Executive Board
Elections are held annually for this committee which is responsible for providing leadership for the Chapter by expanding and improving the services offered to members. The officers coordinate the activities of the Association through regular meetings and promote educational initiatives and networking opportunities. The executive officers of APABA are the president, the president-elect, the past president, the secretary and the treasurer. The term of office for the president, past-president and president-elect is one year each for a total of three years, while the secretary and treasurer are elected for two year terms. Up to three Members-at-Large may be elected to constitute the Executive Board of the Atlantic Provinces Association of Behavior Analysis. For additional information on Executive Board Member roles and responsibilities, please click here.
Current Executive Board
President - Laura Joyce
Laura is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with a passion for empowering individuals, building high-performing teams, and ensuring the highest quality of services. For the last 15 years, she has worked in diverse environments, from early intervention to social services, adult services, and caregiver training. Currently, Laura is the Clinical Director of Quality & Community Impact at Capital Family Services in Fredericton, NB. This breadth of experience has instilled in her a deep understanding of the importance of behavior change principles, the power of collaboration, and the importance of delivering exceptional services to every client.
Compassion is at the core of her ABA practice, and she prioritizes trauma-informed care and creating strength-based interventions that foster long-term success. As a neurodivergent person, she champions neurodiversity-affirming care and accessible support systems for all: clients and team members.
She is driven to connect with the community at large, including organizations, government agencies, schools, and individuals. Through collaboration and knowledge sharing, she believes we can create a more supportive and inclusive environment for everyone.
Laura is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with a passion for empowering individuals, building high-performing teams, and ensuring the highest quality of services. For the last 15 years, she has worked in diverse environments, from early intervention to social services, adult services, and caregiver training. Currently, Laura is the Clinical Director of Quality & Community Impact at Capital Family Services in Fredericton, NB. This breadth of experience has instilled in her a deep understanding of the importance of behavior change principles, the power of collaboration, and the importance of delivering exceptional services to every client.
Compassion is at the core of her ABA practice, and she prioritizes trauma-informed care and creating strength-based interventions that foster long-term success. As a neurodivergent person, she champions neurodiversity-affirming care and accessible support systems for all: clients and team members.
She is driven to connect with the community at large, including organizations, government agencies, schools, and individuals. Through collaboration and knowledge sharing, she believes we can create a more supportive and inclusive environment for everyone.
Past President- Laura Walsh-Martino
Laura is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and the current Manager of Behavioral Health Supports with Amal Youth & Family Center in St. John’s, NL. Laura is committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate care to children, youth, and families, with a focus on promoting happiness and well-being. With extensive experience in both private clinical settings and the public sector, Laura has provided services to children and young adults with autism and intellectual disabilities, as well as older patients with dementia and developmental disabilities. Laura is dedicated to disseminating quality behavioural analytic practice while contributing to the growth of the field.
Laura is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and the current Manager of Behavioral Health Supports with Amal Youth & Family Center in St. John’s, NL. Laura is committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate care to children, youth, and families, with a focus on promoting happiness and well-being. With extensive experience in both private clinical settings and the public sector, Laura has provided services to children and young adults with autism and intellectual disabilities, as well as older patients with dementia and developmental disabilities. Laura is dedicated to disseminating quality behavioural analytic practice while contributing to the growth of the field.
President-Elect - Victoria Bernard
Victoria is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) based in New Brunswick, soon starting as a Clinical Supervisor at Capital Family Services. Since 2017, she has worked with individuals from 18 months to young adulthood, demonstrating that patience and problem-solving are her core strengths.
Originally from northern Maine, Victoria has strong Atlantic Canadian connections through her family's roots in Prince Edward Island. She holds a degree in Human Kinetics from St. Francis Xavier University and a Master's in Applied Disability Studies with a specialization in ABA from Brock University. This background equips her with a unique approach to ABA, integrating social determinants of health within other therapeutic goals.
Victoria's true passion lies in enhancing the quality of life for those she supports, including her clients, teammates, and supervisees. She’s committed to teaching and inspiring others to apply ABA in ways that are as meaningful as they are trauma-informed. For Victoria, it’s not just about teaching—it’s about creating an environment where growth, understanding, and compassion for others can truly thrive. In her spare time, Victoria enjoys exploring the outdoors with her partner, Daniel, and their energetic dog, Bo. She is also enjoying other hands-on activities including tending to houseplants, baking, and knitting, all of which add creativity and joy to her life.
Victoria is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) based in New Brunswick, soon starting as a Clinical Supervisor at Capital Family Services. Since 2017, she has worked with individuals from 18 months to young adulthood, demonstrating that patience and problem-solving are her core strengths.
Originally from northern Maine, Victoria has strong Atlantic Canadian connections through her family's roots in Prince Edward Island. She holds a degree in Human Kinetics from St. Francis Xavier University and a Master's in Applied Disability Studies with a specialization in ABA from Brock University. This background equips her with a unique approach to ABA, integrating social determinants of health within other therapeutic goals.
Victoria's true passion lies in enhancing the quality of life for those she supports, including her clients, teammates, and supervisees. She’s committed to teaching and inspiring others to apply ABA in ways that are as meaningful as they are trauma-informed. For Victoria, it’s not just about teaching—it’s about creating an environment where growth, understanding, and compassion for others can truly thrive. In her spare time, Victoria enjoys exploring the outdoors with her partner, Daniel, and their energetic dog, Bo. She is also enjoying other hands-on activities including tending to houseplants, baking, and knitting, all of which add creativity and joy to her life.
Secretary - Monica Peters
Monica Peters has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) since 2014. She is currently residing in Halifax working at Nova Scotia Health in a community outreach program supporting adults with dual diagnosis (intellectual/developmental disability plus mental health diagnoses). Although she has supported individuals across the lifespan (ages 4 and up), her passion remains with the adult population. She spends most of her time consulting with families and teams to ensure that the adults she is supporting have the right supports in place to live safe, happy and healthy lives. In addition to her regular
job, since 2021, Monica has also been a research assistant with Dr. Alison Cox on a project looking at the impact of psychotropic medications on individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities who engage in challenging behaviours. Earlier this year, She was fortunate enough to present both at ABAI and at the QCABA conference on increasing psychological flexibility using the ACT Matrix.
Monica Peters has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) since 2014. She is currently residing in Halifax working at Nova Scotia Health in a community outreach program supporting adults with dual diagnosis (intellectual/developmental disability plus mental health diagnoses). Although she has supported individuals across the lifespan (ages 4 and up), her passion remains with the adult population. She spends most of her time consulting with families and teams to ensure that the adults she is supporting have the right supports in place to live safe, happy and healthy lives. In addition to her regular
job, since 2021, Monica has also been a research assistant with Dr. Alison Cox on a project looking at the impact of psychotropic medications on individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities who engage in challenging behaviours. Earlier this year, She was fortunate enough to present both at ABAI and at the QCABA conference on increasing psychological flexibility using the ACT Matrix.
Treasurer - Amy Lays
Amy has been the treasurer for APABA since 2021. She has worked in a variety of clinical and related administrative roles supporting persons with autism and developmental disabilities and dual diagnosis from toddlers to adults. She started working with children with autism when she was in high school in 2001, one of her teacher’s knew she would be the right fit to support their child with autism in learning and developing new skills using the principles of behaviour analysis. It was from that moment she knew she wanted to be a Behaviour Analyst, a goal she achieved in April 2023 when she became a BCBA. Amy completed high school in 2003, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Ottawa in 2007 and graduated with her Master of Applied Disability Studies with a specialization in Applied Behaviour Analysis in June 2021 from Brock University. Amy currently resides in Antigonish and works as a Clinical Interventionist for the IWK in the early intervention autism program. She also works in private practice supporting a diverse age of clients in a variety of settings. Amy is passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration and using behaviour analysis to assist learners, parents and staff to learn new skills. Amy also uses a variety of resources to coach parent’s on generalizing interventions in their own environments.
Amy has been the treasurer for APABA since 2021. She has worked in a variety of clinical and related administrative roles supporting persons with autism and developmental disabilities and dual diagnosis from toddlers to adults. She started working with children with autism when she was in high school in 2001, one of her teacher’s knew she would be the right fit to support their child with autism in learning and developing new skills using the principles of behaviour analysis. It was from that moment she knew she wanted to be a Behaviour Analyst, a goal she achieved in April 2023 when she became a BCBA. Amy completed high school in 2003, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Ottawa in 2007 and graduated with her Master of Applied Disability Studies with a specialization in Applied Behaviour Analysis in June 2021 from Brock University. Amy currently resides in Antigonish and works as a Clinical Interventionist for the IWK in the early intervention autism program. She also works in private practice supporting a diverse age of clients in a variety of settings. Amy is passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration and using behaviour analysis to assist learners, parents and staff to learn new skills. Amy also uses a variety of resources to coach parent’s on generalizing interventions in their own environments.
Member-at-Large - Connor Bray Stone
Connor entered the field of ABA in 2010 and has been a Board Certified Behaviour
Analyst (BCBA) since 2021. Originally from Montreal, he is currently living in Dartmouth, working at Autism Nova Scotia’s QuickStart NS Services. QuickStart’s primary service consists of a parent-mediated coaching program, which aims to help parents and caregivers of children with a suspected, provisional or confirmed diagnosis of autism to gain the skills and confidence to support their child’s continued growth and development. Currently as manager of QuickStart NS Services, he spends most of his time on: program development, management and evaluation; staff training as well as performance monitoring, management and evaluation; project management. In addition to his current role, Connor previously spent time as both a Supervisor and as a Parent Coach with QuickStart, and has roughly 10 years of experience in direct intervention roles across a variety of early intervention models (VB, PRT, ESDM). Connor is excited for the opportunity to represent APABA within the role of member at large, and to have the opportunity to learn from the experiences and skills of other members while collaborating towards the achievement of new goals.
Connor entered the field of ABA in 2010 and has been a Board Certified Behaviour
Analyst (BCBA) since 2021. Originally from Montreal, he is currently living in Dartmouth, working at Autism Nova Scotia’s QuickStart NS Services. QuickStart’s primary service consists of a parent-mediated coaching program, which aims to help parents and caregivers of children with a suspected, provisional or confirmed diagnosis of autism to gain the skills and confidence to support their child’s continued growth and development. Currently as manager of QuickStart NS Services, he spends most of his time on: program development, management and evaluation; staff training as well as performance monitoring, management and evaluation; project management. In addition to his current role, Connor previously spent time as both a Supervisor and as a Parent Coach with QuickStart, and has roughly 10 years of experience in direct intervention roles across a variety of early intervention models (VB, PRT, ESDM). Connor is excited for the opportunity to represent APABA within the role of member at large, and to have the opportunity to learn from the experiences and skills of other members while collaborating towards the achievement of new goals.
Member-at-Large - Kelsey Amos
Kelsey Amos is a dedicated Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) with a rich background in the field of Applied Behaviour Analysis. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Acadia University, followed by an Advanced Diploma in Behavioural Interventions from Nova Scotia Community College. Kelsey further advanced her skills and knowledge with a Master of Applied Behaviour Analysis from Western University.
She has a robust career at Kings Regional Rehabilitation Center where she currently serves as a BCBA, supporting youth through Child Welfare and adults through the Disability Support Program. Although experienced with a diverse range of individuals (from youth ages 10 and up to seniors), Kelsey's primary focus and passion remains in supporting adult populations.
Kelsey is a strong advocate for upholding the rights of individuals with disabilities. She takes pride in her commitment to sharing knowledge and empowering staff, families, and stakeholders involved in the provision of services. Kelsey is dedicated to bringing a behaviour analytic perspective to interdisciplinary teams, enhancing their approach and collaboration.
Kelsey Amos is a dedicated Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) with a rich background in the field of Applied Behaviour Analysis. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Acadia University, followed by an Advanced Diploma in Behavioural Interventions from Nova Scotia Community College. Kelsey further advanced her skills and knowledge with a Master of Applied Behaviour Analysis from Western University.
She has a robust career at Kings Regional Rehabilitation Center where she currently serves as a BCBA, supporting youth through Child Welfare and adults through the Disability Support Program. Although experienced with a diverse range of individuals (from youth ages 10 and up to seniors), Kelsey's primary focus and passion remains in supporting adult populations.
Kelsey is a strong advocate for upholding the rights of individuals with disabilities. She takes pride in her commitment to sharing knowledge and empowering staff, families, and stakeholders involved in the provision of services. Kelsey is dedicated to bringing a behaviour analytic perspective to interdisciplinary teams, enhancing their approach and collaboration.