The Patterns Team
One of the most rewarding aspects in our field is the capacity to match the right staff to fit our clients’ needs. At Patterns, our staff is strategically selected and developed with our clients, and their families, in mind. We passionately believe that our team inspires and supports behavioral change through evidence-based teaching methods. In addition to their expertise, the members of the Patterns’ team are personable, engaging, and wholeheartedly interested in doing all that they can to meet the needs of our clients and their families.
board of directors
Ihab Shahawi
Vivian Elshahawi
Paul Burke
Wayne Mack
Elizabeth Hughes, PhD, BCBA-D
Executive Clinical Director
Lizzie is a licensed clinical psychologist and doctoral level behavior analyst. In her role as Executive Director, she provides advanced training for supervisory staff at the Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis (IABA) and Patterns, as well as for agencies and governments internationally, specializing in person-centered, neurodiversity-affirming approaches to behavior support. She is known for her work translating complex behavioral principles into practical, compassionate strategies that improve quality of life across home, school, and community settings. Lizzie has contributed to international training efforts in Positive Behavior Support (PBS) and Multi-Element Behavior Support (MEBS) and is recognized for advancing values-based frameworks, including reframing traditional behavioral functions into more human-centered language. Her work emphasizes dignity, collaboration, and meaningful outcomes for individuals and their support teams.
Sumerly helper
Regional Vice President of Operations
As Regional Vice President of Operations, I lead multi-state service delivery, focusing on operational excellence, sustainable growth, and high-quality clinical outcomes. My work centers on aligning people, processes, and performance. Partnering closely with clinical, HR, and administrative teams to ensure our services are both effective and scalable. I am passionate about building strong, collaborative teams, developing leaders, and creating systems that support both our employees and the families we serve.
What I love most about Patterns Behavioral Services is the company’s genuine commitment to people, both clients and employees. There is a strong sense of purpose behind the work, paired with a willingness to evolve, collaborate, and do what’s right for the communities we serve. Patterns fosters an environment where innovation is encouraged, voices are heard, and the mission truly drives decision-making, making it a place where meaningful impact happens every day.
Ariana Lopez
Sr. Director of Administrative Services
Ariana Lopez earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from California State University, Dominguez Hills, in 2016 and has since worked in the behavioral health field and organizations that support individuals with developmental disabilities.
Ariana joined the Patterns team in 2015 as a behavior therapist and transitioned into the operations team. Her 6 years of experience in the field has given her a unique perspective on how to build and optimize teams to better support our clinicians.
She is passionate about helping families and improving children’s lives. As a part of the Patterns team, she is committed to ensuring quality service to clients and impacting as many lives as possible.
Elisha Avnes
Sr. Director of Organizational Development
Elisha is the Operations Specialist based in Orange County, CA. She will work closely with our operations team and leadership roles to facilitate a structured approach in implementing the exciting changes taking place throughout the organization and support a smooth operational workflow.
Elisha has earned her master’s degree in organizational psychology and joins us with extensive experience in early intervention, non-profit and social enterprise management. She cares deeply about cultivating a culture where every team member feels a sense of belonging, clarity in their role and empowered to show up to work and thrive.
Laura Takagi, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA-
Senior Regional Clinical Director
Laura has over 20 years of experience providing ABA Therapy and support for children diagnosed with autism and other developmental disabilities. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree in psychology, she received training in applied behavior analysis through her work with children with autism.
Laura later worked as a service coordinator for the Regional Center of Orange County where she provided case management for both children and adults with developmental disabilities.
In 2002, Laura moved to Washington and began working toward her Master’s of Education in Special Education from Seattle University. While attending Seattle University she gained experience in several settings including local school districts and at a therapeutic preschool. During this time, she also worked privately for families providing in-home early intervention services and tutoring for students on the autism spectrum. After graduating from Seattle University, Laura worked as a teacher for an area school district that served many students on the autism spectrum in an integrated preschool setting.
Laura earned her BCBA in 2009 and has been working with Patterns Behavioral Services since 2019.
Lina Dancur
Director of Compliance
Lina Dancur has always been passionate about making this world a much better place to live, due to this she decided to study Psychology. She got her BA in Psychology with a minor on Mental Health. She is originally from Colombia and before moving to the USA 22 years ago, Lina worked with individuals who had substance dependence in a Rehab Center, and also worked in the National Administrative Department of Security as the Wellness Department Director. She was also the co-founder of 2 non-profit organizations that helped families in precarious conditions and homeless kids who lived on the streets.
In this country, Lina has worked with Developmentally Disabled children and adults for 20 years in Residential and Day Program settings. Her first contact with this population was at the SAILS Group, where she chose to start as a live-in staff to get a full immersion training and have a clear picture of how she could improve the quality of life of the children she was living with and to add value to the company through her work. At SAILS, she occupied different positions, including Compliance Director, allowing her to expand her knowledge on the administrative side of the business at a greater scale and being part of the team who expanded SAILS services from California to other states. Lina moved to Florida from California in 2021. When she is not working, she loves to spend time with her family and her furry baby exploring her new town and its vicinities. She also enjoys dancing and art in all its expressions.