Ethics Committee Members - Bluesprig Autism

Meet the BlueSprig Ethics Committee

Cynthia Owens, M.S., BCBA
Vice President of Clinical Services
Alex Tomei, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
Director of Clinical Standards
Robin Boyette
Director of Human Resources Employee Relations
Diana Powell, MS, BCBA, LBA
Clinical Initiatives Manager
Runako Teri-Savage, MSN, RN, CPN
Vice President of Operations
Shelby Banez
RBT
Margaret Jolea Blackwelder
Clinical Director
Sierra Carpenter
Associate Clinical Director
Jen Roeder, MS, BCBA
Vice President of Operations
Sandy Reuschling
Clinical Director
Shaye Finkel
RBT
Chelsea Schleenbaker
RBT
Valerie Herbert
Senior Clinical Director
Anastasia Monroy-Navarro
Clinical Director
Cinnamon Boucher
Associate Clinical Director
Anthony Burns
Clinical Director
Molly Love
BCBA
Amanda DeNier
Clinical Director
Christopher Calva
Amanda Schaunaman, MS, BCBA, LBA
Director of Clinical Operations
Charlotte Earnhart
Clinical Director
Breanna Briggs
Clinical Director
Kirsten Emmert
Center Director
Iris Lomas
Senior Clinical Supervisor

Cynthia Owens, M.S., BCBA

Vice President of Clinical Services

As Vice President of Clinical Services at BlueSprig, Cynthia Owens is responsible for supporting and upholding high-quality standards of care for the clients and families we serve. Through collaboration and teamwork across departments, Cynthia supports alignment with the organization’s mission and values to produce meaningful client outcomes.

Cynthia earned her Master of Science in Psychology with an emphasis in Behavior Analysis from California State University, Stanislaus. She began her career supporting clients through ABA treatment more than 20 years ago. Cynthia has delivered presentations and workshops at state, national, and international conferences on topics such as social skills, early intervention, staff training, and caregiver collaboration. Prior to joining BlueSprig, Cynthia led a curriculum development team and regularly worked with a group of subject matter experts to support the development of training modules, goal banks, caregiver engagement activities, and other resources to assist clinicians in their work to maximize treatment outcomes.

Cynthia is passionate about building resources to support high-quality treatment for clients across their lifespan. She is equally passionate about training and mentoring new clinicians in the field. Outside of work, Cynthia enjoys spending time with her family in her home state of California.

Runako Teri-Savage, MSN, RN, CPN

Vice President of Operations

As Vice President of Operations at BlueSprig, Runako Teri-Savage is responsible for executing strategic growth, tactical support, and efficient delivery of client services within her area. Runako brings 20 years of health care experience, focusing on care in the pediatric community. She has experience leading operations in medical day treatment clinics, school health services, and the pediatric home health space.

Runako has been with BlueSprig since 2019, guiding daily operations and accomplishing strategic initiatives as Director of Operations. Prior to BlueSprig, she served as Area Clinical Director and Area Director of Operations, where she led the Florida and Louisiana regions in the care of medically fragile children and adults. As a Registered Nurse, Runako values the integral balance between operational performance, clinical quality, and service excellence. She is passionate about growing and developing her team and believes in creating a culture where continuous process improvement is the foundation for area expansion.

Runako earned her nursing degree from Advent Health University and holds a Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Executive Leadership from Chamberlain University. She is a Board-Certified Pediatric Nurse and a Certified Six Sigma Green Belt. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International – Honor Society of Nursing and the American College of Healthcare Executives. Runako lives in Central Florida with her husband, two boys, and Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Margaret Jolea Blackwelder

Clinical Director

Hi, I’m Margaret-Jolea! I am a BCBA, LBA, and Clinical Director living in Charlotte, North Carolina, I am also a Charlotte Native! Go Panthers! I attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and obtained my bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice. Upon graduating, I began working as an RBT for a pediatric clinic providing 1:1 ABA therapy for individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder. I graduated from Arizona State University with my master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. When I passed my BCBA exam in February of 2020, I transitioned into an analyst role. I have experience in clinic settings, in home settings, pre school settings, community settings, and telehealth. I have also mentored students as they pursue their BCBA certification. I have extensive experience in the following: functional communication training, parent communications, severe behaviors, assessments, PFA, and early intervention. My passion in ABA is helping learners find their voice and to become more independent in everyday life. When I am not implementing ABA, you can find me relaxing with my goldendoodle, spending time with my family, or traveling the world!

Jen Roeder, MS, BCBA

Vice President of Operations

Jen Roeder, MS BCBA, serves as Vice President of Operations over the West Region at BlueSprig. Holding a BS in Psychology from California State University, Chico, and an MS in Applied Behavior Analysis from National University, Jen is currently pursuing a PhD in Psychology with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis at Capella University. As a certified OBM and a member of the BSP/TBH Ethics committee, Jen is well-regarded for her expertise in ruling out medical factors in treatment. Her professional contributions are extensive, focusing on the publication of work regarding medical factors in treatment, ethics, and skill acquisition. Notably, she is slated to speak at ABAI in May 2024, presenting her research titled A Survey of Current Practices of Behavior Analysts’ Consideration of Client Medical Needs. Beyond her professional life, Jen is an ardent lover of dogs and cats, with a keen interest in sports, especially cheering for the Red Sox and the 49ers. She combines her love for music and travel by attending concerts and plays adult slow pitch softball weekly, showcasing her multifaceted interests and active lifestyle.

Anthony Burns

Clinical Director

Anthony has been changing the world for children with autism since 2014, when he started his journey in the field of applied behavior analysis as a technician. Way back when, his goal was to make an impact for his first client and the client’s family, but he quickly realized that the client and family had a much bigger impact on him. Needless to say, he found his calling. He earned his Master’s Degree in Psychology from Stony Brook University with one goal in mind, to become a behavior analyst. While earning his master’s degree, Anthony worked in a research lab for individuals and families with autism and had the opportunity to contribute to advancing the field by presenting numerous academic research posters and publishing chapters in the Encyclopedia for Autism Spectrum Disorders. He completed his ABA coursework at St. Joseph’s University and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2019. He is also a Licensed Behavior Analyst in both New York and Texas.

Anthony joins the BlueSprig team with a wide variety of experience, including providing in-home services, clinic-based services, and behavioral consultation services for individuals and families within the public school setting. His passion is family guidance and empowering parents and caregivers to use behavioral principles to make a meaningful difference in the lives of their children. Anthony also enjoys teaching newly minted behavior analysts utilizing a compassionate care model in order to achieve therapeutic outcomes and increase accessibility to as many families as possible.

In his free time, Anthony enjoys long, random car rides while belting ‘90s and 2000s classics, reading, painting and crafting, exploring more of Texas, playing board games with friends, and learning to cook and trying new recipes. He is also a cat dad.

Amanda DeNier

Clinical Director

Amanda DeNier, MA, BCBA, serves as the Clinical Director at the Apopka, FL center, where her expertise significantly contributes to the organization’s success. With a solid educational foundation that includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Queens College, an ABA Course Sequence from the Florida Institute of Technology, and a Graduate Degree in Special Education with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University, Amanda is well-equipped to handle a variety of challenges in her field. Her areas of expertise lie in Early Intervention, Verbal Behavior, and Assent-Based Practices, allowing her to make meaningful differences in her clients’ lives.

Amanda’s client care philosophy centers around providing compassionate care that prioritizes ethics and client dignity. She is committed to equipping her clients with the necessary tools to advocate for themselves, achieve personal satisfaction, and thrive in their environments. Her goal is for each client to become the most successful version of themselves.

When not making strides in her professional role, Amanda enjoys engaging in activities that connect her with nature and promote wellbeing. Doing yoga on the beach tops her list of favorite weekend activities, and she holds personal interests in gardening, hiking, maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle, and exploring all things nature-related. Amanda’s balanced approach to professional and personal life reflects her holistic philosophy toward client care and personal well-being.

Charlotte Earnhart

Clinical Director

Charlotte Earnhart is a dedicated and skilled Clinical Director at Florida Autism Center in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. She embarked on her academic journey at Stetson University, where she not only earned an undergraduate degree in Communications & Media Studies but also showcased her athletic prowess by playing Division 1 beach and indoor volleyball. Following her passion for behavioral science, she furthered her education at Ball State University, obtaining a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. Charlotte’s impressive credentials include an MA and BCBA, underscoring her expertise and commitment to her field.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Charlotte has a vibrant personal life filled with activities that bring her joy and relaxation. She continues to engage in beach volleyball, a nod to her university days, and has also taken up pickleball. An avid reader, she enjoys diving into books whenever she can. Charlotte’s love for animals is evident in her companionship with her orange cat, Jimmy, making her personal story as rich and engaging as her professional life.

Breanna Briggs

Clinical Director

Breanna Briggs currently holds the position of Clinical Director at Florida Autism Center located in Clermont, FL. With an educational background that boasts a Master of Arts in Special Education and a credential as a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst), Briggs brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Her client care philosophy is deeply rooted in personal connections, emphasizing the importance of getting to know each family intimately and supporting them based on their unique circumstances. Breanna is fiercely passionate about guiding her clients towards achieving their utmost potential and celebrating their successes, especially those accomplishments which seemed impossible to others.

Originally from North Carolina, Breanna relocated to Florida in 2015. Despite her move to the Sunshine State, she amusingly admits to not being a fan of its characteristic heat. Her academic journey began with a bachelor’s degree in social work in North Carolina, followed by a leap to Arizona State University, where she obtained her Masters in ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis). Her career at FAC started with a role as an RBT (Registered Behavior Technician), a position that ignited her passion for working with children. Beyond her professional life, Breanna is happily married, a mother to a delightful daughter, and a pet parent to three dogs. She harbors a love for all things outdoors and is an avid Harry Potter fan. In her leisure time, she treasures moments spent with her family and enjoys delving into a good book, which further adds depth to her multifaceted personality.