Board of Directors

Julie M. Slowiak, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Executive Director

Email: director@hsfsig.org

Julie Slowiak received her Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in organizational behavior management (OBM) from Western Michigan University in 2008. Julie is currently an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Minnesota Duluth. She teaches undergraduate courses in learning and behavior, applied behavior analysis, OBM, and statistics, as well as graduate courses in organizational systems analysis, training and development, and worker well-being. Julie is the Founder of InJewel LLC, a values-focused coaching and consulting company.

Julie's research blends her training in applied behavior analysis and organizational behavior management with topics studied in the fields of occupational health psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, and applied sports psychology. In general, Julie is interested in the behavioral processes underlying athletic performance, the integration of Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) to health, behavior, and human performance coaching, healthy lifestyle behavior change, performance management and improvement, and behavior-based and values-focused coaching.

Fun Fact: Julie enjoys pushing herself outside of her comfort zone to try new things that will test her mental and physical capacities. She has participated as a member of the Wiki Wiki Ohana amateur dragonboat team, completed the Minnesota Tough Mudder, has kayaked on Lake Superior, and previously trained in a mixed martial arts gym. Julie is an avid weight lifter and enjoys practicing yoga, cycling, and hiking with her dog, Hurricane. 

Sarah Burby, M.A., BCBA
President

Email: president@hsfsig.org

Sarah Burby received her Masters in Applied Psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis from Rider University in 2013 and works as Director of Clinical Services at Brett Dinovi & Associates. Sarah also owns Small Changes Health and Wellness Coaching LLC, where she utilizes the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to support and empower clients to meet their health and wellness goals by making small, sustainable changes. 

Sarah is Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Certified K-5 teacher in the state of New Jersey, Certified Health Coach through the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and Precision Nutrition (PN) Level 1 Coach. Sarah also completed the requirements necessary to sit for the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBC-HWC) exam and is currently completing the necessary coursework to become a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. 

Sarah’s areas of expertise include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Intuitive Eating, Health at Every Size approach, Motivational Interviewing, and Behavior Skills Training. Sarah’s clinical interests include helping clients heal their relationship with food and exercise as well as improve their body image. She is also interested in using antecedent strategies to prevent burnout in the workplace and developing skills to improve overall well-being. Sarah enjoys creating CEU events and trainings primarily focused on  incorporating Intuitive Eating and Applied Behavior Analysis as well as supervising BCBA candidates who are looking to practice in the area of Health Coaching. . 

Fun Fact: Sarah loves walking on the boardwalk, cycling, and taking Pure Barre classes. She moved to the beach with her husband in 2018 and loves the peace and serenity of the ocean. Sarah also loves cats and when she is not at work, the beach, or starting another DIY project she can be found relaxing at home watching HGTV with her husband and two cats, Riesling and Scooter.

Jesse DePaolo, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Treasurer/Secretary

Email: payment@hsfsig.org

Jesse DePaolo received her Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis from the University of South Florida. Jesse is currently an Assistant Professor of Instruction & Practicum Coordinator at the University of South Florida. She teaches graduate level courses in USF’s Master of Arts program and is a doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Jesse’s research interests are in the areas of ABA in sports, Organizational Behavior Management (OBM), and ABA in higher education. In a recent study, she evaluated an assessment tool she developed to improve the performance of college level instructors teaching online courses and found that the assessment tool was successful in pinpointing an effective and efficient intervention type to use. Additionally, she has conducted studies with National Collegiate Athletic Association varsity athletic teams, examining the use of negative reinforcement for increasing behaviors both on and off the field.

Fun Fact: Although Jesse is an avid Boston sports fan (Go Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins, and Celtics!), her favorite sport to watch and play is Rugby!