Meet the Team
Executive Staff
Maria Giannini, M.A. BCBA
Chief Executive Officer
Maria graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a B.A., she then completed her Master’s program from National University with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). She spent a three-year internship working 1:1 in behavioral services in the Sacramento Unified School District and in-home 1:1 A.B.A. therapy services. Maria began to work with children with autism in 1990 and has dedicated her life to assisting families and children.
Charlotte French, MA, LMFT
Chief Executive Officer
CA License #131387
Charlotte French is a dedicated Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and proud owner of Applied Family Solutions alongside Maria Giannini BCBA. With a passion for helping individuals and families thrive, she has devoted her career to providing compassionate and effective and therapeutic services. Alongside her specialization in marriage and family therapy, she is deeply committed to the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. She is dedicated to utilizing evidence -based interventions to support the individuals with developmental disabilities and behavioral challenges. By blending her expertise in LMFT and ABA, she strives to provide comprehensive and personalized care that addresses the unique needs of each individual and their family
Kristin Pohl
Chief Operating Officer
Kristin has been working in the ABA field for more than 12 years and has created a passion in helping individuals in need. She has been working at AFS since 2016 and has made a great impact in the lives of many and in the community here at AFS.
Brittny Mullins
Scheduler
Brittny Mullins attended Los Rios Community College District, and received an Associate’s Degree in social science and an EMT course completion certificate. After working in the medical field as a first responder, she decided to move to an admin position where she continued to work in the medical field and was later tasked with scheduling for the ambulance company she worked for at the time. Brittny has done scheduling for the last 3 years. The best part about scheduling is being able to help those we serve by building a schedule that works best for the company, employees’, and clients’ needs
Clinical Staff
Brianna Hazell, M.S.
Clinical Director
BCBA #1-18-30061
Brianna first began working in Special education in 2009, and later joined the world of ABA in 2011. Over the past 12 years, she has obtained experience working with clients with ASD, ranging from 18 months to 26 years of age. Brianna obtained her Bachelor’s Degree from CSU- Sacramento in Speech Pathology and Audiology in 2012. She then continued working to gain experience and further her education by earning her Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis from National University in 2017. Brianna joined Applied Family Solutions as a BCBA in October 2019 and looks forward to continuing to serve our clients.
Charlie Norwood, M.S., RBT.
Program Manager
Charlie began working with students with special needs at the Los Rios Community College District (LRCCD) as a Test Proctor for three years (2015-2018). In January 2020, he joined the team at Applied Family Solutions as a Behavior Interventionist (BI) and currently is a Program Manager (PM).
Charlie graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work in May 2020. Recently, he graduated from National University with a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis in February 2023. He is currently working on finishing his supervision hours and becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
Jamie Foster, M.S.
BCBA # 1-18-32100
Jamie graduated from UC Davis in 2014 with her BA in psychology and human development. She started in the field as a BI that same year and was an RBT for 4 years. Jamie worked in schools, homes, centers, an adult day program on a ranch, a non-public high school, and community settings. Jamie graduated from National University with distinction with an MS in applied behavior analysis in 2018. She got her BCBA that same year and moved up to the BCBA role right away. Jamie was Assistant Regional Manager overseeing 2 branches at my last company prior to joining the AFS team.
Krystal Garcia, M.S.
BCBA #1-21-50819
Krystal graduated from CSU Chico in 2016 with a B.A. in child development. She started off being a nanny for children on the spectrum in 2014 all the way till 2016 and continued to work with children with disabilities from 2016-2018 for Rancho Cordova Unified School District. Krystal joined the AFS family summer of 2018 and has completed her M.S. in behavioral psychology this year from Pepperdine University
Mikaela Heirigs, M.A.
BCBA #1-21-50278
Mikaela graduated from California State University, Chico in 2009 with a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in child development. Since then, Mikaela received her Masters in Teaching with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis from National University in 2017. Mikaela started in the field of ABA in 2010 and found her passion for impacting the lives of children through early intervention behavior therapy. She has gained experience with consulting in homes, schools, social groups, and centers located in Sacramento, Salt Lake City, and Seal Beach, CA. Mikaela joined the AFS team in Spring 2019 and has thrived in providing high-quality services to our clients through staff/parent training, individualized treatment plans, and running the social skills groups. She recently became a BCBA and looks forward to stepping into this role at AFS.
Sandra De Almeida Romao
Program Manager
I have been working with children since 2008 and I have been in the field of ABA since 2017. I started as a behavioral interventionist, then got promoted to the center lead, and currently I am working program manager.
My desire to help the children that I work with sent me back to school in 2020, and I graduated with honors from National University in 2022 with a B.A. in Early Childhood Education
Tesh-Ann Silveira, M.A.
BCBA
Tesh-Ann began working with children in 2011, where she ran an after-school program for elementary school students. She has worked with youth in a wide range of settings including afterschool programs, private preschools, group homes and Juvenile Hall. Tesh obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Brandman University in 2020 and began working with Applied Family Solutions in 2021, as a Behavior Interventionist. She received her Master’s in Special Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2022 and became a BCBA in March of 2023. Tesh is committed to her role as a BCBA and continues to want to learn and grow to be able to help others.