The Proactive team
Leah Gongola, Ph.D., BCBA-D, COBA
Leah Gongola, Ph.D., BCBA-D, COBA
Leah Gongola, Ph.D., BCBA-D, COBA
Leah Gongola, Ph.D., BCBA-D, COBA is the Founder and CEO of Proactive. She has licensure in general and special education and taught in the classroom. Dr. Gongola was also an Associate Professor in the Counseling, Special Education, and School Psychology Department at Youngstown State University.
Dr. G is passionate about applying the p
Leah Gongola, Ph.D., BCBA-D, COBA is the Founder and CEO of Proactive. She has licensure in general and special education and taught in the classroom. Dr. Gongola was also an Associate Professor in the Counseling, Special Education, and School Psychology Department at Youngstown State University.
Dr. G is passionate about applying the principles of ABA across settings and focuses on plans and programming that infuses the science of ABA with behavioral artistry. She spends her time outside of work with her two children, husband, and pets, and doing gardening and camping.
Andrea Speece, BCBA, COBA
Leah Gongola, Ph.D., BCBA-D, COBA
Leah Gongola, Ph.D., BCBA-D, COBA
Andrea Speece has a Masters degree in Special Education from Youngstown State University. She originally taught in the classroom as an intervention specialist for seven years and has experience working with families as a behavior technician prior to becoming a BCBA.
Andrea has worked for Proactive Behavior Services as a BCBA since 2013 bo
Andrea Speece has a Masters degree in Special Education from Youngstown State University. She originally taught in the classroom as an intervention specialist for seven years and has experience working with families as a behavior technician prior to becoming a BCBA.
Andrea has worked for Proactive Behavior Services as a BCBA since 2013 both in homes and in schools. She is passionate about individualizing the educational experience for all students to help them thrive in the school setting.
Brianna Darrah, Lead RBT
Leah Gongola, Ph.D., BCBA-D, COBA
Brianna Darrah, Lead RBT
Brianna runs the treatment floor and client care at the Proactive Clinic in Chesterland. She brings joy and focused intervention strategies to support the growth of clients and staff.
Ben Smith BCBA, COBA
Leah Gongola, Ph.D., BCBA-D, COBA
Brianna Darrah, Lead RBT
Benjamin Smith has a Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis earned from Ball State University. Ben has been employed with Proactive since 2022 and has enjoyed working with clients in home, school, community, and clinic based settings throughout Northeast Ohio.
His approach involves meeting clients “where they are” and using their strength
Benjamin Smith has a Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis earned from Ball State University. Ben has been employed with Proactive since 2022 and has enjoyed working with clients in home, school, community, and clinic based settings throughout Northeast Ohio.
His approach involves meeting clients “where they are” and using their strengths and interests as a foundation for building key life skills. Ben is committed to using evidence-based practices and tailoring interventions in a way that suits each client’s individual needs.
Jennifer Loudon, Ph.D., BCBA-D, COBA
Shante Summerville, Scheduling and Admin Assistant
Shante Summerville, Scheduling and Admin Assistant
Dr. Loudon is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D) and the Director of Clinic and Supervision at Proactive. She taught moderate to intensive special education elementary through middle school for 26 years and was an adjunct professor at Youngstown State University.
Dr. Jen received a Masters in Supervision and Curriculum from Wrigh
Dr. Loudon is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D) and the Director of Clinic and Supervision at Proactive. She taught moderate to intensive special education elementary through middle school for 26 years and was an adjunct professor at Youngstown State University.
Dr. Jen received a Masters in Supervision and Curriculum from Wright State University and a Doctorate in Special Education from Kent State University. In 2017, Dr. Jen was awarded the Outstanding Special Educator award through the National Association of Special Education Teachers. Dr. Jen’s expertise is in the areas of autism, behavioral interventions, curriculum modifications, and accommodations. Her current outside interests include enjoying time with her husband, young adult children, and grand-daughter.
Shante Summerville, Scheduling and Admin Assistant
Shante Summerville, Scheduling and Admin Assistant
Shante Summerville, Scheduling and Admin Assistant
Shante has a background in medical insurance verification and prior authorizations. ABA is near and dear to her heart as she has a family member who has Autism and she has seen how much ABA sessions have helped with progress and growth. In Shante’s spare time, she loves to hang out with her Husband Shawn and their dog Rocko. She also runs her own dipped treats company "Shab's Sweets'.
Aisha Mitchell, Practice Manager
Shante Summerville, Scheduling and Admin Assistant
Aisha Mitchell, Practice Manager
Aisha Mitchell joined Proactive as our Practice Manager in July 2023. She brings 20 years of customer service, management experience, and 10 years in Behavioral Health field. Her attention to detail, strong work ethic, timeliness, and positive attitude blends right in at Proactive. Aisha runs the day-to-day Clinic operations and is the point woman for the Practice.
Gay Dent-Yonkers, BCBA, COBA
Shante Summerville, Scheduling and Admin Assistant
Aisha Mitchell, Practice Manager
Gay Dent-Yonkers is a BCBA with a Masters Degree in Education with a major in Community Counseling and an emphasis on marriage and family. She was a certified CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention trainer. Gay worked for Orange City Schools for 33 years as an Intervention Specialist and Behavior Coach. She holds permanent teaching licenses a
Gay Dent-Yonkers is a BCBA with a Masters Degree in Education with a major in Community Counseling and an emphasis on marriage and family. She was a certified CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention trainer. Gay worked for Orange City Schools for 33 years as an Intervention Specialist and Behavior Coach. She holds permanent teaching licenses across a variety of specialty areas and grade levels K-12.
Gay has provided services across many settings including in-home, separate facility, and school-based for children and adults with various emotional needs and abilities. She enjoys training families and other professionals about the application of behavior analysis. Her goal for all clients is to create comprehensive, evidence-based programs that encompass social, behavioral, and life skills, using the strengths and preferences of the individual.
Samantha Brackman, BCBA, COBA
Samantha Brackman, BCBA, COBA
Samantha Brackman, BCBA, COBA
Samantha Brackman is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and licensed Intervention Specialist who has specialty in working with individuals of all ages with Autism and other related disorders. She has experience working across clinical, home, school, and community environments. Sam received a Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis wit
Samantha Brackman is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and licensed Intervention Specialist who has specialty in working with individuals of all ages with Autism and other related disorders. She has experience working across clinical, home, school, and community environments. Sam received a Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in Autism Spectrum Disorder from Ball State University. She is passionate about making connections using assessment and designing individualized programs and interventions.
Caitlyn Trebella, BCBA, COBA
Samantha Brackman, BCBA, COBA
Samantha Brackman, BCBA, COBA
Caitlyn Trebella has a Masters in Special Education with a Behavior Intervention Specialist Certificate. Caitlyn is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and a Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst (COBA) and has been with Proactive Behavior Services starting as a Registered Behavior Technician providing home and school-based services sinc
Caitlyn Trebella has a Masters in Special Education with a Behavior Intervention Specialist Certificate. Caitlyn is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and a Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst (COBA) and has been with Proactive Behavior Services starting as a Registered Behavior Technician providing home and school-based services since September 2019. She is passionate about providing services for clients to access the community and different environments. Caitlyn enjoys collaborating with caregivers and teachers to enhance their knowledge in ABA to aid in the clients' growth and success.
Emily Werbeach, BCBA, COBA
Samantha Brackman, BCBA, COBA
Samantha Robison, BCBA, COBA
Emily Werbeach has a Masters in Special Education from Ball State University with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis. She holds licensure as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst (COBA).
With her previous experience working with individuals with severe behaviors in the residential treatme
Emily Werbeach has a Masters in Special Education from Ball State University with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis. She holds licensure as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst (COBA).
With her previous experience working with individuals with severe behaviors in the residential treatment environment, she brings a focus on early intervention to build foundational skills necessary for achieving long-term goals and a successful future. Emily is passionate about providing each child an individualized approach to treatment based in collaboration from families, school teams, medical providers, and specialty services to create the best possible outcomes.
Samantha Robison, BCBA, COBA
Samantha Brackman, BCBA, COBA
Samantha Robison, BCBA, COBA
Samantha Robison has a Master's in Education Psychology and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She has experience as a case manager, substitute teacher, and ABA therapist. Previously, she worked in the ABA field as an RBT in clinic and home settings before joining Proactive. Sam is passionate about helping kids access the services and support they need to thrive!