Our Team

ALYSSA KINKADE

Position: Executive Director Social Skills Operations
Email: [email protected]
Location: NJ

Alyssa has always been extremely passionate about bringing our learners together and creating opportunities for them to work on social interactions in the community and clinic setting. Alyssa’s background of over ten years directing camps, and knowledge as an RBT made her a perfect fit as our Executive Director of Social Skills Operations. In this position Alyssa oversees all after school social programming and camps across New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Not only does Alyssa have background experience in directing and organizing programming she is also a proud sibling of two brothers on the autism spectrum which aligns with our values as a family owned company.

ALYSSA KINKADE

Executive Director Social Skills Operations

Alyssa has always been extremely passionate about bringing our learners...

AMANDA BOWMAN

Position: Senior Executive Director of Organizational Culture
Email: [email protected]
Location: NJ

As the Senior Executive Director of Organizational Culture at Brett DiNovi & Associates, Amanda oversees our new hire coaching and training process as well as company culture initiatives. She started her career in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis ten years ago and has experience working in public and private schools, residential programs, and providing in-home services. Amanda joined the BDA family as a Clinical Associate back in 2015, and since then has held a variety of roles that helped fuel her passion for the training, coaching, and culture of the organization. Her experience in these roles, combined with the mentorship provided to her as part of BDA’s coaching program, has helped grow her experience in the subspecialty of Organizational Behavior Management. Amanda ensures that our company’s new hire experience runs efficiently and effectively through her organizational skills, work ethic, and personal experiences while working in the field.

AMANDA BOWMAN

Senior Executive Director of Organizational Culture

As the Senior Executive Director of Organizational Culture at Brett...

ANTHONY DICESARE

Position: Director School Consultation
Email: [email protected]
Location: NJ

Tony is one of only a few BCBAs and licensed attorneys in the world. His legal practice focused primarily on representing / counseling school districts while also advocating for the rights of students with disabilities. As a clinician, he has a well-established ABA repertoire with over 20 years’ experience working with children and adults with special needs in a variety of settings. In addition to his legal and clinical training, he also has a child with complex disabilities / special needs that allows him to approach clinical and business situations with a unique point of view. As the Director of Corporate Relations, Tony oversees consultation and provision of agency ABA services in public school settings. He provides coaching, mentorship, and clinical support to BDA consultants in schools and homes. Tony oversees agency matters involving parent / district litigation and helps resolve ethical dilemmas involving the BACB ethical code. He has served as an expert witness and conducts regular trainings / workshops for school leaders. Tony specializes in providing practical guidance and recommendations to school districts in the implementation of special education programs / services consistent with special education case law and regulations. In his free time, Tony enjoys going to the gym/training, playing sports, going to the beach, cooking, and spending time with his two sons.

ANTHONY DICESARE

Director School Consultation

Tony is one of only a few BCBAs and licensed...

Brett

BRETT DINOVI

Position: Chief Executive Officer
Email: [email protected]
Location: NJ

Brett DiNovi, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, stands at the helm of the premier behavioral consulting and OBM (Organizational Behavior Management) group. As the CEO and founder of BDA, Brett has, since 2004, transformed a small initiative of two consultants assisting five learners into a large company, now deploying over 1,300 consultants serving thousands across seven states. Beyond the national borders, BDA offers its expertise internationally, further showcasing its expansive reach.

Distinctively family-owned and BCBA-operated, BDA remains a rare gem in the landscape of large global organizations.

Beyond his organizational leadership, Brett’s expertise stretches into OBM, entrepreneurship, and literary accomplishment. He’s a Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author with his acclaimed work, “Behavioral Karma: The 5 Scientific Laws of Life & Leadership.”

An integral part of the global behavioral community, Brett sits on the advisory board of the B.F. Skinner Foundation, a pivotal institution promoting behavioral science globally. His deep understanding of applied behavior analysis is enriched by the guidance of luminaries Dr. Julie S. Vargas (formerly Skinner) and Dr. E.A. Vargas at the renowned West Virginia University program.

For over 2 decades, Brett has channeled behavior analytic principles to effect positive change and uplift vulnerable individuals. His diverse professional journey has seen him wear multiple hats: from a business consultant in Morgantown, WV, to an instructor at West Virginia University, from a keynote speaker to an expert witness. With publications in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and executive leadership roles in numerous institutions nationwide, Brett’s contributions to the field are vast.

However, at the heart of it all, his proudest title remains that of a dedicated father and role model to his daughters.

BRETT DINOVI

Chief Executive Officer

Brett DiNovi, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, stands at the...

BRIAN FRANCIS

Position: VP of Strategic Growth
Email: [email protected]
Location: NJ

Brian has a unique skill set combining years of management experience with the direct application of behavioral principles for learners with severe behavior problems. He is responsible for providing all consultants with performance feedback, goal setting, and reinforcement for excelling in our organization. Brian’s application of organizational behavior management principles drives the company’s success by measuring a) the utilization of consultation hours for each learner, b) the assignments of clients to match consultants’ skill sets, and c) the communication among schools, families and consultants. Lastly, Brian is a Certified Safe and Positive Approaches trainer to assist educators and families in how to safely manage crisis situations.

BRIAN FRANCIS

VP of Strategic Growth

Brian has a unique skill set combining years of management...

BRIANNA SNYDER

Position: Executive Director Clinical Training & Professional Development
Email: [email protected]
Location: NJ
Certification: M.A., BCBA

Brianna has gained a wide array of experience within the subspecialty areas of behavior analysis. Currently, she consults in school districts and homes, providing services to children and adults with autism and varying behavior disorders. She has expertise in ecological and functional behavior assessments, conducting them in both the home and school settings. She provides coaching and supervision in a variety of formats. Her coaching is typically targeted at educators and employees within the organization. In the school setting, coaching is provided to staff utilizing the principles of organizational behavior management to improve performance in the classroom. When coaching other employees, the main focus is improving overall employee performance as the staff continue to grow in their roles. Additionally, she is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, utilizing behavior analysis to coach clients on habit formation, self-management skills, organizational skills, and improving health and wellness behaviors.

BRIANNA SNYDER

Executive Director Clinical Training & Professional Development

Brianna has gained a wide array of experience within the...

CHASITY BRIGHT

Position: Executive Vice President of Operations
Email: [email protected]
Location: NJ

As the Executive Vice President of Operations, Chasity is the administrative backbone of the organization. Chasity started with our organization as a Clinical Associate over 14 years ago. In addition to overseeing the general operations of the entire company, Chasity manages the School District Contracts, payroll, billing, invoicing, time system, and the provision of feedback concerning the administrative intricacies for the company. With a broad scope of duties and responsibilities, she is able to remain informed concerning the comprehensive progress of the company’s clients. Chasity ensures the company runs efficiently through her boundless work ethic, skill, and determination.

CHASITY BRIGHT

Executive Vice President of Operations

As the Executive Vice President of Operations, Chasity is the...

COILIN HENNESSEY

Position: Executive Director Business Growth NJ/PA
Email: [email protected]
Location: NJ

As Executive Director of Business Growth, Coilin is responsible for developing, coordinating, and implementing processes for efficient and effective business growth. Coilin focuses on relationships with funding sources and employees and assists with collections, billing, and payroll. Coilin started with BDA as a Clinical Associate in 2015.

COILIN HENNESSEY

Executive Director Business Growth NJ/PA

As Executive Director of Business Growth, Coilin is responsible for...

DAN CANOVA

Position: Executive Director Employee Engagement
Email: [email protected]
Location: NJ
Certification: BCaBA

Dan Canova is one of our Executive Directors of Employee Engagement who help facilitate training and support across all of BDA. With over 10 years experience working in education Dan is able to bring a former teachers perspective, as well as a clinical expertise to support in schools. As well as being a behavior analyst Dan is also a certified CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention trainer allowing him to pair clinical knowledge as well as an expertise in crisis management to the individuals, caretakers, and schools he works with.

DAN CANOVA

Executive Director Employee Engagement

Dan Canova is one of our Executive Directors of Employee...

DANIELLE WATTS

Position: Executive Director Clinical Compliance SNJ
Email: [email protected]
Location: NJ
Certification: M.A, BCBA

Danielle received her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis through Rowan University and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Danielle has experience working with individuals of all ages, including adults across a variety of settings. She currently consults in schools and homes in the South Jersey area regularly completing Functional Behavior Assessments and curricular assessments. As the Executive Director of Clinical Compliance for South Jersey, Danielle reviews insurance authorization reports for our Behavior Consultants. Danielle provides recommendations for reports based off of insurance company requirements to maintain a high approval rate for services.

DANIELLE WATTS

Executive Director Clinical Compliance SNJ

Danielle received her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis through...

DEBRA RUFF

Position: Executive Director of Early Start
Email: [email protected]
Location: CA
Certification: M.S., PPS, BCBA

Debbie Ruff has been working with individuals with disabilities and developmental delays since 2006 and has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) since 2011. She completed her undergraduate coursework from California State University, Bakersfield with a B.A. of Psychology and continued to complete her M.S. in School Psychology at National University. After earning her master’s degree, Debbie immediately continued her studies by completing the required coursework, accruing hours, and passing the exam to become a BCBA . She has extensive experience working with the early start populations, conducting intake and ongoing assessments, and mentoring staff. Debbie has also created content for various training in topics including supervision, behavior intervention plans, standardized assessments, and early intervention. Debbie joined the team at Brett DiNovi & Associates in the spring of 2021 and created the early start program from the ground up. In addition to running the early start program, Debbie works with Mentorologist on vetting monthly speakers. Debbie has a special interest in Organizational Management and completed the OBM Certificate through Florida tech in August of 2018 and has a passion for employee satisfaction. When Debbie is not working, she enjoys spending time with her two children and judges diving for the US Diving Association. Lastly, Debbie also serves as a Subject Matter Expert for the BACB.

DEBRA RUFF

Executive Director of Early Start

Debbie Ruff has been working with individuals with disabilities and...

DESIREE NEVES

Position: Director of Clinical Compliance and Incident and Restraint Report Designee
Email: [email protected]
Bio- Desiree Neves (formerly Tash), M.A., BCBA has been working with children and families in various capacities (mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence, care management, crisis intervention, group homes, and group counseling) for 16+ years. Desiree’s path and experience has led her to the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. Looking for a change in careers from the mental health field, Desiree found Brett DiNovi and Associates (BDA) after making numerous referrals to the company and professional networking with the staff. Desiree has been with Brett DiNovi since 2015 starting out as a Clinical Associate. She received her BA in Psychology and MA in Applied Psychology from Rider University. Once Desiree obtained her BCBA certification, she became a Behavior Consultant for the company and eventually the Director of Clinical Compliance PA. Desiree’s background in crisis management and mental health has been useful in her role as the incident and restraint report designee. Desiree is able to help her colleagues, clients, and families on a daily basis which is fulfilling and rewarding.

DESIREE NEVES

Director of Clinical Compliance and Incident and Restraint Report Designee

Bio- Desiree Neves (formerly Tash), M.A., BCBA has been working...

Professional Advisory Board

Julie S. Vargas, PhD

Formerly Skinner, Author and Educator

E.A. Vargas, PhD

Vice President, B.F. Skinner Foundation

Awards

Interested in joining the BDA family?