Meet the Board of Directors

Missy is the Executive Director of the Florida Association of Behavior Analysis (FABA) and she currently serves as the Vice President of the Progressive Behavior Analyst Autism Council (PBAAC). Missy previously served as Co-Director of Public Policy for FABA and she served on the CTABA Board of Directors from 2016-2021. She chaired the CTABA Public Policy and Legislative Outreach Committee (PPLO formerly called Legislative Committee) from 2016-2022. She previously served as a Member at Large on the Executive Council for CTABA from 2011-2013. Missy also served on the Executive Board as a Member at Large for the Division of Early Childhood (DEC), a sub-division of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and as President of the Texas Council for Exceptional Children (TX-CEC). Missy is also the Chief Clinical Officer at Adapt for Life ABA. Missy previously served as the Chief Clinical Officer of Cultivate Behavioral Health and Education following the acquisition of her company, Applied Behavioral Strategies (ABS). Missy founded and directed ABS from 2010 until its acquisition in 2020. Missy also worked at The Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) in their Austin, TX and Larchmont, NY offices. Prior to working in the ABA space, Missy spent 9 years conducting research and training special education teachers and behavior analysts at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Nevada, Reno. Missy currently serves as a Guest Reviewer for the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders and the Review Journal on Autism and Developmental Disorders. She also served on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Early Intervention for 8 years, Topics in Early Childhood Special Education for 10 years, and Young Exceptional Children for 12 years. Missy has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters focusing on assessment and treatment of challenging behaviors, communication intervention, feeding disorders, and ethical issues for behavior analysts. She is also the recipient of over $1.6 million in federal and state funding for research and training in the field. Her current interests lie in the areas of assessment and treatment of feeding disorders, assessment and treatment of severe challenging behavior, ethical issues in the delivery of ABA services, clinical compliance of ABA services, and ABA services in school settings. Missy is the guardian of her youngest brother, Mac, who has lived with Missy or in residential services near her since he was 13 years old. She is married to Norm and is also the bonus mom of two amazing women, Summer and Gigi. When not working, you can find Missy and Norm on a boat, out on their bikes, or traveling.

Dr. Yanerys León is a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology of the University of Miami and Director of Applied Research and Professional Development at UM-NSU CARD. Dr. León was named the 2021 recipient of the BF Skinner Foundation Applied New Researcher award presented by Division 25 of the American Psychological Association and currently serves on the Board of Editors of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and Behavior Analysis in Practice. In her role as faculty in the Department of Psychology, Dr. Leon directs the Learning and Behavior, Research and Training Lab. In her role as Division Director of Applied Research and Professional Development at UM-NSU CARD, Dr. León provides programmatic and consultative behavioral support to professionals (e.g., schools, hospitals) working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Leon currently oversees several grant funded projects spanning scientific and professional advancements related to service delivery for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Dr. León has served as member-at-large of FABA’s Board of Directors for 3 years including chairing the membership committee where she spearheaded efforts to increase engagement and representation of spanish-speaking behavior analysts and RBTs.

Dr. Kerri P. Peters earned her master's degree in Behavior Analysis from the University of North Texas in 2007 and her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Florida in 2013. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, Division of Psychology. Dr. Peters is the Administrative Director of the UF Health Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment (UF Health CAN) and collaborates with the UF BARC as the Clinical and Research Director. Through a contractual relationship with the Florida Autism Center (FAC), a division of BlueSprig Pediatrics, Dr. Peters is the Center Director of the FAC Specialty Clinics located at and in collaboration with UF Health CAN. Dr. Peters’ primary area of clinical research is applied behavior analysis, with emphases in the areas of intellectual disabilities and autism, challenging behavior, multidisciplinary care, and parenting. Dr. Peters was the recipient of the Henry C. and Audrey S. Schumacher Fellowship demonstrating outstanding scientific promise. She currently serves on the Executive Board of the Florida Association for Behavioral Analysis and is President-elect for the 2025-2026 year. She also serves on the steering committee, clinical, and research task forces for the UF Health CAN.

Michelle Castaños is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 20 years of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis. Inspired by her cousin, Miguel, who was diagnosed with autism in 1997, she began her career as a behavior technician at 18. Soon after, she started a behavior-based babysitting company that evolved into South Florida Behavior, a comprehensive pediatric ABA center with locations in Miami and Weston, Florida. Her professional experience spans mobile crisis teams, institutional settings for adults with developmental disabilities, child welfare, sex education, and school-based transition services. As part of her commitment to supporting adolescents and young adults in the transition to higher education and independent living, Michelle co-founded THRIVE, Florida’s first post-secondary college support program for degree-seeking students with autism at the University of North Florida. Michelle currently serves as President of SOFABA, the South Florida Chapter of FABA, and is the founder and moderator of the Florida Medicaid ABA Forum, one of the state’s largest online ABA communities. A former FABA Member-at-Large, she has long championed Medicaid reform and equitable access to ethical, high-quality care for all families across Florida. Through her dedication to diversity and inclusion, Michelle has led efforts to expand access to ABA education and professional development for Florida’s Spanish-speaking community through bilingual trainings, conferences, and outreach initiatives.

I have worked in the ABA field for 20+ years. Academically, I was privileged to study under two fantastic leaders, Dr. Jose Martinez-Diaz and Dr. Eb Blakely. I earned my undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Central Florida (UCF) (2000) and my master's in science from Florida Institute of Technology (2004). Following this, I enrolled in the Public Affairs Ph.D. Program at UCF, where I studied policy analysis, tools of governance/governments, strategic planning, management, legislative analyses, and more. Even as an ABD, the knowledge I gained has been invaluable in assisting others. For example, I lead our state in its successful legislative initiatives for RBTs/ABA, which has evolved into multi-state collaboration efforts. Professionally, I own an ABA company that provides home and community-based services throughout Central Florida. The best part of my job is working alongside an amazing team of humans dedicated to making a positive difference. My time is also allocated to serving on multiple ABA boards. Currently, I am the Past President of FABA and an integral member of various committees (e.g., Legislative, DEIA, Executive, etc.). I live in Merritt Island with my wife Dana and our boys, Jackson and Brantley. In my free time, I support our boys by volunteering as their little league baseball coach, supporting our local school's PTOs, advocating at school board meetings, or attending rallies to oppose the MAJOR legislative and academic changes that negatively impact our teachers and students. More info is located on social media.

Baker Wright, PhD, BCBA-D is the team leader and owner of Behavior Management Consultants (BMC), an Applied Behavior Analysis group based in Tallahassee, Florida and with teams across Florida and South Georgia. Baker received his MA from East Carolina University and his PhD from Florida State University in 2005. Baker has been with BMC since 2000, working directly with individuals with a wide array of learning and behavior challenges. Most of his work has been as a consulting behavior analyst for school districts across the Southeast since for over 20 years, working in classrooms and training teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals. More recently, he has been in leadership of the BMC teams spanning from Ft. Lauderdale Florida to Valdosta, Georgia. He researched and co-authored a book and procedural manual for teachers and schools, AutomaticRtI-Behavior Edition, that provides a comprehensive solution for the many challenges of the RtI process for behavior. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Florida Association for Behavior Analysis, currently serves as the Treasurer, and has been an invited presenter at state and national conferences as well as school districts, universities, and private providers across the country.

Dr. Jonathan K. Fernand received his master’s degree from the California State University, Sacramento in 2012 and his Ph.D. from the University of Florida in 2017. Jonathan is an Assistant Professor in the School of Behavior Analysis at the Florida Institute of Technology. He has served as a reviewer for several journals including the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Analysis in Practice, Behavior & Philosophy, and The Analysis of Verbal Behavior. Jonathan has presented at regional, national, and international conferences and has authored several articles and book chapters pertaining to a range of topics including the assessment and treatment of pediatric feeding problems, treatment of restricted and repetitive behavior, caregiver and staff coaching, applied animal learning and welfare, as well as issues pertaining to competency, ethics, and equity of marginalized populations. Jonathan enjoys giving back to the behavior analytic community including his roles as a Member-at-Large for the Florida Association for Behavior Analysis (FABA) and a Subject Matter Expert for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). He also serves on several clinical advisory boards and consults within clinical and educational service facilities.

Dr. Vivian Ibañez was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala, and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. A summer internship at the Kennedy Krieger Institute (KKI) provided her first exposure to behavior analysis and severe behavior disorders. Soon after, she joined KKI’s Pediatric Feeding Disorders Program, where she discovered her passion for this specialty. Since then, she has worked in several multidisciplinary feeding clinics and, most recently, established a feeding program in collaboration with the Florida Autism Center and the UF Health Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment. Building a specialized ABA program in Florida has given Dr. Ibañez valuable experience in advocacy and in balancing diverse needs, resources, and parameters for access to ABA services. She also serves as a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Florida, where fostering students’ growth and teaching in the clinic are among her greatest joys. Outside of work, her most cherished role is being “Mami” to her son, Rafael.

Colleen F. Taylor became a BCBA in May of 2020. She has been working in the field of ABA since 2011, mostly with children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has a passion for teaching social skills, collaborating across disciplines and professions, and empowering parents and caregivers to utilize Behavior Analysis with their loved ones. In her free time, Colleen enjoys spending time with her two daughters and husband in Tallahasee, attempting to garden and exploring state parks. Colleen began her position as a Early Career Member at Large in January 2024 and is looking forward to using her role in helping our organization.

Dr. Corina Jimenez-Gomez (she/her/ella) trained as a psychologist at the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello in Caracas, Venezuela, and earned a doctoral degree in Psychology with an emphasis in behavior analysis from Utah State University. Over the past 20 years, I have lived in many places and held several academic and clinical positions. Currently, I am an Assistant Professor in the Behavior Analysis program at the University of Florida. My professional interests include supporting learners of diverse abilities, coaching staff in applied settings, and improving clinical practices – all through the lens of cultural responsiveness. The impact of my work on cultural responsiveness has been recognized with the ABAI DEI Distinguished Contributions Award, the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis Contribution of the Year Award, and the inaugural FABA DEIA Award.

Mark T. Harvey, PhD, BCBA-D has dedicated over 35 years to working with individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) across group homes, state institutions, clinics, and schools. He earned his B.A. from West Virginia University and both his M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Oregon. Currently, Dr. Harvey is an Associate Professor in the School of Behavior Analysis at the Florida Institute of Technology, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate students to apply scientific principles for assessment, analysis, and behavior change. In addition to his academic role, Dr. Harvey is the founder and President of Rogue Behavior Analysis, Inc. Through this organization, he offers direct behavior support to individuals with IDD and their families, conducts contractual work to evaluate state-level developmental disabilities service systems, and provides peer reviews and technical assistance to granting agencies and applicants. He also collaborates with national organizations to raise awareness about the mental health needs of individuals with IDD, contributing articles to journals in behavioral analysis, special education, bio-behavioral studies, and service delivery. Dr. Harvey currently holds the position of Vice President of the Association for Behavior Analysis of Brevard.

Ally Dube, M.S., BCBA, LABA is a passionate advocate for preserving the integrity of Applied Behavior Analysis and advancing ethical, socially significant practice. As the current President of the Behavior Analyst Leadership Council, she is committed to mentoring future analysts, championing healthcare equity, and leading advocacy for mental health parity. A proud FABA member, she is ready to help Florida's behavior analysts elevate their work and overcome emerging challenges with strength and unity.With over two decades of leadership experience, Ally has served as President of NHABA and currently serves as the Community Liaison for the Palm Beach ABA Association. She grew a successful ABA practice in New Hampshire, later leading national clinical services as a Vice President. Now completing her PhD in Behavior Analysis, Ally has founded a nonprofit and presents at national conferences. She is confident in her ability to create meaningful change for FABA and its members statewide.

Shane T. Spiker is a BCBA-D in Ormond Beach, Florida. Shane received his MS of Psychology in 2012 and his second MS in applied Psychology in 2016. In May 2019, he graduated with his PhD in Clinical Psychology with a concentration on instructional design. He has been providing services in the field of ABA since 2010, with the majority of his experience with autistic learners and other disabilities. Shane specializes working with teens and adults with dangerous problem behavior, sexual behavior, and medically complex individuals in the home and community-based setting. Primarily, Shane serves as the Clinical Training and Safety Director at PBS, Corp. Shane previously served as the Vice President of the Sexual Behavior: Research and Practice SIG through ABAI. He has authored several articles and text chapters related to ethics in behavior analysis and practice. He is the author of several books, including Anxiety Report, Take Care, Understanding Risk/Benefit Analysis, and Behavior Foundations. Currently, he also serves as an instructor at Florida Institute of Technology, Arizona State University and Regis College, where he teaches graduate level coursework. He enjoys reading and appreciates a really good cup of coffee.