President: Olivia Hardy, BCBA, LBA
Olivia is the Behavior Services Director at Puzzle Pieces, a nonprofit organization in Owensboro, KY that provides comprehensive services to individuals with disabilities across the lifespan. At Puzzle Pieces, Olivia oversees ABA therapy services and positive behavior support services for clients with intellectual disabilities, and provides behavior intervention and ethics trainings to staff and program managers. Previously, Olivia has worked in diagnostic centers, psychiatric hospital settings, and residential facilities for individuals with behavioral health concerns. Olivia graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Arts in Social and Behavioral Sciences and a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis, and then went on to become a BCBA. Olivia is passionate about helping individuals with disabilities and mental health disorders access their communities, safe housing, and quality education. Her current focus is collaborating with foster care agencies, local school districts, and community mental health centers to increase access to effective instruction and intervention for vulnerable populations. Outside of the workplace, Olivia enjoys spending time with her husband, Stephen, and two young children, Ramona and Joseph.
Past-President: Sally Shepley, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA
Dr. Sally B. Shepley is an Associate Professor of Special Education at the University of Kentucky (UK) and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst – Doctoral. She received her Bachelor of Science, Master of Education, and Doctorate Degrees in Special Education at the University of Georgia. Dr. Shepley was a high school teacher for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder prior to earning her doctorate. Dr. Shepley also has experience training teachers and parents to implement behavior analytic strategies and assessing/treating severe problem behaviors in clinical settings. Dr. Shepley currently serves as the co-director of the ABA Analysis program at UK, where she also oversees the Center for Applied Behavioral Supports. Dr. Shepley’s individual line of research focuses on teaching procedures for adolescents and adults with moderate to severe disabilities as they prepare for the transition to post-secondary environments. She specifically uses single case research methodologies to investigate the effects of an adolescent’s use of common place mobile technologies (e.g., smartphones, tablets) on their independence, problem solving, and generalization to untrained situations. For self-care, Dr. Shepley enjoys exercising, playing with her two small children, and trying new beers!
President-Elect: Cara Baxter, MS, BCBA, LBA
Cara Baxter is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and the Supervisor of Clinical Insurance Services at Clinical Behavior Analysis (CBA), an organization that provides compassionate, assent-based applied behavior analysis services for individuals across settings and across the lifespan. Cara has experience working in community, home, center, and school settings with individuals of all ages. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Kentucky. Cara is passionate about person centered and values-based supervision, broadening her scope of competence, implementing assent-centered practices, and helping her clients obtain skills that allow them to be successful in their least restrictive environment. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and dog, running with friends, and reading good books!
Representative: Sarah Hawkins-Lear, Ed.D., BCBA-D, LBA
Dr. Sarah Hawkins-Lear is a Clinical Associate Professor and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral in the Department of Early Childhood, Special Education, and Rehabilitation Counseling at the University of Kentucky. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Disorders from the University of Mississippi, and a Master of Education and Doctorate in Special Education from the University of Kentucky. Prior to higher education, Dr. Hawkins-Lear provided services to young children with high intensity needs within the home, day care centers, and inclusive preschool classrooms as a Developmental Interventionist. Additionally, she has served as a supervisor for individuals pursuing their BCBA certificate, and as a Clinical Supervisor for Cultivate Behavioral Health. Dr. Hawkins-Lear teaches courses that focus on challenging behaviors, embedded instruction, and intervention planning in early childhood settings. She also supervises students in a variety of practicum placements. Her research interests include designing interventions for early childhood educators to implement when working with young children who have high intensity needs.
Representative: Danielle Duff, BCBA, LBA
Danielle is a licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 13 years of experience providing direct services, training, program development and supervision, mentorship, and consultation. Danielle received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis, and certificate in autism spectrum disorder at the University of Kentucky. A lifelong learner, Danielle has also completed post-baccalaureate coursework in Special Education and countless hours of accredited continuing education in the field. Danielle currently serves as Clinical Director at BlueSprig Pediatrics in Lexington. She is passionate about facilitating learners’ development of self-advocacy skills, access to effective mode(s) of communication, and ethical and consented intervention. Danielle is also highly invested in mentorship of supervisees and other clinicians, and establishing supportive, collaborative environments that promote growth and development of outcomes, professionals, and the field.
Representative: Amanda Chavez, M.S., BCBA, LBA
Amanda Chavez is a licensed and board certified behavior analyst with experience providing services in the home, community, clinic, and school settings. Amanda holds a B.S. in special education from the University of Kentucky and is a certified teacher for students with learning and behavior disorders and moderate and severe disabilities. Amanda continued her professional career at the University of Kentucky and obtained her M.S. in applied behavior analysis. She currently works as a BCBA for Clinical Behavior Analysis in the Lexington area. Amanda is passionate about providing consultative services in school systems to reduce the rate of teacher burnout, promote positive teacher-student interactions, and create classroom environments that are conducive to learning.
Student Representative: Jade Fulkerson
I am Jade Fulkerson, currently pursuing my Masters of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis at the University of Kentucky, having graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Berea College. With experience as a Direct Support Professional (DSP), I’ve served diverse clients aged 4-60 with various diagnoses. Currently, I juggle roles as a student therapist, telehealth supporter for teachers, research assistant, and contributor to Fayette County Public Schools. My passion lies in implementing trauma-informed care to nurture meaningful relationships with clients and stakeholders. I am particularly interested in improving communication with dual-language learners and supporting families where English is not the first language. This aligns with my belief in fostering inclusive, culturally sensitive approaches.
Director of Operations: Taylor Wiseman, BCBA, LBA
Taylor is a Licensed and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, currently working for Shelby County Public Schools and Stephens Behavior Consulting. In the school setting, Taylor works with students with and without disabilities, as well as consults and trains school personnel. She also provides community and home-based services through Stephens Behavior Consulting, primarily for individuals with Autism. Taylor is a certified teacher in Learning Behavior Disorders and Elementary Education, teaching students with Emotional Behavior Disorders in Jefferson County before pursuing a masters degree in Applied Behavioral Analysis through the University of Louisville. Taylor has experience working with individuals with a variety of developmental diagnoses, mainly focusing on decreasing problem behavior and increasing skill development for young learners within their natural environment.
Director of Information Technology: Ben Davis, BCBA, LBA
Ben is the Owner and Executive Director of B Squared Behavior Analysis, LLC in Berea Kentucky. He is also working on his Ed. D. in Leadership and Policy Creation at Eastern Kentucky University and an avid participant of ABA Advocates. Before developing a passion for ABA, Ben spent the beginning years of his career teaching Head Start and supporting First Steps services. In ABA, areas of practice for Ben have included, home, community, and clinical services with a focus on early intervention. In his spare time, Ben enjoys tinkering with his cars and dreaming of an updated KYABA website.