Meet Our Team

We pride ourselves on having the most caring and compassionate employees. That starts with our leadership and clinical teams and trickles down to our Registered Behavior Technicians and Behavior Technicians. We welcome you to learn more about our clinical team members and everything they have accomplished that makes them perfect and unique members of our BAI family.

Our mission at BAI is to apply principles of behavior analysis to enhance the lives of individuals living with autism and other developmental delays. The following individuals work extremely hard to ensure that all of our clients and families are receiving the highest quality of services they deserve. All of our clinical members and direct care staff work hard to ensure we are following the standards set forth by the BACB.

Belinda Hughes, MA, BCBA

President & Founder

Belinda is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with a Master of Arts in Special Education from Ball State University. She spent six years as a faculty member in the Special Education Department at Ball State University, where she taught graduate courses on autism and applied behavior analysis. Belinda is also the founder of Interlock, the East Central Indiana Autism Support Group, where she served on the Board of Directors for ten years.

Belinda’s dedication to improving the lives of individuals with autism and their families is evident in the many programs she has established within her community, including Interlock, the BAI Social Group, Autism Day Camp, Hillcroft ABA Clinic, and Autism training initiatives for Indiana State Police, EMS Services, and Church Buddy Programs. She also founded Autism Rocks, Inc. and continues to serve on its board, as well as the board of the Muncie Children’s Museum.

As a mother of a child diagnosed with autism, Belinda brings valuable personal experience to her professional work. Her unique perspective on ABA treatment drives her to continually develop, facilitate, and maintain programs and training at Behavior Associates of Indiana, all aimed at making a positive impact on the lives of individuals living with autism.

Katie Foster, MA, BCBA

Director of Early Intervention and Supervision

Katie is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with a Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis, specializing in autism, from Ball State University. She has been a valued member of the Behavior Associates of Indiana family since 2018. As the leader of the Early Learning Center in Muncie, Katie develops programming and behavior interventions for children with autism aged 2 to 6.

Katie is deeply passionate about the science of behavior analysis and is dedicated to sharing her knowledge with the next generation of practitioners. In 2022, she began running BAI’s supervision program, where she mentors and guides students in the field of ABA. Under her leadership, the program has grown significantly, becoming a cornerstone of BAI’s commitment to excellence in training and education.

Katie works closely with the families she serves, providing them with the training and support they need to comfortably enjoy everyday activities—whether it’s going out to dinner, shopping at the grocery store, transitioning into school, or engaging in their community.

In 2021, Katie joined the board of Autism Rocks, Inc., and her commitment and passion for the organization led to her election as President in 2023.

In her personal time, Katie cherishes moments with her family and her beloved puppies, Winston and Willow.

Allyson Wehlage, MS, BCBA

Chief Compliance Officer

Allyson Wehlage is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with Behavior Associates of Indiana. She earned her Master of Science in Psychology with a focus in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in November 2021. Committed to furthering her expertise, Allyson began pursuing her Doctorate in Developmental Psychology with a focus on ABA.
Allyson began her journey at BAI in 2018 as a behavior technician, and since then, she has positively impacted the lives of our clients as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and as a Supervisee, gaining hours toward her Behavior Analyst Certification Board Exam.

In her role as Clinical Manager, Allyson developed and implemented processes and procedures for quality control in our programs and training processes at BAI. Her exceptional work in this capacity led to her promotion to Chief Compliance Officer in 2023. Allyson’s commitment to care, compassion, and service is deeply rooted in her personal experience growing up with a loved one who did not have access to the same opportunities provided by BAI.

Families and staff alike can rely on Allyson for her responsiveness, collaboration, and kindness. We are honored to have her as a valued member of our team!

Julia Scott, MA, CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Julia Scott, CCC-SLP, received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology with a minor in Autism Spectrum Disorders from Ball State University in May 2019. She also received her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Ball State in July of 2021. She found her passion for working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in high school through a speech pathology internship at an autism center. In May of 2019, she came to BAI when she was hired as a registered behavior technician, for which she maintains the certificate. Julia has gained experience providing speech therapy services during extensive clinical experiences through the Ball State University Speech-Language Clinic, as well as in both school and hospital settings. She works alongside our other clinical staff to enhance the lives of our clients by increasing their communication skills.

Stephanie Blaylock, MA

Workforce Development Director

Stephanie Blaylock earned her Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis and her undergraduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology, both from Ball State University. Stephanie was the first therapist at BAI when it opened in 2013. She served as Program Coordinator from 2014 to 2016 and then transitioned to Clinical Manager, a role she held from 2016 to 2021. As our organization continued to grow, so did our roles and positions. In 2022, Stephanie was promoted to Director of Human Resources, and in 2024, she earned the position of Workforce Development Director.
In addition to her clinical and administrative roles, Stephanie has served as both our certified trainer in Crisis Prevention Institute and Safety Care. She discovered her passion for working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder during her undergraduate studies. Her dedication to helping children grow and thrive is evident in her daily work. Stephanie also volunteers on the board of Autism Rocks, Inc.

Courtney Hernly, MBA

Chief Financial & Operations Officer

Courtney Hernly’s clinical experience began in 2011 when she worked as a nanny for a child diagnosed with autism and served as a learning coach for neurotypical children. In 2012, she transitioned to the role of Executive Assistant to the President of BAI, where she was responsible for billing and scheduling. Seeking to diversify her skills in the ABA field, Courtney completed Behavior Technician training (now recognized as RBT training).
Courtney furthered her education by earning an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science in Accounting from Ivy Tech Community College, along with certificates in Technical Accounting, Fundamental Payroll, and Bookkeeping. In April 2024, she graduated with a Master’s in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Her blend of clinical and administrative experience made her an ideal candidate for the role of Office Administrator at BAI, a position she held from 2013 to 2016. In 2017, she advanced to the position of Director of Finance and Operations, and in 2024, she was promoted to Chief Financial & Operations Officer.

Cierra Burford, MA, BCBA

Behavior Analyst

Cierra Burford is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) at Behavior Associates of Indiana. She earned her Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University in December 2022. Cierra began her journey in the field of ABA in June 2020 when she joined BAI as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). During her time as an RBT, she accrued supervision hours and successfully passed her BCBA exam in March 2023.

Cierra’s passion for working with individuals on the Autism Spectrum was ignited when her nephew was diagnosed at 18 months old. His diagnosis inspired her to seek opportunities to work with individuals with autism and to learn more about the supports available to them. Cierra is dedicated to spreading awareness and providing information about ABA and autism within the community, promoting acceptance, and advocating for increased opportunities for individuals with autism to actively participate in their communities.

Amber Maxwell, MS, BCBA

Behavior Analyst

Amber Maxwell is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a Master of Science in Quantitative Psychology and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University. Her journey with BAI began in 2020 as an intern for a psychology course, where she quickly developed a passion for the field. A year later, she entered the supervision program, further solidifying her commitment to ABA.

Amber has worked as a Registered Behavior Technician for several years, gaining experience with clients of all ages in both clinical and school settings. She first earned her Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst certification and recently achieved her Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification.

Amber is thrilled to continue her journey with a company that aligns with her values of compassionate care—both for clients and staff—and a commitment to treating others with dignity and respect. She is eager to enhance lives in this new capacity and continue making a positive impact.

Rachael Lynn, MA

Clinical Manager

Rachael Lynn earned her Bachelor of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis with a minor in Speech-Language Pathology from Ball State University in December 2019. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis on Autism Spectrum Disorders from Ball State in July 2021.

Rachael discovered her passion for working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder during her undergraduate studies after learning about Behavior Associates of Indiana from a friend. She joined BAI in May 2018 as a Behavior Technician and soon after earned her certification as a Registered Behavior Technician, a credential she continues to maintain.
In July 2023, Rachael expanded her role to work closely with the Director of Human Resources, assisting with scheduling and ensuring the accurate delivery of administrative responsibilities. Rachael’s work ethic and passion for the field led to her promotion to Clinical Manager in August 2024.