ICAN Founder and Directors
CEO and Founder: Saba Torabian, M.S., PhD, BCBA
Saba Torabian, PhD, M.S., BCBA is the Founder and CEO of ICAN. Saba received her PhD in Child and Human Development at the University of California Davis, where she researched on children with autism and ADHD. She received her first Master’s degree from San Francisco State University in Social Psychology, her second Master’s degree from UC Davis in Child Development, and her third Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). She is the recipient of multiple awards and recognitions, including a letter of recognition from the White House for her contributions to the field of autism in general, autism advocacy, and autism research.
Clinical Director: Eduardo Ibarra, M.S., BCBA
Eduardo Ibarra, M.S., BCBA, serves as the Clinical Director at ICAN. His passion for working with children began at a young age but it wasn’t until college that he discovered the field of autism, and this close experience with children on the spectrum inspired him to pursue a career as a behavioral therapist. Eduardo graduated from San Jose State University and immediately immersed himself in ABA therapy. In 2019, he earned his Master’s Degree from National University and soon became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Now, with nearly ten years of experience, working with the autism community has become more than just a profession, it is a way of life for Eduardo. He is planning to pursue a PhD and dreams of one day establishing his own ABA practice in Mexico to raise awareness and support for this greatly underserved community.
Training Director: Mohammed Badreddine “Dro” Smati, M.S., BCBA
Dro Smati, M.S., BCBA, serves as the Training Director at ICAN. Dro earned his M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis and a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science. Dro is a certified Crisis Prevention Safety Care Trainer, with over eight years of experience in the field of ABA. Throughout his career, Dro has been dedicated to increasing awareness, training, and inspiring behavioral therapists throughout the field. Dro has had the privilege of presenting at conferences and conventions across the U.S, at local Colleges and Universities around the Bay Area, and has participated on professional panels. Dro aims to create meaningful change in the field of ABA by empowering professionals, advancing best practices, and improving the lives of individuals with autism and their families first locally, and then one day globally.
Academy Director: Maritza Heredia, M.S., BCBA
Maritza Heredia, M.S., BCBA, serves as the Academy Director at ICAN. Her journey in the ABA field began when she graduated from San José State University with a degree in Psychology and went on to earn her Master’s in ABA from National University. With many years of experience in the field, she has had the joy of working with clients of all ages and in a variety of settings. She currently serves as the Academy Director at ICAN, where she can share her passion for the field of ABA with her students. Maritza finds fulfillment in making a positive difference in the lives of the clients and families she serves.
Parent Training Director: Osmin Quijano, M.S., BCBA
Osmin Quijano, M.S., BCBA, serves as the Parent Training Director at ICAN. Osmin earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from San José State University and his Master’s degree in ABA from National University, graduating summa cum laude/with honors in both programs. With more than seven years of experience, Osmin has worked with children of all ages, from early childhood through college students. He is passionate about helping children reach their full potential by supporting their social, emotional, and behavioral growth in ways that are meaningful and individualized. Through parent training, Osmin aims to empower caregivers with practical ABA tools and strategies, giving them the confidence and knowledge to actively support their children’s development and success.
Assessment Director: Juan Rafael, M.S., BCBA
Juan Rafael, M.S., BCBA, serves as the Assessment Director at ICAN. Juan leads the development and implementation of individualized, data-driven behavioral assessments to guide effective and compassionate treatment planning. Juan earned a Master’s degree in Sport-Exercise Psychology from Argosy University in 2017 and a Master’s degree in Counseling with an option in Applied Behavior Analysis from California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) in 2021. Throughout his career, Juan has worked with individuals ranging in age from 2 to 32 years old, including those who engage in severe behaviors such as aggression, self-injury, and property destruction. His diverse expertise and calm, client-centered approach make him a trusted professional in the field.
Managing Director: Justin Russell, M.S.
Justin Russell, M.S., SHRM-CP, serves as the Managing Director at ICAN. Justin earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Economy from Regis University and his Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from UMass Global, graduating with summa cum laude/with honors in both programs. Justin’s professional specialty is culture building and sustainable growth. His time with ICAN has been solely focused on these two missions. Making a happy and healthy company that can match the rising needs of the Autism community.
Administration Director: Clara Perez
Clara Perez serves as the Administration Director at ICAN. She oversees scheduling, billing, and insurance coordination to ensure families receive seamless support. Clara has been working in the ABA field for over six years, with a professional career working with children diagnosed with ASD preceding that. She specializes in creating systems that help both clients and staff thrive. She finds fulfillment in building strong connections with families and supporting ICAN’s mission of making a positive impact in the Autism community.
Program Director: Luz Frias, M.S.
Luz Frias, M.S., serves as the Program Director at ICAN. Luz holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Child and Adolescent Development, as well as a Master’s in Special Education with a focus on mild to moderate disabilities. This foundation in both knowledge and compassion informs her approach to programming, ensuring that all activities are both educational and developmentally supportive. Luz designs and oversees programs that spark joy while helping children build independence, coping skills, and social confidence. Furthermore, she helps manage ICAN’s public presence by overseeing the social media page alongside a dedicated committee, effectively sharing the organization’s mission and the children’s joy with the wider community.
The BCBA Team
Leah Arellano, M.S., Senior BCBA
Jhene Amasa, M.S., BCBA
Assistant Parent Training Director
Jenna Stanton, M.S., BCBA
Assistant Clinical Director
Adriana Cisneros, M.S., BCBA
Assistant Academy Director
Ariana Cazares, M.S., BCBA
Assistant Assessment Director
Perla Espinoza, M.S., BCBA
Nadya Sidki, M.S., BCBA
Yulia Kuyanov, M.S., BCBA
Aravinda Gandikota, M.A., BCBA
The Administration Team
The Administration Team manages daily office responsibilities including but not limited to: billing, scheduling, client intake, and employment matters. They are employed by ICAN Staffing LLC (NV).
Daniella Calderon, Senior Office Manager
Isatu Bah, Front Office Manager
Patricia Viana, Talent Management
Israel Hernandez, Floor Coordinator
Samanta Hernandez, Intake Coordinator
Jorge Ordaz, HR Manager