Meet Our Leadership Team
SEARCH’s clinical team consists of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), special education teachers, and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). SEARCH’s instructional model utilizes a 1:1 ratio, which allows for individualized instruction, curriculum, and ongoing skill assessment for each learner. Each team member receives ongoing training and supervision to ensure each learner is making meaningful and lasting changes.
Our team of professionals works under the guidance of our Executive Director and senior staff, and is committed to the families we service, the field of behavior analysis, and ongoing skill development.
Carrie Kahana, Ed.D., BCBA, LBA (NY) - Founding Executive Director
Meet Dr. Kahana, our Founder. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), a certified Special Education teacher, and a certified general education teacher. She earned her Master's in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Montclair State University and recently obtained her Doctorate in Education in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California. Founding one of New Jersey’s first public school programs for students with autism in 1999, Carrie is also considered a pioneer in public school programming. Her experience and accolades equip her to lead SEARCH with knowledge, strategy, and compassion.
As SEARCH’s Executive Director, she paves the path for identifying and securing quality services and works directly with parents to provide them with the education, guidance, and resources they need. Carrie loves her job at SEARCH because she gets to be a part of changing lives every day. Making a positive impact on our families, our staff, and the field of behavior analysis has been one of the greatest highlights of her career.
Favorite SEARCH Memory: Becoming champions at the SEARCH cornhole tournament!
Fun Fact: Carrie has three cats named Cheeto and Dorito.
Jessie Dello Russo, MA, BCBA, LBA (CT) - Director
Jessie holds a Master of Arts degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from Caldwell University where she worked at the University’s Center for Autism and ABA as a staff trainer. Her thesis was published in Behavior Analysis in Practice, and she went on to present her research at state, national, and international conferences (including The New Jersey Association for Behavior Analysis, The Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy, and The Association for Behavior Analysis International). She is also a Licensed Behavior Analyst in the state of Connecticut. Additionally, possessing a great deal of experience in the field, she has previously worked in center-based programs, the public-school setting, and the home setting. Jessie explains that she loves her work because “Our team can tailor its program to each child’s individual needs; all of our staff members at SEARCH are truly committed to the field and are passionate about supporting children and their families.”
Favorite SEARCH memory: The Barnyard Bash event, when a petting zoo came to SEARCH!
Fun Fact: Jessie got her start in ABA learning with the late Dr. Bob Allan at Lafayette College, where she conducted research in his lab with pigeons! She is also a mother of two (one of her children being her dog, Harvey!).
Nicole Journe, M.Ed., BCBA - Director
Nicole earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Kean University before she went on to achieve her Master’s in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Washington. She has worked in the field since 2008 providing services in home, center, and school settings, working with learners from early intervention through adolescence. Nicole thinks that the best part of working at SEARCH is forming close relationships with the learners and families that are part of SEARCH, as well as overseeing many instructors that are now Board Certified Behavior Analysts themselves. She absolutely loves teaching through play and believes that teaching learners to love the learning process is such an essential part of what SEARCH does. “Individualizing to each child’s interests and personal preferences is such a FUN process!” shares Nicole.
Favorite SEARCH memory: The first time she had the opportunity to teach and witness a child saying their first word was such an amazing experience!
Fun fact: She is a mother of four — three pets and a newborn daughter!
Jasmine Smith-Brown, M.Ed., BCBA - Assistant Director
Jasmine received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Francis Marion University in South Carolina, followed by a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and worked in the field for 7 years prior to becoming a team member at SEARCH in 2018. As the Team Leader Training Coordinator, she is responsible for training her fellow Team Leaders by developing their skill sets, identifying training needs and providing coaching, promoting innovation, and guiding them through their tenure at SEARCH. When asked what she most loves about her job, Jasmine shared that she loves the opportunity to collaborate with other professionals as they take a team approach to deliver the best possible services for children and their families.
Favorite SEARCH memory: When she was a part of the initiative to bring awareness about Autism to the area’s surrounding public schools.
Fun Fact: Jasmine loves plants and is currently the proud owner of 30!
Mahwish Mustafa, MA, BCBA - Team Leader
Mahwish holds a Master’s degree in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis from Penn State University. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has worked in both clinical and home settings. Mahwish says the most rewarding part of her job is watching her learners grow and she hopes to see them become happy, independent individuals. She noted that she specifically loves teaching children and young adults self-help skills such as getting dressed and functional communications skills such as asking for help. “Seeing the pride our learners feel in becoming independent and being able to relay their needs and desires is incomparable,” says Mahwish.
Favorite SEARCH memory: She really enjoys daily meetings with Instructors and Data Analysts. Mahwish thinks that meeting with instructors to problem solve and celebrate small victories is a particularly special part of her job at SEARCH.
Fun fact: Mahwish is a bilingual poet.
Marissa Stiuso, MA, BCBA - Team Leader
Marissa earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a focus in Childhood Studies from Monmouth University. After studying at Monmouth, she obtained a Master of Arts degree in Applied Behavior Analysis at Caldwell University and completed her practicum and a graduate assistantship at Caldwell University’s Center for Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis. In addition to center-based programming, Marissa has several years of experience delivering ABA services and parent training in home settings. As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Team Leader at SEARCH, she provides supervision to Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) and takes pride in being able to teach and shape the behavior-analytic skills of budding behavior analysts every day.
Favorite SEARCH memory: Having the opportunity to collaborate with team members to provide children and their families with individualized services and support that meet their unique needs.
Fun fact: Before working with children, Marissa learned about the science of ABA in a Psychology of Learning class where she trained a goldfish to push a soccer ball into a net.
Irene Grandeza, M.Ed., BCBA - Team Leader
Irene received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Rutgers University. After graduation, she worked at the Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center and fell in love with the work. She then pursued her Master of Education degree with a focus in Special Education Sequence for Applied Behavior Analysis at Rutgers University. She has been involved in the field since 2011 and has experience working with individuals from early intervention to adulthood in a variety of settings including public and private schools, clinics, and homes. As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Irene’s approach to working with clients and their families places an emphasis on compassion and collaboration. She loves being part of a team that continuously fosters growth and independence in its learners!
Favorite SEARCH Memory: Witnessing one of her learners say, “I love you,” back to his parents for the first time.
Fun Fact: She was able to summit Mt. Whitney when she lived in California!
Marissa Gamba, MA, BCBA - Team Leader
Backed by a Bachelor's degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences from Seton Hall University, Marissa brings both passion and academic strength to her role as a Team Leader. Marissa began her career at SEARCH as an instructor/data analyst, a position she held for three years. During this time, Marissa developed an interest in behavior analysis, which led her to earn a Master of Arts in Behavior Analysis Practice from the Florida Institute of Technology. Marissa is a dynamic leader who is passionate about helping her kiddos by encouraging them to communicate more effectively, establish their independence, and engage more fully in the learning process. Her dedication, educational background, and hands-on experience are invaluable assets for our team at SEARCH.
Favorite SEARCH Memory: Teaching others about Applied Behavior Analysis through our internship program!
Fun Fact: She ran track competitively throughout high school!
Cherie Weisse - Human Resources / Executive Assistant
Cherie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics and Government from Ohio Wesleyan University. Drawing from her experiences at entrepreneurial firms such as Fox Asset Management where she served as Director of Human Resources, she has developed her skills in managing human resources, client services, operations, and administration. Cherie says, “It is a pleasure to work with a team that is so passionate and committed to improving the lives of children and families affected by autism through SEARCH’s individualized training and learning.”
Favorite SEARCH memory: Witnessing the joy parents feel when their child advances with the services SEARCH is providing them.
Fun fact: She has two daughters who both played D1 Lacrosse.