Shanda Brown, M.A., BCBA, LBA

Regional Director and Behavior Analyst

Shanda Brown is a dedicated and results-driven Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) with over ten years of experience supporting individuals with mental health disorders, intellectual disabilities, and complex behavioral needs.

Clinical Leadership & Expertise Currently serving as the Regional Director and Behavior Analyst for Optimal Outcomes LLC in St. Louis County, MO, Shanda provides essential clinical leadership and operational oversight for the region's programs. She specializes in serving adults with co-occurring mental health disorders and intellectual disabilities across both community and residential settings. Her clinical expertise is grounded in culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and neuro-affirming practices, and includes:

• Developing comprehensive crisis and behavior plans to address complex challenges such as aggression, suicidal ideation, elopement, PICA, and inappropriate sexual behavior.

• Facilitating strong multidisciplinary collaboration to ensure holistic client care.

• Providing dedicated mentorship and clinical supervision.

Advocacy & Clinical Philosophy A fierce advocate for systemic change, Shanda is committed to dismantling ableism within adult services. She actively works to shift the industry narrative away from compliance-based models toward a culture that prizes interdependence and person-centered autonomy. Central to her approach is the belief that meaningful skill acquisition is best achieved by empowering the client's support system through robust caregiver guidance, ensuring that those closest to the individual are equipped to provide compassionate, effective care.

Community Impact & Speaking Engagements An active speaker and educator within the behavior analysis community, Shanda has extensive experience presenting on advocacy for parents and co-developing critical professional training programs, including comprehensive 40-Hour RBT courses, classroom management strategies, and de-escalation protocols. Her notable speaking engagements include:

• “Navigating Support for Adults with IDD/MH as a Person of Color” at the Black Applied Behavior Analysts International Conference.

• “Essential Proactive Strategies for Adults with Mental Health Disorders & Disabilities” at the Do Better Collective's Rejected Conference.

• “Beyond the Clinic: Disseminating Research for Adults with Co-Occurring Mental Health Needs” via Behavior Live.

Education & Credentials

• Master of Science in Criminal Justice (Behavioral Analysis Focus), Saint Joseph's University

• Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science, Wilmington University

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

• Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA)

Emma Duncan, M.S., LBA, BCBA

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Emma Duncan’s passion for Applied Behavior Analysis was first sparked while working in schools with students who required behavioral support. Inspired by these early experiences, she is now committed to creating personalized, evidence-based interventions tailored to each individual’s unique needs across the lifespan.

Clinical Focus & Approach Emma has extensive experience navigating diverse environments, from the classroom and home to the broader community. Her approach is deeply rooted in compassion, respect, and collaboration with both clients and their caregivers, ensuring that her interventions are sensitive to each person’s unique experiences and challenges. Her clinical work centers on:

• Improving Independence: Empowering individuals to achieve meaningful, lasting progress in their daily lives.

• Building Social Skills: Fostering meaningful connections and community integration.

• Enhancing Quality of Life: Passionately advocating for clients to ensure they receive the support and resources they need to thrive.

Organizational Leadership & Mentorship In addition to her direct clinical work, Emma serves as the new hire and onboarding trainer at Optimal Outcomes. In this vital role, she utilizes her strong focus on Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) to:

• Effectively train, mentor, and support incoming staff.

• Ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality, compassionate care across the organization.

Education & Credentials

• Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis, Capella University

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

• Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA)

Megan Hearn, M.S., BCBA, LBA

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Megan Hearn is a dedicated Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) who has been practicing since 2017. With a Master of Science degree and extensive clinical experience, Megan brings a comprehensive and adaptable approach to her practice, supporting individuals across all phases of life.

Education & Empowerment As a passionate educator and advocate for Applied Behavior Analysis, Megan is deeply committed to empowering those around her. She specializes in training caregivers, support teams, and fellow professionals to effectively apply behavioral principles. Her collaborative approach ensures that interventions are:

• Effective: Grounded in proven behavioral science.

• Practical: Designed to work in real-world settings.

• Sustainable: Built to last within the individual's natural environment.

Clinical Philosophy & Quality of Life At the core of Megan’s practice is a profound dedication to enhancing the overall quality of life for her clients. By working closely with a person's broader support network, she focuses on breaking down the barriers presented by challenging behaviors. Her ultimate goals for every client include:

• Fostering Independence: Building the skills necessary for self-sufficiency.

• Expanding Opportunities: Unlocking new social and community-based experiences.

• Increasing Autonomy: Empowering individuals to exercise greater personal choice in their daily lives.

Education & Credentials

• Master of Science, Applied Behavior Analysis

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

• Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA)
  

Shamika Pegue, M.S., BCBA, LBA, IBA

Clinical Director

Shamika R. Pegue is a highly accomplished Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) based in Kansas City, MO. With over a decade of dedicated experience in the human services field, her career is defined by strong clinical leadership and a steadfast commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities.

Clinical Oversight & Mentorship As the Clinical Director at Optimal Outcomes, LLC, Shamika provides director level leadership in quality assurance, program management, and clinical excellence. A core function of her role is empowering her team through dedicated training, mentorship, and supervision, ensuring the consistent delivery of high quality, ethical behavior analytic services. Her clinical expertise drives the organization's behavioral strategies, with key responsibilities including:

• Overseeing comprehensive Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs).

• Developing ethical, person centered Behavior Support Plans.

• Developing and implementing the programming for BCBA candidate supervision.

Diverse Experience & Community Impact Shamika has a rich history of delivering comprehensive ABA services to adolescents and adults across a variety of settings. Prior to joining Optimal Outcomes, she uniquely integrated arts-based counseling into individual and group substance abuse treatment. A passionate advocate for representation and community within her profession, she is also a proud founding member of the Missouri Black Behavior Analysis Community (MOBBAC).

Education & Recognition

• Master of Science in Behavior Analysis, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

• Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Sociology (Summa Cum Laude), Central Methodist University

• Recipient of the Young Alumni Award (2023)

Mike Williams, M.S., BCBA, LBA, IBA

President

Mike Williams is an accomplished Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with over 15 years of dedicated experience in the developmental disabilities field. As the President of Optimal Outcomes, in the Kansas City Metro, Mike has successfully built and maintained an agency committed to high quality, person centered care.

Clinical & Operational Leadership Since January 2014, Mike has balanced high level operational oversight with hands on clinical management. He has a proven track record of leading multi disciplinary teams and delivering top tier clinical services within residential, day program, and community settings. Notably, Mike has championed a unique business structure for Optimal Outcomes centered on a “BCBA Only” model, ensuring that clients receive direct, expert care exclusively from fully certified practitioners or those pursuing BCBA certification. His primary areas of expertise include:

• Ensuring strict Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) compliance.

• Designing Behavior Support Plans (BSPs) for high acuity placements.

• Integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

• Utilizing practical safety training strategies, including MANDT and CPI.

Advocacy & Community Impact Beyond his executive role, Mike is a passionate advocate for representation and ethical standards within the profession. He is a proud founding member of Black Men in Behavior Analysis, demonstrating his deep commitment to community and advocacy. Mike has used the services of Optimal Outcomes to help close the service gap to underserved communities. Additionally, he served as a Board Member for the Kansas Behavior Analyst Advisory Committee, where he collaborated on policy recommendations to ensure ethical and effective statewide service delivery standards.

Education & Credentials

• Master of Science in Psychology, Avila University

• Bachelor of Science in Sports Science, Avila University

• BCBA Coursework, Florida Institute of Technology

• Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) in Missouri and Kansas

• International Behavior Analyst