Executive Committee
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 while the secretary and treasurer are elected for two year terms. Up to three additional members at large may be elected to constitute the 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 - 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). He currently serves as the Chair of the Research and Advocacy Team of APABA. 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). He currently serves as the Chair of the Research and Advocacy Team of APABA. Within ABA his interests are focused on organizational behaviour management, social validity, verbal behaviour, and stimulus control.
President-Elect - Nicole Robinson
Nicole Robinson, BCBA, is the interim Health Services Manager with the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) Community Mental Health and Addictions Halifax Team, 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, Adult Neurodevelopmental Stabilization Unit. Nicole is a strong advocate for behaviour analytic best practices to support this special population, 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 is an active member of the Atlantic Provinces Association for Behaviour Analysis Research and Advocacy Committee. Nicole is exploring her new interest in organizational behaviour management including performance management and leadership development, along with her continued commitment to knowledge in universal protocols for treating severe and persistent problem behaviour.
Nicole Robinson, BCBA, is the interim Health Services Manager with the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) Community Mental Health and Addictions Halifax Team, 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, Adult Neurodevelopmental Stabilization Unit. Nicole is a strong advocate for behaviour analytic best practices to support this special population, 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 is an active member of the Atlantic Provinces Association for Behaviour Analysis Research and Advocacy Committee. Nicole is exploring her new interest in organizational behaviour management including performance management and leadership development, along with her continued commitment to knowledge in universal protocols for treating severe and persistent problem behaviour.
Secretary - Jessie MacNeil
Jessie MacNeil 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 is also president of the Provincial Complex Behavior Network, an interdisciplinary group of professionals throughout Nova Scotia who join together to consult on cases, participate in education opportunities, and support one another’s professional growth.
Jessie MacNeil 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 is also president of the Provincial Complex Behavior Network, an interdisciplinary group of professionals throughout Nova Scotia who join together to consult on cases, participate in education opportunities, and support one another’s professional growth.
Treasurer - Amy Lays
Amy 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) as she completes her hours towards professional certification. Amy is passionate about disseminating behaviour analysis and recently had the opportunity to provide training to a group of educational assistants at one of her client’s schools. Amy also uses a variety of resources to coach parent’s on generalizing interventions in their own environments.
Amy 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) as she completes her hours towards professional certification. Amy is passionate about disseminating behaviour analysis and recently had the opportunity to provide training to a group of educational assistants at one of her client’s schools. Amy also uses a variety of resources to coach parent’s on generalizing interventions in their own environments.
Member-at-Large - Ashley Kingston
Ashley is an enthusiastic leader and clinician. She values continuous learning and focuses her energy on training and developing others. Ashley is committed to providing compassionate care and empowering families to teach their children meaningful skills.
Ashley began working in the field in 2009 and quickly knew that this was where she belonged. Ashley completed a Masters of Education with a specialization in Applied Behaviour Analysis from Arizona State University in 2014 and became a BCBA that year as well.
Ashley currently works as a Clinical Director for Autism Intervention Services in New Brunswick, Canada, where she supports teams across the province to roll out Universal Protocols and build capacity with Practical Functional ASsessment & Skills Based Treatment and Balance. Ashley has been implementing PFA and SBT since 2020. Her understanding and application deepened through working with FTF consultants Dr. Theresa Fiani and Dr. Tony Camilleri. Ashley is passionate about “Today’s ABA” and recognizes that it is not limited to those with problem behaviour. Ashley will be presenting as a practitioner at the Contemporay and Compassionate Approaches to Support People with Developmental Disabilities Conference , hosted by upstate Cerebral Palsy in July 2022.
Outside of work you can find Ashley hiking in the woods with her family and pooch, or curled up with a good book!
Ashley is an enthusiastic leader and clinician. She values continuous learning and focuses her energy on training and developing others. Ashley is committed to providing compassionate care and empowering families to teach their children meaningful skills.
Ashley began working in the field in 2009 and quickly knew that this was where she belonged. Ashley completed a Masters of Education with a specialization in Applied Behaviour Analysis from Arizona State University in 2014 and became a BCBA that year as well.
Ashley currently works as a Clinical Director for Autism Intervention Services in New Brunswick, Canada, where she supports teams across the province to roll out Universal Protocols and build capacity with Practical Functional ASsessment & Skills Based Treatment and Balance. Ashley has been implementing PFA and SBT since 2020. Her understanding and application deepened through working with FTF consultants Dr. Theresa Fiani and Dr. Tony Camilleri. Ashley is passionate about “Today’s ABA” and recognizes that it is not limited to those with problem behaviour. Ashley will be presenting as a practitioner at the Contemporay and Compassionate Approaches to Support People with Developmental Disabilities Conference , hosted by upstate Cerebral Palsy in July 2022.
Outside of work you can find Ashley hiking in the woods with her family and pooch, or curled up with a good book!
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.
Past President - Monica Peters
Monica Peters has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) since 2014 but has been in the ABA field since 2007. She completed her Masters Degree in Applied Disabilities Studies at Brock University and her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at Concordia University. Originally from Montreal, Monica is currently residing in Halifax working at the Nova Scotia Health Authority in the community outreach program (COAST) with adults who have dual diagnosis (intellectual disability plus mental health). She has worked with clients throughout the lifespan (ages 4 and up). Her primary focus area and interest is in caregiver coaching, specifically in skill development and behaviour management.
Monica Peters has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) since 2014 but has been in the ABA field since 2007. She completed her Masters Degree in Applied Disabilities Studies at Brock University and her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at Concordia University. Originally from Montreal, Monica is currently residing in Halifax working at the Nova Scotia Health Authority in the community outreach program (COAST) with adults who have dual diagnosis (intellectual disability plus mental health). She has worked with clients throughout the lifespan (ages 4 and up). Her primary focus area and interest is in caregiver coaching, specifically in skill development and behaviour management.