accomplishes 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.
VP of Clinical Services
Erin Rourke is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and a licensed behavior analyst. She completed her coursework at Florida Institute of Technology and began practicing ABA in 2012. For over a decade, she has supervised intensive early intervention programs for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in both home and clinic settings. Erin has also supervised home-based focused ABA programs for skill acquisition and severe and complex behavior concerns for individuals aged 3 to 22 years. Her work with individuals with severe and complex behavior concerns sparked a strong interest in trauma-informed care and provided her with experience working within the foster care system and with individuals with a variety of diagnoses and needs. Erin has also worked as a behavior analyst within the public school system at both the elementary and high school levels. Within the school setting, she closely collaborated with special and general education teachers and speech and occupational therapists to support students with behavioral and learning difficulties. She also provided professional development to staff around behavior management. Erin’s approach to treatment includes fostering joy in learning, compassionate and respectful relationships between herself and her patient’s caregivers, and striving for meaningful progress. She believes that every child and family deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, and she feels truly fortunate for the opportunity to support them in their journey.
Co-Founder and Managing Director
Dovi Friedman brings extensive experience from the healthcare sector, particularly in nursing home administration. With experience in New York, Rhode Island, California, and Washington State, he has worked in healthcare finance, nursing home administration, and healthcare marketing. Beginning in the finance departments of nursing homes across NY, Dovi developed a deep understanding of financial operations and the importance of efficient resource allocation. Transitioning into administration, he obtained his license and assumed leadership roles, particularly in Los Angeles and Washington State, where he served as a nursing home administrator throughout COVID-19. During this challenging time, he strove to ensure clinical excellence was on par with or above operational excellence, taking no risks with the lives in his care. Following that period, Dovi chose to enter the ABA field, inspired by a close friend who has a child with autism and witnessing firsthand the positive impact of ABA therapy. His research revealed how private equity firms often prioritize profits over clinical care, reinforcing his decision to create an ABA company with an environment where staff and clients feel valued, supported, and embraced as part of a family. By prioritizing the well-being and comfort of all stakeholders, Dovi strives to ensure that every individual feels empowered in their journey toward growth and development.
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At Greenlight ABA, we pride ourselves on having a dedicated team of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) who bring a wealth of experience and compassion to their practice. Each member of our team is committed to providing personalized care that addresses the unique needs of every child and family we serve.
Our team members, like Maggie McNeeley and Wendy Broder, have extensive backgrounds in developmental and behavioral care, ensuring that your child receives the highest quality of support. With diverse experiences across various settings, they are equipped to implement evidence-based programs that foster growth and development in children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Greenlight ABA utilizes a comprehensive approach to Applied Behavior Analysis therapy, focusing on the individual strengths and needs of each child. We believe in creating a supportive and engaging environment where children can thrive and develop essential life skills.
Our methodologies include data-driven assessments and tailored intervention plans that incorporate family involvement. This holistic approach not only aids in skill acquisition but also promotes positive behavior changes, enhancing the overall quality of life for both children and their families.
Our commitment to excellence in ABA therapy is reflected in the success stories of the families we serve. Many parents have witnessed significant improvements in their children's communication skills, social interactions, and daily living abilities after engaging with our services.
These positive transformations are not just anecdotal; they are supported by measurable outcomes that demonstrate the effectiveness of our tailored therapy programs. We invite you to read testimonials from families who have experienced the life-changing impact of ABA therapy at Greenlight ABA.
We understand that families may have questions about ABA therapy and how it can benefit their children. Our FAQ section addresses common inquiries regarding the therapy process, expected outcomes, and how to get started with our services.
From understanding the principles of ABA to learning about insurance coverage and session frequency, we provide clear and concise answers to help families feel informed and empowered in their decision-making process. Our goal is to ensure that every family feels confident in the support they receive from us.
