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-a- 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- Nicole Robinson
Nicole Robinson, BCBA, is the Adult Outpatient Clinic Manager with the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) Community Mental Health and Addictions Team in Halifax, the largest clinic of its kind in the province and in Atlantic Canada. Nicole is an agile leader, incorporating behaviour analytic approaches to support timely shifts in service delivery models, such as during the Covid-19 pandemic, while motivating teams to meet and exceed clinical expectations. Nicole established her career in applied behaviour analysis as the first Board Certified Behaviour Analyst with NSHA in 2015, working with individuals with intellectual disability and a mental health diagnosis in an inpatient setting at the Adult Neurodevelopmental Stabilization Unit. Nicole is a strong advocate for behaviour analytic best practices across settings, training paraprofessionals, and educating decision-makers about the value of Behaviour Analysts on healthcare interdisciplinary teams. Nicole is passionate about networking and fostering partnerships and plays an active role by serving as an executive board member of APABA since 2021 and a member of the Research and Advocacy Team since 2020. Nicole has also connected with the Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis as a founding member of the ABA in Mental Health Special Interest Group.
Nicole Robinson, BCBA, is the Adult Outpatient Clinic Manager with the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) Community Mental Health and Addictions Team in Halifax, the largest clinic of its kind in the province and in Atlantic Canada. Nicole is an agile leader, incorporating behaviour analytic approaches to support timely shifts in service delivery models, such as during the Covid-19 pandemic, while motivating teams to meet and exceed clinical expectations. Nicole established her career in applied behaviour analysis as the first Board Certified Behaviour Analyst with NSHA in 2015, working with individuals with intellectual disability and a mental health diagnosis in an inpatient setting at the Adult Neurodevelopmental Stabilization Unit. Nicole is a strong advocate for behaviour analytic best practices across settings, training paraprofessionals, and educating decision-makers about the value of Behaviour Analysts on healthcare interdisciplinary teams. Nicole is passionate about networking and fostering partnerships and plays an active role by serving as an executive board member of APABA since 2021 and a member of the Research and Advocacy Team since 2020. Nicole has also connected with the Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis as a founding member of the ABA in Mental Health Special Interest Group.
President Elect - Laura Walsh-Martino
Laura is dedicated to providing high quality services to children, youth and families with a commitment to ensure compassionate and meaningful care that promotes happiness and joy. Laura earned her MEd at Francis Marion University in Florence, South Carolina in 2008. She later completed a graduate certificate in Applied Behavioral Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology and has been a BCBA since 2017. During her career, she has provided services to children and young adults diagnosed with autism, as well as older patients with dementia and other developmental disabilities. Laura has experience in private clinical settings, in addition to 15 years of experience in the public sector. Laura has created and provided research-based intervention training to numerous schools and community organizations. She has been an active member of the behavior analytic community in Atlantic Canada and has served as an executive board member of APABA from 2018 to 2021 in addition to being on the Research and Advocacy team since 2020. Laura is currently the Manager of Behavioral Health Supports with Amal Youth & Family Center in St. John’s Newfoundland. Her current areas of practice include parent training and practical functional analysis/skills-based treatment. Laura is very interested in trauma informed behavior analysis and researching its many connections to child and youth care practice, especially as it applies to children and youth residing in alternate care arrangements . Laura enjoys travelling and hiking within the beautiful province of Newfoundland and Labrador with her family, and queen of all dogs, Lola.
Laura is dedicated to providing high quality services to children, youth and families with a commitment to ensure compassionate and meaningful care that promotes happiness and joy. Laura earned her MEd at Francis Marion University in Florence, South Carolina in 2008. She later completed a graduate certificate in Applied Behavioral Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology and has been a BCBA since 2017. During her career, she has provided services to children and young adults diagnosed with autism, as well as older patients with dementia and other developmental disabilities. Laura has experience in private clinical settings, in addition to 15 years of experience in the public sector. Laura has created and provided research-based intervention training to numerous schools and community organizations. She has been an active member of the behavior analytic community in Atlantic Canada and has served as an executive board member of APABA from 2018 to 2021 in addition to being on the Research and Advocacy team since 2020. Laura is currently the Manager of Behavioral Health Supports with Amal Youth & Family Center in St. John’s Newfoundland. Her current areas of practice include parent training and practical functional analysis/skills-based treatment. Laura is very interested in trauma informed behavior analysis and researching its many connections to child and youth care practice, especially as it applies to children and youth residing in alternate care arrangements . Laura enjoys travelling and hiking within the beautiful province of Newfoundland and Labrador with her family, and queen of all dogs, Lola.
Past President - Michael Palmer
Michael Palmer, Ph.D., BCBA-D is the Director of the Applied Behaviour Analysis Certificate Program at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton. Michael earned his Master’s degree in 2014 and Doctorate in 2017 from Central Michigan University, and has been certified as a BCBA since 2015. While at Central Michigan University he was also a behaviour interventionist, lead therapist, and clinical supervisor at the Central Autism Treatment Centre. In 2017 Michael was a Fellow in the Michigan Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (MI-LEND) Program and was a student in the state’s first program cohort. He has been at the University of New Brunswick since May of 2017 serving as the program’s Director and Verified Course Sequence Coordinator, supervising students in the on-campus practicum, supervising honour’s students in the psychology department, and has played an integral role in the development of the Atlantic Provinces Autism Conference (APAC). Within ABA his interests are focused on organizational behaviour management, social validity, verbal behaviour, and stimulus control.
Michael Palmer, Ph.D., BCBA-D is the Director of the Applied Behaviour Analysis Certificate Program at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton. Michael earned his Master’s degree in 2014 and Doctorate in 2017 from Central Michigan University, and has been certified as a BCBA since 2015. While at Central Michigan University he was also a behaviour interventionist, lead therapist, and clinical supervisor at the Central Autism Treatment Centre. In 2017 Michael was a Fellow in the Michigan Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (MI-LEND) Program and was a student in the state’s first program cohort. He has been at the University of New Brunswick since May of 2017 serving as the program’s Director and Verified Course Sequence Coordinator, supervising students in the on-campus practicum, supervising honour’s students in the psychology department, and has played an integral role in the development of the Atlantic Provinces Autism Conference (APAC). Within ABA his interests are focused on organizational behaviour management, social validity, verbal behaviour, and stimulus control.
Secretary - Jessie Mercer
Jessie Mercer is a Clinical Interventionist with Nova Scotia Health’s Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) program in Sydney, Nova Scotia. She completed a Master of Professional Education in Applied Behavior Analysis from Western University in 2016 and became certified as a Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2019. Jessie has experience working with individuals across the lifespan with varying abilities, although she has always had a passion for working with children on the autism spectrum. She serves as co-chair for Autism Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton chapter, a role that she is grateful to have as she strongly believes in community involvement and giving back where you live.
Jessie Mercer is a Clinical Interventionist with Nova Scotia Health’s Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) program in Sydney, Nova Scotia. She completed a Master of Professional Education in Applied Behavior Analysis from Western University in 2016 and became certified as a Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2019. Jessie has experience working with individuals across the lifespan with varying abilities, although she has always had a passion for working with children on the autism spectrum. She serves as co-chair for Autism Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton chapter, a role that she is grateful to have as she strongly believes in community involvement and giving back where you live.
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. From there, she 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 Ottawa with strong ties to Atlantic Canada. At the present time, she works as a self-employed consultant supporting a diverse age of clients in a variety of settings (in clinic, in home, at school, and group homes). She is currently taking some time to study for her professional certification exam before relocating to Nova Scotia. Amy is passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration and using behaviour analysis to assist learners, parents and staff 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. From there, she 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 Ottawa with strong ties to Atlantic Canada. At the present time, she works as a self-employed consultant supporting a diverse age of clients in a variety of settings (in clinic, in home, at school, and group homes). She is currently taking some time to study for her professional certification exam before relocating to Nova Scotia. Amy is passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration and using behaviour analysis to assist learners, parents and staff learn new skills. Amy also uses a variety of resources to coach parent’s on generalizing interventions in their own environments.
Member-at-Large - Kerrie Cochrane
Kerrie is a lifelong learner in the area of psychology and behaviour analysis, and has worked in health and education for over 14 years. While working with Newfoundland’s Regional Autism Services program, she began coursework and supervision to become a BCBA.
Kerrie has worked in early intervention, community services, and long term care. In her current role as Educational Psychologist she has had the opportunity to share behavioural science (especially Today’s ABA) with teachers, students, and staff throughout the school system. Kerrie has supported families and children in school and community settings with a person centered approach, while applying compassionate and evidence based practices. She is an active member of the APABA Education Committee and its Research and Advocacy Team.
While not at work Kerrie can be found swimming in the glorious Atlantic ocean. The Colder the better.
Kerrie is a lifelong learner in the area of psychology and behaviour analysis, and has worked in health and education for over 14 years. While working with Newfoundland’s Regional Autism Services program, she began coursework and supervision to become a BCBA.
Kerrie has worked in early intervention, community services, and long term care. In her current role as Educational Psychologist she has had the opportunity to share behavioural science (especially Today’s ABA) with teachers, students, and staff throughout the school system. Kerrie has supported families and children in school and community settings with a person centered approach, while applying compassionate and evidence based practices. She is an active member of the APABA Education Committee and its Research and Advocacy Team.
While not at work Kerrie can be found swimming in the glorious Atlantic ocean. The Colder the better.
Member-at-Large - Rachel Platt
Rachel Platt began working with individuals who need additional support since 2005 which led her to stumble onto the field of ABA by seeing how it dramatically changed an individual’s quality of life over the course of less than a year, which was something that was not only visible by a change in their motivation to interact with the world around them but was also something they could now verbally express to others. On an impulsive whim Rachel enrolled in Brock’s Masters of Applied Disabilities Studies Program with a specialization in ABA and went on to pursue her BCBA credential. Rachel has had the privilege to use her ABA skills with a variety of individuals across the lifespan (2 and up) with an emphasis on working with preschool and school aged individuals with developmental disabilities in a variety of settings and capacities. Rachel is currently working privately as the founder/owner of Rachel Platt Behaviour Analysis and Support Services providing ABA services to individuals with developmental disabilities, families looking for behaviour change within the home as a family unit, offering parent trainings, supervising, fulfilling contracts updating and creating behaviour intervention training courses, providing RBT training and other behavioural based trainings. Rachel is passionate about the world of ABA and the impact it can have, especially in Atlantic Canada, and pursues opportunities to increase her knowledge base and ways she can share that with others.
Rachel Platt began working with individuals who need additional support since 2005 which led her to stumble onto the field of ABA by seeing how it dramatically changed an individual’s quality of life over the course of less than a year, which was something that was not only visible by a change in their motivation to interact with the world around them but was also something they could now verbally express to others. On an impulsive whim Rachel enrolled in Brock’s Masters of Applied Disabilities Studies Program with a specialization in ABA and went on to pursue her BCBA credential. Rachel has had the privilege to use her ABA skills with a variety of individuals across the lifespan (2 and up) with an emphasis on working with preschool and school aged individuals with developmental disabilities in a variety of settings and capacities. Rachel is currently working privately as the founder/owner of Rachel Platt Behaviour Analysis and Support Services providing ABA services to individuals with developmental disabilities, families looking for behaviour change within the home as a family unit, offering parent trainings, supervising, fulfilling contracts updating and creating behaviour intervention training courses, providing RBT training and other behavioural based trainings. Rachel is passionate about the world of ABA and the impact it can have, especially in Atlantic Canada, and pursues opportunities to increase her knowledge base and ways she can share that with others.