Meet The Team

Estelle Parnes earned her Master of Science in Special Education from Adelphi University in 2000. She completed her coursework through Penn State University in 2007 and became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst in 2009.With over three decades of experience in special education, Estelle has worked in school, clinic, and home settings since 1993. She has taught courses on curricular assessment and behavior management at Mercy College in Brooklyn, NY, and served as a co-instructor for BCBA coursework at the Florida Institute of Technology from 2012 to 2017.As a founding member and the Executive Clinical Director at Yellow Bus ABA, Estelle continues to mentor future BCBAs and share her passion for the life-changing effectiveness of Applied Behavior Analysis. In her current role, she is deeply committed to advocating for clients and working tirelessly to ensure they receive the services they need.

Rhonda Stewart, BCBA, NYS LBA, earned her Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism from the Sage Colleges. Rhonda has dedicated her career to working with individuals diagnosed with Autism since 2008. Rhonda has a wide range of experience working with individuals from ages 3 to adulthood in various settings including early intervention, schools, residential programs, group homes, day habilitation programs, center programs, and in-home services. Rhonda began working with families through insurances services in 2014. As of 2022, Rhonda joined Yellow Bus ABA as the Clinical Director at Yellow Bus ABA and works closely with the Executive Clinical Director, Estelle Parnes, to ensure services provided to our families are effective, families feel supported, and families have a positive experience with ABA services at Yellow Bus ABA. Day to day, Rhonda focuses on the clinical team of BCBAs, Regional Center Manager, Senior Lead RBTs, Associate Trainers, and Center Hybrid RBTs, to ensure that all departments are operating fully and supported through their distinct roles to provide services to all families. Rhonda frequents Yellow Bus ABA center sites on a regular basis and interacts with as many clients and staff as possible. This has notably been one of the most enjoyable aspects of her work. Observing clients make progress, engage in enriching activities full of learning opportunities, and watching BCBAs, SL-RBTs, and BTs expand on clinical skills has been a highlight during these visits. Fostering collaboration among the team of BCBAs where ideas are shared and roadblocks are met with support and resources, has been a standout area of Yellow Bus ABA. When not working, Rhonda can be found hiking as she adds to the number of state parks she can visit, weight training at the gym, frequenting restaurants as a self-proclaimed "foodie", watching documentaries, or finding new books to read and add to her growing collection. Rhonda enjoys traveling and finds opportunities each year to visit new cities while creating memories with her loved ones.

Marlena joined Yellow Bus ABA in December 2022 and currently serves as Lead BCBA. In her role, she oversees a small caseload and provides support to a team of BCBAs as well as the QA department. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from St. John’s University and completed her MA in Psychology with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis at CUNY Queens College in 2014. With nearly 12 years of experience in the field and 10 years as a BCBA, Marlena has worked with children and adults with autism across educational, community, and insurance-funded settings.She values the team-oriented environment at Yellow Bus ABA and appreciates the strong sense of collaboration across all locations.Outside of work, Marlena enjoys spending time with her family and her dog, Nico, watching horror films, and treating herself to Taco Bell—in that order.

Simone joined Yellow Bus ABA in 2023 and has been passionate about making a difference ever since. Before becoming a BCBA, she worked as a teacher for 7 years in several different settings while earning her master’s in special education and Applied Behavior Analysis. As a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) at Yellow Bus ABA, Simone’s primary focus is on developing and overseeing individualized treatment plans that are rooted in evidence-based practices. I work closely with Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) to ensure our clients receive compassionate care that fosters meaningful progress. In addition to her clinical responsibilities, she serves as one of our Lead BCBAs, providing guidance and support to our team. She offers clinical oversight, mentorship, and ensures that all BCBAs feel empowered and supported in their roles. Her goal is to cultivate a collaborative environment where both staff and clients thrive. What she loves most is seeing the joy in a child’s progress and being part of a team that’s supportive, collaborative, and deeply committed to our mission. She feels the culture here makes it easy to stay inspired and grow professionally. Outside of work, Simone enjoys baking and crafting and can frequently found in the garden with her Husband on the weekend, and she loves to host dinner parties! She is also a proud pet parent to Didi, who is currently working to become a therapy dog.

Sara serves as a Lead BCBA Supervisor at Yellow Bus ABA, where she is dedicated to supporting her team of BCBAs and ensuring the highest quality of care for their clients. Since joining the company in 2023, she has collaborated closely with the leadership team to develop strategies that enhance the BCBA experience, identify and remove barriers to effective service delivery, and foster an environment that encourages professional and clinical growth. Sara also maintains a hands-on role by overseeing her own caseload, keeping her closely connected to the clinical work that initially sparked her passion for the field. Before joining Yellow Bus ABA, she brought extensive experience working with individuals across all age groups, from preschoolers to seniors, in a variety of settings, including homes, schools, and center-based programs. Her journey began in early intervention as a service coordinator, where she built a strong foundation supporting young children and their families. She later transitioned into insurance-based ABA as a behavior therapist, where she discovered her deep passion for the field. This led her to pursue her Master’s degree and obtain BCBA certification while working in a school setting. Sara finds the greatest joy in celebrating her clients' progress, whether the milestones are big or small. Equally fulfilling is watching her team members grow, especially when they step into new roles or achieve personal and professional goals, knowing she played a role in their development. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, exploring different cultures, and trying new foods. She loves outdoor activities that connect her with nature and never turns down a good cup of coffee, especially when paired with a book or time spent catching up with friends.

David Parnes has been with Yellow Bus ABA since its founding in 2015, playing an instrumental role in its growth into the premier provider of Applied Behavior Analysis services in downstate New York. As Director of Business Development, he has overseen the organization’s strategic expansion, forging relationships with families, providers, and community partners to ensure access to the highest quality care. With a deep commitment to building sustainable growth and advancing the mission of Yellow Bus ABA, David has led efforts to open new centers, expand service lines, and strengthen partnerships across New York. His vision and dedication have been central to positioning Yellow Bus ABA as a leader in the field, while staying true to the company’s founding values of excellence, innovation, and client-focused care. In his current role, David continues to drive Yellow Bus ABA’s mission forward by identifying new opportunities for collaboration, advocating for the needs of families, and ensuring the company remains at the forefront of ABA services in the region.

Melinda joined Yellow Bus ABA in 2024 and oversees all HR operations and drives initiatives that strengthen both business performance and workplace culture. Her experience spans multiple areas of human resources, including employee relations, performance management, and policy development, equipping her to support teams through periods of growth and change. She was drawn to Yellow Bus ABA by its strong sense of purpose and is energized by working alongside colleagues who share a deep commitment to exceptional client care.Beyond her role, Melinda enjoys weight training, discovering new places, and spending time with her cat.

She joined Yellow Bus ABA in 2021 and currently serves as the Care Coordinator and Compliance Manager. She oversees both the Care and Compliance Teams, ensuring that clients are matched with the right technicians and that staff adhere to company policies. She has a bachelor's degree in human services and previously worked as a Community Specialist for four years. What she loves most about working at Yellow Bus ABA is how everyone brings their personality to the team and how open leadership is to feedback and new ideas. The supportive and collaborative culture makes it a great place to grow. Outside of work, she has been playing softball since she was 7 years old and she still plays in a coed league today!

Krista joined Yellow Bus ABA in 2023, starting as an Associate Trainer and quickly stepping into her current role as Lead BCBA Associate Trainer. She supervises clients and staff while managing a team of Associate Trainers. Krista became a BCBA in 2021 after completing graduate school in New Jersey and brings experience working as a classroom BCBA in an autism center.She values Yellow Bus ABA’s collaborative and supportive team environment and appreciates the many opportunities to grow and develop professionally.Outside of work, Krista is always in Halloween mode; she loves spooky movies, pumpkin-flavored treats, and decorating early to celebrate the season.

Kristen joined Yellow Bus ABA in 2022, initially as an Intake Coordinator, and now serves as the Intake Manager. She focuses on helping families access quality and necessary services for their children by guiding them through the enrollment process, securing insurance approvals, and coordinating with the team to provide the highest level of support.Kristen values working in a team environment where everyone shares the common goal of supporting children and families.Outside of work, she enjoys watching baseball and spending time with her cat.

Elena serves as the Regional Center Manager at Yellow Bus ABA, overseeing center operations and supporting Senior Lead RBTs across the growing network of centers. Since joining the company in 2022, Elena has focused on fostering an environment where teams feel supported and clients can thrive. Inspired by their supervisor’s example of strong and caring leadership, they are committed to being that kind of leader for others.Before joining Yellow Bus ABA, Elena gained experience as a Registered Behavior Technician, working in home and alternative placement settings with a diverse range of clients and behaviors. Every day, they find fulfillment in witnessing client progress and helping staff feel confident and valued.Outside of work, Elena enjoys cooking, baking, and spending time with their cat, Gus.