Our Team, Our Heart

Our Founders

Meghan Perazella, M.Ed. BCBA LBA (CT) Co-Founder & CEO
Meghan Perazella, M.Ed. BCBA LBA (CT)
Co-Founder & CEO

Launching The Hangout Spot with her Co-Founder is the culmination of Meghan’s professional and personal journey focused on bringing a level of care and support to her community that foundationally improves lives one at a time.  Meghan brings passion and over seventeen years of experience to The Hangout Spot, having provided special education and behavior analytic services in the center, home-, and public-school settings throughout Fairfield County. Meghan has co-authored publications in Autism Parenting Magazine and Behavioral Science in the 21st Century blog and served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Saint Joseph. She is a five-time prize recipient of awards honoring excellence and leadership in working with children with disabilities. Meghan earned her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Severe Special Needs and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Human Development from Boston College. She later completed her Post-Master BCBA Certificate at Endicott College.

Justyna Balzar, M.Ed. BCBA LBA (CT) Co-Founder & CEO
Justyna Balzar, M.Ed. BCBA LBA (CT)
Co-Founder & CEO

Empathy and a passion for giving voice to those who struggle to find their own voice is what founding The Hangout Spot represents to Justyna. Justyna is driven by the notion that client success can only be achieved by building on the foundation of who we are as individuals and utilizing science and research to maximize the potential for positive change. Justyna brings unparalleled dedication and over 19 years of experience working with learners of varying profiles, ages, and abilities throughout Fairfield County. Justyna has co-authored publications in Autism Parenting Magazine and Behavioral Science in the 21st Century blog and founded @Behaviorchik, an online persona intended to disseminate behavior-analytic resources. She first received her Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) certification, and then completed her Master’s in Curriculum and Education in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University, followed by her BCBA certification shortly thereafter.

Our Team

Molly Yordon, M.Ed. BCBA LBA (CT)
Molly Yordon
MS BCBA LBA (CT)

Molly is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who thoroughly enjoys being able to work directly with clients and families every day. After obtaining her Bachelor’s of Psychology from the University of Connecticut, she began her career in the special education school setting, where she developed a passion for helping children of all ages. Soon after, Molly pursued her Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis. She is a talented, empathetic and patient clinician who is wholly dedicated to achieving a collaborative and supportive experience for our learners at The Hangout Spot community.

Kelly Ettinger, MS BCBA LBA
Kelsey Ettinger
MS BCBA LBA (CT)

Kelsey is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has a long history of successfully working with individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities. She has worked with a wide range of learners of diverse ages in varied settings. Kelsey received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and began working as a Registered Behavior Technician directly out of college. She fell in love with ABA and earned her Master of Science in ABA from WCSU, followed by her BCBA certification. We know that Kelsey’s infectious personality and positive attitude will make an immediate impact with The Hangout Spot community!

Audrey Vogel, Registered Behavior Technician
Audrey Vogel
Registered Behavior Technician

Audrey has worked with individuals with autism ages 3-26 since she was a teenager. In 2018, she transformed her passion into a career, graduating from the University of Hartford with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education. Upon graduation, she served as a special education teacher in Harlem and the South Bronx, gaining invaluable experience working with elementary and middle school students. Audrey is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis and Special Education with a concentration in Severe Disabilities at Endicott College. She is eager to join the field as a BCBA upon obtaining her degree. Audrey’s ability to develop strong relationships with her clients, passion, creativity are just a few of the attributes that make her an asset to The Hangout Spot community.

Kelly Clavette, Behavior Technician
Kelly Clavette
Registered Behavior Technician

Kelly’s experience working with children has inspired her to pursue a career in Applied Behavior Analysis. Her compassion and understanding for all kids derives from a diverse work history including overseeing rambunctious boys who taught her how to play; working at a local children’s library which encouraged her to embrace the wonder of a child’s imagination; and her time in a structured school setting supporting a small group of kids with unique personalities and strong desires to learn. Kelly earned her B.A. in Psychology from Western Connecticut State University where she took a range of psychology courses to find the right fit and where to best channel her passion. She brings a love for learning and behavioral psychology that will help her support children as they learn to foster and expand meaningful social connections. She is currently pursuing her M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis at Western Connecticut State University and post-graduation is excited to follow the path to become a BCBA.

Esther Clebert - Behavior Technician
Esther Clebert
Registered Behavior Technician

Esther, born and raised in Norwalk, Connecticut, is an avid student who embraces all she’s learned. Her varied studies include Public Relations which gives her a deep understanding of managing human relationships and a profound appreciation for how important it is to be fluent in social skills. Esther’s studies have also compelled her to help others refine these life-changing social skills. Her experience working with kids at a summer camp helped her realize that she has great enthusiasm for music, singing, digital arts, and design and how they positively impact children’s lives. And after graduating from Southern Connecticut State University, she hopes to continue gaining experience in places that allow her to support her community and improve lives one at a time.

Claire Borgatti, Behavior Technician
Claire Borgatti
Registered Behavior Technician

Claire is a Registered Behavior Technician with a genuine passion for making positive impacts on children’s lives. She began her career in Applied Behavior Analysis as an intern at The Hangout Spot in the Summer of 2023, quickly realizing her love for the field. Claire is currently finishing her bachelor’s degree in Psychological Sciences with a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences at UConn Stamford, with the intention of pursuing a Masters in Special Education or continuing studies in the ABA field. Claire is incredibly dedicated to improving learner’s lives one at a time and has an amazing career journey ahead of her.

Sarah Callahan, Business Administrator
Sarah Callahan
Business Administrator

Sarah works providing administrative support and helping grow The Hangout Spot. She is from Greenwich, Connecticut and studied business administration and accounting at the University of Richmond. Sarah’s background and experience working with kids and teaching sailing has impressed upon her the importance of cultivating relationships and lifelong learning. She was immediately drawn to the passion and commitment to excellence of The Hangout Spot team and is so excited to have the opportunity to play a role in supporting the business. Sarah is so excited to work furthering the mission of The Hangout Spot!

Andrew Portnoy, Marketing Manager
Andrew Portnoy
Marketing Manager

Andrew is responsible for marketing programs, brand building and management and constituency engagement at The Hangout Spot. He has over 30 years of experience leading marketing and strategy teams for a suite of iconic global brands such as McGraw-Hill Education, Standard & Poor’s, JD Power & Associates and BusinessWeek. Passionate about representing the voice of the customer and using data to drive decision making. Andrew has consistently accelerated growth and grown market share for the brands he has stewarded. He has also served as Corporate representative for organizations including The Council of Foreign Relations, The U.S. Council for International Business, The Corporate Executive Board and the Marketing Leadership Council. Andrew received his BA with honors from Washington University in St. Louis with dual majors in English Literature and British History.