Meet Our Team

Clinical Leadership

Cailin M. Ockert Cailin M. Ockert

Cailin M. Ockert

Executive Director

MS, BCBA, LBA

Cailin has been working with children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities since 2005.  She holds dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Psychology and Child Development from Arizona …

Emily-Davis Emily E. Nuño

Emily E. Nuño

Clinical Director

M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Emily has been working with children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities since 2009. She holds a Bachelors of Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Psychology and Family …

Matthew LeVac Matthew LeVac

Matthew LeVac

Director of Therapy

MS, OTR/L

Matthew LeVac is a licensed and registered Occupational Therapist and Assistive Technology Specialist. He holds a Master of Science degree from A.T Stills University and a Certificate in Assistive Technology …

Liz Singer Liz Singer

Liz Singer

Assistant Director

MS, BCBA, LBA

Liz has been working with children and teens with developmental disabilities since 2014. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. …

Behavior Analysts

Jennifer C. Santoemma Jennifer C. Santoemma

Jennifer C. Santoemma

Behavior Analyst

M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Jenny graduated from Belmont Abbey College in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.  After graduating, Jenny moved to Arizona and began working in the …

Staci Marquez Staci Marquez

Staci Marquez

Behavior Analyst & State Certified Teacher, Special Ed K-12

M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Staci Marquez is a Licensed Behavior Analyst possessing a Masters of Education from The University of Toledo in Special Education.  Early on in her career, Staci cultivated her passion working …

Chaynee Tabet Chaynee Tabet

Chaynee Tabet

Behavior Analyst

MS, BCBA, LBA

Chaynee graduated from Texas A&M University in 2018. After graduation, Chaynee moved to Arizona to begin working in the field of applied behavior analysis. In 2021, she completed a Master …

Dylan Nikkel Dylan Nikkel

Dylan Nikkel

Behavior Analyst

MS, BCBA, LBA

Dylan has been working with children, teens, and adults with developmental disabilities since becoming a behavior technician at Bista in 2015. He graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor …

Stephanie Bakazan Stephanie Bakazan

Stephanie Bakazan

Senior Behavior Analyst

MS, BCBA, LBA

Stephanie has been working with children and teens with developmental disabilities since 2015. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2016 and holds a …

Laura Milstrey Laura Milstrey

Laura Milstrey

Behavior Analyst

M.A., BCBA, LBA

Laura Milstrey started her career in applied behavior analysis in 2004, completing her Masters degree and practicum experience at The Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, an affiliate of John’s …

Headshot of Zackary Sinex Zackary Sinex

Zackary Sinex

Behavior Analyst

MS, BCBA, LBA

Zack graduated from ASU in 2022 with a masters in Applied Behavior Analysis after completing fieldwork focused on the science of learning, flexibility training and early language intervention for children …

Jacy Wallace Jacy Wallace

Jacy Wallace

Behavior Analyst

MS, BCBA, LBA

Jacy has been working with children, teens, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 2020. After receiving her Bachelor of Health Science degree in 2021, Jacy moved to Arizona …

Speech Therapy Team

placeholder DeEsta D’appollonio

DeEsta D’appollonio

Speech Language Pathologist

SLP

DeEsta is a licensed speech-language pathologist passionate about working with individuals with developmental disabilities. DeEsta began her career in 2016, after graduating from the University of Arkansas with a Master’s …

Headshot of Mariana Gertz Mariana Gertz

Mariana Gertz

Speech Language Pathologist

MS, CF-SLP

Mariana is a compassionate and highly dedicated speech-language pathologist (SLP) who possesses an unwavering commitment to helping individuals find their voice and overcome communication challenges. Her journey in the field …

Occupational Therapy Team

Headshot of Gabby Alcantar Gabby Alcantar

Gabby Alcantar

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

COTA/L

Gabby Alcantar is a certified and licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant. She formerly worked as an RBT in our Bista Clinic while completing her Occupational Therapy Program. She graduated with an Associate Degree in Occupational Science from Pima Medical Institute in 2023.