“My aim is to be the voice of many — the children, the families and the WEAP team — to make sure that every day a child learns a new skill, every day a family has a positive experience, and every day an employee goes home knowing that they have made the difference in the life of a child.”

Mary Smith is the executive director of the Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP). She works with directors across the five WEAP regions to make sure WEAP maintains its legacy as the leading provider of quality early intensive behavioral treatment for children with autism in Wisconsin.

Mary is a board certified behavior analyst, licensed in the state of Wisconsin. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the Open University, the largest university in the United Kingdom. She earned her master’s degree in special education from the Queen’s University of Belfast, and she has a post-graduate certificate in applied behavior analysis (ABA) from the University of North Texas. Mary specializes in creating and carrying out behavioral treatment programs. She is passionate about training young clinicians in their early professional years.

Mary has worked with WEAP since 1998. She has provided treatment, consultation, and training throughout North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, and Africa. She has presented at a variety of international conferences and successfully represented families seeking funding for treatment.

“My favorite moments are when I meet a new family for the first time and quickly establish a
connection with their child, inspiring hope and demonstrating the positive impact of ABA services.”

Known as “Dr. Becky,” Rebecca Thompson is senior director for advocacy for LEARN Behavioral, Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP)’s parent company.

She leads strategic initiatives aimed at increasing access to autism services across the country. In addition to her advocacy work, she continues to oversee clinical training and provide mentorship to emerging behavior analysts.

She began her career at the age of 18 with WEAP, inspired by her mother, one of WEAP’s first administrative staff members. She quickly realized that her mother’s insight was spot-on — she found her calling in working with young children with autism, helping them acquire essential life skills that would transform their futures.

Dr. Becky earned her bachelor’s degree from Marquette University and went on to complete both her master’s and doctorate in clinical psychology at Wayne State University. She returned to WEAP during her post-doctoral internship, where she also pursued post-graduate coursework in applied behavior analysis (ABA) through the Florida Institute of Technology. As a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA-D) since 2013, she has become a respected leader in the field.

In her current role, Dr. Becky is developing a strategic advocacy plan to increase access to autism services across the 18 states LEARN serves. This new opportunity combines her expertise in high-quality ABA with her dedication to promoting equity in healthcare access. Through her advocacy work, Dr. Becky is committed to not only supporting families seeking services at LEARN but also expanding the reach of autism services to benefit the broader community across the country.

“Every child’s progress fuels my passion for this work.”

Heather Bania, BSc, discovered her passion for applied behavior analysis (ABA) while obtaining her bachelor’s degree in human development from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. She started her career with the Green Bay Learning Center as a behavior technician (BT) in 2001.

Later that year, she transferred to the Milwaukee region, where her career continued to flourish. She was promoted to managing technician, then clinical supervisor, and ultimately, to clinical director.

Heather is the senior clinical director for the Milwaukee region, where she oversees the operation of four Learning Centers. Her journey from behavior technician to senior clinical director is a testament to her dedication and expertise in ABA.

Away from her professional commitments, Heather spends time with her husband and two children. She has an eye for decorating and savors peaceful moments relaxing by the lake.

“I feel so blessed to go to work each day and to be a part of helping my clients grow and learn. Hearing some of my clients say their first words is one of the most rewarding moments in the work we do. I am so thankful for the commitment of everyone within the child’s family and clinical team because each of them is helping the child to improve his or her quality of life.”

Linda Klotz, MA, BCBA, LBA, is a dedicated behavioral treatment licensed supervisor and the clinical director for the Milwaukee, Wisconsin region.

Raised in the heart of Milwaukee, Linda continues to call this vibrant city home along with her husband and three children.

Her academic journey took her first to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she earned her undergraduate degree in psychology. She then pursued her master’s degree in applied behavior analysis (ABA) from Ball State University.

Since 2003, Linda has been devoted to working with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. Her experience spans from helping toddlers as young as 18 months to guiding teenagers.

Linda’s passion particularly lies in early intervention and in the transformative power it can have on a child’s development. Linda continually seeks to expand her knowledge and share her insights by attending state and national conferences. She has presented her work at the prestigious Autism Society of Wisconsin’s Annual Conference, demonstrating her commitment to advancing the field.

“I love working at WEAP because every day is something new. There are surprises, celebrations, and challenges around every corner.”

As the clinical director of the Wisconsin Early Autism Project’s (WEAP) Green Bay region, Kerry Hoops brings more than two decades of experience and deep passion for working with children diagnosed with autism.

Her journey began during her college years at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. There, she earned a bachelor’s in psychology and human development while simultaneously gaining hands-on experience with children with autism. This experience ignited her passion for teaching children, families, and staff evidence-based practices. She went on to get her master’s in applied behavior analysis (ABA) from Ball State University.

Beyond her role at WEAP, Kerry actively contributes to the broader autism community. She has been a board member for the Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin for more than five years, demonstrating her unwavering dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of those affected by autism.

“I am fortunate to wake up each morning to a job that I love and to go to sleep each night knowing that WEAP is committed to making a difference for so many clients and families.”

Christine Laurent is the clinical director and licensed supervisor for behavioral treatment in the Madison region.

Her passion for helping clients with autism ignited during her college internship at Carroll University in 1994. She majored in psychology, complemented by minors in biology and sociology. She went on to get her master’s degree in applied behavior analysis (ABA).

Over the last 25 years, she has remained committed to that mission. Her career has been exclusively tied to WEAP, where she has not only grown professionally but also impacted countless lives.

“I feel humbled and honored to be a part of a team of passionate individuals dedicated to helping improve the lives of the children we work with and their families.”

Cassie Sedlacek, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), serves as the regional clinical director for the Eau Claire Learning Center at the Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP). Cassie is not only an accomplished professional but also a proud resident of Eau Claire, where she lives with her husband and their three children.

Cassie earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and public relations from The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She went on to get a master’s degree in social work from UW-Madison.

Today, as a licensed clinical social worker, she offers her extensive expertise in the field, making a significant difference in the community.

At WEAP, Cassie plays a crucial role as part of an evaluation team conducting diagnostic assessments. Beyond her clinical duties, she is passionately involved in academia. As a preceptor with the UW-Madison School of Social Work, she guides the next generation of social workers, sharing her knowledge and experience to inspire their professional growth.