KBCS Staff

Liz Herrera Knapp (she/her), who identifies as a Mexican American cisgender female, was born and raised in Stockton, Ca. After attending Lincoln High School, she studied Psychology and Social Behavior at UC Irvine, however, she felt a deep draw back to her community and chose to continue her undergraduate education at the University of the Pacific, where she obtained her BA in Psychology, with a double-minor in Pre-Law and Sociology, at the University of the Pacific in 2009. While at Pacific, Liz was a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, was an Undergraduate research assistant, Undergraduate teaching assistant, served as an ASUOP student government officer, sat on the academic appeals board, was a member of the Psychology Club, and was a cheerleader on the Tiger Cheer & Stunt Squad. Upon graduation Liz had earned a number of recognitions including 2009 University of the Pacific – College of the Pacific – Department of Psychology Outstanding Senior Award, 2009 University of the Pacific – Department of Psychology – Outstanding Senior in Psychology for Excellent Work in Scholarship, Applied Settings & Research Productivity Award, 2006- 2009 University of the Pacific Dean’s Honor Roll, Magna Cum Laude, 2008 Associated Students, University of the Pacific (ASuop) – President’s Leadership Award, 2007 University of the Pacific – Athletic Student Scholar Award, 2014 University of the Pacific – Dean’s Honor Roll Magna Cum Laude and the, 2006 Zana Taylor Weaver Endowed Scholarship Recipient.

Shortly after graduation she began working as a Behavior Interventionist/Team Manager at CVAP, Inc., a company that served children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Liz fell in love with the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and helping others and chose to return to Pacific in 2011 to work toward her MA in Behavior Analysis. After passing her Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam she continued her work at the University as a Program Director in the Psychology department, mentoring graduate student interns completing their experience hours to sit for their BCBA exams.

Liz has always had a passion for bringing people together, serving others, and mentoring the next generation. With that drive, following her time at Pacific, Liz founded KBCS Behavior Services in 2016. Liz took a short time away from KBCS when she was hired as the very first BCBA at Valley Mountain Regional Center in 2020. As a first-generation college student, graduate student, and proud Latina Business owner, this was one of Liz’s greatest accomplishments. Missing her work in the community and with her clients, Liz returned to the business she created, and is currently the Executive Director at KBCS Behavior Services, which provides Behavior Consulting services to individuals who are diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. This includes partnering with Community Care Facilities, Adult Day Programs, Schools, and Regional Center Consumers in the California Central Valley and surrounding areas.

With her passion for helping others, Liz has continued to expand her business to developing Care Giver Coaching classes for local parents, Early Start Services for children 0-3 who are at risk or have been given a preliminary diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Pre-School Staff Training programs, as well as developing community resources for the ID/DD population. Liz continues to mentor the younger generation of business owners who are striving to build and create their own businesses and independent practice.

Liz is currently a Board of Directors member of the 2nd largest organization for Applied Behavior Analysis in the world: California Association for Behavior Analysis (CalABA). Liz serves as the 2022-2024 CalABA Board of Directors Professional Association Liaison, is the 2022-2024 CalABA Stakeholders Advisory Committee Chair, and sat on the 2023 CalABA Conference Committee. Liz recently helped coordinate and attended the 2023 CalABA Conference in Long Beach, which offered continuing education for over 3,000 practitioners in the Applied Behavior Analysis and Speech Language Pathology communities. This was the 2nd largest conference for Behavior Analysis in the world. Liz also serves on CalABA Diversity Committee, CalABA Public Policy Committee, and has served on the 2022 CalABA Conference Committee, 2022 CalABA Special Events Committee and CalABA Conference Keynote Speaker Nominating Committee. Liz is also developed and is the President of the CalABA Special Interest Group for those who provide Adult Services. This is a first of it’s kind mentorship network for practitioners serving the Adult ID/DD population and their families.

Liz is passionate about social justice and reform, as well as equity, diversity, and inclusion within Applied Behavior Analysis and beyond. Liz served as a Leadership Board Member for the CalABA Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Special Interest group and also co-founded and serves as a Leadership Board Member of the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in ABA, a non-profit Organization. Liz was on the planning committee for the first annual 2021 Equity in ABA Virtual Conference.

Because Liz has always had a passion for her home community, she also devotes her time to local organizations. Liz serves on the Valley Mountain Regional Center (VMRC) Board of Directors as the Elected Provider Representative (2019-2020; 2022-2023), as well as the VMRC Coalition for Local Area Service Provider (CLASP) Board of Directors (2019-2020; 2022-2023). She developed the Special Events and Social Media Chair positions for CLASP, sat on the Planning Committee for the Inaugural CLASP Provider Conference, and is the Co-Chair of the 2023 Provider Conference. Liz sits on VMRC Legislation Committee, Consumer Services Committee, and Diversity, Equity, Belonging and Inclusion Committee (DEBI) (2019-2020; 2022-2023). Liz also developed the NorCAL Behavior Analysts Meet-Up, and works to bring her professional community together for education, community, and mentorship. Liz also has continued to give her time to local organizations including the Brookside Elementary School Career Fair, Annunciation Fall Festival, Pixie Woods Wine Stroll, VMRC Disability Fair, Junior League Festivale, Veterans Stand Down, and the VMRC Partners in Policy Making training program as an invited speaker, among countless other volunteer activities within our community. Liz has also been a member of LAMBS, advisor for the BeeZee philanthropic organization for Lincoln High Students, and a former member of San Joaquin Junior League.

Liz is currently a member of California Association for Behavior Analysts (CalABA), Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), Association for Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA), Latino Association for Behavior Analysis (LABA), ABA Task Force, Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, San Joaquin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Eleanor By Women United.

Liz Herrera Knapp, MA, BCBA

Founder & Executive Director

Ingunn Kristjansdottir Oveny, MA, BCBA

Behavior Consultant/Clinical Supervisor