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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. 

​ BCBA Case Manager- Interim Clinical Director

Dr. Amoy Kito Hugh-Pennie

MEd,PhD, BCBA-D, LBA(CT), IBA

She/Her/Hers 

Language: English

Meet Dr. Amoy Kito Hugh-Pennie, a Neurodivergent Behavior Analyst and educator passionate about ensuring all are treated with humility, compassion, and respect. With over 25 years of experience in implementing and disseminating ABA in home-based, clinical, early intervention, K-12 schools, and university settings across the United States, Canada, and Hong Kong, she has led organizations to positive, measurable outcomes for learners and their families. Dr. Hugh-Pennie holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Florida Atlantic University, a Master’s of Instructional Practice in Special Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in Behavioral Disorders from Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. 

As a certified Special Education Teacher, School Administrator, and Behavior Analyst, she has presented research and been an invited speaker and podcast guest at ABAI, New York State ABA, Florida ABA, Black ABA, Behaviorbabe, Behavior Speaks, Inclusion Junkie, and many other organizations and universities on topics ranging from verbal behavior and supervision to ethics, neurodiversity, inclusion, and social justice issues. She has co-authored 2 book chapters and publications on ABA as a Technology of Teaching, Culturally Relevant Pedagogy, and ABA in K-12 Schools, and “Transitions”  in Women in Behavior Science: Observations on Life Inside and Outside the Academy. Dr Hugh-Pennie has served on Editorial Review Boards and as an Invited Reviewer for behavioral journals such as The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, The International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, Speech-Language Pathology, and Applied Behavior Analysis, to name a few. She has held key leadership roles in the public and private sectors, managing multimillion-dollar grant-funded ABA programs. In the greater interest of ensuring quality services for all, she has been involved in quality assurance, and legislative action for BA licensure, and served as a member of multiple research and clinical ethics review boards. She continues to teach coursework in ABA.

She currently serves on the BABA Advisory Board, and previously on other boards, such as the Association for Behavior Analysis International Program Board & the Board of Directors of the Autism Society of Hawaii. Dr. Hugh-Pennie founded the VB-SIG Student Research Competition of ABAI est. 2001 which has and still provides resources, financial scholarships, and research opportunities to ABA students for over 20 years. 

Dr. Amoy has provided training and mentorship to teachers, therapists, and students across multiple universities and certification programs such as Mercy College in New York, Brock University & the University of Western Ontario in Canada, and the BACB and ABAI-VCS approved international programs of HKABA, and currently, the QABA-approved program of the Knowledge Network of Hong Kong preparing hundreds of students to become RBTs, BCaBAs and BCBA’s across the US, Canada, and Asia.

Amoy enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, playing rugby, and martial arts, writing slam & free verse poetry, and listening to music.

​ BCBA Case Manager 

Sara Moziejko-Wright,

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

Jacqueline Mery, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA (CT)

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

Veronica Felix, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA (CT)

She/Her/Hers

Language: Spanish and English

Veronica Felix earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University of Bakersfield. She later earned her Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University. She comes with over 12 years of experience in the field where she has worked with children, adolescents, and adults diagnosed with autism and other developmental disabilities. Servicing them in the home, community, school, and center-based locations. 

She is fluent in both English and Spanish. Veronica is located in Bakersfield, California. During her free time, she loves to spend time with her family, taking nature walks, and listening to music.

BCBA Case Manager

Angela Hunt, M.S., BCBA, LBA (CT)

She/Her/Hers

Language: English

Angie is a licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst based in New Haven County with a master of science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Western Connecticut State University, and has 7 years’ experience working with children and young adults with autism. Angie changed careers after her own child’s diagnosis, and as a parent herself is committed to providing trauma-informed and assent-based ABA services to maximize outcomes, independence, and quality of life for her clients and their families.

Angie is passionate about helping clients develop positive relationships and friendships across environments, empowering them to be resilient and pursue happiness for the rest of their lives. She specializes in preventing and reducing severe problem behavior and barriers to learning by increasing clients’ safety, communication, self-advocacy, leisure, daily living, social and coping skills, cultural awareness and access to the community and their peers. Initially trained as a journalist, Angie enjoys spending time with families in order to find ways to help her clients connect, such as participating in traditions, hobbies and cultural activities. Her approach focuses on collaboration and training for parents, family members, school teams, related service providers, medical and mental health professionals, childcare providers and community organizations such as after school and sports programs. She teaches a range of pivotal life skills, from toilet training and attending preschool to bike riding and working at a first job.

Angie is trained in Skill-Based Treatment, the Verbal Behavior approach, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), AAC including PECS, de-escalation(certified in PMT, Safety Care and CPI), and special education advocacy.

BCBA Case Manager

Sholeh Arabia, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA (CT)

She/Her/Hers

Language: Spanish and English

Sholeh Arabia earned her Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis on behavioral management in 2009. She received her board certification in Behavior Analysis in 2013. With almost two decades of experience working with children diagnosed with autism and other developmental disabilities across home, school, and community settings through her work at Non-Public Agencies (NPA) and school districts, she now best supports clients virtually through telehealth practice.

She is fluent in both English and Spanish. Sholeh is located in Pasadena, California. Outside of her work, she loves to spend time with family and friends, supporting sports events in one way or another, and always looking for her  next adventure!

BCBA Case Manager

Danielle M. Dest, M.S., BCBA, LBA-CT

She/Her/Hers

Language: English

Danielle, an experienced professional with more than ten years of hands-on experience supporting children in diverse roles. From her early days as a dedicated nanny and paraprofessional to her role as a teaching assistant for children with special needs, Danielle’s journey was fueled by her innate passion for making a difference in the lives of young individuals. During those early years, Danielle uncovered a deep connection to behavior analysis, especially when it came to helping children with autism and other developmental disabilities. Moving into this specialized area wasn’t just a job change for her; it became a deeply personal mission driven by her genuine passion for helping children achieve their greatest potential.

Outside of her professional activities, Danielle enjoys hiking in New Hampshire with her Fiancé, Chris, and loves spending quality time with her family. Danielle has two cats named Benson and Swan, both of whom she adores.

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.