Dana received her BA in Psychology from Michigan State University in 2016 and her MA in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University. She began working in the field of ABA as a Registered Behavior Technician in 2016 and has been working at Next Gen since 2019 first as a practicum student, and now as a BCBA since 2021. Dana has a passion for teaching communication skills so her clients can express their needs and desires and form positive relationships with their families and friends. She also enjoys staff mentorship and family trainings. In her spare time, Dana loves traveling, and has been to a dozen different countries. She also likes to read books and spend quality time with her friends and family.

Start Date in ABA: September 2018 Start Date at Next Gen: March 2021 Colleges Attended and Graduated From: • BS in Psychology: Michigan State University • MA in Applied Behavioral Analytics: Ball State University Interest in the Working Field: Shawn is a dedicated professional with a passion for making a positive impact in the lives of others through Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). Shawn's journey towards a career in ABA began with a deep-rooted desire to understand human behavior and provide support to individuals facing challenges, which further developed into a curiosity about why people behave the way they do and how their actions can be influenced by various factors. This curiosity led Shawn to pursue a degree in Psychology, where he delved into the intricacies of human cognition and behavior. Driven by a desire to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and neurodivergent traits, he completed an ABA program at Ball State. Shawn's ultimate goal is to create meaningful change by empowering individuals to reach their full potential and lead fulfilling lives. Personal Interests: Outside of his professional pursuits, Shawn enjoys immersing himself in nature through hiking and camping trips, as well as supporting his spouse as she runs abundant marathons. Additionally, he is passionate about travel, even if it is just taking his three dogs on a walk around the neighborhood.

Rachael Hunter is our current office manager who has worked at Next Gen Therapy since November of 2019. She graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Psychology and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Western Michigan University where she hopes to continue working with children. Her favorite part about working with children is getting to see them reach new milestones and the excitement they bring to each day. Outside from work and school, her interests include hiking, camping, and gardening.

Laura began working at Next Gen Therapy in September of 2020 as a technician while she attended Michigan State University. Laura finished her bachelors in elementary education from Michigan State University in 2021. Laura loved working at Next Gen and the field of Applied Behavior Analysis so much that in January of 2022 she began school at University of Michigan-Dearborn to get her masters in ABA. Laura graduated with her masters in August 2023. Laura is passionate about teaching her clients how to functionally communicate with others and open up doors to new experiences. She also enjoys getting to know each client individually and helping them achieve their goals. Outside of work, Laura loves to read, craft, and spend time with her fiancé and pets.

My name is Juliette Thomas and I am a BCaBA. I started working at Next Gen Therapy in November of 2019. I graduated from Oakland University with my bachelor's degree and I am currently working on my Masters degree at Purdue Online Global University. I am passionate about helping children gain more independence and learn to communicate effectively. In my spare time I like to go outside and spend time with my family.

Karah began working at Next Gen in December of 2022. She graduated from Oakland University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Elementary Education in 2020. She was an elementary school teacher during the pandemic then started working at Next Gen to continue working with kids in a one-on-one setting. Karah's passion is teaching children and helping them learn and grow. Her favorite part of the job is getting to see the clients smile and laugh each day. Outside of work, Karah enjoys taking her dog on walks, reading, and exploring new cities.