Meet the Team

Leadership Team

Megan Price, MA BCBA

Owner

Lindsey Esquivel, MS, BCBA, LBA

Regional Director of Clinical Services, California

Kristal Bates, BCBA, LBA

Assistant Regional Clinical Director, Texas

Kevin Spano

Director of Operations

Neil Miranda, M.A.Ed., BCBA

Director of Training and Assessments

Tyler Anderson, MA, BCBA

Director of School Services

Liz Alessi, MS, CCC-SLP

Director of Speech and Early Intervention

Raquel Alzammar, MA, BCBA

Assistant Clinical Director, Beach Cities

Esmeralda Muñoz, MS, BCBA

Assistant Clinical Director, Inland Empire

Dennis Paliwoda, BCBA

Clinical Manager, Texas

Alexis Ritchey, MEd, BCBA

Clinical Manager

Adriana Lemelin, MS, BCBA

Clinical Manager

Laura Reyes, MS, BCBA

Clinical Manager

Cosette Aguayo, BCBA

Clinical Supervisor

Delanie Aldaco, BCBA

Clinical Supervisor

Josh Almanza, BCBA

Clinical Supervisor

Sophie Saidoff, BCBA

Clinical Supervisor

Mariah Shannon, M.Ed, BCaBA

Clinical Supervisor, Texas

Elise Mercado, MA

Clinical Supervisor

Columba Renteria, MS

Clinical Supervisor

Guadalupe Sanchez, MA

Clinical Supervisor

Morgan Valentine, MA

Clinical Supervisor/Social Skills Coordinator

Alvina Leon, MS

Clinical Supervisor

Michael Tacawy, M.S.

Clinical Supervisor

Angie Rodriguez

Office Manager

Krista Moreno, MA

Director of Scheduling

Megan Price, MA BCBA

Owner & Director of Operations

Megan Price has been in the field of behavior intervention since 2003. Graduating with her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Cal State San Bernardino and going on to complete her master’s degree shortly after in Rehabilitation Counseling in 2007, Megan is a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA). She started her ABA career working for a school district and has years of experience in ABA, including working for in-home providers and with dual diagnosed adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities and mental illness. She also worked on the insurance side of ABA, reviewing assessments and recommendations based on medical necessity and overall quality of services of providers. Megan has a heart for supporting growth and development of behavior technicians and believes with the additional support and training for the one-to-one clinicians, ABA can continue to strengthen the quality of lives of all the families ABAE works with. When Megan is not working, she enjoys making memories with her three sons and her supportive husband.

Lindsey Esquivel, MS, BCBA

Regional Director of Clinical Services

Lindsey Esquivel has been passionate about supporting the neurodiverse community since childhood, when she first volunteered in her younger brother’s special education classroom. Inspired by his journey, Lindsey found her calling in helping families and individuals impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder.
She began her career in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in 2013 as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) while completing her psychology degree at the University of Colorado. Lindsey went on to earn her master’s degree from St. Cloud State University while living in Hawaii, where she also met her husband. After moving to California, she became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and quickly grew into a leadership role as a clinical manager.
Over the years, Lindsey has worked with children and adults of all ability levels in homes, schools, and clinic settings. She specializes in building practical skills that truly impact family life—such as communication, mealtime success, sibling relationships, and navigating challenging behaviors. She has also expanded her expertise in Organizational Behavior Management (OBM), bringing those same principles of ABA  into supporting the growth and development of professionals who share the same passion as her. 
Outside of her career, Lindsey’s heart is with her family. As a proud mom of two young daughters, she understands firsthand the joys and challenges of motherhood. She and her family love to travel, spend time outdoors, and embrace the everyday silliness that makes the best memories.

Kristal Bates, BCBA

I’m a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with over 15 years of experience supporting individuals with autism and developmental needs through Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). My approach is grounded in compassionate, forward-thinking leadership, with a focus on delivering high-quality, personalized care that places client growth and family involvement at the heart of every decision. 

My journey in this field began in California, where I grew up. I spent 13 years there working in various roles, from Behavior Technician to Clinical Director. During that time, I had the privilege of working with incredible teams, supporting families, mentoring BCBAs and student analysts, and expanding regional services to ensure more clients had access to quality care. Two years ago, my family and I relocated to Texas, where I’ve continued in leadership roles, most recently as a Senior Clinical Director overseeing multiple clinics. It’s been a joy continuing this work in a new community that we now proudly call home. 

I hold a master’s in education with a concentration in Educational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University and completed advanced ABA certification coursework at the Florida Institute of Technology. I’m also a licensed Behavior Analyst in both Texas and Oklahoma. 

What drives me most is seeing real progress whether it’s a child saying a new word, a parent feeling more confident at home, or a team member reaching a new professional milestone. I believe in leading with compassion, listening closely to the needs of each family, and creating a collaborative environment where everyone feels supported. 

When I’m not working, you’ll likely find me spending time with my husband, 10-year-old son, and 8-year-old daughter at one of their sporting events, exploring local spots around Texas, or diving into new ways to grow both personally and professionally. We love Texas and are so happy to support ABAE here bringing its core values and services to even more families across the state!

Kevin Spano

Director of Operations

Kevin grew up in southern California with 2 older sisters and a competition focused family. Began working at 16 and with in 3 years began taking leadership positions at work. Kevin has over 15 years experience in management, with 5 years in medical billing, contracting and credentialing.

Currently Kevin resides outside of Fort Worth Texas, where him and his wife are planning a family of their own. His recent focus is on streamlining payor to provider connections. With a goal to help providers have ability to provide services faster and less delay due to administrative barriers. He hopes to help strong clinicians grow and become able to provide services in their own specialties.

Neil Miranda, M.A.Ed., BCBA

Director of Training and Assessments

In 2011, unsure of his future career goals, Neil Miranda began directly assisting developmentally disabled adults in New Jersey. Upon relocating to California in 2013, Neil embarked on his journey into the field of ABA by serving first as an in-home behavior therapist, and then as a behavior interventionist at a non-public school. During this time, Neil’s passion for ABA continued to grow, which led to his decision to enroll in graduate school and pursue board certification as a behavior analyst. In 2016, Neil obtained his Master of Arts degree in Education through National University, while simultaneously completing his ABA course sequence through Florida Institute of Technology. Neil became a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) in August 2016 and began working as a behavioral consultant for a school district. Within this role, Neil worked primarily with students diagnosed with emotional behavioral disorders and provided staff members, teachers, and Individual Education Plan (IEP) team members with ongoing training and behavioral supports. Neil conducted functional behavior assessments, developed behavior intervention plans, implemented class-wide and individual reinforcement systems, and proposed goals during annual IEP team meetings. In August of 2019, Neil transitioned into a position as an in-home ABA supervisor, before joining the ABAE team as Orange County’s clinical director. Neil has a five-year-old dog named Zoey and loves walking her and taking her to the beach in his free time. Neil is a proud U.S. Army veteran who enjoys working closely with families and staff members, camping, hiking, traveling, and attending baseball games. Neil’s favorite place to visit is Arches National Park in Utah. His goal is to one day visit every active Major League Baseball stadium.

Tyler Anderson, MA, BCBA

Director of School Services

Tyler Anderson started off his career in the field of ABA during his last year as an undergraduate at UC Riverside, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. Although he never intended to go into ABA prior to learning about it, he always knew he wanted to do something that would help others and make a difference in people’s lives. When he saw the opportunity to work with individuals with cognitive disabilities, he saw this as the perfect opportunity to fulfill his personal conviction of helping others and make a difference while also gaining valuable work experience for the future. Tyler quickly became one of the top behavior therapists at his former agency where he worked with clients ages two to 21. During his time working one-on-one with clients, Tyler worked daily with clients that displayed severe maladaptive behaviors/skill deficits. At this time that Tyler decided that ABA was the field in which he wanted to build a career. Following the programming provided by his supervisors, he saw how ABA services could not only transform clients’ lives, but also the lives of family, friends, and the community in which our clients are a part of. After working as a behavior therapist for three years, Tyler enrolled in a master’s program at Chapman University to pursue becoming a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA). Since starting his graduate program, Tyler has earned his qualified autism service practitioner supervisor (QASP-S) certification and will complete his master’s in the summer of 2021. Tyler started supervising/managing cases in 2020 and has enjoyed the opportunity to work intimately with families, teachers, and members of the community to create and implement programs that will improve the quality of life for every client he works with. Tyler’s goal as a clinician is to continue to grow and learn so that he can provide the highest quality of services to as many individuals as possible. In addition, Tyler hopes to one day start a support group for families who are impacted by neurodiversity to provide a space where people can come together to share experiences and discuss strategies to live a fulfilling life with a neurodiverse loved one. Tyler also hopes to start an educational group for families who may be experiencing neurodiversity for the first time to spread awareness and knowledge of the research-based strategies offered in the field of ABA. In his free time, Tyler enjoys spending time with family and friends, going fishing, playing basketball, watching sports/movies, and playing video games.

Liz Alessi, MS, CCC-SLP

Director of Speech and Early Intervention

Liz received her bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Christian Studies from California Baptist University. She went onto graduate with her master’s degree from Loma Linda University to become a speech-language pathologist. Liz developed a passion for serving in disability inclusion organizations as well as at a summer camp in Texas for children with autism and learning disabilities. Liz developed a disability inclusion program at a private preschool in Riverside and enjoys working with the pediatric population. Liz worked for ABAE while in school in order to gain experience in a partnering field. She is passionate about providing access to communication, AAC implementation, and language therapy among the rest of the scope of the field.

Raquel Alzammar, MA, Student Analyst

Assistant Clinical Director, Beach Cities

In 2015, Raquel Alzammar graduated from California State University, Stanislaus with her Psychology degree and began her ABA journey as a behavior interventionist. After seeing the difference ABA can make in the lives of the families she served, she decided to pursue her master’s in ABA. Raquel is passionate about learning, studying, and staying abreast of new ABA research advancements that continue to occur as the field grows. Raquel’s goal is to continue her education to earn her PhD and become a BCBA-D. Raquel recently relocated from the central valley to southern California with her boyfriend and dog. In her spare time, Raquel loves to travel, spend time at the beach, lift weights, and spend time with friends and family.

Esmeralda Munoz, MS, BCBA

Assistant Clinical Director, Inland Empire

Esmeralda has been working with individuals with disabilities for 11 years in different settings including in home and school settings. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University, Fullerton and with her Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from National University. Esmeralda has worked with children with many different diagnoses from ages from 3 to 32. Esmeralda has also had the opportunity to support many Spanish speaking families. During her free time, Esmeralda enjoys reading, watching movies, spending time with her family and traveling.

Dennis Paliwoda, BCBA

Clinical Manager, Texas

Dennis received his undergraduate degree from Ohio State and his master’s degree from Arizona State. He has been working in ABA since 2011. He has worked with adults and adolescents in family homes, group homes, schools, day programs, and a locked hospital facility. He has also been a presenter at the international conference Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). When Dennis is not working with his clients, he enjoys camping and playing hockey with his buddies.

Alexis Ritchey, MEd, BCBA

Clinical Manager

Alexis Ritchey has been involved with children with disabilities since her senior year of high school. She started as an aide for a moderate to mild special education classroom. She then went on to complete her bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders from Cal State Fullerton. After graduating, she began working as a board certified autism technician (BCAT) and went on to complete her master’s degree in Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University. Alexis received her Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Certification in 2021. Alexis has experience working with children from ages 2 to 16, but her passion lies with Early Intensive Behavior Intervention allowing her to work with children from ages two to six. In her free time, Alexis enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter.

Adriana Lemelin, BCBA, LBA

Clinical Manager

Adriana has worked in the field of child development since 2013, gaining diverse experience supporting children and families in hospital, community, home, and clinic settings. After beginning her career as a Child Life Assistant and Behavior Technician, she earned both her bachelor’s degree in Child Development and a master’s degree in Child Life, later advancing into roles as a Developmental Specialist. Driven to expand her expertise, Adriana completed the ABA-verified coursework sequence at California State University, San Marcos, and is now a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Clinical Manager at ABA Enhancement, where she leads clinical services and supports best practices in applied behavior analysis.

Laura Reyes, MS, BCBA

Clinical Manager

I have a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California Irvine (UCI). I began working in the field of ABA as part of my internship and I absolutely fell in love with the kids, their progress and the difference I could make in their lives. I have experience working with children and adults with Autism and other disabilities, in the home, school and clinic settings. The success of the people I’ve helped, led me to pursue my master’s of science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Bay Path University. As such, I wish to continue to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those I serve. In my free time I enjoy going outdoors, being around water, watching movies and hanging out with my family and friends.

Cosette Aguayo, BCBA

Clinical Supervisor

Cosette is an experienced behavioral health professional who has been working with adults with developmental disabilities since 2014. As a Licensed Psychiatric Technician, she has provided direct care and behavioral support in the community and acute settings, gaining hands-on experience that laid the foundation for her career in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
Cosette earned her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Studies with a concentration in Organizational Leadership from California State University, Dominguez Hills. Motivated to deepen her expertise and create meaningful change in the lives of neurodiverse individuals, she pursued a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis at National University.
Dedicated to ethical, person-centered care, Cosette is passionate about delivering a clinical approach that integrates the psychological and ABA worlds—recognizing the value in addressing both underlying mental health concerns and observable behavior. Her work emphasizes individualized, evidence-based interventions that foster independence, build meaningful skills, and improve overall quality of life.
In her free time Cosette enjoys spending time with her children, trying new coffee shops and going to concerts and events.

Delanie Aldaco, BCBA

Delanie Aldaco has been dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities ever since her sister was diagnosed with autism. Inspired by the therapists who made a meaningful difference in her sister’s life, Delanie knew early on that she wanted to follow a similar path.
 
She began her career as a Behavior Technician and quickly discovered her passion for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). While working as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), Delanie earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Arizona State University. She continued her education at ASU, completing a Master of Art’s in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2022.
 
As part of ABA Enhancement’s Student Analyst Program, Delanie gained valuable fieldwork experience while serving as a clinical supervisor. In June 2025, she passed the BCBA exam and officially began her journey as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. Over the years, Delanie has worked with individuals of all ages—from infants and toddlers to adults—always striving to provide compassionate, high-quality care.
 
Her professional goal is to empower clients and families through evidence-based practices, fostering growth, independence, and confidence. Outside of work, Delanie enjoys scrapbooking, going on nature walks, and spending time with her husband and their two daughters.

Josh Almanza, MS, BCBA

Clinical Supervisor

Josh Almanza has worked with individuals with disabilities and developmental delays since August 2021. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in General Psychology from California State University, San Bernardino in December 2022, and went on to complete his Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Capella University in September 2024. In July 2025, Josh became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
Throughout his career in the field of ABA, Josh has gained experience across a variety of settings, including schools, homes, and clinics, working with individuals between the ages of 3 and 15. He previously supported the oversight of the Early Intervention Program and established strong partnerships with Inland Regional Center (IRC) coordinators to ensure high-quality care for children under the age of 3 and their families. Josh is also dedicated to providing parent consultation and collaboration, both directly with families and through monthly group parent collaboration sessions.
As a bilingual practitioner, Josh has had the privilege of supporting Spanish-speaking families across multiple ABAE regions, including Texas, the Inland Empire, and Orange County. His personal background as the oldest of nine siblings has shaped his lifelong passion for supporting children and families, driving his commitment to improving quality of life and empowering those he serves.

Sophie Saidoff, BCBA

Clinical Supervisor

Sophie’s passion for supporting children with disabilities began in middle school, where she volunteered for 5 years at a non-profit focused on inclusion and friendship. After high school, she worked as a respite caregiver and preschool teacher, which led her to discover her passion for ABA. 
 
Since starting her career as a behavior technician in 2017, Sophie has earned a B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Sonoma State University and an M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis from Pepperdine University in 2021. With over 8 years of experience, she has supported individuals ages 2–22 across home, clinic, school, and community settings. Her roles have included direct intervention, parent consulting, and clinical supervision.
 
As a BCBA, Sophie is committed to neurodiversity-affirming practices and values ongoing learning through research. She is dedicated to continuous collaboration and communication with families, caregivers, and care professionals. Drawing on her background as preschool teacher, Sophie is passionate about early intervention and loves supporting young children learn and grow through play and exploration. Outside her professional life, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and enjoying the magic at Disneyland. 

Jose graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2012 from Cal State Fullerton and received his master’s degree in Instruction and Curriculum (ABA) in 2016 from Arizona State University. Jose is a BCBA with nine years of experience in the field and has dedicated himself to giving everyone with whom he works the opportunity to be as independent as possible. He is passionate about teaching behavioral strategies to BTs, parents, and anyone open to learning about ABA. Jose is an avid skateboarder and runner who also enjoys trading pins and collecting vinyl records.

Mariah Shannon, M.Ed, BCaBA

Clinical Supervisor

Mariah, from a young age, always knew she wanted to work with children and teach. After completing her undergrad degree in Communication Disorders and Sciences from Eastern Illinois University, she moved to Texas as a native of Illinois. Mariah has been in the field of ABA since 2017 consistently working with Early childhood intervention practices. After working for 2 years in the ABA field, she realized she had a passion to continue making a difference in the lives of her clients and families. She decided to pursue a Master’s degree in ABA from the University of Cincinnati and completed this fieldwork in 2021. Mariah works as a BCaBA in our Fort Worth, Texas location providing services to our wonderful clients. She comes to ABAE specializing in Early Childhood Intervention and Training. Mariah is a native of Illinois and currently resides in Texas with her husband, son, and dog.  She loves to read, watch movies with her family, and finds puzzling very relaxing.

Elise Mercado, MA, Student Analyst

Clinical Supervisor

Elise Mercado always knew her calling was to work with children, but she was unsure which setting. While attending California State University, Long Beach, she completed her school internship at the Child Life Department in Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach. This fueled her fire to work in the child development field. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development and Family Studies and became an elementary school tutor for Learning Tree After School in Yorba Linda. She stumbled upon ABA in 2018, fell in love with the field, and became a registered behavior technician (RBT). She has acquired experience across various environmental settings, both one-to-one sessions and social groups, with clients varying from three to 27 years old. Elise is currently attending Arizona State University to pursue a Master of Arts degree in Special Education (Applied Behavior Analysis). She strives to be a passionate voice, not only for her own clients, but for the autism community. Elise dreams of working with older adults diagnosed with ASD to teach them daily living and vocational skills. Outside of work, Elise enjoys hiking, going to sports games and concerts, and trying new restaurants!

Cloumba Renteria, MS

Clinical Supervisor

Columba has five years of experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from California State University, Bakersfield. After applying for a position as a behavior technician, she discovered her passion for ABA and went on to earn her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Capella University.
 
Columba is dedicated to making a positive impact in people’s lives by teaching new skills and managing challenging behaviors. Her goal is to help individuals make tangible progress, improving the quality of life for both clients and their families, all while using a scientifically-based approach to behavior change.
 
Outside of work, Columba enjoys hiking with her dog, Bingo, and planning her next adventure.

Guadalupe Sanchez, MA

Clinical Supervisor

Meet Guadalupe, she began her Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) career with ABA Enhancement in February of 2020 with having experience of working with children dating back to 2018 as a former Program Leader for an after-school program. Guadalupe received her Bachelor’s of Arts in Liberal Studies from California State University, San Bernardino in 2020 and her Master’s of Science in Applied Behavioral Analysis from National University in 2024. Between 2020 and 2024, Guadalupe worked as a Behavioral Technician, Registered Behavioral Technician, and a Clinical Supervisor! She comes very excited to the field, eager to always learn more, and plans on becoming a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst in 2025. Since a young age, Guadalupe has always had a passion of working with children and helping them achieve their goals no matter how big or small they are. Guadalupe strides to continue her mission of helping each individual she meets meet their personal goals using ABA interventions and strategies. During her free time, Guadalupe can be found reading a novel, playing her Nintendo Switch, and/or working out.

Morgan Valentine, BA, Student Analyst

Clinical Supervisor

In 2018 I graduated from California State University San Bernardino with my bachelors in Kinesiology. While accumulating hours needed to begin Physical Therapy school I accepted a job as a behavior technician. Once I began working in the field of ABA I fell in love and completely changed my path. I then began pursing my Masters in ABA from National University and graduated in fall of 2020. My goal is to become a BCBA and continuing to support children, adolescents, and families. During my free time I enjoy exercising, reading, and going to the beach.

Alvina Leon, MS, BCBA

Clinical Supervisor

Alvina is a dedicated Clinical Supervisor with extensive experience in early development and severe behavioral challenges, particularly with adolescent clients. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and a Master’s of Arts from Purdue University. Alvina’s passion for helping others is evident in her compassionate approach, as she strives to provide support and love to those who need it most. With a commitment to fostering growth and resilience, she plays a vital role in guiding her team to deliver exceptional care.

Michael Tacawy, M.S., Student Analyst

Clinical Supervisor

Michael graduated from California State University, San Bernardino with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a concentration on developmental psychology. Initially, Michael began providing care in the hospital setting with the goal of being in a career that makes a positive impact on people’s lives. Upon entering the field of ABA as a Behavior Technician and seeing that desired positive impact in the lives of the clients and families worked with, he was certain the field of ABA was the one he had to pursue and enrolled in the master’s program. Michael graduated from National University with a Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. During this time, he provided services in the home, school, and community settings working with individuals aging from two, through early intervention, to 19. Michael’s passion lies with sibling support and providing individualized care for the clients and families he works directly with. His goal is to become a BCBA and to continue to provide quality services, applying all that he has learned. During his free time, Michael enjoys art, reading, spending time with loved ones, and going on walks with his dog.

Angie Rodriguez

Office Manager

Angie began her journey in the business field back in 2010, graduating with her business certificate in 2017. She then got her feet into the healthcare field as an ABA Scheduler/Intake Coordinator moving her way up to an Office Manager. As her passion to help families and individuals grew she decided to go back to school to obtain her Human Resources Management certificate. When she is not working, you can find her exploring new places along with her 3 children and husband.

Krista Moreno, MA

Scheduling Director

In 2008, Krista Moreno graduated from Cal State University San Bernardino with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and set her sights on being a special education teacher. After graduation she began working at a school as a behavior interventionist for children with ASD. She has been in the field for more than 10 years. Krista has experience in DTT, PECS, NET, data collection, parent training, PRT, and more. Krista’s goal is to become a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) and continue to work with children with autism and their families.

In 2014 Krista got married to her best friend. Krista and her husband enjoy going to the river and riding their quads in Glamis. Krista and their husband have two beautiful boys at home with whom they love spending most of their time.