Meet the Discover Hope Team!
Nice to meet you!
Introducing the Discover Hope Team
We come from a variety of backgrounds and experience but we all share a passion for helping kids and their families thrive!
Our award winning team of technicians will help you navigate the complexities that come with an autism diagnosis. While our technicians work directly with your child, our program supervisor and clinical directors will provide support to all members of the family from assessment through graduation. We’re here for you!
#WomenLedBusiness
Executive Team
Melissa Schulz, MS, BCBA
Executive Director/Owner
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.
Kristine Le
Director of Clinical Services
Kristine has worked in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for over six years. She received her Master’s Degree in Developmental Disabilities with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from Nova Southeastern University. She has experience providing intensive, comprehensive and focused, ABA services to children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ages 2-18, and their families in school, home, and center environments. Her experience includes using Natural Environment Teaching, Discrete Trial Training, and Functional Behavioral Assessments to teach skills across adaptive domains and reducing challenging behaviors. Her passion in providing quality services to clients and their families can also be seen in her passion in providing efficient training and supervision to aspiring Behavior Technicians, Program Supervisors, and Behavior Analysts.
Kristine lives in the South Bay area with her partner and their “farm” (currently three dogs, three rabbits, and a rat). She enjoys lounging with her family, golfing, solving escape puzzles, riding rollercoasters, going on picnics, and savoring nature.
Geneva Kearns, MA, BCBA
Chief Clinical Advisor
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.
Crystal McLean, MFA
Director of People/Director of Client Relations
Crystal has over eight years of experience in ABA. In her operational roles, she has streamlined systems and spearheaded diversity and inclusion programs while advocating for families and kids with special needs. She received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Marketing specializing in organizational development
Crystal is passionate about creating inclusive spaces and ensuring our DH families and staff have the tools and resources needed to thrive. She currently resides in the Bay Area with her two sons. She loves watching Planet Earth documentaries and has a deep admiration for big cats. Crystal is originally from Louisiana, a devoted LSU Tigers fan, and can cook a mean gumbo!
Operations
Brittany Welsh
Human Resources Manager
Elizabeth Southern
Scheduling Operations Manager
Katy Miyamori
Recruiting Coordinator + Scheduling Assistant
Lulani Ritok
Office Assistant
Mandeep Kular
Software and Accounting Administrator
Clinical Directors & Program Supervisors
Joscelyn Jones
Clinical Director
Kristine Chen
Clinical Director
Sayali Vilekar
Clinical Director
Ben Dela Cruz
Program Supervisor
Jennifer Anton
Program Supervisor & Clinical Trainer
Jessica Doersam
Program Supervisor
Kyla Bassard
Program Supervisor
Mauricio Amezquita
Program Supervisor
Associate Program Supervisors &
Senior Behavior Technicians
Andres Avalos-Ayala
Senior Behavior Technician
Kennedy Duhon
Associate Program Supervisor
Paulina Casillas
Associate Program Supervisor
Behavior Technicians
AJ
Ashlyn
Atish
Bella
Bernard
Chase
Emile
Emily
Erika
Evelyn
Fernando
Gabi
Han
Jazlynn
Jonell
Kat
Kayla
Martin
Maya
Michaela
Natalie
Priscilla
Sei
Sonia
Soyazhe
