EXECUTIVE STAFF

 

Michelle Wenell, M.A., B.C.B.A. - CEO/President

Ms. Wenell graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in ABA, completing all undergraduate coursework in the field.  She immediately began working with young children diagnosed with autism in the Sacramento area.  Two years into her career, she expanded her professional practice and began working with adolescents and adults diagnosed with ASD and other developmental disorders.  Providing behavior consultation and behavior intervention development for residential and day programs as well as skilled nursing facilities further enhanced her behavior analytic skills.  Over time, she followed her true passion of early intervention and focused her caseload on young children diagnosed within the spectrum.

After nearly 20 years in the field, Ms. Wenell obtained her Master of Arts in Teaching with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis, graduating with distinction.  She has been an active member of the California Association for Behavior Analysis and International Association for Behavior Analysis since 1993.  In 2004 Ms. Wenell founded the non-profit organization, The Treehouse Inc. to raise awareness and provide education to the community and support to families and children affected by ASD.

Ms. Wenell volunteers within the community and gives professional workshops and presentations on the pressing issue. She has recently joined the committee advising the Functional Needs Evacuation Planning Project to assist in the planning of emergency evacuations of those with special needs in Sacramento County.  In addition, Ms. Wenell volunteers as a girl’s basketball coach and league division coordinator for Folsom Youth Basketball Association.   Because of her daughter’s passion for horses, Ms. Wenell is a Board Member for the Sierra Gold Pony Club, sitting as Secretary for the organization.

Michelle is an adjunct faculty member for National University and teaches the graduate level courses in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Ms. Wenell was featured in The Business Journal and was also awarded “Business Woman of the Year” by the National Association of Women Business Owners in 2008.

Most importantly, Ms. Wenell is the mother of three children, Jake, Gavin and Morgan who have taught her what parenting is really about.

 

Arturo Barragan -  Chief Operations Officer

Arturo first joined Advance Kids in 2003 as a one on one tutor in the Chico area.  He left Advance Kids to pursue his soccer dream, playing professional soccer in Nicaragua.  Arturo returned to the Advance Kids’ team again in 2005.  His experience in working with children with autism for several years has been an asset to children we serve.  Arturo will be pursuing his B.A. in Psychology in the near future, where he will continue to work with children diagnosed within the spectrum.  Advance Kids has given him the opportunity to learn and teach.

Mission Statement:  To help and assist children diagnosed with autism and their loved ones in everyday skills and promote independence.

 

 

Joanie Jagow -  Director of Human Resources

Joanie was appointed Director of Human Resources for Advance Kids in August 2008.  She is responsible for leading and directing all human resource initiatives for the company. She has over 14 years experience in office and human resource management. Prior to joining Advance Kids, she served as the Director of Human Resources for a commercial general contractor for 12 years.  Joanie is certified as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) by the Society for Human Resource Management. She is a member of the Sacramento Area Human Resources Association (SAHRA), and California Chamber of Commerce.  Although her passion to work with children doesn’t allow hands on interaction, her ability to contribute to the overall success of Advance Kids will ultimately affect the children we serve.

 

 

Nyla Barrett - Director of Finance

Nyla was appointed Director of Finance for Advance Kids in August 2009.  She joins with a heart that has been actively involved with children for decades.  “Ever since I can remember, I have been inspired by children, young people and adults.  Being a daughter of a church minister, I was always actively leading, and contributing to the needs around me.”    She says her real happiness comes from giving, and it is no wonder she smiles at the opportunity to serve at Advance Kids in the Finance Division.  

She is intimate with hard work and discipline.  Her extensive and fundamental background compliments the financial challenges which lie ahead.  For over 30 years she has actively capitalized on smoothly run business models in whatever business capacity she served.   For 15 years, she and her husband had their own business in San Francisco, she was Financial Services Manager for Safeway.com, and the Controller at a privately owned local oil company, and she enjoyed teaching English, Math and Chorus at a high school in the Bay Area.

Mission Statement:  “All kids deserve a chance to advance!  We must all look for ways to give back.”

 

 

Jorge Barragan -   Assistant to Chief Executive Officer

Jorge joined Advance Kids in 2009.  He graduated from San Jose State in 2008 with a B.A. in Design Studies (emphasis in Graphic Design) with a minor in Photography.  Jorge enjoys watching all sports, but his true love is in soccer for he has played it since he was a child.  Jorge has a very creative mind and really enjoys working on Arts and Crafts.

Mission Statement:  To help and grow with Advance Kids, while facilitating our families with every need.

 

 

 

Jonathan McCabe, B.S., B.C.B.A. - Clinical Director

Jonathan graduated from UC Davis with a B.S. in Psychology in 2004. During his time there he spent three years as a Research Assistant studying early language development in young infants. Late in his college education, Jonathan began working with children with autism while exploring his interest in child development. Jonathan joined Advance Kids in 2004 working as an in-home and school tutor full time. He was promoted to a lead tutor before moving into a Behavior Consultant position in 2006. He moved to Chico in March of 2007 to supervise the implementation of in-home programs in the northern region of Advance Kids.  He took on the Director role in March of 2008. He currently is obtaining his Masters Degree in Teaching with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). He plans to earn this degree in June 2009 and achieve board certification as a behavior analyst in August, 2009.

Mission Statement: To create hope and belief for families struggling to raise a child with Autism by implementing proven treatment methods and modifying intervention to meet the needs of each family.

 

 

Allison Muzzalupo - Front Desk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Osvaldo Barragan - Front Desk