Leadership and team

Chantelle Walker
CEO

Prior to becoming REED’s new CEO, Chantelle served as the President and CEO of the Adler Aphasia Center, a New Jersey based nonprofit serving stroke survivors, and their families, in 14 locations statewide. Her career spans 20 years in nonprofit management, including roles in finance and operations, business development, fundraising, and marketing for organizations ranging from acute care hospitals to autism service providers.

She earned her MBA with a concentration in Healthcare Administration from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. A Midwestern native, Chantelle, her husband and three sons have resided in Bergen County since 2012.

cwalker@reedfoundationforautism.org

Dr. Leah Farinola

Principal, Chief School Administrator

Leah began working with the families at REED in 2001, before REED was even officially founded. Starting as a full-time instructor in 2006, she has held various positions, including instructor, lead teacher, assistant to the executive director, classroom consultant, and curriculum coordinator. Leah became principal in 2009 and assumed the role of chief school administrator in 2020.

Leah completed her undergraduate coursework at William Paterson University and graduated with honors, holding a degree in psychology and elementary education. She completed her post-baccalaureate special education certification and also obtained a master’s in educational administration with principal and supervisor certification from Caldwell University. In 2021, Leah completed her doctorate at Seton Hall University and conducted research on staff retention in private schools for children with autism. She is also an adjunct professor at Caldwell University, where she teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in special education and serves as a trustee for the Secaucus, New Jersey, Board of Education.

leah@reedacademy.org

Kelli Fowler, MA, BCBA
Clinical Director

Kelli is a board-certified behavior analyst who holds a master’s in special education from Caldwell University. In addition, she is a certified general and special education teacher. Kelli has worked in both public and private programs since 2004. She has privately consulted for numerous school districts and organizations, in addition to providing services to families within the home and community settings. She has worked with children ranging from early intervention through age 21.

During her time at REED, Kelli has developed several initiatives, including the Bridge Program, social skills groups, transition programming, and various community-based instruction. These programs have helped both REED Academy students and families as well as other individuals within the autism community. Kelli is dedicated to providing support and education that can help touch the lives of people across all walks of life.

kfowler@reedacademy.org

JOE NOVAK, EdD, BCBA-D, CCC-SLP, ATP
Director of Clinical Initiatives, REED Autism Services

Joe is a board-certified behavior analyst–doctoral, ASHA-certified speech and language pathologist, and RESNA-certified assistive technology professional who obtained his master’s in speech-language pathology from Kean University and a doctorate of education in special education from Nova Southeastern University. Additionally, Joe has both speech-language specialist and supervisor certifications for the state of New Jersey.

Joe was named as Director of Clinical Initiatives for REED Autism Services in July 2021, working across the organization to develop new clinical programs, foster continuity of services, manage external clinical collaborations, and serve as a resource for clinicians and staff. Joe consulted at REED for speech and language programming (with an emphasis on augmentative and alternative communication) for several years before joining full-time as Assistant Director in July 2015. In July 2017, Joe was promoted to Director of Curriculum and Technology.

Earlier in his career, Joe worked in ABA programs at Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center and Bernards Township Public Schools as a speech and language pathologist. He has worked in the school setting with individuals ages 3–21 and privately with individuals from 3–25.Joe is an adjunct professor at both Kean University and Endicott College, where he teaches graduate courses in ABA to students in the special education programs.

jnovak@reedacademy.org

DAVID WILSON, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Director of Intensive Behavior Services

Dr. David Wilson is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D) with more than 25 years of experience serving children, adolescents, and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities across a variety of settings. His work history includes clinical leadership positions within nonprofit and for-profit behavior health organizations. In 2020, Governor Murphy appointed David to the inaugural New Jersey State Board of Behavior Analyst Examiners.

Prior to joining REED, David directed the graduate program in applied behavior analysis at Georgian Court University where he was a tenured associate professor of psychology. David’s areas of expertise include assessing and treating severe challenging behavior, skill acquisition, stimulus control, mentoring clinical staff, strategic planning, and quality improvement. He received clinical training at the Kennedy Krieger Institute Neurobehavioral Unit (NBU) and completed his doctorate in behavior analysis, with a minor in special education at the University of Florida under the mentorship of Dr. Brian A. Iwata.

As the director of REED Intensive Behavior Services, David is focused on the delivery of state-of-the-art assessment and treatment services for individuals who engage in severe challenging behaviors. David is passionate about providing much-needed resources to the REED community and the many individuals and families across New Jersey who require these highly specialized services.

dwilson@reedacademy.org