Executive Council
Meme Staggers, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA
President
Dr. Staggers assistant professor in the Applied Behavior Analysis Program at Mississippi State University, as well as a doctoral level Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Dr. Staggers received her doctoral degree in school psychology at Mississippi State University and completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine/Kennedy Krieger Institute, where she provided behavior analytic clinical services targeting general problem behavior and pediatric feeding disorders. Dr. Staggers’ research interests include the application of behavior analytic treatment approaches for adults with developmental disabilities.
Chelsea Smith, BCBA, LBA
President-Elect
Chelsea Smith is a Senior Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) at Blue Sky Behavior Therapy, where she provides compassionate, evidence-based services to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). With extensive experience supporting early learners, Chelsea has a strong clinical focus on language development and successful school transitions, helping children build foundational communication and readiness skills that promote long-term independence. In addition to her clinical role, Chelsea serves as the Fieldwork Learning Coordinator, where she mentors and oversees students pursuing BCBA certification. She is passionate about developing the next generation of behavior analysts and is committed to ensuring high-quality, ethical, and practical training experiences.
Chelsea Smith, BCBA, LBA
President-Elect
Chelsea Smith is a Senior Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) at Blue Sky Behavior Therapy, where she provides compassionate, evidence-based services to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). With extensive experience supporting early learners, Chelsea has a strong clinical focus on language development and successful school transitions, helping children build foundational communication and readiness skills that promote long-term independence. In addition to her clinical role, Chelsea serves as the Fieldwork Learning Coordinator, where she mentors and oversees students pursuing BCBA certification. She is passionate about developing the next generation of behavior analysts and is committed to ensuring high-quality, ethical, and practical training experiences.
Hailey Ripple, PhD, BCBA-D, LP
Past-President
Hailey Ripple is an assistant professor in the School Psychology Program at Mississippi State University, as well as a doctoral level Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Dr. Ripple received her doctoral degree in school psychology at Mississippi State University. Additionally, Dr. Ripple completed her pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine/Kennedy Krieger Institute, where she provided behavior analytic clinical services targeting general problem behavior and pediatric feeding disorders. Dr. Ripple’s research interests include pediatric feeding disorders, functional analyses, and the application of behavior analytic treatment approaches for individuals with CHARGE syndrome.
Madilyn Boykin, BCBA, LBA
Treasurer
Madilyn is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Behavior Analyst with a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Mississippi State University. She currently serves as a BCBA at Blue Sky Behavior Therapy’s Timrick Plaza location in Ridgeland, Mississippi, where she works with children with autism, primarily between the ages of 3 and 10. Madilyn’s practice focuses on building essential communication, school readiness, and social skills that support each child’s independence and quality of life. Her work is guided by a deep commitment to empowering families and fostering meaningful growth in the children she serves.
Madilyn Boykin, BCBA, LBA
Treasurer
Madilyn is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Behavior Analyst with a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Mississippi State University. She currently serves as a BCBA at Blue Sky Behavior Therapy’s Timrick Plaza location in Ridgeland, Mississippi, where she works with children with autism, primarily between the ages of 3 and 10. Madilyn’s practice focuses on building essential communication, school readiness, and social skills that support each child’s independence and quality of life. Her work is guided by a deep commitment to empowering families and fostering meaningful growth in the children she serves.
Olivia Franklin, BCBA, LBA
Secretary
Olivia Franklin is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who began her career in applied behavior analysis in 2020 as a Registered Behavior Technician. She earned her graduate training at Mississippi State University, completing practicum placements in public school settings, the Autism and Developmental Disability Center, and the Pediatric Feeding Lab. Olivia became a BCBA in 2024 and currently works as a clinical behavior analyst at Blue Sky Behavior Therapy in Ridgeland, Mississippi. Her clinical interests include early intervention, skill acquisition, and behavior reduction, with a particular focus on decreasing sensitivity to aversive stimuli to support greater independence in daily living skills.
Stephanie Mattson, PhD, BCBA, LBA
ABAI Representative
Dr. Mattson has a combined background in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis, and she completed her doctoral degree at Utah State University. Dr. Mattson is passionate about using the principles of behavior analysis to improve the lives of the individuals she works with and training practitioners to effectively implement behavioral interventions. Dr. Mattson’s research interests include evaluating contextually appropriate interventions to increase independence for individuals with ASD, practitioner training and support, and promoting the dissemination of behavior analysis through refining single-case design research methodology.
Stephanie Mattson, PhD, BCBA, LBA
ABAI Representative
Dr. Mattson has a combined background in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis, and she completed her doctoral degree at Utah State University. Dr. Mattson is passionate about using the principles of behavior analysis to improve the lives of the individuals she works with and training practitioners to effectively implement behavioral interventions. Dr. Mattson’s research interests include evaluating contextually appropriate interventions to increase independence for individuals with ASD, practitioner training and support, and promoting the dissemination of behavior analysis through refining single-case design research methodology.
Laney McGuffee, BCBA, LBA
APBA Representative
Laney McGuffee serves as a Behavior Analyst at Blue Sky Behavior Therapy’s Timrick Plaza location. She earned her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Mississippi State University. Laney works primarily with children ages 2–12, with a particular interest in supporting older children through functional communication training and skill development. In addition to passionately serving her caseload and supporting caregivers, she plays an integral role in developing services and supporting operations within the clinic, contributing to the successful launch of Blue Sky’s Timrick Plaza location.
Rebecca "Becky" Kane, BCBA, LBA
Region 1 Representative
Becky has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst since spring of 2021. Prior to becoming a BCBA, she spent 9 years working as a registered behavior technician providing services in clinical settings, in public and private schools, as well as within the home setting in a variety of states. Becky has special interests and training in supporting autistic individuals, however, she has also supported a clients with a variety of diagnoses, sometimes co-occurring with autism including ADHD, Depression, Anxiety- to name a few. When she is not filling her heart at work serving children, she can be found exploring the trails, swimming, or spending time with her husband and three children.
Rebecca "Becky" Kane, BCBA, LBA
Region 1 Representative
Becky has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst since spring of 2021. Prior to becoming a BCBA, she spent 9 years working as a registered behavior technician providing services in clinical settings, in public and private schools, as well as within the home setting in a variety of states. Becky has special interests and training in supporting autistic individuals, however, she has also supported a clients with a variety of diagnoses, sometimes co-occurring with autism including ADHD, Depression, Anxiety- to name a few. When she is not filling her heart at work serving children, she can be found exploring the trails, swimming, or spending time with her husband and three children.
Ryleigh Sampey, BCBA, LBA
Region 2 Representative
Ryleigh obtained her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi. Subsequently, she entered the field of Applied Behavior Analysis as a Registered Behavior Technician, acquiring hands-on experience through direct client interaction. Ryleigh‘s work as an RBT fostered a desire to positively impact families and their children, which motivated her to pursue a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Mississippi State University, then leading her to obtain her certification and licensure as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Ryleigh has spent time developing her expertise working directly with clients and their families, feeding services, adolescent social skills and daily living skills, providing school based services, and serving in representative positions for the Behavior Analyst Association of Mississippi. Ryleigh especially values observing the progress of her clients daily and supporting families through her clinical and school based work as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.
Amanda Pace, M.A., BCBA, LBA, CTRS-E
Region 3 Representative
Amanda is the Director of Clinical Services for the Thrive ABA Clinic at Knox Academy in Ellisville, Mississippi. Her work centers on ethical, assent-based, and trauma-responsive applications of behavior analysis in educational and clinical settings. Amanda is an adjunct faculty member at William Carey University and is currently completing her PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis at Capella University, where her research focuses on training school-based staff to recognize and respond to behavioral indicators of assent and dissent.
Amanda Pace, M.A., BCBA, LBA, CTRS-E
Region 3 Representative
Amanda is the Director of Clinical Services for the Thrive ABA Clinic at Knox Academy in Ellisville, Mississippi. Her work centers on ethical, assent-based, and trauma-responsive applications of behavior analysis in educational and clinical settings. Amanda is an adjunct faculty member at William Carey University and is currently completing her PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis at Capella University, where her research focuses on training school-based staff to recognize and respond to behavioral indicators of assent and dissent.
Margaret Powell, PhD, BCBA-D, LP
Region 4 Representative
Dr. Powell is an Assistant Professor in the School Psychology Program. She received her Ph.D. in School Psychology from Mississippi State University. Dr. Powell then completed both her predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the Kennedy Krieger Institute/John's Hopkins School of Medicine. Dr. Powell has worked as a licensed psychologist at Ochsner Hospital for Children's Boh Child Development Center for the past several years before joining as faculty at USM. Dr. Powell's research interests include pediatric feeding disorders, behavioral interventions, and parent training.
Savannah Aldridge
Student Representative
Savannah is a second-year graduate student at Mississippi State University in their Applied Behavior Analysis program. She is currently an RBT and apprentice at Blue Sky Behavior Therapy at our second Ridgeland location, Timrick Plaza. Within the year, she plans to sit for her BCBA exam, licensure exam, and begin practicing as a BCBA. She is thrilled to be BAAMS’ graduate student representative!
Savannah Aldridge
Student Representative
Savannah is a second-year graduate student at Mississippi State University in their Applied Behavior Analysis program. She is currently an RBT and apprentice at Blue Sky Behavior Therapy at our second Ridgeland location, Timrick Plaza. Within the year, she plans to sit for her BCBA exam, licensure exam, and begin practicing as a BCBA. She is thrilled to be BAAMS’ graduate student representative!