Speaker Bios

Carlos A. Baixauli

Special Agent, US Dept. of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General

Florida

Carlos Baixauli, Jr. is currently a Special Agent with the United States Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General.  Prior to joining HHS-OIG in 2019, he worked with the Miami-Dade County Office of Inspector General where he was charged with investigating fraud, waste, abuse, and public corruption cases involving Miami-Dade County employees and elected officials.  Carlos began his law enforcement career with the Coral Gables Police Department in 2004, where he served in the Uniform Patrol Division and as a Detective in the Economic Crimes Unit. Following his time at the police department, he worked at both Bank of America and Santander Bank in their financial crimes and AML/BSA divisions.  Carlos is a Certified Fraud Examiner and earned his bachelor’s degree at Florida International University with a major in Criminal Justice.  He also holds a master’s degree in Public Policy from Liberty University and a master’s degree in Criminal Justice Forensic Investigations from Nova Southeastern University.  Carlos has given presentations at various local and national level industry meetings and conferences to include the Financial Institutions Security Association (FISA), The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators (IAFCI), the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association (NHCAA), and the Association of Certified Anti-Money laundering Specialists (ACAMS).

Lisa Belcastro

Director of Public Policy, Autism Speaks

Maryland

Kristen Koba-Burdt, BCBA, LBA

BAYADA; BACB ACE CE Provider

Hawaii

Kristen Koba-Burdt, BCBA, LBA, CDP (she/her) obtained her certification as a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP®) and co-leads the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) special interest group (SIG) for the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP). She is fortunate to call Hawaiʻi home, one of the most diverse states in the nation, and serves as the Director of Clinical Operations for BAYADA, a not-for-profit organization. Whether in an official capacity or of her own volition, Kristen has tirelessly dedicated numerous hours to advocacy and advancement of the field of applied behavior analysis. In 2019, Kristen received the Outstanding Sustained Advocacy Award at the Autism Law Summit for her efforts related to consumer access to services, supporting families in rural and underserved areas, and focusing on increasing provider knowledge related to autism policy. She is devoted to supporting underserved communities to access ABA, creating career opportunities for a diverse workforce, and continuing to learn and grow to enhance equity and inclusion in all facets of her work. As a multi-racial, first generation college graduate, much of her work focuses on increasing diversity in our workforce, improving equity within ABA organizations, and supporting advancement and career opportunities for behavior technicians to become behavior analysts and continue to advance into all areas of leadership.

Ivy Chong, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LP

Chief Clinical Officer, Autism Care Partners

Florida

Ivy Chong is a licensed psychologist and doctoral level board certified behavior analyst (BCBA-D) with 30 years of progressive experience serving individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. She serves as Chief Clinical Officer at Autism Care Partners where she oversees the clinical operations across diagnostics, ABA services, Speech and Occupational Therapy. She has led large-scale clinical operations and strategic initiatives across multi-site, multi-regional service organizations. She earned her doctorate in Behavior Analysis from Western Michigan University and later obtained an MBA in Healthcare Management from the Florida Institute of Technology. Ivy holds academic appointments at Brock University and University of Massachusetts Lowell, maintains leadership roles on several advisory boards, and has presented at numerous conferences internationally.

Rachael Coburn

Executive Director, Autism Commission on Quality (ACQ)

Connecticut

Rachael Coburn is a healthcare executive with nearly 30 years of experience in autism services, bringing a rare combination of clinical depth and business leadership to a rapidly evolving sector. As Executive Director of the Autism Commission on Quality (ACQ), she leads the organization’s strategy, growth, and operations, advancing accreditation as a national benchmark for quality and accountability in autism care. She is also leading the integration of the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (BHCOE) into ACQ, aligning two of the most recognized accreditation frameworks in the field and building a unified approach to clinical quality, operational rigor, and accountability.

A former founder and CEO of a multi-site autism services organization, Rachael has firsthand experience building and scaling operations in a complex, high-growth, and increasingly regulated environment. Today, her work sits at the intersection of quality, compliance, and business strategy, helping providers, payers, policymakers, and investors understand how strong quality infrastructure can reduce risk, strengthen organizations, and support sustainable enterprise value.

T.J. Couey

Co-Owner of Bloom Behavior Therapy

Kentucky

T.J. Couey is a healthcare operations leader, entrepreneur, and advocate with expertise in navigating payer processes, solving complex operational challenges, and improving access to behavioral health services. He is the Founder of Parity Healthcare, LLC; Chief Advocate and Chairman of the Bluegrass Alliance for Behavior Health; and Co-Owner of Bloom Behavior Therapy.
Through his work with providers, insurers, and industry stakeholders, T.J. has developed extensive experience addressing authorization and claims challenges, payer requirements, healthcare parity, and barriers to medically necessary care. He brings a systems-oriented approach to appeals and denial management, with an emphasis on identifying patterns, strengthening processes, using data effectively, and developing practical solutions that improve both access and organizational performance.
T.J.’s background also includes deep expertise in information technology, DevOps, business analytics, and large-scale infrastructure. He applies that technical and operational perspective to building efficient, repeatable healthcare workflows and turning complex payer and regulatory challenges into actionable strategies.

Thea Davis, MS Ed, LABA (MA), BCBA

Accreditation Review Manager, Autism Commission on Quality (ACQ)

New Hampshire

Thea Davis, MS Ed, LABA (MA), BCBA, is a seasoned professional with over 20
years of experience in the field of autism and applied behavior analysis. As
the founder and former executive director of Autism Bridges, LLC, Thea
established a network of four service areas including clinic-based, home-
based, and school-based services in Bedford, NH, Portsmouth, NH, Methuen
MA, and Burlington, VT. Her leadership and dedication have positively
impacted the lives of thousands of individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families.

As a mother of a child with autism, Thea's commitment to improving the lives of individuals with autism is both personal and professional. Her expertise in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum and other related disorders has led her to co-author and present dozens of presentations at ABAI, BABAT, NHABA, HABA, and the national Autism Law Summit.

Thea has a proven track record of leadership in the field of applied behavior analysis, having served as the founder and president of NHABA and as a founding member of Massachusetts Coalition of Applied Behavior Analysis (MassCAP), where she also served as the Director of member education. In the fall of 2022, she was appointed to serve on the Accreditation Committee for the Autism Commission on Quality (ACQ) and was invited to become a member of the Profession Practice Committee for the Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy (BABAT) in early 2023. Thea also served as a subject matter expert for the Council of Autism Service Providers'; Organizational Guidelines (CASP, 2022).

With her extensive experience and unwavering commitment to the field, Thea continues to drive meaningful change and progress in improving the lives of individuals with autism and their families.

Mariel Fernandez, BCBA, LBA

Vice President of Government Affairs, Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP)

Texas

Mariel Fernandez is the Vice President of Government Affairs at the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP) and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) licensed in Texas. She earned her master’s degree in applied behavior analysis (ABA) from Auburn University in 2004. A passionate advocate for improved access to care, Mariel actively supports advocacy, public policy, and legislative initiatives at the state and federal levels. Mariel serves as the presiding officer of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) Behavior Analyst Advisory Board, and is the Past- President of the Texas Association for Behavior Analysis Public Policy Group (TxABA PPG). In these roles, she played a crucial part in the successful passage of behavior analyst licensure and the inclusion of autism services, including ABA, as part of the Texas Medicaid benefit. Mariel is the 2026 recipient of the APBA Jerry Shook award for her efforts to protect access to care for TRICARE and Medicaid beneficiaries across the country. Mariel continues to advocate for improved implementation of the autism services benefit to support access to medically necessary services.

Chanti Fritzsching Waters, EdD, BCBA-D

Vice President of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs, ABS Kids

California

Chanti Fritzsching Waters, EdD, BCBA-D, brings more than 32 years of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), serving in home, school, residential, and community settings across local and multi-state service providers. Her career has been dedicated to advancing clinical excellence, meeting client and stakeholder needs, and achieving socially meaningful outcomes. She has partnered with clinical and administrative teams to establish organizational goals and uphold high clinical standards. Dr. Waters earned an MS in ABA Psychology from California State University, Stanislaus, and an Education Specialist degree and Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of West Florida. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst since 2002, she has expertise in early intensive behavioral intervention, clinician training and supervision, and curriculum development. As Vice President of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs at ABS Kids, Dr. Waters oversees clinical quality initiatives and documentation standards, influences training and development, and supports public policy efforts. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) as Secretary, as a representative on the ABA Coding Coalition, and a member of the Standards Committee of the Autism Commission on Quality.

Ashley Fuhrman, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Senior Vice President of Research and Innovation, Bluesprig Pediatrics

Texas

Ashley Fuhrman, Ph.D., BCBA-D is the Senior Vice President of Research and Innovation at BlueSprig Pediatrics, where she leads the development, implementation, and expansion of specialty service offerings and leverages and contributes to cutting-edge research and emerging technologies to monitor and improve patient outcomes. She earned an M.A. in applied behavior analysis from the University of Nebraska Omaha, and her Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where she later worked before joining the Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services. She has presented and published extensively on ABA interventions for people with autism and severe behavior disorders, currently serves as an Associate Editor for Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice, and has served on the board of editors for several behavior-analytic journals.

Veronica Glickman, MA, MS, BCBA, LBA

Founder & CEO, Autism Behavioral Educational Services

Illinois

Trevor Hawkins, Esq.

Senior Attorney, Mitchell, Blackstock PLLC

Arkansas

Trevor Hawkins is Managing Attorney at Mitchell Blackstock, PLLC, where he focuses on Medicaid, health care regulation, and access to care. Grounded in personal experience and more than a decade of advocacy, Trevor works to ensure that complex legal and regulatory systems connect people with care rather than stand in their way. He has represented beneficiaries and providers, litigated in state and federal courts, and worked alongside policymakers and state agencies. His advocacy has challenged the use of algorithms to restrict Medicaid services, helped protect coverage for tens of thousands of people affected by work requirements, and strengthened due process protections. Drawing on his experience on both sides of the system, Trevor offers practical insight into navigating and reforming the overlapping ABA licensing, child care, and Medicaid requirements that shape access to vital services.

Jessica Hudson, BCBA

Executive Director, Unumb Center for Neurodevelopment

South Carolina

Jessica Hudson is the Executive Director of The Unumb Center for Neurodevelopment, bringing nearly two decades of experience and dedication to the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

A native of Lexington, South Carolina, Jessica began her academic journey at the University of South Carolina before relocating to Miami, Florida, where she completed her undergraduate studies at Florida International University. She went on to complete her master's degree at Ball State University and become a BCBA.

Over the course of several years and a couple different states, Jessica held a variety of clinical and leadership positions within the field of ABA, beginning as a practicing BCBA managing a caseload and progressing into roles focused on clinical training, staff development, operational oversight, and clinical leadership. Throughout these positions, she developed a unique blend of clinical, organizational, and business expertise, gaining extensive experience in building teams, ensuring service quality, and leading organizational growth. This diverse professional background provided the foundation for her eventual role as Executive Director of The Unumb Center for Neurodevelopment.

At The Unumb Center, Jessica oversees both the ABA therapy clinic and adult residential community (Unumb Place), where she has leveraged her extensive clinical and leadership experience to expand into adult residential services. Applying evidence-based ABA principles and a commitment to person-centered care, she has helped shape innovative supports for autistic adults and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through her leadership, The Unumb Center has continued to distinguish itself as a provider of high-quality clinical and residential services that promote independence, community inclusion, meaningful outcomes, and a culture of growth, collaboration, and innovation.

Julie Kornack

Chief Government and Payor Relations Officer, CARD

Maryland

Julie Kornack is Chief Government and Payor Relations Officer at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) where she works to preserve and expand access to applied behavior analysis (ABA). She is the lead author of Science Over Cynicism: The Race to Preserve Best-Practice Applied Behavior Analysis and Preventing Insurance Denials of Applied Behavior Analysis Treatment Based on Misuse of Medically Unlikely Edits, along with other peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. She co-founded and serves on the board of directors of the National Coalition for Access to Autism Services, through which she worked with the U.S. Department of Labor to prompt enforcement of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act as it applies to the ABA benefit. She co-chaired Hillary for America's Disability Policy Health Care Task Force, co-authored the Democratic National Committee's Disability Primer for Democratic Candidates, and has served on the state task forces that implemented the Medicaid ABA benefit in California, Michigan, and Oregon.

 

Joy Pollard, PhD

California

Dr. Joy Pollard is Head of Clinical Research and Innovation at the Center for Social Dynamics (CSD) and Adjunct Faculty in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine. She earned her Ph.D. in Disability Disciplines with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis. Her current work focuses on large-scale outcomes evaluation, healthcare delivery innovation, caregiver-mediated interventions, and the use of telehealth and other technologies to improve access to behavioral healthcare for neurodiverse learners and their families

Fernando Porras

Special Agent, US Dept. of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General

Florida

Fernando Porras serves as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Miami Regional Office for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS‑OIG). Since joining HHS‑OIG in 2010, he has been assigned to the Miami Strike Force, where he has led numerous high‑profile investigations and regional initiatives resulting in 90 criminal convictions and more than $100 million in health care fraud recoveries.  In his current role as ASAC, Fernando oversees several major national health care fraud operations involving genetic testing schemes, fraudulent nursing schools, telemedicine‑based fraud, opioid diversion investigations, and behavioral therapy schemes. Prior to his federal service, Fernando began his law enforcement career in 2004 with a municipal police department in Miami, working as both a patrol officer and an economic crimes detective. In that role, he investigated complex and sensitive financial fraud cases.  Throughout his tenure with HHS‑OIG, Fernando has received multiple honors, including the Inspector General Award for Cooperative Achievement, several Inspector General Awards for Exceptional Achievement, multiple DOJ Outstanding Officer of the Year Awards, and the Two National Health Care Anti‑Fraud Association (NHCAA) Investigation of the Year Award. Fernando has shared his expertise through numerous speaking engagements, including presentations at the NHCAA conference, the FBI Training Academy, and HHS‑OIG’s Training Academy. He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications and a master’s degree in Criminal Justice, both from Florida International University.

Will Martin, MEd, BCBA

Head of ESDM Implementation, Soar Autism Center

Colorado

Will Martin is a behavior analyst and a certified Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) Trainer who serves as the Head of ESDM Implementation at Soar Autism Center. Dedicated to bridging the gap between research and community practice, Will leads the clinical training and design required to scale high quality, insurance-funded, interdisciplinary ESDM therapy. He built his clinical foundation at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he served as an Assistant in Pediatrics and Assistant Clinical Director, acting as key personnel on a multi-site clinical trial evaluating early intensive behavioral interventions.

Will is also a leading voice in autism healthcare policy in Colorado. Serving as a Board Member and the Public Policy Chair for the Colorado Association for Behavior Analysis (COABA), he works directly with the state Medicaid committee and legislators to protect essential funding and work toward equitable access to care.  Will played a pivotal role in passing Colorado House Bill 26-1425, which establishes a comprehensive oversight framework for behavior analysis in the state, including both facility and professional licensure. 

Will holds a Master of Education in Early Intervention from the University of Pittsburgh. He speaks frequently at national conferences, on treatment fidelity, interdisciplinary care and the critical role of applied behavior analysis organizations in public policy advocacy. 

Eileen Mendes

Director of Accreditation, Autism Commission on Quality (ACQ)

Massachusetts

Eileen Mendes has worked in the human services field for more than two decades, serving in leadership positions at center-based programs, special education schools, and residential programs. In these roles, she has supported initiatives related to risk, compliance, licensing, accreditation, and related performance improvement initiatives.

As states enacted autism insurance legislation, Eileen helped programs and families navigate legal and regulatory changes. Her areas of expertise risk management, state, and federal compliance, quality improvement, licensing and accreditation activities, operational excellence, and trauma-informed care.

Eileen was a founding member of the Massachusetts Coalition of ABA Providers (MassCAP), previously served as vice chair of the ACQ Standards Committee, and currently serves as Chair of the Professional Practice Committee of BABAT (Massachusetts Professionals in Behavior Analysis) and Member-at-Large of the New Hampshire Association for Behavior Analysis (NHABA).

Jenna Minton, Esq.

CEO, Proactive Strategies, LLC

Maryland

Jenna is licensed to practice law in Maryland and is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association. In her early career she spent 5 years in the metro DC area, working for medical non-profits learning the ins and outs of the regulatory process.  Following that, she spent 10 years as the Director of Operations for a large non-profit ABA organization in Michigan where she also served as the interim Executive Director.  In 2013, she founded Minton Healthcare Strategies, now known as Proactive Strategies, LLC (PS) who specializes in guiding clients through Medicare and Medicaid regulatory processes.  Specifically, we focus on the development of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Codes which are used to report medical, surgical, and diagnostic procedures and services.  PS also assists in valuing medical services through the American Medical Association's process (the AMA Relative Update Committee).  Clients we work with include: applied behavior analysis provider organizations and coalitions, medical specialty societies, and virtual technology companies.  We also support ABA provider organizations with audit, contracting, and claims processing issues.  In 2023 we grew our team to five and we look forward to what the future holds. 

Jim Monica, Esq.

President & Co-Founder, American Labor Group

South Carolina

American Labor Relations Group, Inc. (ALG) was founded by Jim Monica, a seasoned labor relations attorney with over 19 years of experience on both sides of the table. 

Jim began his legal career at a union-side labor law firm, representing major US unions and their members in arbitrations, collective bargaining, and Federal court litigation. He then transitioned to the world’s largest management-side labor & employment firm, where he represented employers in all aspects of Traditional Labor Law. 

In 2015, Jim founded ALG with the goal of building a business his family would be proud of. He has since grown ALG into a nationally recognized firm, trusted by some of America’s largest employers and household brands. Jim represents employers before the National Labor Relations Board, addresses unfair labor practice charges, and negotiates collective bargaining agreements. He also focuses on leadership development and executive coaching, providing training and education to employees, managers, and executives. 

Jim holds a Bachelor of Arts from Lehigh University and a Juris Doctor from Hofstra University School of Law. Fluent in Spanish, he has extensive experience working with diverse employee groups. Outside of work, Jim enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, and fishing. 

Allyson Moore, MS, BCBA, LMFT

Chief Professional Standards Officer, Center for Applied Behavior Analysis (CABA)

California

Allyson Moore, MS, BCBA, LMFT is the Chief Professional Standards Officer for the Center for Applied Behavior Analysis (CABA). She collaborates with leadership team members in developing and implementing clinical best practices. Allyson served as President and Past President for the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA), currently serving as an advisor and on the ABA Coding Coalition as principal representative of APBA. She is a member of the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP) special interest groups of Documentation, Multispecialty Practices, and California Advocacy, and serves as chair of CASP's Client Outcomes SIG. She has extensive experience serving individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental and mental disorders, as well as working in coordination and collaboration with primary caregivers, stakeholders, and other related public and private agencies.

Sarah Pope

CEO, SOS Care

South Carolina

Sarah Pope’s leadership has transformed the landscape of services and housing for people with autism and intellectual disabilities across South Carolina. As the CEO of SOS Care, she has built a network of over 20 programs that support more than 2,000 families each year. Her innovative vision, perseverance, and deep compassion have created opportunities for individuals who were once marginalized to live, work, and thrive as valued members of their communities.

Under Sarah’s direction, SOS Care’s programs were designed to help individuals achieve greater independence at every stage of life. Her efforts have fostered partnerships with local businesses that employ people with disabilities, helping the organization reach a groundbreaking goal—65% employment, equal to the national average for neurotypical adults, compared to just 37% nationally for people with disabilities. Through these efforts, Sarah has redefined inclusion, proving that with the right supports, individuals with disabilities can lead full, self-directed lives.

Her most remarkable achievement is the creation of Oak Tree Farm, a first-of-its-kind intentional community providing affordable housing for 130 residents with disabilities. Recognizing the urgent need for safe, supportive, and affordable housing, Sarah became a housing developer herself—a bold and unprecedented step for a nonprofit leader. Through creativity and determination, she accessed multiple funding sources, including grants, capital campaigns, private donations, and state contracts, to make the project a reality. Now entering Phase 5, Oak Tree Farm stands as a national model for inclusion, connection, and community.

Mirella Petersen, DHA, MISM

Vice President of Payor Relations and Government Affairs at Autism Learning Partners

Utah

Dr. Mirella Petersen, DHA, MISM is the Vice President of Payor Relations and Government Affairs at Autism Learning Partners, where she leads payer strategy, government affairs, contracting, credentialing, and advocacy efforts addressing access, reimbursement, authorization, and regulatory issues affecting autism services.
Mirella has more than 15 years of experience consulting with healthcare and behavioral health organizations of all sizes across the United States. Her expertise spans payer relations, public policy, contracting, credentialing, revenue cycle, healthcare operations, and the regulatory and reimbursement issues that affect access to care. Throughout her career, she has worked extensively with commercial insurers, Medicaid programs, regulators, and healthcare organizations to address authorization and claims denials, medical necessity requirements, reimbursement challenges, and systemic barriers to care.
Her experience includes developing appeal strategies, resolving complex payer disputes, analyzing denial trends, and translating regulations, payer policies, and clinical evidence into practical approaches that strengthen appeals and improve access to medically necessary services.
Mirella holds a Doctor of Health Administration from Central Michigan University, a Master of Information Systems Management from Brigham Young University, and a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems & Technologies from Weber State University.
Mirella considers her greatest accomplishment to be raising three neurodiverse children. A close second is helping advance and pass meaningful legislation expanding insurance coverage for autism services, including applied behavior analysis, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and other evidence-based treatments.

Ellen Rhoads, BCBA, LBA

Specialized Services Project Manager, Texana

Texas

Ellen Rhoads is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) with more than 20 years of experience in the field of applied behavior analysis. She earned her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Auburn University and joined Texana Center in 2005.

During her tenure at Texana, Ellen has served in a variety of clinical and leadership roles, including providing ABA training to educators, supervising clinical teams, and serving as Senior Manager. After relocating with her family to Northwest Arkansas, Ellen continued her work with Texana and currently serves as the Specialized Services Project Manager.

Ellen is actively involved in advancing the field of behavior analysis through public policy, advocacy, and professional leadership. She serves as President of the Texas Association for Behavior Analysis Public Policy Group (TxABA PPG) and Chair of its Insurance Task Force. She also serves as Chair of the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP) Profound Autism Special Interest Group, where she supports efforts to advance awareness and improve services and outcomes for individuals with profound autism and their families.

Leslie Robinson, Esq.

Autism Parent and Attorney

South Carolina

Leslie is a licensed attorney, working as a criminal prosecutor in South Carolina since 2010.  Leslie's work spans a variety of crimes, from low-level misdemeanors to homicide cases, and requires involvement in prosecution from arrest through disposition, including trials.  Prior to working in South Carolina, Leslie spent two years as a law clerk to the late Patrick J. Duggan, Federal District Court Judge in the Eastern District of Michigan.  Leslie graduated summa cum laude from the Ave Maria School of Law in 2008 after having obtained a bachelor's in chemistry summa cum laude from Northern Arizona University in 2005.  Leslie is licensed to practice in North and South Carolina and is a former member of the Michigan Bar.

The Robinson family joined the autism community in late 2017, and upon initiation, Leslie felt compelled to use her legal background to advance advocacy efforts.  Living on the Unumb home turf (and benefiting from Ryan's Law), Leslie inevitably crossed paths with Lorri and Dan.  Leslie has contributed to advocacy efforts aimed at expanding insurance coverage, increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates, and obtaining access for ABA providers to administer treatment in public school settings.  Most recently, Leslie joined the National Autism Law Center as a contract attorney, providing guidance and legal assistance regarding the autism community's most pressing legal needs.

Kim Setliff

Chief Operating and Finance Officer, SOS Care

South Carolina

Kim Setliff brings more than 20 years of program and project management experience and over 15 years of leadership experience to her role at SOS Care. She has built a diverse career spanning operations, program development, and organizational leadership.

Kim joined SOS Care in 2019 and has played an integral role in the development, growth, and expansion of the organization’s programs supporting individuals with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her work is driven by both professional experience and a deeply personal commitment to creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities to live full, independent lives.

Before joining SOS Care, Kim spent 10 years as a foster parent and is the proud adoptive mother of three daughters. After stepping away from her corporate career to focus on raising her family, she worked in a preschool program and later as a paraprofessional supporting children with disabilities in a public elementary school. Those experiences shaped her passion for advocating for individuals with disabilities and the families who support them.

Today, Kim combines her background in leadership and operations with her firsthand experience working alongside children and families to help strengthen programs, remove barriers, and expand opportunities for greater independence and inclusion

Dan Unumb, Esq.

President, Autism Legal Resource Center

South Carolina

Dan Unumb is an attorney and founder of the Autism Legal Resource Center. Mr. Unumb previously served as the founding Executive Director of the Autism Speaks Legal Resource Center, where he worked to secure improved insurance and Medicaid coverage for individuals with autism in over 40 states.

He has worked with federal and state regulators to secure improved guidance and enforcement on autism-related issues and has filed amicus briefs on autism legal issues in state and federal appeals courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. He is co-author of the law school casebook “Autism and the Law” and has presented on legal topics pertaining to autism at numerous national conferences and trainings.

Mr. Unumb is also co-founder of the Autism Academy of South Carolina, a treatment facility providing state-of-the-art care to children on the autism spectrum. He has served on the supporting board for the Greenwood Genetics Center and is a board member of Ascendigo, in Aspen, Colorado, which provides challenging recreational activities to children and adults with autism as well as community living support. Mr. Unumb has litigated cases in federal and state courts across the country in private practice in Boston, Washington, D.C., and Charleston and as an attorney with the United States Department of Justice.

Lorri Unumb, Esq.

CEO, The Council of Autism Service Providers

South Carolina

Lorri is a lawyer, professor, mother of three boys, and an internationally renowned autism advocate. She began her legal career clerking for a federal judge in Charleston, South Carolina, and then moved to Washington, D.C. to practice law with the United States Department of Justice, where she met the dashing Dan Unumb. She enjoyed a fulfilling career as an appellate litigator, arguing immigration cases in U.S. Circuit Courts all over the country. After two academic stints at law schools in D.C. (George Washington) and Charleston, Lorri began teaching advocacy at the Department of Justice’s National Advocacy Center. She also hosted an award winning weekly television show called “The Law with Professor Lorri.” Following her firstborn son’s diagnosis with autism, Lorri began working in autism advocacy as a volunteer, writing ground-breaking autism insurance legislation for South Carolina (“Ryan’s Law”) that passed in 2007 and served as the catalyst for the national movement toward autism insurance reform. In recognition of Ryan’s Law, Lorri was awarded the Autism Society of America 2008 Parents of the Year Award (along with Dan). She was then recruited by the New York-based nonprofit Autism Speaks to lead State Government Affairs. Lorri has testified more than 100 times on health insurance issues in legislatures and parliaments around the world. For her efforts, Lorri received the NASCAR Betty Jane France Humanitarian of the Year award and was featured in Town & Country Magazine as a Longines “Women Who Make a Difference” recipient. Lorri also served as a Commissioner for the South Carolina Department of Disabilities & Special Needs, which administers the state’s HCBS waivers serving individuals with developmental disabilities. She and Dan founded the Autism Academy of South Carolina (recently rebranded “The Unumb Center for Neurodevelopment”), a nonprofit ABA center and diagnostic clinic. Together, they also wrote the first-ever comprehensive textbook on autism legal issues called “Autism and the Law,” and Lorri developed & taught a course by the same name at GW Law School. Lorri is the founder of the Autism Law Summit. She is also a former world-champion clogger and first-runner up in her 4th grade spelling bee.

Rebecca Urbano Powell, MA, BCBA

Executive Director, Seven Dimensions Behavioral Health

Colorado

Rebecca has been working in our field of ABA since 2001 in clinic, community, home and school settings. From 2005-2014 she helped start and grow the ABA program at Tustin Unified School District in Orange County, CA to 80+ staff and 120+ students. In 2022, Rebecca was elected Treasurer on the COABA (Colorado Association for Behavior Analysis) Executive Board. She is a member of the team which helped draft the bill for Medically Necessary Treatment in Schools and successfully helped lobby for its passage. She is on the Public Policy Committee advocating for Medicaid provision enhancement and assists on the Professional Development Committee with the goal of providing educational webinars to Colorado clinicians for improving the quality of services in the state. Rebecca was appointed to the Advisory Board for Therapy Brands with the intent to improve ABA practice management and data collection systems to meet the needs of ABA clinicians. She co-chairs a Special Interest Group for the Council of Autism Service Providers for Therapy Brands users to gather data on what providers need from their software platform. She is passionate about representing providers across the U.S. as one universal voice.

Hannah Wilson

Associate, American Labor Group

South Carolina

Hannah Wilson is an Associate with American Labor Group (ALG), where she works with employers to strengthen workplace cultures through leadership development, employee engagement, and employee relations initiatives. She partners with organizations across a variety of industries to improve communication, develop effective leaders, and create positive work environments that support long-term business success. 

Prior to joining ALG, Hannah built her career in operations, logistics, client relationship management, and event coordination. She managed key client accounts, led process improvement initiatives, and supported complex business operations, developing a strong foundation in communication, problem-solving, and organizational effectiveness. 

Hannah earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from the College of Charleston with a concentration in Hospitality and Tourism Management. She brings a practical, people-focused approach to her work and is passionate about helping organizations create engaged workforces, strengthen leadership teams, and foster productive workplace cultures. Outside of work, Hannah enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and spending time with her pup, Winston.