Edward Kamara
Chief Executive Officer and a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
Edward Kamara is the Chief Executive Officer and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who founded Children’s Milestone in 2020. With a mission to empower children with developmental challenges, he has grown the organization into a trusted provider of high-quality ABA therapy across the DMV area. Edward is committed to evidence-based practices, compassionate care, and building strong partnerships with families and communities. His vision continues to drive Children’s Milestone toward lasting impact and meaningful change.
Diana Lako, M.A., BCBA, LBA
Clinical Director
As Clinical Director at Children’s Milestone, Diana leads with a vision of excellence, compassion, and collaboration in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services. She brings 25 years of experience in the field, earning a master's in education and post-graduate education in
Autism and Leadership with expertise in multi-tiered systems of support, organizational programming, and consultation.
In her role, Diana is responsible for guiding clinical programming, developing individualized treatment plans, and mentoring a team of dedicated BCBAs and RBTs. She prioritizes family-centered and values-based care, ensuring that every client’s goals are both evidence-based and meaningful to their daily lives. Diana is also committed to cultivating the professional growth of her team by providing ongoing training, supervision, and mentorship.
Outside of her professional work, Diana enjoys exploring new music, spending time with family and friends, and walking her dog, Buddy.
Chelsie Stoner
Associate Clinical Director
Chelsie Stoner, M.Ed., BCBA, is an accomplished Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Associate Clinical Director with over 15 years of experience in child development, education, and evidence-based interventions for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. With a strong foundation in both academic and applied settings, Chelsie has worked across diverse environments, including in-home therapy, classroom-based support, and clinical research settings.
Her career is rooted in a deep commitment to improving outcomes for children and families through the use of data-driven, compassionate, and individualized approaches. Chelsie’s background blends practical application with academic insight, enabling her to lead clinical teams with both strategic vision and hands-on expertise. She is passionate about mentoring professionals in the field and advancing the quality of care through collaborative, family-centered practices.
In her spare time Chelsie enjoys exploring new restaurants, traveling and spending time with her nieces and nephews.
Carrie Hennessy
BCBA / Community and safety health specialist
Carrie Hennessy, MA, BCBA, LBA, has worked with children and young adults with autism and their families for over 20 years. She has a bachelor's in psychology from St John Fisher University and a master's in ABA (specialization in autism) from Ball State University. Carrie has experience in school, home, clinic, day program, university, and community settings, supporting, training, and developing behavioral programming for individuals with ASD. Carrie spent the majority of her career as a teacher in a school for autistic children and as the clinical director of an ABA-based day program for young adults with ASD. Her passions in the field range from transition, social, and safety skills to collaborating with staff and families, promoting community involvement and independence, maximizing quality of life for our clients, and advocating for their integration into their communities. She really enjoys working with such an amazing team and all the wonderful families at Children’s Milestone.
Sara Burgess
BCBA/Success specialist
Sara is a dedicated and experienced behavior analyst with over 20 years of experience working with children across educational, home, and therapeutic settings. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in Autism, both from Ball State University. As a parent to two neurodivergent children, Sara integrates personal insight with professional knowledge as provides clinical mentorship, support, and professional development to BCBAs, focusing on emotional and behavioral health, assent-based practices, and neurodivergent-affirming care. A passionate educator, Sara’s mission is to empower professionals, families, and children by minimizing barriers, maximizing potential, and optimize environments by promoting affirming, ethical care for all clients.
Emahn Avery
Human Resources Specialist
Emahn Avery is a Human Resources Specialist with over eight years of experience in the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) field. She is currently pursuing studies in Human Resources at the University of Maryland and recently earned a Human Resources Manager Degree.
At Children’s Milestone, Emahn is responsible for onboarding Behavior Technicians and Registered Behavior Technicians, ensuring that new team members are supported and prepared to deliver high-quality services. Her background includes serving as an Operations Manager and working as an Assistant Teacher for children with Autism, roles that deepened her passion for helping children reach their fullest potential.
Emahn takes great pride in being part of the Children’s Milestone team, where she enjoys witnessing the progress of clients as well as the growth and development of RBTs. She is driven by her passion for seeing children excel to higher heights and by the meaningful impact her work brings to families and staff alike.