Meet The Team

Aaron has worked in the field of ABA since 2008 and founded Santa Cruz ABA with a clear mission: to provide therapy that is effective, down-to-earth, and rooted in strong partnerships with families. He believes that meaningful progress happens when caregivers are truly involved and interventions are simple enough to carry into everyday life.

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At Santa Cruz ABA, Aaron helps guide the vision of the organization and supports the team so that it’s a place where people love what they do—and where families feel seen, heard, and cared for.

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He lives in Watsonville with his wife, Jessica, and their four children. Outside of work, Aaron enjoys coaching youth baseball and serving in his local church community.

Shane has worked in the field of ABA for over a decade and has been part of Santa Cruz ABA since early 2018. What matters most to him is making sure each child’s care is truly individualized—and that every voice in a child’s life, from parents to therapists, is heard and respected.

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At SCABA, Shane helps oversee the organization’s clinical programs and supports the team of BCBAs and therapists. He deeply values the culture of mutual respect and patience—and is especially proud that every BCBA on the team has hands-on experience as a direct therapist. That shared perspective strengthens the way SCABA serves families.

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Shane lives in Aptos with his wife and their two children. He’s a lifelong sports fan—especially baseball and football—and enjoys spending his free time outside in the garden.

Tatiana joined Santa Cruz ABA in 2017 as one of the organization’s very first team members. Over the years, she has grown through several roles—beginning as an RBT, then a Behavior Consultant, and now serving as a Senior BCBA supporting families in Watsonville and the surrounding areas.

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Her approach to ABA is rooted in partnership. Tatiana wants families to feel that she’s not just an expert, but someone walking alongside them—fully invested in their child’s growth and success. She hopes that therapy is not only effective, but becomes one of the best parts of a child’s day.

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Tatiana lives in Watsonville with her husband and their three cats. She’s passionate about animals, enjoys playing board games, and also serves as a foster parent.

Lily has worked in the field of ABA for over six years and holds a Master of Arts in Special Education with an emphasis in ABA. She is passionate about creating a positive, personalized experience for every family, and believes that collaboration, consistency, and care are the foundation of meaningful progress.

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Lily’s approach centers on communication—making sure that both children and caregivers feel understood and supported throughout the therapy process. She loves being part of a team that values authenticity and puts family needs first.

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She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from San Francisco State University. Outside of work, Lily enjoys spending time with her dogs and relaxing at the beach whenever she can.

Grace has over five years of experience in ABA and holds a master’s degree in Behavior Analysis from the Florida Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz. She is passionate about making families feel supported and understood, and she takes care to personalize her approach for each child’s unique needs. One of her favorite parts of the job is collaborating closely with families and other providers to help her clients build skills and achieve greater independence.

 

Grace appreciates SCABA’s dedication to creating an environment where she feels encouraged, inspired, and able to do her best work for the families she serves. Outside of work, she enjoys Pilates, exploring the outdoors, and relaxing with loved ones.

Alex has been working in ABA since 2020 and recently completed her M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis at National University. She brings a grounded, collaborative approach to her work and believes strongly in meeting each child where they are—with empathy, clarity, and consistency.

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She holds a bachelor's degree in Education, Democracy, and Justice from UC Santa Cruz and is committed to building strong, trusting relationships with the families she serves.

 

Alex lives in San Mateo and enjoys playing nine-ball, spending time with her bully breed dogs, and making therapy a positive part of each child’s day.

Lesley began working in ABA in 2021 and immediately felt a deep connection to the work. She brings compassion and curiosity to every session, always aiming to make therapy a positive experience for the children she supports. Lesley believes that learning should be joyful and that building trust with families is essential to meaningful progress.

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She is currently pursuing her M.A. in Behavior Analysis Practice at FIT and holds a B.A. in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz.

 

Outside of work, Lesley enjoys being near the ocean, going for runs along the coast, and working toward her clinical goals with passion and focus.

Yovania is an extraordinarily gifted therapist with a deep passion for helping children thrive. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Development from Cal State Long Beach and has been a valued member of the Santa Cruz ABA team for over four years.

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As a Behavior Consultant, Yovania provides case supervision and parent consultation to families in the Watsonville area. She is bilingual in English and Spanish, which allows her to connect more fully with the diverse families she supports. Known for her warmth, patience, and insight, Yovania is deeply committed to making every child feel seen and supported.

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She lives in Castroville and is currently pursuing her graduate degree. When she’s not working or studying, she enjoys going on walks and recharging in nature.

Lillian joined Santa Cruz ABA in December 2023 as our scheduler and quickly became an indispensable part of the team. In June 2025, she was promoted to Office Manager—a role that reflects both her dedication and her deep understanding of what families need when they reach out for support.

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Lillian’s connection to ABA is personal. Before joining SCABA, her son received ABA therapy through another provider, and she witnessed firsthand the life-changing progress it made possible. That experience now fuels her passion to ensure every family seeking care is met with compassion, clarity, and access to high-quality services.

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Whether coordinating care, answering questions, or guiding new families through the intake process, Lillian leads with warmth and purpose. She loves to serve and takes pride in helping families feel supported from their very first call.