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Board of Directors

Michael Reid

FOUNDING DIRECTOR
Michael is a New Zealander who has been living in the USA since 2012. He has clinical interests and specialties that include Autism Spectrum Disorder, Complex and Challenging Behavior and Psychopharmacology but to name a few. Becoming frustrated with the barriers to achieving quality service provision and observing a poor understanding within the workforce of evidence based practices, Michael has, in recent years, focused on workforce development and quality management systems using technology based solutions.
Tom McCool

FOUNDING DIRECTOR
Tom has spent more than 30 years in the health and disability sector promoting quality programs and services for children and adults with special needs. Among other achievements, Tom has served as President and CEO of Eden Autism Services and Executive Director of Devereaux (Santa Barbara, CA). Tom has been awarded the prestigious Innovator of the Year Award from the Princeton Chamber of Commerce; and the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association.

Leadership

Jessika Shoemaker

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
As the Executive Director at Active Steps LLC, I have the privilege of leading a passionate team dedicated to providing unparalleled behavioral health services. Our mission is simple yet profound: to empower individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and others in need of support to achieve greater independence and self-reliance, thereby enriching their overall quality of life.
At Active Steps, we believe in going above and beyond to ensure our members receive the highest quality care. We're committed to creating vibrant, engaging learning environments and fostering a culture of teamwork where every member of our organization is dedicated to doing "whatever it takes" to make a positive impact.
Drawing from my experience in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), I bring a unique blend of expertise, rigor, and Analytical reasoning skills to the table. But it's not just about technical know-how—it's about having a profound respect for our clients and their families. Together, we're breaking down barriers, transcending cultural differences, and driving forward in our relentless pursuit of progress within the behavioral health industry. I couldnt be more honored to be working with such a dedicated team on this incredible journey of making a difference!
Danielle Shults

CLINICAL DIRECTOR - NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Danielle always had a goal of working with children, originally earning her Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from UC Merced to work in healthcare. Upon starting a job as a Behavior Technician, Danielle’s goals changed as her passion became promoting independence in the lives of children with Autism and their families. Danielle earned her Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis with a concentration in Autism Spectrum Disorders from Drexel University and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Qualified Behavior Analyst. Danielle has moved up the Active Steps career ladder, starting as a supervisor and having the opportunity to help with Active Steps growth and development. Danielle continues to use her passion to ensure high quality services to clients and training to staff. In her free time, Danielle enjoys spending time with her family, caring for her curls, and doing anything Disney related.
Cathy Arroyo

CLINICAL DIRECTOR - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Cathy's passion for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities began over a decade ago working in adult residential facilities. With a background in adult education and training, she already knew how underrepresented this community was, and she decided to gain more education in human behavior. After gaining a second master's degree, Cathy decided to pursue Applied Behavior Analysis, and began working in early intervention in 2012 as a Behavior Interventionist where she also participated in social game nights for the families she served. She became a supervisor in 2014 and facilitated parent training as well as monthly parent support groups. As she continued her education to become a BCBA, she gained her third Master's degree in teaching ABA and continued to work with individuals who were more severely impacted by their diagnosis and needed more support. Since then her passion has grown and she led social skills groups for ages 5-12, and became a Sibshops facilitator in 2019 to assist siblings of those who are diagnosed with a disability. As a BCBA, Cathy led in-home intervention during the COVID pandemic and also was a Manager of Behavior Services at Beacon Day School for Autism and Related Disorders overseeing elementary and adult transition programs. Cathy continues to be passionate about teaching others how to help people have the best quality of life they can have. There are no limits.
Amanda Ford

CLINICAL DIRECTOR - VENTURA COUNTY
Meet Amanda! She is a dedicated Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a passion for making a difference in the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Amanda earned their Master's degree in Behavioral Psychology from Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology. With 7 years of hands-on experience in the ABA field, Amanda brings a wealth of knowledge and a compassionate approach to their work. Her journey into this field was deeply personal, sparked by their love and commitment to her little sister who has autism spectrum disorder. This personal connection fuels her dedication to creating meaningful and impactful interventions for each individual they work with. Currently, Amanda is furthering her education and expertise by pursuing a Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Her dedication to lifelong learning ensures that they stay at the forefront of the latest research and methodologies in the field.
Lesly Preston

HUMAN SERVICES SPECIALIST
With over 25 years of administrative and executive experience managing staff as well as daily operational activity, Lesly has always had a particular focus on customer care and service. Always working to advance her career and expand her skill set, she earned a Human Resource Management: HR for People Managers Certification. This will add to an impressive list of professional skills and experience including elements of recruiting and hiring employees, motivating and retaining employees, managing employee performance, and compensating and rewarding employees, but to name a few.
Korrina Despain

OPERATIONS MANAGER
Meet Korrina, the Operations Manager at Active Steps and a driving force behind the company’s daily operations. Since joining as a behavior technician in 2020, Korrina's journey with Active Steps has been one of continual growth, dedication, and leadership.
Now, in her role as Operations Manager, Korrina oversees credentialing, contracting, recruitment, and marketing, ensuring the smooth functioning and continuous improvement of all operational aspects. She is committed to optimizing workflows, maintaining efficiency, and upholding company policies while fostering collaboration across departments. Korrina plays an integral role in resource allocation, quality control, and process development, always focused on enhancing productivity and creating a supportive, collaborative environment.
Outside of work, Korrina is a 200-hour RYS yoga teacher and will soon embark on her MBA. Outside of work, you'll find her unwinding with her husband, furry companions, yoga mat, and a good book.
Tania Vigil

ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER
Tania joined Active Steps in 2020 as a Service Coordinator, then advanced to the role of Senior Service Coordinator, and now serves as the Administrative Manager. With extensive experience in customer care and service coordination, Tania excels in fostering positive relationships with clients and families, ensuring their needs are met with professionalism and compassion.

Her passion for helping others has seamlessly transitioned into her administrative role, where she supports teams and ensures smooth operations. This role allows her to fulfill her goal of making a meaningful impact behind the scenes, enhancing the client experience and organizational efficiency.

Tania’s future aspirations include earning a Master’s Degree in Social Work. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys attending country concerts, watching sports games, and spending quality time with her family.
Siriya Feigenbaum

ACCOUNTANT
Siriya completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting at California State University of Northridge and has enjoyed working in public and private accounting for over 20 years. She has extensive experience in financial statement preparation, budgeting, and cash flow management. Siriya finds herself with more free time since her oldest son recently graduated from University of California, Irvine and her youngest son is attending Cal Lutheran University. She enjoys her newly found free time riding her electric bike with her husband and spending time outdoors.