Meet the BBI Team
Karin Torsiello
President
Karin Torsiello is a proud graduate of Florida Tech’s Applied Behavior Analysis program and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, child welfare advocate and entrepreneur.
Paula Antonelli
Vice President
Paula Antonelli is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and is the Vice President of Behavior Basics Incorporated, a behavioral sciences consulting firm based in Florida.
Kristy Kelly
Director of Operations
Kristy joined the Behavior Basics team first as a Registered Behavior Technician and grew into her current position as Director of Operations. Kristy grew up in a small town in East Tennessee with a large family.
Christanna Herren
Controller
Christanna Herren leads plays a key role in BBIs financial health and Humans Resources department. Her witty personality and lively spirit make her a great addition to the BBI executive team.
Maggie Terry
Brevard Director of Clinical Services
Maggie Terry is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from University of North Florida and Master’s Degree in Exceptional Student Education with an emphasis on Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of West Florida.
Angelique Walsh
Regional Director of Treasure Coast
What seems like many moons ago today, I was lucky enough to find my passion at Florida State University.
Victoria LaMonica
Director of Training and Development
Victoria “Tory” Ryan is a Rockstar BCBA in the Brevard Region. Tory grew up in Colchester, CT. She graduated from Mount Holyoke College, majoring in Psychology, and minoring in Theatre. After graduating, Tory began working in residential settings.
Karen Shipper
Parent Education Program Supervisor
Karen Shipper has worked with Behavior Basics Inc. since 2011. Our goals are to provide professional parent instruction and delivery of the Secrets of Modern Family program.
Jennifer McLaughlin
Administrative Support Specialist
Jennifer McLaughlin joined Behavior Basics, Incorporated in 2019. She earned her B.A. in Philosophy from the University of San Francisco and her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) from the HR Certification Institute.
Kelly Schmader
Behavior Analyst
Kelly Schmader studied Psychology with a focus in Applied Behavior Analysis at Capella University where she also completed a master's degree. Kelly has 7 years of experience in the Applied Behavior Analysis field working with children ranging from 18 months to 21 years of age.
Matthew Giuliano
Behavior Analyst
Matt Giuliano is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology with a minor in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville and master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology.
Valerie Laverty
Behavior Analyst
Val is originally from Long Island NY. She has a degree in education from birth to 6th grade in special education and general education. Val moved from Long Island to Florida in 2015 to pursue her Master’s degree in ABA and OBM. Val currently has experience in early intervention, school aged children, and early adolescence.
Nicole Popow
Behavior Analyst
Nicole Popow is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in our Treasure Coast region! She is originally from Chicago and moved to Melbourne, FL to complete her Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis at the Florida Institute of Technology.
Natalya Gutierrez
Behavior Analyst
Natalya Gutierrez is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in the Brevard Region ABA team at Behavior Basics. Natalya grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. While working as a lifeguard during her undergraduate studies, she had experience teaching those with special needs how to swim and developed a passion for these individuals.
Kristen Ryniec
Behavior Analyst
Kristen Ryniec is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with Behavior Basics and is located in the Brevard Region. Kristen grew up in Chicago, IL. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa in Speech and Hearing Sciences.
Michael Ice
BCBA Resident
Michael Ice is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst with Behavior Basics and works in the Brevard Region. Michael obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and his Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology.
Nicole Wittman
BCBA Resident
Nicole Wittman is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst with Behavior Basics and is in the Brevard Region.
McKensey Langes
Lead RBT
McKensey "Mac" Langes is a Lead Registered Behavior Technician with Behavior Basics and works in the Brevard and Treasure Coast Regions.
Elizabeth Edelen
Lead RBT
Elizabeth is a Lead Registered Behavior Technician with Behavior Basics in the Brevard Region.
Caroline Tolentino
Student Analyst
Caroline is a student analyst with Behavior Basics in the Brevard region. Caroline was born in Jacksonville, FL and grew up in Orange Park, FL.
Chapelle Clark
Student Analyst
Chapelle is a student analyst with Behavior Basics and is in the Brevard Region. Chapelle grew up in Melbourne, Fl.
Hallie Maier
Student Analyst
Hallie Maier is currently working as a Student Analyst at Behavior Basics. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida in Biology.
Tyler Cook
Student Analyst
Tyler is a Student Analyst at Behavior Basics in the Brevard region and enrolled in the master’s Program for Behavior Analysis at Florida Institute of Technology.
Jordan Santoro
Student Analyst
Jordan Santoro is a Student Analyst majoring in Behavior Analysis at the Florida Institute of Technology. Her passion for this field grew as she worked with adults with cognitive disabilities, as well as the elderly, prior to working at Behavior Basics since early 2021.
Melanie Banack
Parent Education Program Behavior Coach
Melanie Banack has been a Behavior Coach for Behavior Basics Inc. since 2015. Melanie obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Child Development with a minor in Psychology from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.
Michael Hart
Parent Education Program Behavior Coach
Michael has been a Behavior Coach with Behavior Basics Inc. since August 2011. Michael began his career with Refocusing the Modern Family because of his strong desire to work with families in need and serve the community in which he was raised.
Haley Stevens
Parent Education Program Behavior Coach
Haley Stevens started as a Behavior Coach with Behavior Basics in March of 2020. Haley earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Auburn University in 2015.
Jessica Norwood
Parent Education Program Behavior Coach
Jessica Norwood joined Behavior Basics as a Behavior Coach in September 2021. Jessica earned her Master of Science degree in Sociology from Valdosta State College and University in Valdosta, Georgia in 1992.
Arianna Madrid
Parent Education Program Behavior Coach
Arianna is a Colorado native and moved to Florida to join the Behavior Basics Parenting Team as a Behavior Coach. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Development and Family Relations and an AA in Elementary Education.
All team members are:
- Level 2 and screened for criminal background
- Screened on the national sex offender registry
Trainings required for all staff:
CPR/First Aid
Blood-borne Pathogens
HIV/AIDS
Core Competencies
Zero Tolerance
