Amanda Kelly is an award-winning public policy advocate, renowned speaker and behavior analysis champion
Breakthrough Behavior is proud to announce Dr. Amanda Kelly, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA, as the new Chief Clinical Officer. Amanda will oversee all clinical programs of Breakthrough Behavior including applied behavior analysis, speech and other therapies at all locations. She will also be responsible for ensuring clinical excellence and compliance at all levels of services as well as ensuring integrity and fidelity of programming.
“Welcoming Amanda to Breakthrough Behavior represents a significant milestone for this organization,” said Breakthrough Behavior Chief Executive Officer Maegen Pierce. “First, we have the opportunity to work with one of the most accomplished and renowned experts in our industry. Amanda’s experience is unparalleled—she has worked in every setting with a wide range of families, but she is also an incredible public policy advocate, award-winning provider, acclaimed author, social media maven, and a true trendsetter in the behavior analysis field. Second, Breakthrough Behavior now has a tremendous opportunity to further elevate our clinical programs in our pursuit of excellence under Amanda’s guidance and leadership.”
While pursuing a career in elementary education, Amanda was first introduced to the science of behavior analysis after meeting a young child with autism. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Shepherd University, Amanda moved from West Virginia to Massachusetts, where she completed coursework and supervision requirements to obtain her BCaBA. She continued studying the science of behavior analysis, earning her master’s degree and doctorate in behavior analysis from Simmons University, and obtaining her BCBA and BCBA-D, respectively.
After successfully defending her doctoral dissertation, Amanda relocated from New England to the island of Oʻahu, where she championed autism insurance and advocated for licensure for behavior analysts. In 2016, Amanda became the first behavior analyst licensed in Hawaiʻi. Throughout her career, she has focused on showcasing effective applications of behavior analysis, most notably extending to areas of public policy, ethics, and sustainable behavior change. Due to her effective dissemination and advocacy efforts, Amanda has been awarded the Jerry Shook Practitioner of the Year (2012), Advocacy Group of the Year (2015), Provider Advocate of the Year (2019) and AIRC Champion (2020). Amanda is considered a thought-leader in behavior analysis and is often highly sought after as a speaker at national, as well as international events.
“With an emphasis on compassion, innovation, and excellence,” said Amanda. “I couldn't be more excited to join the team at Breakthrough Behavior."
Amanda is also known as “Behaviorbabe,” an online avatar created in 2008 that later evolved into a social media persona, global speaker and podcast feature that yielded more than 300,000 downloads in its first year.
Learn more about the leadership team at Breakthrough Behavior at https://www.breakthroughbehavior.com/leadership.
Comments