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Founder & Executive Director

Jenifer T Peralta-Mercado MS Ed., Special Needs Advocate
She/Her/Hers

Language: Spanish & English

Jenifer was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. She is a graduate of Mercy College where she earned her Masters in Early Childhood and Special Education (B-2nd grade). She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology from Lehman College. Jenifer developed a more intense passion for working with children with special needs while working as a Head Teacher at The Goddard School. In 2014, Jenifer joined The Manhattan Children Center as an ABA instructor a year later she joined their behavioral clinic at The Manhattan Behavioral Center. Jenifer has served numerous capacities throughout her years in the education field as an administrator, classroom teacher, parent trainer, behavioral therapist clinical and home-based setting, serving children (Ages 3-21).

Jenifer has a huge passion and dedication for children on the spectrum and their families. She is a Special Needs Advocate, loves developing relationships with her clients, families and staff, and possesses a huge desire to inspire others. 
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Her professional interests include special education and family law, staff development, and performance management. Jenifer currently serves as the President of the PTO at Huckle Berry Hill Elementary and volunteers as a member of the New School Building Naming Committee for Brookfield Public Schools District. Jenifer currently resides in Connecticut with her husband Sandy and their dog Norman. 

Co-Founder & Chief Strategic Officer

Sandy R Mercado

He/Him/His

Language: Spanish & English

Sandy is the Co-Founder & Chief Strategic Officer at PIERPOINTE Behavior Analysts of Connecticut, LLC. Alongside his wife Jen they founded PIERPOINTE.

Sandy shares the same passion as his wife Jen, a passion for providing high-quality services to children and families in the autism spectrum, advocating for special education services, and giving back to the community of Brookfield and nearby areas. In his spare time, Sandy enjoys running, traveling, and spending time with his wife and kids. 

Director of Operations and Human Resources Management

Jazmin Infantas, MBA

She/Her/Hers

Language: Spanish & English

Jazmin Infantas graduated in May 2020 with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and minor in Sociology from Western Connecticut State University. She has obtained her Masters in Business Administration from Western Connecticut State University in 2022. 

Jazmin oversees administrative operations at PIERPOINTE and manages our ever growing employee roster. Jazmin is passionate about quality care and continually works to improve processes at PIERPOINTE. 

Consulting Director of Operations

Syreeta D Stallworth, B.A

She/Her/Hers

Language: English

Syreeta D. Stallworth is a graduate of SUNY Potsdam, with a BA in English Literature and Writing. She has spent her professional career working as an Administrator in the school setting. As an Intake Specialist with Birch Family Services, she assured families with placement in their Special Education preschool programs in Long Island City, Queens, and in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. Syreeta has worked with various nonprofit agencies to ensure that the administrative process for its teachers and therapists runs effortlessly.

Syreeta has devoted her time to ensuring that the administrative side of PIERPOINTE is handled with care and precision.

In her spare time, Syreeta enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

​Chief Clinical Operations Officer

Daniel M. Ferman, MA, BCBA, LBA (CT, MD)

He/Him/His

Language: English

Daniel is a Connecticut and Maryland Licensed Behavior Analyst and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Daniel received his Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Caldwell University. As an active researcher, Daniel is passionate about high-quality evidence-based care and service delivery. Daniel is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in behavior analytic service delivery and is helping to lead PIERPOINTE towards equitable access to services for all families. 

He has been published in ​Behavior Analysis in Practice, The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, and has published a book chapter on diversity with his research colleagues. 

As the chief clinical operations officer, Daniel oversees all clinical level activities at PIERPOINTE and works to ensure that the highest quality care and service is offered to our clients and families.

Clinical Director of Home-based Services

Dr. Susan Mariano Lapidus, BCBA-D, LBA (NY, CT) 

She/Her/Hers

Language: English

Dr. Mariano Lapidus has been recognized internationally as a Fulbright Scholar of inclusive education and has expertise in conducting international research and educational collaboration. She has been invited to participate in national and international conferences, research, and publications. Additionally, she has extensive experience working directly with children, families, and schools and as an evaluator for the Department of Health. Dr.Mariano-Lapidus joins PIERPOINTE and its mission to provide the children we serve and their families with a higher level of services and professionalism. 

​ BCBA Case Manager

 Sara Moziejko-Wright, M.ED. ABA, BCBA, LBA-CT

She/Her/Hers

Language: English

Sara Moziejko-Wright is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She received her Master’s in ABA from the University of Cincinnati. She has worked in the field of ABA since 2016 and has held several positions throughout the years including working as a Behavioral Consultant, Classroom Support Specialist, and Behavior Specialist at Bishop King Mussio Elementary School. Sara is actively pursuing her doctorate’s degree in ABA at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Sara enjoys spending time with her children Quinn, Cameron, and Cooper; and her husband Jared. 

BCBA Case Manager / PIERPOINTE PMT TRAINER

Harold Lee Whitehead Jr., M.S., BCBA, LBA (CT)

He/Him/His

Language: English

Harold Lee Whitehead, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Connecticut Licensed Behavior Analyst. Lee received his Masters degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Russel Sage College. Additionally, Lee serves as the Physical and Psychological Management (PMT) trainer for PIERPOINTE. 

BCBA Case Manager

Talia A. Kahlow, M.A., BCBA, LBA (CT)

She/Her/Hers

Language: English

Talia is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Connecticut Licensed Behavior Analyst. She received her Masters degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Caldwell University and her Undergraduate degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire. Talia is published in The Analysis of Verbal Behavior and presented her research at the Association for Behavior Analysis International conference. She enjoys taking her dog on hikes and spending time with her husband, Stephen, and child, Addy. 

BCBA Case Manager

Nicole Maier, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA (CT)

She/Her/Hers

Language: English

Nicole Maier is a Connecticut Licensed Behavior Analyst and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. She received her Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology from Western Connecticut State University in 2015, her Master’s of Education in Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis from Endicott College in 2021, and obtained her BCBA certification in 2022. Nicole has worked with individuals from all ages, with a large variety of diagnoses, in a multitude of environments over the years, from children enrolled in the CT Birth to Three program, to teenagers in a school SPED program, through adults and elderly individuals living in group home settings.  She is passionate about supporting individuals in reaching their goals and continually increasing their independence.

In her free time, Nicole enjoys teaching and taking dance classes at a local dance studio, spending time with her wife, Megan, and twin daughters, Charlotte and Spencer, and obsessing over all things Disney.

Nicole is a BCBA Case Manager with PIERPOINTE, and is committed to providing high quality and effective ABA services through fun and engaging programming. 

BCBA Case Manager

Jacqueline Mery, Ph.D., BCBA-D

She/Her/Hers

Language: Spanish & English

Jacqueline is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Connecticut Licensed Behavior Analyst. She received her Doctorate degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from Caldwell University and Master’s degree in ABA from California State University, Northridge. 

Jacqueline is a scientist-practitioner and believes in the importance of being knowledgeable and experienced in both research and clinical practice. As a clinician, she has focused her career helping individuals with developmental disorders in clinical, home, and school settings since 2009. As a researcher, she has evaluated efficient training strategies, parent adherence of behavioral practices, and preventative treatments for infants at-risk for developmental disabilities.  

Jacqueline has been published in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Analysis in Practice, Behavior Interventions, Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, and Journal of Neonatal Nursing. She has presented her research at numerous international and national conferences. 

BCBA Case Manager

Katherine Caballero, M.A., BCBA, LBA (CT)

She/Her/Hers

Language: Spanish & English

Katherine Caballero was born and raised in Cuba. She received her Masters in ABA from Arizona State University and later became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She started in the field of ABA in 2017 as a Registered Behavior Technician and has held several positions throughout the years as a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst and Clinical Manager. Katherine is passionate about Social Skills training and empowering caregivers through Positive Behavior Supports (PBS). Katherine enjoys doing yoga and spending her days at the beach with her husband and daughter. 

BCBA Case Manager

Katherine Linares, M.S., BCBA, LBA (CT)

She/Her/Hers

Language: Spanish & English

Kathy Linares is a Connecticut Licensed Behavior Analyst and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She attended the University of California, Santa Barbara and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Psychology.  Following her graduation, she began working as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). Kathy went on to pursue graduate school and holds a Master of Science (M.S) in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Shortly after graduation in 2019, she became certified as a BCBA. As a Salvadoran woman and native Spanish-speaker, her work in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis has been focused on working with learners of ages (1-65+) within the Latino/Hispanic community. Kathy is most passionate about using her talents to support individuals in this community due to the lack of access and resources Latinos/Hispanics face. She specializes in: Augmented and Assistive Communication (AAC), Early Start Intervention(ESI), Positive Behavior Support (PBS) and Pivotal Response Training (PRT).

In her leisure time, Kathy enjoys beach days and camping in the mountains with her partner, Colin, and her chocolate lab, Chev.  

Kathy is a BCBA Case Manager with PIERPOINTE and is committed to providing high-quality and effective ABA services through individualized, science-based, culturally-sensitive and inclusive programming. 

Social Skills Coordinator and Special Education Consultant

Angela Thornhill, MS.SpEd (B-12), MSEd Literacy (B-12)

Angela Thornhill is a licensed certified middle school teacher with a Master’s degree in Special Education (B-12) and a Master’s degree in Literacy (B-12) from Mercy College. She has worked for NYC DOE as a special education teacher since 2007 and is currently teaching grades 6-8.  After working in special education for five years, Angela saw there was a shortage of qualified behavior analysts trained to work with children with autism and related developmental disorders.  This shortage motivated her to pursue her certification in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) at Mercy College. She has worked as an ABA Social Skills instructor managing social skills programs and implementing behavioral programs at The Fly Center.

​Angela is a passionate and dedicated educator who works to help each child reach their academic, language, and social milestones. Angela looks forward to working with each family as a partner in their child’s growth and success.

In her free time, Angela enjoys reading, exercising, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Speech and Language Consultant

Daliana De Jesus, M.S., CCC-SLP

​Daliana De Jesus is a Speech-Language Pathologist who has specialized in Bilingual Speech and Language Assessments and Supervision during her 20+ year career. Daliana aims to discern a client’s communicative potential and how this potential can best be met via various methodologies including traditional and evidence-based approaches. She has experience working with clients ranging from toddlers to high schoolers. Daliana has worked with children that are classified as Speech and Language Impaired, Intellectually Disabled, Learning Disabled, Hearing Impaired, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. She enjoys pointing out the strengths in the clients and how they can use these to enhance their areas in need of improvement. She has supervised graduate clinicians from various higher education institutions including New York University, Yeshiva University, Touro College, LIU Brooklyn, Hunter College, and Lehman College.   

Daliana has experience in Public School Systems and Early Intervention. In the Public School System, she has worked in various assessment teams including Committee on Special Education, the Central Speech Evaluation Team, and the Center for Assistive Technology. She has presented on Speech and Language assessments and Bilingual Speech and Language assessments. Daliana has worked with clients of various linguistic backgrounds including Spanish, Farsi, Vietnamese, Chinese, Urdu, and various African dialects among others. ​

Daliana holds a Masters Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Mercy College, a Masters Degree in Bilingual Education, and a Bachelors Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Kutztown University.