Claire Hicks brings a wealth of expertise and passion to the field of applied behavior analysis, with a career rooted in education and a commitment to improving lives. Beginning as an inclusion classroom teacher in Tennessee, Claire gained firsthand experience understanding diverse learning styles and the individualized needs of students. She completed her clinical teaching rotations across a wide variety of esteemed locations, including the Tennessee School for the Blind.

Claire holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Austin Peay State University and a Master of Arts in Teaching with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis from National University in San Diego. As both a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a Qualified Behavior Analyst, she is licensed to practice in seven states and is specially trained in a variety of standardized assessments including the VB-MAPP, ABLLS, and AFLS.

Her dedication to advancing the field led her to join the QABA Board of Directors, where she helps ensure that certified clinicians uphold the highest standards of care. Claire’s unwavering commitment to applied behavior therapy and her drive to promote excellence make her an invaluable asset to the QABA Board and the broader ABA community.

Dr. Sheena Piehota, QBA, BCBA, works in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis providing a variety of behavior-analytic services to military families. She completed her Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology at Capella University, where she also earned her M.S. in Psychology with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis (2014). Dr. Piehota earned her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Central Florida (2012) and has over nine years of experience working with children with disabilities.

Prior to her work in Applied Behavior Analysis, she worked in education with children in PK–12th grade. Dr. Piehota focuses her current practice on verbal behavior and functional communication.

Dr. Liliane Rocha, DBH, QBA, BCBA, completed her graduate training in behavior analysis at the Graduate Center (CUNY) and earned her doctoral degree in behavioral health with a focus on integrated care from the Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health. She has broad interests in Behavior Analysis, particularly in how behavior-analytic strategies can be used on a large scale to improve systems in healthcare. She is passionate about improving care for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), beginning at the pediatrician’s office.

Dr. Rocha has worked in a variety of settings, including a psychiatric hospital where she led a team of behavior analysts designing interventions to reduce the use of restrictive procedures during acute psychiatric admissions. She also contributed to performance management and quality improvement projects, strengthening her skills in Organizational Behavior Management (OBM). She is a certified ACT Matrix facilitator and uses the Pro-Social Matrix in crisis-management trainings.

Currently, she serves as a faculty member and student advisor in the Doctor of Behavioral Health program at Cummings Graduate Institute in Arizona. She provides consultation to schools and hospitals, as well as international consultation in Brazil, her native country. Committed to expanding access to quality care, she has developed a telehealth practice supervising behavior analysts serving children with ASD in Brazil.

Dr. Daniel Yang, Ed.D., Th.D., QBA, BCBA-D, KBA-D, is the Head Professor at ABA Korea Academy and a Professor Emeritus at Baekseok University's Graduate School of Education. He participated in translation projects for QABA exams into Korean as a member of the QABA Translation Committee and has collaborated with several universities to gain approval as QABA Coursework Providers.

Dr. Yang has taught ABA-related courses at Dankook University, Honam University, Daegu University, Baekseok University, Seoul National University, and others. His recent interests include exploring low-tech and high-tech methods to improve both group and individual instruction effectiveness, as well as to support the application and retention of newly acquired verbal behavior skills.

A founding figure and lifetime board member of the Korean Association for Behavior Analysis—the first nationwide ABA organization in Korea—Dr. Yang has authored or translated several bestsellers in ABA, including VB-MAPP and the third edition of Applied Behavior Analysis (“the Cooper Book”).

Eric Linder brings extensive experience from both public and private sectors. He has developed and implemented community outreach strategies for hundreds of organizations and has worked closely with community leaders and elected officials on policies affecting children with special needs.

From 2012–2016, Mr. Linder served as an Assemblymember in the California State Assembly, representing approximately 500,000 residents of the 60th Assembly District in Riverside County. With nearly 20 years of experience in real estate, he has specialized in integrating technology to produce efficiencies in the marketplace.

He later applied his technology expertise to found the online communications firm eMotiv Marketing, where he currently serves as president. Mr. Linder is committed to the principle that education should be exceptional, accessible, and affordable. He has been a strong advocate for keeping tuition costs down and empowering local school districts in financial decision-making.

As an Assemblymember, he championed funding for the new UC Riverside School of Medicine—the first new public medical school in California in 40 years—recognizing its importance in increasing physician availability, improving regional healthcare access, and stimulating the local economy by an estimated $150 million annually.

Dr. Matthew Kirkhart graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Psychology from West Virginia University. He earned his M.A. in Clinical Psychology from West Virginia University and completed his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His pre-doctoral internship was completed in the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology at Shands Hospital, University of Florida College of Health Professions.

Dr. Kirkhart is a licensed psychologist in Maryland and previously served as Chair of the Psychology Department and interim Chair for the Department of Teacher Education at Loyola University Maryland. His primary research interests include medical/health psychology, focusing on adaptation to chronic medical conditions, adjustment following major medical procedures, and behavioral factors related to chronic pain and diabetes management.

He also conducts basic research on learning and memory, including rule-governed behavior and the functional analysis of language. Additional research interests include mentoring and teaching in psychology, adult psychopathology, and interpersonal psychotherapy models.

Jessica Swanson is one of the first Qualified Behavior Analysts (QBA) in the United States. She also holds the BCBA credential, is a licensed behavior analyst (LBA), and is a Certified Autism Specialist (CAS). Jessica earned her Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in autism.

Jessica entered the field of ABA after her then–2-year-old daughter was diagnosed with autism. She now works as a behavior analyst while also running Summit Health Services, Inc., the company she founded, which provides ABA services across four states.

When not working, Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband of nearly two decades, her 9-year-old daughter, and her 7-year-old son. She is a military spouse currently residing in the Washington, D.C. area.

Dr. Mohammed Almutairi, Ph.D., QBA, is a highly experienced and credentialed behavior analyst. In 2018, he earned his Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Oklahoma, demonstrating his dedication to advancing behavioral science to improve the lives of individuals with autism and developmental disorders.

Dr. Almutairi is an Assistant Professor at Imam Mohammad bin Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He blends academic expertise with practical experience, contributing to innovative research and educating future practitioners. His primary focus includes developing evidence-based interventions to support skill development and rehabilitation for children with autism and related disorders. He is also deeply committed to parent training, helping families implement effective strategies to support their children’s progress.

His research interests include assessment and intervention for individuals with developmental disorders, with special attention to cultural considerations in ABA practice. Dr. Almutairi is dedicated to promoting innovative solutions and expanding the reach of high-quality behavioral services across diverse communities.

Penny Runions is the parent and full-time caregiver of a child with nonverbal autism and epilepsy, who has received Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services for eight years across multiple ABA provider organizations. Penny has a passion for supporting families as they navigate interventions and identify the supports that best meet their unique needs. She places strong emphasis on educating families about the benefits of evidence-based ABA practices and the importance of coordinated team support across educational settings, medical providers, and community services.

Mrs. Runions holds a Master of Arts in Psychology with an emphasis in Criminal Justice. She has worked in both psychology and criminal justice roles during her service in the U.S. Army, as well as in civilian law enforcement positions—experiences that broaden her understanding of the challenges faced by diverse families. She currently volunteers as an investigative assistant with Special Operations Finding Kids, an organization based in Northern California.

Mrs. Runions resides in the State of Washington with her family and enjoys reading, spending time in nature, and a consistently present cup of coffee. She is a strong advocate for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and the early introduction of varied communication methods for children with complex communication needs.