Meet the Team Behind Gracent

Mark has served in healthcare services leadership roles since 1997 and currently serves as CEO of Gracent. Before joining Gracent, he served as Chief Operating Officer of Kadiant, a national provider of ABA services. Prior to Kadiant, Mark was President of Capitol Dental Care, the largest provider of oral healthcare services in Oregon. While at Capitol, Mark focused on reaching underserved and disadvantaged populations, including serving on the boards of three non-profit organizations that provide healthcare services to children from rural and low-income households, as well as disabled and elderly individuals. Mark also has significant experience in physical healthcare.

From 2014 through 2017, Mark was CEO of Cancer Care International (CCI), a provider of cancer services and solutions for developing countries, and from 2004 through 2014 was President of Vantage Oncology, the second largest independent operator of cancer centers in the United States, which he helped grow from two to sixty-two centers. Mark previously held executive positions with DaVita, a leading dialysis provider, and Deloitte, an international accounting and consulting firm.

In his spare time, you can find Mark enjoying many outdoor adventures and activities, including rock climbing, mountaineering, mountain biking, skiing, and competing in endurance events (marathons and ultra-marathons) or spending time with his wife and three children, who currently live, work, and play across three different time zones.

Rick serves as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Gracent. With a BA from Harvard and an MHSA from the University of Michigan, Rick brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Gracent. Prior to joining Gracent, Rick held the position of Associate CFO at Pipeline Health System, where he played a pivotal role in building the company from the ground up to encompass seven hospitals across three states. Rick's strategic leadership and financial acumen have been instrumental in driving growth and success in the healthcare sector. As CFO of Gracent, Rick continues to leverage his extensive experience to drive financial excellence and strategic decision-making, ensuring the company's continued success and growth.

Outside of work, Rick enjoys engaging in a variety of hobbies, including running, cooking, swimming, knitting, and gardening.

With an MBA in Healthcare Management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Disha leverages her extensive expertise and strategic insight as the Chief of Staff at Gracent. At Gracent, Disha is dedicated to driving the company’s strategic initiatives, helping the organization grow and enhance its impact. Prior to joining Gracent, Disha played a pivotal role as an Investment Associate at Cressey & Company, where she specialized in identifying, executing, and managing new investment partnerships within the healthcare sector. Her experience also includes a tenure as an Investment Banking Analyst at William Blair, where she focused on M&A advisory and capital raising for healthcare companies.

Disha's academic journey complements her professional achievements. Alongside her MBA, she has earned a BBA in Finance, a BS in Economics, and a BA in Mathematics with a Specialization in Applied Mathematics from the Southern Methodist University.

Outside of work, Disha enjoys a diverse range of activities, including playing tennis and pickleball, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, diving into a good book, and staying updated on the latest movies and TV shows.

Aura is a marketing and growth leader focused on scaling multi-location healthcare organizations without losing what makes them work locally.

She began her career supporting founder-led businesses and has since built and led growth functions across marketing, recruiting, and intake. At Veterinary Practice Partners, she helped expand and support more than 80 brands and locations, driving performance across partnership strategy, local marketing, and centralized infrastructure.

At Gracent, Aura leads marketing, recruiting, and intake: three functions that together determine whether families find the right care and whether the right clinicians choose to provide it. Her work centers on building systems that scale while still feeling personal, from how families first engage to how teams are positioned and supported.

Aura holds a BS in Economics and Marketing from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

In her free time, Aura and her husband take every opportunity to hike and bike throughout Europe at a casual and leisurely pace.

Kelli Jost brings over 15 years of marketing expertise to her role as Senior Director of Marketing and Recruiting, where she specializes in leveraging cutting-edge marketing technology to drive productivity, automation, and scalability. With a demonstrated track record of success across diverse sectors including veterinary, healthcare, and education, Kelli is recognized as a dynamic leader known for her innovative solutions and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Kelli has held pivotal roles at The Lawrenceville School and Veterinary Practice Partners (VPP), where she played a key role in driving engagement, growth, and success. At VPP, Kelli led strategic initiatives aimed at leveraging technology tools to streamline operations and facilitate expansion, resulting in significant business growth and increased market share.

Today, Kelli's responsibilities extend beyond marketing strategy to encompass recruiting strategy and brand building. She is deeply committed to enhancing both candidate and client experiences, driving the development and execution of comprehensive strategies to attract top talent and foster meaningful relationships. Additionally, Kelli plays a vital role in shaping Gracent's brand identity, ensuring alignment with the company's core values and objectives.

Outside of work, Kelli resides in New Jersey with her husband and two children, though she's often found traveling, coaching her son's soccer team, or indulging in her passion for reading.

Liza is a highly accomplished professional with a strong commitment to improving the lives of children through applied behavior analysis. She earned her Masters of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, complemented by a Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Indiana University Bloomington, and has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) since 2017. Her extensive credentials also include certifications as a Safety Care Trainer and a BACB ACE Provider for continuing education.

With a career spanning several pivotal roles, Liza's journey began as a Behavior Therapist from 2015 to 2017, where she honed her skills through practical experience in-home settings. Since then, she has excelled as a BCBA, Adjunct Professor at TCSPP, and the creator and coordinator of Blossom Prep School. Notably, she served as a Clinic Director overseeing multiple centers and later advanced to roles as Lead Clinic Director and Regional Center Director, demonstrating exceptional leadership and management capabilities. Liza's dedication extends beyond her professional endeavors; she actively contributes to the field as a Fieldwork Coordinator and study group lead, boasting an impressive 90% pass rate for first-time test takers.

Driven by her lifelong passion for working with children, Liza is deeply committed to nurturing compassionate BCBAs and exceeding expectations in all her endeavors. Her self-motivation and unwavering dedication are evident, especially in her current role, where she continues to expand the reach of behavioral services to new communities in need. Liza's multifaceted expertise, coupled with her genuine enthusiasm for making a difference, make her an invaluable asset to the field of applied behavior analysis.

Alison brings over two decades of HR expertise to her role as Director of Human Resources. She focuses on fostering employee relations, enhancing retention, and providing leadership and development training. Her extensive career spans various industries, including Pediatric Therapy, Dentistry, Financial Services, Trading/FinTech, and Association Management, offering a broad perspective on HR challenges and solutions. Alison's passion lies in talent development and empowering leaders to achieve business objectives through effective HR strategies.

Alison excels in coaching managers on effective communication strategies and developing team members by identifying and leveraging their strengths, fostering growth and success within the organization. Committed to fostering a positive work environment, Alison consistently ensures HR initiatives are aligned with the evolving needs of the business.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Alison enjoys spending quality time with her husband and son, indulging in vacations to Michigan or Louisville, and exploring breweries and whiskey distilleries. With a BA in Psychology and Human Resource Management and SHRM-CP certification, Alison continues to leverage her expertise to drive positive change and sustainable growth within Gracent.

Kristi brings over 12 years of invaluable experience to the healthcare industry, showcasing a diverse skill set spanning various administrative roles. Throughout her career, she has adeptly navigated roles in scheduling, recruiting, HR, and front desk operations. However, it's within Revenue Cycle Management where Kristi truly shines, dedicating the past decade to mastering the intricacies of this critical function.

With a passion for the revenue cycle, Kristi's expertise lies in mentoring others on the complexities of billing processes, including benefits verification, authorizations, claim form requirements, clean claims submission, insurance processing, denial resolution, and invoicing procedures. Her wealth of knowledge and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable asset to any team seeking to optimize revenue cycle operations and ensure financial success in the healthcare sector.

Kristi has a large, extended family and you will often find her at various sporting events, cheering on her son and loving every minute of it!

Dr. Stasi is a 2005 graduate of the Illinois Institute of Technology. Over the years, Dr. Stasi has been published professionally and has given numerous presentations on Neuropsychology. Previously, Dr. Stasi was an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Behavioral Sciences at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, and an adjunct professor for The Illinois Institute of Technology.

In 2009, Dr. Stasi started the Neuropsychology and Testing Center for North Shore Pediatric Therapy. In his tenure, he has helped thousands of kids reach their fullest potential.

Marty, our Director of Information Technology, brings a wealth of experience to Gracent. With a strong foundation in technology, Marty founded Anchor Networks, an IT Managed Service Provider, in 2003. Since 2008, he has been dedicated to implementing technology strategy and support services for various ABA providers.

Prior to his ventures at Anchor Networks, Marty led the Office of Technology at Riverstone Networks, a Silicon Valley telecom network equipment manufacturer now part of Nokia Networks. He also served as a software engineering manager at Bay Networks. Marty holds a computer science degree from the University of South Florida, rounding out his impressive background in the field.

Ryan Emry received his Bachelor of Science from The Illinois Institute of Technology, and his Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

As an Area Director at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, Ryan works as a clinician while also supporting a great team of Behavior Therapists, Behavior Analysts, Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Physical Therapists, across multiple centers.  

For Ryan, watching our children learn and grow is the most rewarding part of the job.  

When Ryan is not keeping busy at the clinic, you can find him spending time with his wife and two amazing daughters.

Jess brings over 9 years of experience in the ABA field to her role as Director of Scheduling and Care Coordination, where she oversees our Scheduling Team. Starting as a clinician, Jess quickly transitioned into operations management, utilizing her expertise to develop operational systems tailored to the unique needs of ABA services. Her contributions have been instrumental in the success and expansion of the company, facilitating the growth of centers across multiple states.

With a focus on developing, managing, and growing operations, Jess excels in creating efficient processes that optimize productivity and support team development. Her passion for logistics and commitment to supporting teams shines through in her dedication to ensuring smooth scheduling operations and fostering a collaborative work environment.

Jess's multifaceted skill set and hands-on experience make her an invaluable asset to the organization, driving operational excellence and facilitating continued growth and success.

Shelby is currently thriving in her role as Client Experience/Intake Manager, leveraging her diverse background and passion for helping others. Her journey in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) began in 2013 as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) in Sacramento, where she worked closely with clients across various settings, including homes, centers, and schools. After a stint as a preschool teacher specializing in children with diagnoses, Shelby returned to the ABA field in San Francisco in 2018, quickly climbing the ranks from RBT to Center Coordinator and Materials Developer, and eventually to an Intake specialist.

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Shelby persevered and continued to excel in her role, bringing her expertise and dedication to the intake department for two years before assuming her current position as Client Experience/Intake Manager since June 2022. Shelby holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis, underscoring her commitment to understanding and applying behavioral principles to improve client outcomes.

Beyond her professional achievements, Shelby's creativity shines through in her various artistic pursuits, including playing the piano, singing, painting, and dancing. She also possesses a knack for organization, finding joy in creating efficient and clutter-free spaces. With her diverse skill set and unwavering passion for making a positive impact, Shelby is poised to continue driving excellence in client experience and intake management while exploring opportunities to further express her creativity and organizational talents.

Denise, currently serving as the Talent Acquisition Manager at Gracent, brings a wealth of dedication and front-line experience to her role. Her journey with the company began seven years ago as a Behavior Therapist at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, and since then, she has steadily progressed through various positions within the organization. Initially starting as a part-time Registered Behavior Therapist, Denise's commitment and drive led her to obtain her RBT certification and transition into a full-time role. Recognizing her aptitude for training and mentoring, she assumed the role of Onboarding Lead, where she played a crucial role in guiding new hires through the process of obtaining their RBT certifications.

As her responsibilities expanded, Denise transitioned into the administrative side of operations, serving as the HR Coordinator. In this capacity, she handled diverse aspects of employee management, including onboarding, employee relations, benefits, and payroll, while closely collaborating with the Talent Acquisition Specialist to gain insights into the recruitment process. Denise's passion for recruiting became evident as she began assisting with recruiting efforts, eventually leading to her transition into a full-fledged recruiting manager role. With her extensive experience and deep understanding of our culture and needs, Denise is committed to identifying and recruiting top talent to drive the organization's mission forward.

Denise currently resides in Illinois with her husband, two toddlers, and three fur babies.

Rhiannon Law, Ph.D. is a graduate of Indiana University - Bloomington. She obtained her Master of Arts degree in Clinical/Counseling Psychology from Illinois State University and her undergraduate degree from Illinois Wesleyan University.

Dr. Law works closely with patients and their families to provide comprehensive assessments to inform diagnostic impressions and to guide broader treatment planning.

Lainie Cohen received her Bachelor’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Michigan State University and her Master’s in Behavior Analysis from Simmons University in Boston. As a Center Director at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, Lainie provides supervision and mentorship to a team of great therapists including BCBAs, OTs, Mental Health, and Speech Therapists. She also provides supervision to field work students as they study to become a BCBA and oversees the day to day operations at the Des Plaines center.

For Lainie, increasing clients' functional communication is the most rewarding part of the job, as well as watching therapists grow in the field. Lainie is passionate about supervising and teaching individuals who have an interest in the ABA field, as well as parents, to gain more knowledge regarding implementing skill acquisition goals and behavior intervention plans.

When Lainie is not busy at the center, you can find her trying new restaurants with her husband!

Kayleen received her Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and a Bachelor's in Psychology from St. Leo University. Kayleen previously worked as Clinical Director at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, overseeing the ABA department at Lake Bluff as well as the Diversity, Equity Inclusion and Belonging Committee (DEIB).

For Kayleen, client progress is the most rewarding part of the job. She loves providing mentorship to students and Behavior Therapists to reach their true potential. Kayleen's passion for pediatric therapy can be traced back to 2005, when her baby brother received OT, and SLP services.

Ask her about how to dance - it’s her secret talent! When Kayleen is not keeping busy with her Lake Bluff Team, you can find her on a run, or traveling with her husband and beautiful daughters.

Sandy James has more than 7 years of experience working with children with autism spectrum disorders and helping their parents to learn skills for use in the home and community. Sandy earned her Master of Education degree from Texas A&M University and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst after years of hands-on experience and continuing education. Sandy develops therapeutic programs for children and their parents, supervises and trains Registered Behavior Technicians, and evaluates therapist effectiveness and client progress with the singular focus of enhancing the quality of life for challenged children and their families. She loves working with children and finds every day rewarding!

Sierra Jones received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Carthage College, and Doctoral degree from Rush University in Occupational Therapy. As the Assistant Clinical Director of Occupational and Physical Therapy at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, Sierra maintains a partial caseload and supports the OT and PT departments by providing clinical leadership and ensuring quality of care. Sierra is accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

For Sierra, building bonds with the clients is the most rewarding part of the job. Sierra’s passion for helping people gain and build independence can be traced back to childhood when she watched a loved one struggle with the loss of independence due to an illness, and became inspired by the work of the OT in helping her loved one gain her confidence, spirit, and independence back. Ask her how to juggle, it’s her secret talent. When Sierra is not keeping busy with friends and family, you can find her hanging out with her dog and reading in the park.