Project Staff:
Susan "Sue" Palko, M.Ed, BCBA, LBA
Susan Palko started her career as a special education teacher in the public schools. In her current role she serves as an Autism Consortium Coordinator at Virginia Commonwealth University's Autism Center for Excellence. Sue got her Master's in Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is currently supporting school staff in Superintendent's Regions 1 and Region 6. Her professional career has focused on the implementation of evidence based practices in the public schools so as to increase students' access to the general education curriculum and community involvement.
Taryn Traylor, Ph.D., BCBA, LBA
Taryn Traylor is an Autism Consortium Coordinator at Virginia Commonwealth University's Autism Center for Excellence. She provides training and technical assistance in Superintendent's Region 1 (Central Virginia) and Region 6 (Southwest Virginia). Dr. Traylor has various experiences in developing, executing, and evaluating state and local programming for students with autism and developmental disabilities. Her professional career has focused on the translation of applied behavior analytic services within the public school setting.
Kate Lewis, BCBA, LBA
Kate Lewis currently works in Region 1 providing training and technical assistance to school divisions in order to increase their capacity to provide evidence-based instruction and behavioral supports to students with autism. Kate is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, as well as, a Licensed Behavior Analyst in the state of Virginia. She has worked with individuals with disabilities using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis since 1999. Kate earned her B.A. in psychology from George Mason University and her M.S. in behavior analysis from Florida State University. Kate has also completed coursework to gain a certificate in nonprofit management through Virginia Commonwealth University and is also an alumna of the Emerging Nonprofit Leaders Program. She has provided services to individuals with special needs in home programs, public and private schools, group homes, and autism centers, providing them with the necessary skills and education to help them be successful in their communities. Kate has presented at local, state and national conferences on implementing ABA principles and autism, as well as, taught university coursework in behavior analysis. Kate served as the President for the Virginia Association for Behavior Analysis from 2013-2015 and At-Large Representative from 2018-2020. She also served on the Board of Medicine Advisory Board for Behavior Analysis from 2015-2019 and is currently on the Advisory Board for Virginia Tech's Center for Autism Research.
Lauren Avellone, Ph.D., BCBA, LBA
Lauren Avellone, Ph.D., BCBA. is a research associate at the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center at Virginia Commonwealth University. She is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. The majority of her clinical and professional career has been spent completing research and providing behavioral analytic services to youth and young adults with autism spectrum disorder. Her research interests include improving transition outcomes for students with intensive disabilities and psychological disorders by developing assessments, and implementing behavior management techniques to reduce maladaptive behaviors for individuals with challenges related to impulse control, self-injurious behavior, and aggression. She graduated with a master's degree in clinical psychology from University of South Carolina-Aiken and a Ph.D. in special education from Kent State University.
Meredith Eads, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
Training and Technical Assistance Associate
Meredith Eads, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA has worked in the field of special education and autism since 2004. Meredith earned her B.S. in Psychology from Sweet Briar College and her M.Ed in Special Education from VCU. She currently provides training and technical assistance to school divisions in Region 1, supporting school teams to build their capacity to provide evidence-based instruction and behavioral supports to students with autism and related disabilities. Meredith has provided services to individuals with special needs through ABA in the home and community settings, public and private schools, and autism centers. She has trained and coached school division personnel in best practices for working with students with autism, and has taught Psychology through the Virginia Community College System. Meredith served as At-Large Representative from 2018-2020 for the Virginia Association for Behavior Analysis and helped to launch VABA’s DEIB initiative.
Lauren Lenski, M.Ed.
Training and Technical Assistance Associate
Lauren Lenski earned her undergraduate degree from Radford University in Early Childhood Special Education and a Master's degree in Special Education K-12 General Curriculum. She started her career in Applied Behavior Analysis in a clinical setting providing wraparound in-home services in partnership with families and local school divisions. Ms. Lenski has also obtained her certification as a Registered Behavior Technician. Most recently, Lauren provided divisionwide consultative, coaching, and training support within the public school setting, designed to support the needs of students with autism and challenging behavior.
Kaylan Long, M.Ed, BCBA, LBA
Training and Technical Assistance Associate
Kaylan Long, M.Ed, BCBA, LBA, is a training and technical assistance associate at the Autism Center for Excellence (ACE). Ms. Long earned her Masters of Education in special education from Auburn University. She comes to ACE with experience as a special education teacher in two different states outside of Virginia. As a Licensed Behavior Analyst, Ms. Long has extensive district wide experience in providing coaching and training to various educational professionals within the public school setting on instructional and behavioral programming. Her passion is training others to provide trauma-informed, dignified, and values-based services to students with disabilities.
Geoff Loughrey, BCBA, LBA
Training and Technical Assistance Associate
Geoff Loughrey, BCBA, LBA, has worked in the field of applied behavior analysis for over 10 years and worked with individuals with Autism in various capacities for 17 years. His initial experience started at the Severe Behavior and Feeding Research clinic afflilated with Upstate Medical University. Since then, Geoff has worked in a variety of settings including: Private Day Schools, Home-Based Therapy, and Center-Based Therapy. Geoff has experience in clinical training, professional development/coaching, leadership training, and organizational analytics. He is passionate about providing quality supervision to aspiring behavior analysts.
Charlene H. Wentland, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
Training and Technical Assistance Associate
Charlene H. Wentland received her B.A. in Psychology and a Masters Degree in Special Education in Emotional Disturbance, both from the College of William and Mary. She has a state endorsement as a Positive Behavior Supports Facilitator in Virginia and she is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Charlene has been a special education teacher, staff trainer, support staff and administrator in special education for over 20 years. Before joining the VCU-ACE team she was an administrator at SECEP in Norfolk, VA. Charlene has received extensive leadership training in coaching and mentoring through the Santa Cruz New Teacher Center Program. Charlene is an instructor at Centerstage Academy, Joy of Acting, specializing in drama classes for people with autism spectrum disorder. She lives in Williamsburg, VA
Heather Womack, MS, BCaBA, LBA
Training and Technical Assistance Associate
Heather Womack, MS, BCaBA, LBA, is a training and technical assistance associate at the Autism Center for Excellence (ACE). Heather earned her BS in Elementary and Special Education from Grand Canyon University and a Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis. She comes to ACE with experience as an elementary and special education teacher, as well as being a countywide behavior specialist in a public school setting. Heather is very motivated and passionate about providing coaching and training to educators to provide individualized, trauma-informed, and evidence-based services to students with trauma and disabilities.