Our Team
ELIZABETH CHRISTINE
As Vice President of Compliance for our PA branch, Elizabeth focuses on the growth of PA and compliance with Pennsylvania guidelines. Elizabeth manages Medicaid authorizations, completes client intakes, and assists our staff members with meeting all training and supervision guidelines. Elizabeth audits all aspects of PA to ensure we are providing high-quality services and maintain our state license. In addition to responsibilities in PA, she also assists with event coordination and recruitment for both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Elizabeth’s primary goal is to continue to expand our PA branch while ensuring we continue to deliver the best quality of services to the clients we serve.
FIORELLA HURTADO
Fiorella has over 9 years of experience in the field of administration within numerous industries and has worked over the past four years in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. Fiorella graduated from Randall University with her Bachelor’s in Business Administration. As the Executive Director of Human Resources, she is responsible for overseeing onboarding, recruitment, payroll, analyzing current processes and procedures, ensuring compliance with State and Federal laws, and nurturing a positive working environment. In addition, she performs all Human Resource tasks and responsibilities in California with the support of Headquarters in New Jersey.
GABRIELLE COOPER
Position: Senior Director of CC Support
Email: [email protected]
Location: NJ
Certification: M. Ed., BCBA
I’ve been with BDA for 7 years. I went through the process of being a Clinical Associate, Clinical Coordinator and now a Behavior Consultant. I am your go-to if you want more information on applying to be a Clinical Coordinator and/or obtaining the support through your schooling and training to become a BCBA or BCaBA. I also run a cooperative play group for our youngest learners (ages 2-5) on Tuesday nights at the OLC – where we work on facilitated play, turn taking and VB-MAPP goals.
GEORGE CANDIA
George Candia is our Vice President of Employee Engagement. With over 15 years of experience working with children and adults with behavioral disorders, George’s professional passion to support learners, their family and staff is clear. By aligning his values with core values of BDA and being a strong leader, George has been able to teach others to also become leaders and not only achieve, but exceed their work and life goals.
HEIDI LIGHT-GIGLIO
Position: Executive Clinical Director of Southern NJ
Email: [email protected]
Location: NJ
Certification: BCBA
Heidi has a comprehensive and unencumbered ability to apply behavior analytic principles to individual situations. However, her behavioral repertoire and passion for the science lies primarily with the analysis of verbal behavior. Having formerly worked through the Verbal Behavior Project (PaTTAN) in Pennsylvania and her years of experience at Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center, of Rutgers University, Heidi has over 20 years of experience with creating, running, and modifying language-rich and functional programs through use of Discrete Trial Training, Precision Teaching, Pivotal Response Training, and Natural Environment Training, all based on the skills from the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills- Revised (ABLLS-R), the Verbal Behavior Milestones and Placement Program (VB-MAPP), and the Assessment of Functional Living Skills (AFLS). Being a consultant with a thorough understanding of educational programs and a skill for scientific writing, she is well-versed in completing independent evaluations and participating in due-process hearings. Heidi continuously pursues research and empirically validated strategies to increase meaningful skills for every individual, as well as for their families. Beyond her professional interests, Heidi values connecting with each of the learners and families who she supports, with the intention to create supportive communities so that hope and inclusion is the norm, rather than the exception.
ISAAC BERMUDEZ
First and foremost, Isaac Bermudez is a dedicated and loving husband Nickie, and the proud father of Josh, Emma and our dog, Lucy. Family is everything to Isaac! Professionally, Isaac is the Vice President of Brett DiNovi & Associates California and has been providing services in applied behavior analysis since 1998. Isaac has worked in executive leadership positions in the area of behavioral health for the last 15 years and uses the principles of organizational behavior management to guide the support and growth of organizations. Over the last 15 years, Isaac has led ABA departments, started companies, and grew his last organization over 500% in 5 years, while earning awards for quality of service and employee satisfaction. In addition to Isaac’s primary role as a leader of organizations, he is an invited speaker for state and national associations as well as has co-authored articles and chapters most recently in the textbook on Multiculturalism in Applied Behavior Analysis. Isaac is also the co-founder of the Latino Association for Behavior Analysis (LABA) as well as a mentorship service called Mentorologist.
JASON GOLOWSKI
As the Chief Operating Officer, Jason assists and oversees all of BDA and its subsidiaries. In Jason’s time with BDA, he created services for adults, expanded services in NJ school districts into North Jersey, and was directly responsible for one of BDAs first expansions into another state (Maine). With a focus on OBM, Jason utilizes the 5 Scientific Laws of Life and Leadership, to create systems to assist everyone within BDA and ensure the sustainability of the organization. He is passionate about being able to bring and expand services to different areas across the nation and assist in growing them sustainably from onset.
JOSEPH CARTER
The addition of Joe Carter to the leadership team at Brett DiNovi & Associates has been the pivotal component allowing for continual growth. As the Vice President of Operations, Joe’s primary function is to orchestrate the fulfillment of services by over 600 consultants using principles of organizational behavior management (OBM). Only through his exceptional organizational skills paired with tenacious execution and follow up is he able to coordinate on such a massive scale. Joe also coordinates and manages most relationships and referrals for the company’s largest funding sources. Each team member at Brett DiNovi & Associates coordinates with Joe, whether it be monthly or daily, putting him at the heart of the organization. Having worked in the role of a clinical associate in both schools and homes and a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), Joe has a unique insight into the day to day services provided to our clients.
JOSEPH KENDORSKI
With a passion for working with adolescents and adults with problem behavior, the Executive Director brings experience in high demand to the behavioral field. Joe has demonstrated competency with the implementation of positive behavioral support (PBS) systems in school programs. In addition to expertise in PBS, Joe is extremely proficient in person-centered planning, creative behavioral solutions, community integration, and the behavior disorder population. As a leader, Joe oversees the overall employee satisfaction and monitoring the overall quality outcomes for all staff across BDA. Compassionate accountability through goal setting is a focus area through the use of behavioral science.
JOSHUA ZEIGLER
Joshua Zeigler has worked in the field of behavioral services since 2005. Mr. Zeigler’s work experience includes counseling adjudicated youth from the Baltimore and DC area, providing supervisory and clinical support of children and adolescents in residential programs who are affected by Autism, varying degrees of Intellectual Disability and other Comorbid diagnosis. Mr. Zeigler joined BDA in 2015. Since joining BDA, Mr. Zeigler has supported families and learners in their homes, the community, residential and group home settings, and various schools in the Philadelphia Area. Mr. Zeigler is currently the Vice President of Operations in PA with the emphasis in providing support for learners and families in their home, the community and the school setting.
JUSTIN DIDOMENICO
Position: Senior Vice President off School Consultation
Email: [email protected]
Location: NJ
Certification: Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBS
Dr. DiDomenico is a Senior Vice President of School Consultation at Brett DiNovi & Associates. He received his undergraduate degree in psychology from Saint Joseph’s University. He also received his master’s degree in applied behavior analysis and his Ph.D. in education with a concentration in special education, both from Temple University. He has served as an adjunct professor at Saint Joseph’s University teaching applied behavior analysis and behavioral consultation. Dr. DiDomenico is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst – Doctoral level, a Licensed Behavior Specialist and has over 27 years of experience working with children with autism and other developmental disabilities. Dr. DiDomenico has experience working with children of all ages and levels of functioning. His passion lies in helping the most severe students; those who have been through several programs that have proven unsuccessful. As a result, he has been sought after by numerous school districts to provide recommendations for the most difficult clients and has a proven track record of making a difference in the lives of children with special needs.
KATE WIAMER
Position: Vice President of Organizational Systems & Dissemination & Director of School Consultation
Email: [email protected]
Location: NJ
Certification: M.A., BCBA
My name is Kate Wiamer, I serve as a behavior consultant at Brett DiNovi & Associates. I am the Vice President of Organizational Systems & Dissemination & Director of School Consultation. In the district setting I assist staff within the general education setting as well as special education programs. During the academic school day I overlap with registered behavior technicians, clinical associates and district staff. During my overlaps I am able to conduct assessments, collect data, assist in making sure the behavior intervention plan(s) are being followed with the utmost treatment fidelity, create treatment plans as well as collaborating with administrators. Within my role as a director of school consultation I serve as a liaison between district administration and our team of directors at Brett DiNovi and Associates.
In the home setting I work with learners diagnosed with behavior disabilities and/or learners with special needs. Within home programming I’m able to assist in creating social skills outings to shape socially appropriate behaviors within the community setting.
After work hours I assist in creating leadership meetings for behavior consultants, clinical associates and registered behavior technicians. The meetings promote a positive culture within the company, serve as learning opportunities for staff and shape an overall support system.
In addition to leadership meetings I also sit on a clinical review panel within BDA. During clinical reviews we assist and collaborate with staff on tough situations they may be experiencing within the district setting, homes and in the community when providing ABA therapy services.
Professional Advisory Board
Julie S. Vargas, PhD
Formerly Skinner, Author and Educator
E.A. Vargas, PhD
Vice President, B.F. Skinner Foundation