About Us

Kassi Metz MS Ed, BCBA, Co Founder, Co CEO

Kassi is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has experience providing Applied Behavior Analytic services to children 18 months-21 years of age diagnosed with Autism and related developmental disabilities. She received Bachelors in Speech Pathology and Audiology from The Richard Stockton College of NJ and a Masters in Education from Wager College. Kassi attended Florida Institute of Technology where she completed a postgraduate coursework in Applied Behavior Analysis. She became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2016. 

In 2007, Kassi was introduced to the field of Applied Behavior Analysis when she began working in New York City for the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, as a Behavior Therapist providing in-home ABA services to children with Autism and related disorders. While working for CARD, Kassi developed a passion for the field. From 2009-2014 Kassi worked for New York Therapy Placement services providing in-home, community based, and school based support to children who were diagnosed with Autism, developmental disorders, engaged in disruptive behavior, emotionally disturbed, and ADHD. She joined New York Center for Infants and Toddlers in 2014 where she gained experience supervising staff and children in an ABA center based program. Kassi began working for Friends of Cyrus as a Senior Behavior Analyst in 2016 in which she helped boost the growth of the children’s division throughout the state of New Jersey. 

In 2020, Kassi co-founded Shape to Success providing in-home and center based ABA services to children diagnosed with Autism and developmental disabilities. 

Kassi holds multiple Teaching Certifications in both New York and New Jersey. She is also a member of the Association of Professional Behavior Analyst. Kassi’s greatest joy is helping her clients succeed in order to have a better quality of life. Within her practice, she is dedicated to helping the children and families she serves.

Diana Dufner M.Ed, BCBA, Co Founder, Co CEO

Diana holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from The University of Scranton and a Master’s of Education in Learning, Cognition, and Development from Rutgers University. She completed her BCBA coursework at Florida Institute of Technology and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2015. She worked at Princeton Child Development Institute as an ABA therapist and in-home supervisor for children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism for five years. Joining Friends of Cyrus as a Senior BCBA in 2016, she developed and assisted in the expansion of children services throughout the state of New Jersey. In 2016 she was appointed a member of a Human Rights Committee for a renowned Autism program in NJ. 

In 2020, Diana co-founded Shape to Success providing center based services to individuals with developmental disabilities. Her dedication to the field continues to drive her passion to help individuals develop to their fullest potential. Using the science of Applied Behavior Analysis, she works closely with children, families, and staff to foster positive relationships and learning environments. 

Meet Our Staff

Alexa Harrington M.A., BCBA

Alexa attended Stockton University where she received her BA in psychology and Georgian Court University where she received her Masters in ABA. Her career started at Search Day Program, a private school specifically for kids with autism, where she spent 4 years as a paraprofessional. She also provided direct therapy after school through a private ABA agency.

She transitioned to providing in-home services full time in 2018 and became a BCBA in 2019 after passing her exam - continuing to provide in-home therapy. She also has been a coach at Autism Movement Project (AMP), a fitness group for kids and adults with developmental disabilities, for the past three and a half years.

Her absolute favorite part of her job is getting positive feedback from parents that their child has carried over a skill to the home and outside of session. She said, “Getting a text or an update the following session about the child carrying over a skill that has been targeted during sessions outside of the session, makes everything worth it.”

Alexa got into the field as her uncle was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at the age of five. He is now in his sixties working a job he's had for over 30 years. He's her favorite person and she's lucky enough to support him weekly!

Jennifer Pollard M. Ed., BCBA

Jennifer attended Rowan University where she received her BA in psychology with a specialization in child behavior services. She then received her Masters of Education from Pennsylvania State University in Special Education focusing in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Her career started as a paraprofessional in an ABA preschool program while simultaneously providing in-home ABA services as a Registered Behavior Technician. Jennifer then moved on to a center-based program as an instructor where she worked full time to accrue her hours towards her BCBA and expand her experience within the field.

Jennifer became a BCBA in 2018 after passing her exam and transitioned to providing in-home services as a BCBA full-time.

Her absolute favorite part of her job is connecting with the families, incorporating parents/caretakers/siblings within programming and helping them reach their family goals as a team. Jennifer is always looking for opportunities to help educate her community (i.e., local law enforcement) about autism and ABA as a whole.

Sarah Smith,
Lead Registered Behavior Technician

Sarah attended Rutgers University where she received her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Education. She is currently attending FIT earning her Masters Degree in Behavior Analysis.

Before joining Shape to Success, she ran Buddy Ball, a special needs athletic league, for four years. She helped organize the baseball and basketball programs. This entailed recruiting qualified volunteers to help the children dribble, shoot, hit, field, and throw. The volunteers modeled the game for the children, building special bonds with their “buddies”, and made the sports meaningful, educational, and fun for the players. She worked closely with Special Education teachers in the local school systems to facilitate these programs.

Her favorite part of her job is seeing clients succeed in reaching goals and milestones in their life.

Apart from work, she loves to be on the beach with her family and friends.

Jacob Butynski,
Lead Registered Behavior Technician

Jacob attended Rutgers University where he received his B.A. in Psychology and is now attending Capella University to obtain his M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Prior to joining Shape to Success, he was a Special Education Instructor at the LADACIN Network. Working in the adult day program, he cared for and taught basic skills to clients with severe physical, mental and developmental disabilities. Before this, he had spent three years working under different BCBA's using ABA interventions for companies such as: Golden Care Therapy, Caring Family Community Services, Heart to Heart Home Care and Kimberly Bohichik MA BCBA LLC. During this time, he primarily worked with children and adults on the autism spectrum, specifically in home settings.

His favorite part of working for Shape to Success is, “Working with the clients and experiencing first-hand the transformative work we do. Seeing them change and grow in a positive way because of the time, work and effort our amazing staff puts into the individual we care for.”

Outside of work, you can find Jacob on most weeknights or weekends at his local skatepark because he loves to rollerblade.

Rebekah Clavin,
Administrative Assistant

Rebekah attended Middlesex County College where she received her Associate’s Degree in Applied Science.

Before joining the Shape to Success team, she was an administrative assistant in the mental health sector for five years. She was also a gymnastics coach where she worked with a variety of different children.

Her favorite part of working for Shape to Success is being able to learn more about the Applied Behavior Analysis field. Although she doesn’t work directly with clients, she enjoys seeing their progress.

An interesting fact about Rebekah is that she’s been skydiving and would gladly do it again many times.

Kristen Hager, Marketer

Kristen spent over ten years working on the Marketing and Corporate Initiatives teams at Autism Speaks – a non-profit organization with a mission dedicated in supporting the autism community.

She now is a Pre-K-8th grade Art Teacher at Immaculate Conception School in Spotswood where she coaches the soccer and track teams. Additionally, she is a soccer trainer for East Brunswick Soccer Club and trains a U8 girls and u11 boys team.

Kristen is grateful to be working for Shape to Success knowing her work is making a difference for a company that directly assists children with autism spectrum disorder and other disabilities.

One of her favorite moments was attending Shape to Success’ Tinton Falls grand opening where she was able to meet the families who are current clients – as well as new families – and see how much impact the business is making with their services.

She holds a BA degree from Kean University – certified in English and Special Education K-12.

For Marketing inquiries, you can contact her directly by e-mail: info@shapetosuccess.com