Executive Leadership
Chief Performance Mentor
Kristine Mooney, M.Ed., LBA, BCBA, is a licensed Behavior Analyst who began working in the field with individuals with developmental disabilities in 2006. While obtaining her undergraduate degree in Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences at the University of Arizona, she worked as a habilitation provider, where she was fortunate to work closely with a BCBA. Through those experiences, Kristine was able to see the positive impact that Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) can have, while targeting language and behavior related challenges together. Since that time, Kristine has been passionate about continuing her education and skill repertoire as a clinician and disseminating behavior analysis through collaboration with other direct care providers, parents/caregivers and professionals. Since obtaining her master’s degree in Special Education Collaboration and Consultation, with an Autism emphasis, from Arizona State University in 2011, Kristine has gained extensive experience working directly with young children and their families, conducting assessments, developing treatment plans and protocols, analyzing data and reporting on client progress, providing supervision to behavior technicians, Registered Behavior Technicians® (RBT®s) and BCBA® applicants, leading parent trainings and consultation, and collaborating with other key stakeholders on client teams. In addition, Kristine gained widespread experiences as an assistant clinical director, related to organizational behavior management (OBM), including, but not limited to, the establishment of and maintenance of quality assurance measures, conducting competency-based assessments of team members and providing performance feedback, developing and monitoring organizational systems for sustainable growth and improved client outcomes, and coordinating interdepartmental functioning. In addition to her clinical and managerial experiences, Kristine served on the Board of Directors as the Secretary for the Arizona Association for Behavior Analysis (AzABA) from 2016-2021.
Chief Executive Advisor
Dr. Diana Davis-Wilson, DBH, LBA, BCBA is a licensed Behavior Analyst, with several years of experience providing consultation and training to families, school districts, and organizational personnel nationwide. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Science, a Master’s Degree in Special Education, and a Doctorate of Behavior Health with an emphasis on integrated health care management. For over 10 years Dr. Davis-Wilson served as the clinical director of an Arizona-based autism provider organization, overseeing applied behavior analysis programs for hundreds of children statewide. Through this work, Dr. Davis-Wilson created an extensive curriculum-based supervision program which included sustainable employment opportunities, staff training and professional development for hundreds of aspiring professionals and students. In addition to the experiences she gained as a clinical director, Dr. Davis-Wilson currently serves on several boards in Arizona, including the Association for Behavior Analysis (AzABA), the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment Autism Advisory Council, the Glendale Community College Behavior Health Sciences Occupational Advisory Board (BHS-OAB) and as a governor appointed board member with the Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners. In addition to her local experiences, Dr. Diana Davis-Wilson serves as an adjunct faculty member for universities nationwide and serves as an advisory board member of the Behavioral Health Centers of Excellence (BHCOE). Dr. Davis-Wilson has a passion for working closely with other professional organizations, providing education, advocacy and public policy guidance on early access to care, best practice, and evidence-based treatment. Additionally, Dr. Davis-Wilson has a passion for providing law enforcement training in the areas of autism, developmental disabilities, crisis response and behavior analysis.
leaders in clinical development
HCBS Development Specialist
Ariel Nicoara, M.S., LBA, BCBA joined the Aspen Team in April 2019. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Arizona State University. Shortly after earning her bachelor’s degree, Ariel followed her passion and pursued a career in behavioral health. It was during this time that she had the pleasure of working at a group home facility with adults. Her work at the group home inspired her to pursue further education that would increase her ability to help those with severe mental illnesses as well as those with developmental disabilities. Ariel pursued her Master’s Degree in Psychology from Grand Canyon University and completed her course work in Applied Behavior Analysis. Ariel's experiences working at Aspen. Additionally, Behavioral Consulting inspired her to write children’s books geared toward child development. Ariel enjoys providing services to group homes in the Phoenix Area and hopes that she will make a lasting impact on how behavioral services are provided in group home settings. Ariel also a member of Arizona Association for Behavior Analysis (AzABA).
trainers
Jay Shoates, M.S., hails from the great state of Virginia and has been working in the field since 2017. Jay joined Aspen Behavioral Consulting after working in a behavioral residential facility with children ranging up to age 17. Jay holds his undergraduate degree from West Virginia University in Sports and Exercise Psychology but didn't like the cold so he came to Arizona to get his Masters Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from ASU. Throughout his career, Jay has provided services in home and within residential settings for children and teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other mental health disorders. Jay is a member of the Arizona Association for Behavior Analysis (AzABA) and Black Applied Behavior Analysts (BABA). Jay enjoys exploring the efficacy of ACT as viable treatment methods for a variety of mental health disorders as well as how to utilize ABA to assist black communities. Jay is currently providing training and consultative services to group homes within the Phoenix metro area.
Kimberly “Kimmie” Garcia-Higham, M.S., BCBA is a Utah native living in Arizona since 2016. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Spanish from Arizona State University-West Campus in 2020. Kimmie entered the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in 2020 and joined the Aspen team as an intern while working toward her master's degree in ABA from Arizona State University-Tempe Campus. She earned the Ambition award for her Capstone project in 2022 while finishing her graduate degree. During her time with Aspen Behavioral Consulting, she has worked with young children with an autism diagnosis within the in-home setting. Through her experiences, Kimmie has developed a passion for delivering effective and compassionate services to her patients and their families. Kimmie is currently working toward completing her supervision experience and becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®). Kimmie is a member of the Arizona Association for Behavior Analysis (AzABA).