Our Team
Anna Reinhardt Thompson, M.Ed., M.A., BCBA, LBA (CT), LABA (MA)
Co-Founder and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
Anna is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She has been working in the behavior field for more than 10 years and has experience with children and adults diagnosed with autism and other mental illnesses. She holds master’s degrees in Education and Interpretive Speech. Anna’s education and experiences contribute to her ability to provide sound and creative strategies with the needs of individuals and families at the forefront.
Anna lived and taught in Germany for years and speaks German fluently. She has directed several plays (okay, only amateur theater, but still), loves traveling, thinks she loves to garden (until the end of summer when it’s too hot), cooks enough food to feed an army, and is terrible at knitting.
Chris Thompson
Co-Founder
Chris has been working with children and adults diagnosed with autism and other mental illnesses for more than 15 years. Chris’s experience has ranged from working directly with clients to overseeing programs. Presently, he oversees recruiting and development at A Brand New Day ABA.
Chris loves cars and golf, is a die-hard Yankee fan, and knows how to cook a steak. But more importantly, Chris loves and values people, enjoys a good laugh, and is committed to providing the best care to those we serve.
Martha Calciano
Chief Operating Officer
Martha comes to A Brand New Day with many years of experience in the insurance industry. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Bob Jones University. She brings to the company her knowledge of compliance, insurance acumen, and technical troubleshooting. Working closely alongside the BCBAs and clinical assistants, Martha’s focus is to ensure A Brand New Day delivers the best possible care to its clients each and every day.
Martha has her black belt in karate from a very long time ago, but it still counts! She loves to read, she despises cooking but loves to eat, and she loves to travel but hates to drive. She has one fabulous husband, three rambunctious children, and one very spoiled dog.
Abigail Holt, M.A., BCBA, LBA (CT and NY), LABA (MA)
Executive Clinical Director and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
Abby is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Executive Clinical Director at A Brand New Day ABA. Abby has over 10 years experience working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
In 2013, Abby earned her Master’s of Arts in Special Education and Graduate Certificates in Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, Connecticut. In May 2015, she obtained her certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB). Abby has presented at professional conferences including the Connecticut Association for Behavior Analysis (CTABA) and Applied Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). Abby is a member of Connecticut Association for Behavior Analysis (CTABA) and the Behavior Analyst Leadership Council (BALC).
Abby hopes to change the lives of clients and their families using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in the home, school, and community environments.
In her free time, Abby enjoys spending time outside at the beach in the summer and skiing in the mountains in the winter. She also loves to travel and has been to more than 10 different countries.
Nicole Marques, M.S., BCBA, LBA
Clinical Director and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
Nicole Marques is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Clinical Director at A Brand New Day ABA Services, LLC. In 2017, Nicole started at a Brand New Day as a behavior technician and continued her career path to be recently promoted to Clinical Director in 2022. She enjoys training staff on the use of discrete trials and teaching through play.
Nicole earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Western Connecticut State University in 2011. She obtained her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Western Connecticut State University in 2018. Nicole gained experience in the fields of Social Work and Applied Behavior Analysis while working in day programs, residential and in-home settings, and community programs. She has experience with children and adults with a wide-range of diagnoses and behavioral challenges.
In her free time, Nicole loves to spend time with her husband and son, travel, and read mystery novels.
Kayla Nascimento, M.S., BCBA, LBA
Senior Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
Kayla began working with A Brand New Day ABA in August 2021. Kayla has 6 years experience in the field of ABA and 2 years experience being a BCBA.
Kayla got her masters in Applied Behavior Analysis from University of St. Joseph in May 2017 and has experience being a BCBA in both a public school and a private RESC school. Kayla also has her bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education and Psychology from Southern Connecticut State University.
Outside of ABA Kayla enjoys the beach, fishing, binge watching Netflix and spending time with family and friends.
Valerie Reyes, M.A., BCBA, LBA
Senior Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
Valerie Reyes is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who started working at a A Brand New Day in 2020. She has worked in the ABA field for over 5 years.
Valerie started her career in ABA as an RBT at a non-profit private school which specializes in serving children and young adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders and related disorders. She has experience working with children ages 5-21. She is also adept at writing desensitization programs for those who struggle with hygiene skills, haircuts, and tolerating dental work. She speaks Spanish fluently, and one of her passions is providing services to the Spanish speaking community. She loves applying the science of ABA and helping her clients become independent. She earned her BCaBA in 2019 and then pursued her Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis, graduating from the Florida Institute of Technology in 2019.
In her free time Valerie enjoys being active with her 2 daughters, her husband and her dog, Rocky. She loves the beach and swimming.
Kelly Aros-Truhe, M.S., BCBA, LBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Kelly started her college journey at Dean College, earning her Associate degree in Early Childhood Education. She continued her education at Castleton State College in VT for her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology. Kelly jokes that she went to Castleton because it was close to Killington Ski Resort, where she could go skiing after classes. A few years later she received her Master’s degree in Psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis from Capella University, after which she obtained her Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification.
Kelly brings with her over 14 years of experience implementing the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis to individuals of all ages. While working in the public school system, she worked hard to become a Registered Behavioral Technician. She also has experience with providing support services at homes and in the community.
In her free time Kelly loves to take adventures with her husband and child, as well to spend time with family and friends going to movies, concerts, and comedy shows. With the change of the world, it has been more movies at home, concerts in her car with her family, and the comedy that the day brings.
Najiya Bhura, M.S., BCBA, LBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
Najiya joined the ABND team in November, 2022. She received her Bachelor of Psychology from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Simmons University.
Najiya comes to ABND with over 4 years of experience working in schools, clinics, and home settings with kids who have developmental disabilities. She started her journey as a special-ed TA/Para and has also worked as a BT and lead technician before transitioning to a BCBA.
In her free time, Najiya loves traveling, spending quality time with friends and family, and reading books.
Olivia Carty, M.S., BCBA, LBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
Olivia joined the A Brand New Day ABA team in October 2019 as a behavior technician and is now one of the BCBAs. Olivia earned a bachelor’s degree in Puerto Rico with a concentration in psychology and mental health in 2014. In 2020 she obtained Master of Science degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Purdue University Global.
Olivia has worked with individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other intellectual and developmental disabilities on diverse settings such as daycare, in-home and clinic. She is fluent in English and Spanish and takes pride on being able to provide quality ABA services to the Latin community. She is enthusiastically and consistently working to spread the positive value that ABA services have to offer not only to individuals with diverse needs but to the whole world.
During her free time Olivia enjoys being out in nature with her 3 kids, reading, listening to music, dancing, and learning new things.”
Maribel Claudio, M.S., LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Maribel is a bilingual Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and is board certified through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NCC). Maribel began working for A Brand New Day in December 2022 performing Autism Diagnostic Evaluations.
Maribel has a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and has extensive knowledge working in the mental health field. Maribel has worked with adults presenting with various mental health conditions, substance use disorders, trauma, and dual diagnoses. Maribel has experience working in residential facilities, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), and intensive in-home programs where she worked with individuals, couples, children, and families that have been affected by substance use and various co-occurring mental health diagnoses.
In her spare time, Maribel enjoys traveling, CrossFit, reading, cooking, singing, listening to music, and spending time with loved ones.
Brianna Etter-Speaker, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
Brianna is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and holds a master’s degree in education, and recently a certification in Applied Behavioral Analysis from Capella University.
Brianna started her employment at A Brand New Day ABA, LLC in 2018 as a behavior technician, a trainer, and a clinical assistant. Brianna has been working with special needs for the past 14 years across multiple settings from public school to outplacement residential programs as a paraeducator and a special education teacher, with children and young adults between the ages of 2 and 21 years old on the autism spectrum and other intellectual, behavioral, and developmental disabilities. Her passion for working with special needs and in the field of ABA continues to grow. Some of her experiences with ABA include performing functional behavioral assessments, developing behavior intervention programs, creating program materials, and working in home-placement settings and clinic settings with a variety of ages.
In her free time, Brianna enjoys relaxing, visiting friends and family, being outside, and her hobbies. Her hobbies include photography, creative writing, and most of all theater. If she has the time, she can be found on stage.
Tia Meyer, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
Tia is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with over six years in the behavior analysis field. She earned her Masters of Education in the field of Curriculum and Development in ABA. She has experience as a Clinical Manager for a large school district in California. In this role she supervised the ABA direct service program, performed district trainings for 25-100 participants annually, organized and managed ABA services for extended school year students, collaborated during IEP meetings, performed direct behavioral intervention work for students with high levels or intensities of behavior, performed Functional Assessments, created program materials, and wrote behavior/crisis/treatment plans.
She has worked both in client’s homes and within various school settings. At the start of school closure’s due to the Covid-19 pandemic, she organized and created virtual curriculum and worked directly with parents to ensure continuation of care despite closures. She loves curriculum development, training, and supporting RBT staff’s professional development.
Tia’s first love was Anthropology and museum work. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and worked within multiple museums where she cataloged old photos, worked within the children’s exhibits, created educational kits for teachers to borrow, and acted as an impromptu tour guide for the public. She is also a huge animal lover, and enjoys watching movies, reading, walking/hiking, and spending time with her fiancé and six pets.
Erin Oliver, M.Ed., LPC, CRC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Erin is an LPC Case Supervisor to behavior technicians providing ABA services for youth on the spectrum and provides individual mental health therapy to current ABND clients. Erin began working for A Brand New Day in September 2020!
Erin earned her Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, concentrating in mental health and substance abuse, from Springfield College in 2015. Erin is a Licensed Professional Counselor in CT and holds her Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRC). Erin is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities.
Erin comes to A Brand New Day with years of experience in the field. Erin has worked with adults presenting with mental health and substance use, vocational counseling for young adults with disabilities, and most recently worked as an in-home clinician providing therapy to children with severe mental health disorders to help them remain safe and stable in the home, school, and community. Erin has found she loves working with children and families with a wide range of diagnoses and behavioral challenges!
In her spare time, Erin enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and cat Bubba. Erin loves reading, cooking, watching and listening to live music, spending the day at the beach, and cheering on the New England Patriots!
Sadia Yaseen, M.A., BCBA, LBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
Sadia is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and started her journey with A Brand New Day ABA in 2022. She received her bachelor’s in psychology with a concentration in mental health in 2005 and decided to pursue a master’s degree in the same field. She received her Master’s of Psychology in 2009. After her master’s, she completed her ABA coursework from Clemson State University.
She has been working with special needs population for the past 13 years across multiple settings from group homes to day programs to independent living. Today she takes great pleasure in knowing that she is helping clients and families by being a part of each story.
In her spare time Sadia enjoys spending time with her family, cooking lots of food, reading great books and watching television.
Dorene Zhulkovsky, M.A., BCBA, LBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
Dorene has over 20 years of experience working in special education and applied behavior analysis. Dorene earned her master’s in special education with certification in ASD from Saint Joseph University in 2016. She continued her studies in applied behavior analysis earning a certification in 2018. Dorene became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in November 2021.
She has experience working in public education starting as a paraeducator at the elementary level, working one to one with children with developmental disabilities. Then she became an RBT and worked exclusively using ABA interventions for children with autism starting at the preschool level and up to 3rd grade. From 2017 to present, Dorene has worked in the home setting, delivering ABA services to children ages 3 to 19 years of age.
Gemma Sanchez
Scheduler
Gemma Sanchez is the scheduler for ABND. She started working at ABND in March of 2019 as a Behavioral Technician. In April of 2021, she became a trainer and in March of 2022 she started her new role as a scheduler. She quickly found a passion for the field of Applied Behavior Analysis.
Working in a school system, Gemma realized her love of working with children. She is excited to pursue her passion in ABA and looks forward to becoming a BCBA in the future.
Gemma loves her job, which she considers her greatest gift. She is also an animal lover and enjoys spending time outdoors with her dog. She likes to travel and learn about new cultures.
Ned Agyemang
Behavior Technician Trainer
When children who are diagnosed as having autism are confronted with the world around them, it is not uncommon for their world to feel as though it were shattered.
Ned’s passion is to learn and grow as a great advocate for them. For many, especially someone such as Ned, advocacy is a rewarding experience.
One could only hope that inculcating an individual with the right skills will prepare him or her to face challenges.
Having nearly four years’ experience in the ABA industry has helped Ned to understand and ratiocinate certain challenges.
In a practical world, one would need a jovial, understanding, dependable, aspirant person.
Theresa Goodwin, RBT
RBT Trainer
Theresa Goodwin has been working at A Brand New Day ABA since February of 2019 as a Behavior Technician. In January of 2022, she was promoted to the position of Behavior Technician Trainer. She graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
Theresa has always had a soft spot for children. Prior to working with children with autism, she worked in a residential home for children with behavioral challenges in the foster care system. She has worked with children from 18 months old up to early adulthood. It was through ABND that she was introduced to ABA. She believes this job to be her greatest gift. She has a passion to continue to learn and grow and obtain her BCBA in the near future. Helping people has always been a passion for Theresa, and this field has been extremely rewarding in that respect. She hopes to make a positive impact and help to change the lives of clients and their families using ABA.
In her free time, Theresa enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing her guitar and piano, and binge-watching Netflix. She loves spending time playing video games with her nephew. She enjoys traveling and experiencing different cultures. She loves to read, eat but not cook, and play card games.
Tania Johnson
Behavior Technician Trainer
Tania has been working with A Brand New Day ABA since September 2020 as a Behavior Technician. In March 2022, she was promoted to the position of a Behavior Technician Trainer. She graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Psychology (IDS/LBS), Child, Family and Community Studies (IDS/LBS). While pursuing her degree, she worked in a variety of roles in the health care system and school system including, teaching, working as a school nurse assistant, and volunteering as a Jumpstart Team Leader, which involved coaching Jumpstart members to use developmentally appropriate practices to teach young children in under-resourced communities. She has always had a passion for working with children. It was through a ABND that she was introduced to ABA and felt in her heart that this type of job was destined for her.
She has a passion to continue learning and growing in the field. Her hope is to become a BCBA in the near future, making a positive impact and changing the lives of clients and their families in ABA.
Samantha Morann, RBT
RBT Trainer
Samantha began her employment at A Brand new Day ABA, LLC in 2020. Starting out as a Behavior Technician, she moved into the position of Behavior Technician Trainer.
She graduated from Springfield College with a Bachelor’s of Science in Rehabilitation and Disability studies for children with a minor in psychology in December 2017. She has received both her Certified Nursing Assistant license and CPR and First Aid certification in 2010 and has actively worked in the both the healthcare field and as a special education paraprofessional in the K-12 public school system. In August 2021, she completed her Master’s in Special Education in Applied Behavior Analysis at Arizona State University.
She has always been involved in giving back to the community through her work with Special Olympics, as well as working with young adults transitioning from school to work and community. Helping people has been a passion for Samantha, which is deeply rooted from her own journey in living with an auditory processing disorder from losing her hearing for two years at the age of 6 and that of helping her siblings find new learning strategies in working with ADHD, speech delays, and dyslexia. She looks forward to growing her knowledge and experience in the field working towards becoming a BCBA in the near future.
Samantha loves to be outdoors, hiking, listening to music and spending time with family on new adventures in her free time.