Our employees are the heart and soul of Aim Star Learning. They are highly trained and experienced ABA behavior analysts and therapists that are passionate, caring, and dedicated about making a difference and empowering our clients to thrive.
Meet the Aim Star Learning Team
About Us
Directors
Lesley is the Founder and Executive Director of Aim Star Learning and is committed to excellence in ABA, delivering evidence-based treatment to her clients. With over 20 years of experience, she passionately applies the principles of applied behavior analysis, demonstrating energy, enthusiasm, and genuine care for her clients. Lesley is dedicated to guiding staff in best practices, encouraging active involvement from individuals and families in shaping their lives.
Lesley holds a psychology bachelor's degree from the University of Washington and a master’s degree in behavior analysis and special education from Columbia University. Her interest in applied behavior analysis began during her physical therapy studies at UW, where she gained hands-on experience as a behavior technician. In New York, she worked as a teacher and early education director at the Fred S. Keller School and Hawthorne Country Day School. Since obtaining her BCBA certification in 2002, Lesley has worked with individuals of all ages, addressing diverse abilities and challenges. Lesley has worked in numerous settings, presenting at both local and national conferences on ABA research and education.
Outside of work, Lesley enjoys spending time hiking, paddle boarding, watching movies, and traveling with her husband and two daughters.
Kara Moniz started her journey in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis in February of 2016 and has been at Aim Star Learning since May of 2019. Kara is the Assistant Clinical Director working alongside a team of exceptional clinicians providing meaningful, ethical, and compassionate services to their clients and families. She has worked in multiple settings including clinic, home and school-based settings.
Kara really enjoys working with families and parents to share simple ABA techniques and tools that fit their everyday lives. Kara's passion is to create a holistic approach and allow for individuals diagnosed with ASD and their families to get the most they can out of ABA therapy. Kara has practiced multiple forms of instruction styles but really enjoys precision teaching because she has seen the growth that is possible with fluency-based instruction in practice and the natural environment.
Kara received her Master’s degree in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University. She became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in November of 2020. During Kara’s spare time she enjoys being outdoors with her blue heeler, camping and paddle boarding.
Kristina graduated from Central Washington University in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in child development. After college she found a CBT job with Aim Star Learning and quickly grew to love the field of ABA. In her first year as a CBT she was promoted to Mentor and from there decided to go back to school at Arizona State University to complete her masters in special education and Applied Behavior Analysis in fall of 2021.
In January 2023 Kristina became an LABA. She graduated with her masters in May of 2023. Kristina has been a part of the ABA community since 2020. Kristina enjoys working with early intervention aged children, as well as young adults to help with daily living skills and decreasing challenging behaviors.
When not in the office Kristina fills her days walking her dog, camping and riding her horse. Art has always been a part of Kristina’s life and when she has the time you will find her in the pottery room sculpting vases and cups.
BCBAs
Claire joined Aim Star Learning in August 2022 and gets excited seeing her clients grow socially and develop friendships in the center. She first started working with children in 2014 as a nanny and a volunteer math tutor for middle schoolers. During college she had the opportunity to work in ABA as a behavior technician and loved the field right away.
Since then, she earned her B.S. in Neuroscience from Ohio State University, and an M.A. in special education and Behavior Analysis from the University of Arizona. She became a BCBA in March 2023.
In her free time, she loves to travel, hike, read, rock climb, and dance: She has a bucket list goal
to travel to every state and visit every National Park in the U.S.
Karen Merrill joined Aim Star Learning in 2024 as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Her journey into the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) began through her diverse experiences, including supporting early childhood special education in a school district and founding a private daycare and preschool. During these roles, Karen discovered her passion for working with families and children facing skill deficits and/or interfering behaviors in their daily lives.
Since 2018, Karen has dedicated herself to the field of ABA, striving to provide equitable access to services and empowering families through education and practical strategies that make a meaningful difference. Her broad experience includes working with individuals across the lifespan—from school-age children to teens and adults with autism—in a variety of settings, including schools, homes, ABA centers, and the community.
Karen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources and Organizational Behavior and a Master’s degree in Special Education, both from the University of Washington. She became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2020.
Outside of work, Karen enjoys expressing her creativity through art, curling up with her two dogs, a hot cup of coffee, and a good book. She also loves hiking, attending concerts, and traveling with her family.
Since 2018, Karen has dedicated herself to the field of ABA, striving to provide equitable access to services and empowering families through education and practical strategies that make a meaningful difference. Her broad experience includes working with individuals across the lifespan—from school-age children to teens and adults with autism—in a variety of settings, including schools, homes, ABA centers, and the community.
Karen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources and Organizational Behavior and a Master’s degree in Special Education, both from the University of Washington. She became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2020.
Outside of work, Karen enjoys expressing her creativity through art, curling up with her two dogs, a hot cup of coffee, and a good book. She also loves hiking, attending concerts, and traveling with her family.
Mackenzie Strom is a BCBA at Aim Star Learning, joining the company in 2024. She has been committed to supporting children and families in Western Washington since 2021. A former soccer player, Strom hung up her cleats and embarked on a career in ABA. Beginning as a behavior technician in Yakima, Washington, she dedicated herself to serving children aged 2-12 with autism, developmental delays, and distressed behaviors across various settings including home, school, and clinic environments. Rapidly developing a profound appreciation for the field of ABA, she found fulfillment in assisting children and their families in overcoming diverse challenges and rejoicing in their accomplishments, such as fostering communication skills and forming meaningful relationships.
In 2018, Strom graduated from Central Washington University with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a minor in sociology. She then received a master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis with an Emphasis in Autism from Ball State University. She then attained her BCBA certification in 2021.
Outside of work, Strom cherishes moments with her family, which now includes a new baby boy and their Frenchton companion "Bean". She also indulges in hobbies like camping, golfing with her husband, and maintaining an active lifestyle through workouts.
Rachel Krilcich joined Aim Star Learning as a BCBA in 2024. Krilcich began her career as a physical therapy student in 2014-2015, but quickly shifted her focus when she recognized the need for improved care for individuals on the autism spectrum. Krilcich was previously with a small in-home ABA company and since 2015, she has been directly involved in ABA therapy implementation.
Krilcich earned her B.S. in Behavior Analysis and Therapy from Southern Illinois University in 2018. Seeking further knowledge and professional development, she pursued her M.S. in Behavior Analysis at the University of North Texas, graduating in 2022. Since then, Rachel has found fulfillment in guiding individuals towards their place in the world.
Outside of work, Rachel enjoys hiking, leisurely walks, cuddling with her cats, expanding her houseplant collection, and spending quality time with her husband.
Olivia Englund is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) at Aim Star Learning, joining the company in 2022. She has been dedicated to supporting individuals and their families through Applied Behavior Analysis for over five years, serving individuals with autism and across a variety of settings.
Olivia began her career in ABA as a behavior technician, where she developed a strong foundation in evidence-based practice and a deep appreciation for the impact high-quality, compassionate intervention can have on children and their families. Throughout her work, she has found fulfillment in helping clients build meaningful skills such as communication, independence, and social connection, while collaborating closely with families to support lasting progress.
Olivia earned her Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University and went on to obtain her BCBA certification. She is passionate about providing ethical, individualized, and socially significant interventions that improve quality of life.
Outside of work, Olivia enjoys reading, spending quality time with her family, and relaxing at home with her cats. She values balance, continued learning, and bringing warmth and care into her professional practice.
LABAs
Derek Middlekauff is a LABA at Aim Star Learning, having joined the company in 2019 as a Lead Certified Behavior Technician. Derek's first experience working with children with ASD began in May of 2017 in a school setting as Paraeducator before transitioning to the field of ABA in November 2019. In that time Derek enjoyed working with clients, watching them progress, and achieve significant outcomes. He has experience working with clients in many different settings including home, school, clinic, and on community outings.
Derek has a bachelor's degree in psychology from Eastern Washington University and a graduate certificate in applied behavior analytics from Florida Institute of Technology.
When he is not working Derek enjoys hiking, cooking, and playing board games with friends and family.
Lead BTs
Andrea is a passionate lead Behavior Technician at Aim Star Learning, bringing a wealth of experience and dedication to making a difference in the lives of clients and their families since joining the team in March 2022. With a background in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and four years of prior experience at Caravel Autism, Andrea is adept at providing tailored support to individuals with autism spectrum disorder and related developmental disabilities.
Andrea got into ABA after hearing the impact that it had on families and students in her community. She attended the University of Washington in Seattle, further solidifying their expertise in the field.
Outside of work, Andrea enjoys exploring Washington's culinary offerings and discovering new areas in the state. She also finds fulfillment in hosting dinner parties, fostering connections and meaningful conversations.