Our taff
Yrenka Sunderlin, MS, BCBA, LBA
Founder & CEO
Yrenka is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with an extensive background working with individuals with special needs. Her path to a career in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) started with working in a residential facility (Level 12) 25 years ago. While there, she learned to identify a myriad of challenging behaviors, but observed that the treatment of choice at the facility was not effective in achieving lasting, positive behavior change. She knew that she wanted to make a difference, and that using evidence-based practices, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), was most likely going to make this a reality. After receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of La Verne, she then attended California State University, Los Angeles to complete her Master's Degree in ABA under the mentor-ship of Dr. Randy Campbell, Dr. Michele Wallace, and Dr. Henry D. Schlinger, Jr. During this time, she began receiving extensive formal training by Kari Berquist, Ph.D. BCBA-D in ABA methodologies, including Discrete Trial Training, Picture Exchange Communication System, Pivotal Response Treatment, Verbal Behavior, Positive Behavior Support, Functional Communication Training, Functional Behavior Assessments, completed the Autism Certification Program and UCLA PEERS® certification program. She is a member of the Association for Behavior Analysis International and the California Association for Applied Behavior Analysis. She subscribes to scholarly journals, participates in continuing education opportunities and maintains close ties with a network of professionals in the field.
In addition to being a respected Behavior Analyst, she is currently an adjunct faculty member at National University (Camarillo), teaching BCBA course sequence. She also serves as an Advisory Board Member for Reid's Gift.
In an effort to reach out to the under-served Spanish speaking community, Yrenka provides parent education workshops (in Spanish) at a local resource center in Ventura County.
Brian Sunderlin
Owner & CFO
Brian has been quite busy, diligently working to keep all operations up and running smoothly here at SBI. As soon as he has a moment, he will write his bio...
Mikaela Bercow, BA
Director of Operations
Mikaela began her journey with Sunderlin LA in June of 2018, as a Behavior Therapist. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Interdisciplinary Educational Studies, with minors in Art and Psychology, from California Lutheran University. Currently, she works with staff across states on a variety of tasks, including intake of new clients and reviewing assessment reports. Mikaela works to ensure that clients receive the guidance they need in a timely manner. In addition, you will often find her cheerful voice on the other end of the phone when you call the office.
Alli SanGiacomo, MS, BCBA, LBA
Senior Clinical Supervisor
Alli is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who received her Master’s of Science in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Childhood and Adolescent therapy from California Lutheran University and completed her certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis at the University of California, Santa Barbara. After joining the Sunderlin LA team in 2018, Alli found her calling working with teens and young adults providing individual services and developing programs for this population. She is a UCLA PEERS Certified Provider and has worked to expand and develop Sunderlin's social skills interventions. Currently, she specializes in working late diagnoses and comorbidities across states, working to provide individualized services that enhance an individual’s quality of life. Beyond behavior, Alli also provides transitional life coaching for young adults striving to master the skills necessary for independence. In addition to her clinical duties, Alli also manages internships across states, creates digital media, and maintains the website.
Megan Bither, MA, BCBA, LBA
Clinical Supervisor
Megan is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who began her Applied Behavior Analysis journey in 2019. After working with children in the school setting while completing her undergraduate degree at Portland State University, Megan discovered the field of ABA and became a Registered Behavior Technician upon graduating. Megan quickly fell in love with the field and immediately began pursuing her Master’s degree in ABA with hopes to obtain her board certification. Megan has worked as a technician in home, school, and clinic settings from early 2019 to the end of 2021, when she obtained her BCBA. During her time in the field, Megan has worked with children from ages 2-13 and has focused on functional communication training throughout her practice. She is dedicated and passionate about allowing creativity and celebrating progress. Megan joined the Sunderlin Portland team in March of 2022 and looks forward to furthering her knowledge as a BCBA through a play-based, child-lead approach to ABA.
Devyn Plisik, MS, BCBA, LBA
Clinical Supervisor
Devyn is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who joined the Portland team in March of 2022. She began supporting individuals with developmental disabilities in 2016 and became a behavior therapist in 2017. After completing a B.S. in Molecular and Cell Biology from UC Merced in 2017, she went on to start a master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis from National University in 2018. Devyn graduated with her master’s in the summer of 2020 and obtained her BCBA certification in the winter of 2021. Along her journey, she has worked with individuals of all ages. Devyn has also been lucky enough to work closely with many other disciplines including speech pathology, occupational therapy, and music therapy and highly values collaboration. She looks forward to growing as a supervisor and working closely with families and professionals to enrich the lives of her clients.
Caroline Young, MA, RBT
Case Supervisor
Caroline begin working with Sunderlin in 2021 when the company expanded to Boise, Idaho. She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Alaska Anchorage, where she did her practicum work in the Anchorage School District proving ABA services and learning how the science of behavior analysis can be applied to different settings. Caroline went on to receive her Master’s in Special Education in Applied Behavior Analysis at Arizona State University and is currently pursing her BCBA certification.
Ashley Weatherill, BA, RBT
Case Supervisor
Ashley is an Apprentice Supervisor who began her journey in the field in 2014 as a Behavioral Therapist as well as an Intensive Behavioral Instructional Aide after receiving her undergraduate degree in Psychology from California State University, Fullerton. Unsure of where to take her next steps, she went back to CSUF and received her Moderate/Severe Teaching Credential and taught four years of Special Education. Although she loved being in the classroom, behavior analysis and working in the home setting was where she was being called. Ashley jumped back in as a Registered Behavior Technician and back into school once again. Now she is finishing up her Master’s Degree at National University whilst pursing her BCBA. Ashley looks forward to continuing with her career at Sunderlin and providing quality evidence-based services to support families and individuals of all ages.
Joelle Bobadilla
Intake Coordinator
Joelle began working with Sunderlin in April 2022. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Family Studies and Child Development from California State University of Long Beach. She has worked directly with families for 5 years as an Associate Teacher and Head Teacher in Early Childhood Education as well as an RBT.
Currently, she works behind the scenes with the staff across states on a variety of tasks, including intake of new clients, insurance verification and you will often find her cheerful voice on the other end of the phone when you call the office.
Melissa Ramirez
Payroll Specialist
Melissa began her journey with Sunderlin Behavioral in February 2022. After years of working as a clerical translator for clients and overseeing document translations, she realized her passion for performing work that requires precise attention to detail. Melissa's experience with auditing and accounting found her wanting to transition back to her happy place of working with numbers, and she felt that Sunderlin's position was the perfect fit. Melissa’s current role at Sunderlin includes processing payroll, overseeing the onboarding process for all new hires and record keeping.
Shea Gowdy, RBT
Quality Assurance / Office Coordinator
Prior to working as Sunderlin, Shea spent several years leading wilderness expeditions with at-risk youth, as well as working seasonally as a scuba dive instructor. Outdoor instruction not only taught her adaptability and reliability, but also cultivated her passion for helping others overcome challenges. Shea began working at Sunderlin’s Portland location in June of 2020 as an RBT and quickly progressed to become Lead Therapist in 2021. Later that year, Shea decided to move back to her homeland of Idaho and was transferred to assist in the opening of the Boise clinic as the Quality AssuranceOffice Coordinator. In Idaho, Shea oversees the day-to-day activities of the clinic, works alongside the admin team, trains new staff and provides ABA services. She carries these attributes into her current position at Sunderlin and absolutely loves helping each client grow and succeed.
Fernando Rodriguez, BA, RBT
Apprentice Supervisor
Coming soon...
David Soto
Lead Billing Specialist
David took over the integral role of billing for Sunderlin in December of 2019. After working in a bank overseeing tellers and performing audits, he found that his eye for detail helped him further develop his passion for working with numbers. As a self-proclaimed math nerd, he found his calling in ABA billing 5 years ago and never looked back. David’s current role at Sunderlin involves reviewing billing, submitting claims, talking directly to insurance companies, and checking benefits while striving each day for accurate and ethical billing.
Edward Tate
Billing Manager
Edward is a Billing and revenue collections specialist who began his journey in the field in 2016 as a collection’s specialist for Applied behavioral analysis claims. After working on collections, secondary insurance billing, appeals, and audit projects for many years in the same company he was ready to move on and learn new skills. Edward began working with Sunderlin Behavioral in April 2022 and his current role entails reviewing billing, submitting claims, performing various accounts receivable functions, talking directly to insurance companies, billing patient responsibility, refunds, and talking directly to families about their accounts. Edward seeks challenging assignments in the organization that will utilize his knowledge and experience to contribute to the objective of Sunderlin Behavioral and to grow with it. Edward gets self-satisfaction from getting his job assignments completed and knowing that he is helping children and families in need.