With years of experience working as a BCBA, a teacher, a youth activities director, and as a mother, she has the philosophy of wanting to treat her staff and clients as part of her family.

She is dedicated in promoting the success of not only the client, but the client family and the Ascend staff.

With over 20 years of experience working with children and families living with Autism, Heather began her career as a school psychologist and earned her BCBA in 2011. She has worked in a variety of settings, including schools, homes and clinics. Heather has a passion for working on engagement skills so that her clients are better able to learn from the people and world around them.

Outside of work, Heather enjoys exercising, cooking and spending time with her husband and their two children.

Bekah has worked in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis since 2009. She has worked in clinics, home, and school settings. Bekah has worked with learners from 18 months to 12 years old, including some with intensive challenging behaviors. Bekah has her undergraduate degree in psychology, and her masters in counseling.

In her free time, Bekah enjoys spending time with her husband, kids and golden retriever.

Brian was born and raised in Connecticut before moving to Florida to attend Florida Tech’s ABA master’s program. He worked with children and adults for 12 years in Nashville, mainly with military families, but he always felt that working with children was where he belonged.

He has been living in Virginia Beach for 8 years, giving him approximately 20 years of experience as a BCBA. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his daughters, going to the beach, and sitting by a bonfire. Brian is also a professional musician who performs throughout the greater Hampton Roads area.

Yardan Shabazz graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. He has enjoyed working with kids for years now and sought a new way to create a positive impact in his community.

In Yardan’s free time he chooses to play basketball/online games with friends and spend time with family.

Khalema Salome, a Registered Behavioral Technician, graduated from the College of William and Mary with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and is currently enrolled at the Florida Institute of Technology to complete a Master of Arts in Behavioral Analysis to become a BCBA.

Starting her career early in childcare and ABA and with an educational background in Neuroscience, Khalema developed a strong interest and compassion for the developing mind, especially those of neurodivergent children. Her spark for the field of ABA was ignited when she watched non-verbal children she worked closely with develop language skills through simple, evidence-based ABA principles.

In her free time, Khalema loves to play chess on Chess.com, hike, be still with nature, and play PC games.

Jenel, our Office Coordinator, is the warm and welcoming voice behind every email and call. Born in Texas and raised here in Hampton Roads, she intimately understands the challenges of relocating and rebuilding a home base, having experienced it as a military brat and spouse. Her background in customer service, operations, and administration, coupled with her personal experiences, allows her to provide care, consistency, and heart to both families and providers, making Ascend with ABA a reliable place families can count on.

She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Maryland, where she also earned her Associate’s degree in Computer Studies with a focus on Information Technology. When she’s not at the center, Jenel loves curling up with a good book and spending time with her three dogs, Bora, Bella, and Nym, affectionately known as her “Gremlins.”

Steven is driven by helping clients find compassionate, well established care. He is a University of Virginia, summa cum laude graduate with a degree in Sociology and Environmental Science. In his free time, he loves to surf, run, hike, and spend time with family and friends.