“A perfect team in the River Region — professional, caring, experienced and passionate.”
David F. Bicard, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Executive Director
Dr. Bicard is a former preschool teacher at The Fred S. Keller School, a nationally recognized preschool in New York, and has permanent teaching certification within that state. He has published research in a variety of highly respected educational journals. Dr. Bicard has over 20 years of experience working with young children and families.
Andrea Herrington, BCBA, LBA Clinical Director
andrea@greatleapslearningcenter.com
Andrea has been a team member of Great Leaps Learning Center since February of 2015. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Troy University in 2015 and her Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University in 2018. She obtained her Board-Certified Behavior Analyst certification in 2018. Andrea transitioned from a Registered Behavior Technician role to the Clinical Director in 2018. In her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors, reading, and spending time with her famil
Nilda VanDortrecht
Office Manager
admin@greatleapslearningcenter.com
Nilda is from Prattville, Al and has been with Great Leaps since 2018. She graduated from Troy University with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology in 2018. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Morgan Burbage, BCBA, LBA
After School Director
morgan@greatleapslearningcenter.com
Morgan is from Prattville, Alabama. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Applied Behavior Analysis through Troy University in 2018. She has been at Great Leaps since 2019 and is currently a BCaBA. Morgan is working towards her Masters degree in ABA at Ball State University and will sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam upon her graduation. She played softball at Shelton State and enjoys other sports, being outdoors, music & arts, poetry, cooking, and her two dogs.
Cindy Vieira, BCBA, LBA
In-Home/In-School Director
cindy@greatleapslearningcenter.com
Cindy obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Troy University and her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis at Simmons College. She became certified as a BCBA in 2018. Cindy has been a member of the Great Leaps Learning Center team since its opening in February of 2015. She enjoys spending as much time as she can with her son and visiting with friends.
Hanna Bowman, RBT
Wait-list Coordinator
waitlist@greatleapslearningcenter.com
Hanna joined the Great Leaps team in April 2022. She obtained her RBT credential in June 2022. She is currently enrolled at Troy University majoring in Social Work. Since graduating high school in 2016, she has worked in the field with children, the elderly, and adults with autism. Hanna has a passion for helping others. She enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and friends during her free time.
Julia Blackwell, BCBA, LBA
julia@greatleapslearningcenter.com
Julia joined the Great Leaps team in July 2019. Before joining Great Leaps, she served the citizens of central Alabama as a paramedic for close to 20 years. Julia obtained her Bachelor of Science in psychology with a minor in applied behavior analysis in 2020 from Troy University. She is currently pursuing her masters degree in applied behavior analysis and will sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam when completed. Julia has been married for 5 years, with 7 kids between her and her husband. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her kids and watching them play sports, reading, crafting, listening to podcasts, and building LEGO.
Kristell Mohammed, BCBA, LBA
kristell@greatleapslearningcenter.com
Kristell was born in Venezuela but grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from the age of seven. She is fluent in both Spanish and English. In December 2019, she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from University of Maryland Global Campus. Kristell started at Great Leaps in September of 2020. She graduated Troy University’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis in August 2023 . Kristell received her Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification in October 2023. Prior to working at Great Leaps, Kristell worked as a Special Education Itinerant Behavior Paraeducator for the Office of Early Intervention Services in the Howard County Public School System in Columbia, Maryland. Kristell is married to her high school sweetheart and together they have 3 children.