Executive Director, Lovaas Institute Midwest, Minneapolis, MN

Dr. Eric Larsson is a developmental psychologist and doctoral-level board certified behavior analyst with a multi-decade leadership history in intensive early intervention and applied behavior analysis. He currently leads clinical services for the Lovaas Institute Midwest and has been site director and research lead on NIMH-affiliated multisite replication work of the UCLA Young Autism Project. His extensive publications, international presentations, program manuals (e.g., Language Matrix, Dynamic Programming), and systems consulting underscore expertise in program design, outcome measurement, staff training systems, and evidence-based policy advocacy. Dr. Larsson’s experience designing quality assurance, scaling intensive interventions, and securing grant funding equips the board with rigorous program evaluation, clinical governance, and strategic research translation capabilities.

Founder & Executive Director, Meaningful Metrics, Huntington Station, NY

Dr. Sarah Heller is an EdD-trained special educator, BCBA and licensed behavior analyst with 20+ years designing district-level systems, MTSS structures, and educator-facing documentation and fidelity routines. She has directed district-wide behavior services, founded an ABA practice, and currently provides neuro-affirming, trauma-informed consultation, ACE-approved CE, and BCBA supervision. Heller’s strengths include creating educator-friendly progress-monitoring, aligning behavior plans with IEP/IDEA requirements, and training staff in implementation fidelity and crisis prevention. As an active collaborator with county and school governance structures, Sarah offers immediate institutional knowledge, and practical operational improvements that could have a big-picture positive impact on the network.

West Hempstead School District, West Hempstead, NY

Dr. Maria Petrolekas is a licensed psychologist and board certified behavior analyst with a PsyD and a strong background in school psychology, early childhood literacy research, and ABA implementation in urban school systems. She holds advanced ABA certification and NYS licensure as both psychologist and behavior analyst and has delivered classroom-level coaching, teacher professional development, and evidence-based interventions across preschool and K-12 settings. Maria brings practical skills in psycho-educational assessment, functional behavioral assessment, and culturally responsive interventions for diverse communities, plus fluency in Greek and conversational Spanish. Her combined research and applied school experience is especially valuable for bridging clinical services with educators, strengthening IEP processes, and ensuring culturally competent access to services.

Founder, Williams Speech and Language Pathology, Northport, NY

Elaine Keuning is a speech-language pathologist and assistive technology specialist with an MA in Speech-Language Pathology and longstanding clinical experience across early intervention, school, residential, and hospital settings. She owns Williams Speech and Language Pathology PLLC and serves as a speech provider and researcher with the Tri-State Rett Syndrome Center at Montefiore Children’s Hospital, bringing deep hands-on expertise with AAC, PODD, and device programming for people with complex motor and communication needs. Elaine has a proven record of presenting at international assistive-technology and Rett syndrome conferences, contributing to clinical abstracts and resource development that improve curriculum access and communication solutions. Her combined clinical, research and technology skills make her an ideal advisor on communication access, AAC program design, and cross-setting implementation fidelity.

Founder/Managing Consultant, Influent International, Princeton, NJ, Coordinator of Online Instruction and Course Development, Institute for Applied Behavioral Science at Endicott College, Endicott, MA

Senior Clinical Scientist & OBM Consultant with a doctoral background in Applied Behavior Analysis and extensive experience bridging academia, clinical practice, and organizational systems. Dr. Russell designs and implements evidence-based training, supervision, and operational systems that improve clinical fidelity, staff performance, and organizational outcomes. Her expertise includes functional behavior assessment, behavior intervention planning, behavioral systems analysis, and competency-based ethics instruction, with a strong emphasis on culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and neurodivergent-affirming practice. She has led course development and online instruction at the graduate level, advised doctoral dissertations, and served as an expert ethicist for the ABA ethics hotline. As a consultant and founder, she has developed SOPs, performance diagnostics, and scalable training curricula for healthcare and education organizations, producing measurable gains in engagement, conversion, and clinical quality. Dr. Russell’s scholarship focuses on DEIJBA (diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, belonging, and accessibility) in ABA, and she is an active presenter, reviewer, and contributor to research communities advancing equitable practice. Licensed in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and board-certified at the doctoral level, she brings a rare combination of rigorous research, practical systems impact, and a commitment to compassionate, ethical care.