Meet the Team
Executive Staff
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
Shravya Sanagala, MS, MBA
Chief Operating Officer
BCBA #1-19-38444
Shravya Sanagala is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and accomplished healthcare leader with a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis and a Master of Business Administration. As Chief Operating Officer, she brings over a decade of clinical and operational experience to her role, overseeing strategic initiatives, program development, and quality of care across the organization.
Shravya has worked extensively in the behavioral health field, providing services in home, clinic, and school settings, and leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver effective, family-centered care. She is deeply passionate about creating scalable systems that prioritize client outcomes, staff development, and equity in service delivery.
Her unique blend of clinical expertise and business acumen drives innovation in care models, particularly in the areas of social skills programming, caregiver training, and hybrid service design. Outside of work, Shravya enjoys exploring new recipes, spending time with her family, and finding creative ways to connect systems thinking with compassionate care.
Alyse Kenner, B.A.
Office Manager
Alyse joined the AFS team in February 2025 and currently holds the role of Operations Manager. She graduated from Sacramento State with a B.A. in Sociology and has always been passionate about supporting children and making a meaningful difference in their lives and communities. Alyse manages scheduling for clients and therapists, coordinates hiring, onboarding, and training, and supports day-to-day communication through phone and email. She also works cross-functionally with various teams to keep operations running smoothly and ensure both clients and staff feel supported. Alyse brings strong organization, dedication, and heart to her work—helping the AFS team thrive every day.
Clinical Staff
Sandra de Almeida Romao, M.A.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
BCBA #1-25-80903
Sandra has been dedicated to working with children since 2008, bringing nearly two decades of passion and experience to her work. In 2017, she began her journey in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as a Behavior Therapist, quickly discovering a strong alignment between her values and the principles of the field.
After earning her bachelor’s degree in 2022, Sandra was promoted to a mid-level supervisory role, where she continued to grow as a clinician. Over the following two years, she deepened her expertise while supporting families and teams across various settings. Her commitment to professional development and high-quality care led her to earn her certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
Sandra is known for her compassionate approach, collaborative spirit, and dedication to making meaningful change in the lives of the children and families she serves.
Leah Mansfield, M.A.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
BCBA #1-15-18410
With over two decades of experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Leah Mansfield is a highly accomplished professional dedicated to compassionate and effective care. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development from Sacramento State University, followed by a Master of Arts in Teaching with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from National University, solidifying an in-depth understanding of developmental principles and behavioral science.
Leah’s extensive background spans diverse age groups, working with individuals from 18 months to 22 years old. This broad experience encompasses various settings, including home, center, school, and community environments, demonstrating a versatile approach to implementing ABA principles. Throughout her career, Leah has maintained a steadfast passion for compassionate care, consistently integrating this core value into every aspect and modality of treatment for clients.
Outside of her professional life, Leah enjoys a variety of personal interests that foster well-being and connection. She loves reading, exploring new worlds and ideas through books. An avid enthusiast of all activities outdoors, she embraces the natural beauty of her surroundings. Gardening provides a fulfilling outlet for her, allowing her to cultivate beauty and nurture growth. Above all, Leah cherishes spending quality time with her family, creating lasting memories and strengthening bonds.
Krystal Garcia, M.S.
Assistant Clinical Director
BCBA #1-21-50819
Krystal Garcia is a passionate and dedicated Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with a Master’s of Science in Behavioral Psychology from Pepperdine University. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Krystal has been supporting children and adults on the autism spectrum since 2014.
Her work is grounded in a deep understanding of behavioral principles, but what truly sets Krystal apart is her ability to connect with clients and families on a personal level. She takes the time to understand each individual’s strengths, challenges, and goals, creating customized, data-driven treatment plans that reflect their unique needs.
Collaboration is at the heart of Krystal’s approach. She works hand-in-hand with families, educators, speech and occupational therapists, and other professionals to provide consistent, comprehensive care. Her warm, empathetic style helps build strong relationships, fostering a supportive environment where clients feel safe, understood, and empowered.
Krystal is also a strong advocate for ethical practice in Applied Behavior Analysis. She prioritizes client autonomy, ensuring that each treatment plan promotes self-advocacy, dignity, and respect. Her work is driven by compassion, integrity, and a genuine commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of those she serves.
Mikaela Heirigs, M.A.
Telehealth Board Certified Behavior Analyst
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.
Deborah Richardson
Program Manager
Deborah Richardson is a dedicated and skilled Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) with a robust academic background in special education and psychology. She holds a Master of Arts in Special Education (Applied Behavior Analysis) from Arizona State University, along with dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Deaf Studies, and an Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis, all from California State University, Sacramento.
With a passion for applied behavior analysis, Deborah has extensive experience working with diverse populations, including children and young adults with ASD, ADHD, Pica, and aggressive behaviors, across various settings like in-home, classroom, and one-on-one environments. Deborah is also adept at training caregivers on the implementation of treatment plans, ensuring comprehensive support for her clients.
Beyond her RBT roles, Deborah’s expertise extends to significant research contributions in behavior analysis and the status of signed languages, demonstrated through her work at the Performance Improvement Laboratory and as a McNair Scholar, leading to multiple presentations and a publication in Behavior Analysis in Practice. Fluent in English and intermediate in American Sign Language (ASL), Deborah is committed to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those she serves.
Leigh Ann Lopez
Senior Program Manager
As a Senior Program Manager, Leigh-Ann oversees treatment interventions designed by the company’s Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), ensuring their effective implementation. With two years of experience in program management and a recent promotion to a senior role, she brings expertise in facilitating collaborative, feedback-driven approaches within the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Leigh-Ann is committed to fostering a team environment where hopeful and constructive feedback is both given and received, driving positive outcomes for clients and enhancing the team’s collective success.