KansABA Voting

    Please reference position descriptions by visiting THIS PAGE while reviewing the nominees, then indicate your preferred candidate from the provided options.
    Marren's Bio

    My name is Dr. Marren Leon-Barajas and I am honored to accept a nomination for Incoming President. I am a seasoned behavior analyst with 15 years of experience across residential, specialized school, clinic, and in-home settings, serving individuals ranging from ages 2 to 80. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working with individuals with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and those in the autistic community.
    My journey in the field began as a direct support professional, leading to progressive leadership roles, and eventually graduate school. I earned my Master’s in Applied Behavioral Science and my Doctorate in Behavioral Psychology from the University of Kansas in 2018 and 2021, respectively. Currently, I serve as the Clinical Director of Behavior Analytic Services for a multi-state region at a large health organization. Most recently, I served as your KansABA Full Member Representative for the 2023-2025 term. If elected Incoming President, I will bring a broad range of experiences, a collaborative leadership style, and a commitment to my core values - authenticity, inclusivity, and community.
    In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, eating and drinking yummy stuff on patios, and getting lost in a good fiction paperback. 
    Ellie's Bio

    Hi! I'm Ellie, a passionate behavior analyst, currently pursuing my Ph.D. at the University of Kansas, I earned a Master's from the University of Houston – Clear Lake in 2023 and am a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst.
    I love digging into research, especially on preference and reinforcer efficacy. From helping kids with autism to supporting adults with disabilities, I'm all about using our science to make a real difference. I'm always eager to work with others to improve the field. In my free time, I like to go on long walks with my dogs (trained with positive reinforcement, of course), try out new hobbies, and travel the world.
    Thomas's Bio

    Hi! My name is Thomas Freetly, and I’m a third-year doctoral student at the University of Kansas. I’m excited to be running for the position of Student Representative with KansABA.
    I earned my Master’s in Education in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Washington. I’m especially passionate about my work with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and I’m committed to using behavior analysis to improve their quality of life.
    Outside of my academic work, I enjoy cooking and biking.
Kansas Association for Behavior Analysis