Paola Ortiz, Ed.M., B.C.B.A, NADD-CC

Board Certified Behavior Analyst | Podcast Host

Paola Ortiz is a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA), college professor, and executive leader with over 20 years of experience in applied behavior analysis, mental health, and clinical operations. She holds a Master of Education in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard University and is certified by the National Association for the Dually Diagnosed (NADD-CC). She also holds a certificate in Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) from the Florida Institute of Technology, which fuels her strengths in systems thinking, change management, and sustainable performance improvement.

Paola has led large-scale clinical operations as an Executive Director, managing complex programs and teams across residential, in-home, clinic-based, and community-based settings. Her leadership emphasizes trauma-informed, person-centered, and culturally responsive care, grounded in regulatory compliance and operational excellence. In her role as Director of Behavioral Health, she oversaw suicide prevention initiatives, therapy and counseling services, and substance use disorder programs—bringing an integrated and equity-focused lens to behavioral health systems.

Paola is also a dynamic speaker and trainer, delivering professional development workshops on topics ranging from ABA and trauma-informed care to equity in leadership and parent education. Her engaging style and ability to translate behavioral science into real-world solutions make her a trusted voice across clinical, academic, and community settings.

An educator at heart, Paola has taught college-level psychology courses for over a decade, including Principles of Learning and Behavior Modification, Social Psychology, Statistics, and Research Methods. Her classroom approach emphasizes accessibility, inclusion, and real-world relevance—values that deeply inform her consulting and leadership practice.

In addition to founding EveryDay ABA, Paola serves as Co-Secretary of the First Generation Harvard Alumni Board of Directors, where she helps support access to higher education and advocates for equity and representation. She also leads a Lean in Circle for women BCBAs, creating space for mentorship, empowerment, and leadership development for women in behavior analysis.

Enthusiastic about guiding the next generation of leaders, Paola is a champion of women’s leadership, culturally responsive care, and service to under-resourced communities. Her work is grounded in the belief that behavioral science, when applied with compassion and cultural humility, can transform not only individual lives—but entire systems.