Executive Team
Melissa Schulz, MS, BCBA
Founder & Executive Director
Melissa has worked with children with special needs for the past 16 years. She received her Master’s Degree in Counseling with a credential in School Psychology and with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis in Educational Settings in 2009. Melissa has worked with children with behavior disorders, including Autism, Emotional Disturbances, and developmental disabilities, ages 2-22, in both school and home settings, and has worked with adults with Autism in group home settings.
Melissa has also provided supervision to students pursuing their BCBA certification internationally, and has conducted private Functional Analysis Assessments (FAAs) for school districts across California. Melissa has advanced PECS training and Level 1 Certification in Pivotal Response Training. She has also been a guest lecturer at Azusa Pacific University.
Melissa is a self-improvement junkie and learning and teaching about leadership and personal development. She has two adorable, wonderful, exhausting young children that keep her very busy. She loves reading, crocheting, running, and completing obstacle course races.
GENEVA KEARNS, MA, BCBA
chief clinical officer
Geneva began her career in Applied Behavior Analysis over 18 years ago, working with young children with Autism while attending UC Davis. She went on to earn a special education teaching credential and a master’s degree in Behavioral Sciences from Teachers College at Columbia University in New York. There, she gained more experience working with young children on the Autism spectrum, in both school and home settings, as well as experience working with older children with emotional and mental health disorders. A few years later, her passion for helping children with special needs took her overseas, where she worked in an international school in Hong Kong for children with special needs, which was attended by students with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and other global developmental delays.
Geneva has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst since 2007 and has experience with children ages 1-22, using a wide variety of teaching techniques and strategies for addressing challenging behavior and teaching communication and social skills. Geneva is thrilled to be a part of the Discover Hope team!
Geneva’s interests outside of work include spending time with her family, being outdoors, and traveling.
Bindiya Mahbir, ED. M., BCBA
Director of operations
Bindiya landed into the field of autism and ABA almost 20 years ago while in undergrad. It was very soon that she realized that this was her passion. She went on to do research in autism, receive her master’s degree in School Psychology from Teacher’s College, and got her BCBA a few years ago. She has worked with children and adolescents of all functioning levels and in a variety of settings.
Given that she has two young daughters, her “free” time is very limited. When she does catch a spare moment, you’ll find her reading, running, or drinking tea.
Caitlin Kilgore, MSW, BCBA
Director of people / client relations
Caitlin has been working in the field of ABA for 10 years, and has worked with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down’s Syndrome, ADHD, ODD, and Tourette’s Syndrome. She has extensive experience using DTT, PRT, Verbal Behavior, PECs, Social Thinking, and doing toilet training. She received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Denver in 2011, and went on to attend Florida Institute of Technology for her BCBA coursework. She became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2013.
Caitlin lives in Colorado with her family, including her two adorable sons.
Natasha moon, BCBA
Director of clinical services
Natasha has been working with individuals with developmental disorders for the past 17 years. After receiving her bachelor of arts in psychology in 2003 from the University of California Los Angeles, she began her career in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and discovered her passion for working with families and children with special needs. Natasha then completed her graduate degree in special education with an emphasis in ABA through the University of West Florida.
She became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2010. Natasha has extensive training in conducting Functional Behavior Assessments, DTT, PRT, Verbal Behavior, PECS, social skill groups and toilet training. She has worked with individuals ages 1-26 with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Intellectual Disabilities and Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) in the home, school, and clinic settings. Prior to relocating to the Bay Area in 2012, Natasha served as a behavior consultant ABA and parent training to families in the Northern Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C., New York areas.
Natasha enjoys spending time with her family and her two young sons. She loves dogs, being outdoors, traveling and trying new foods.
Operations
Brittany Welsh
Office/HR Assistant
Elizabeth Southern
Scheduling Operations Manager
Mandeep Kular
Software & Accounting Administrator
Kathy Drago
Office Assistant
MJ Johansen
Human Resources Assistant
CLINICAL DIRECTORS & PROGRAM SUPERVISORS
Larissa Koutakos
Clinical Director
Stephanie Hwang
Clinical Director
Angela Carlino
Program Supervisor
Maribel Mercado
Program Supervisor & Clinical Trainer
Melissa Reyes
Program Supervisor
Kayla Voskes
Program Supervisor & Clinical Trainer
Kelsey Davis
Program Supervisor
Kirstin Rodrigues
Program Supervisor
Maureen Watkins
Program Supervisor
Rachel Broyles
Behavior Therapist Coach
BEHAVIOR THERAPY Team
Abigail
Alejandra
Amber
Ana
Andres
Anthony
Diana
Liz
Elyah
Emilie
Erina
Gabby
Hajra
Irene
Izamar
Jacob
Jennifer
Kenia
Kimberly
LeAnn
Madina
Madison
Magan
Maria
Mya
Patricia
Paulina
Rebecca
Shirley
Simarjit
Vivian
