Julie Pemberton, Co-Founder and Board Chair
I am the mother of three children, one of whom has autism, and I have dedicated nearly two decades of my life to finding and evaluating autism resources for my son. My firsthand experience trying to find care was also my inspiration for RBTR Institute. When my son became aggressive in his early teens, I was stunned to discover that qualified caregivers were nowhere to be found. My family lived in crisis for almost two years as a result. One of the greatest challenges during this time was trying to stay positive without any clear path to obtain proper care. Eventually, by a huge stroke of luck, I was introduced to people who did have the expertise to help my son, and their therapeutic approach and intensive support transformed his behavior, and our lives, for the better. I was incredibly grateful we found the help my son desperately needed. At the same time, it alarmed me that it had been almost impossible to find that help. I hope RBTR Institute will change that situation, so that someday all autistic teenagers and adults - even those with challenging behaviors - will have access to the help they need.
Before I started a family and began learning about autism, I had career as a consultant and corporate lawyer, where I served early-stage and rapidly growing technology companies. While raising my children, I volunteered with various autism organizations, including the New England Center for Children (Board of Advisors and Capital Campaign Committee) and the Lurie Center for Autism at Massachusetts General Hospital (Leadership Council). I have an AB in Social Studies from Harvard College and a J.D. and M.Ed. from Vanderbilt University. I live in Wellesley, Massachusetts and have three children.
Sabrina Nicholson, Board Treasurer and Clerk
Sabrina Nicholson is a consultant to biotechnology companies developing novel treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases. She has served on the board of New England Village, an organization that supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, since 2006 in various capacities including Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. Sabrina has an AB in biology from Harvard College and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She lives in Wellesley with her husband, and they have two grown children.
Megan Hurst, Board Member
Megan Hurst is the founder of Athenaeum21 US, a human-centered data and technology consulting firm supporting higher education and cultural heritage organizations around the world. She empowers clients to navigate rapidly changing environments through deep inquiry, systems design, and creative problem-solving. Megan is known for uncovering organizational strengths, revealing challenges and opportunities, and helping leaders confidently chart bold new paths forward.
Megan brings more than 30 years of nonprofit experience—as a board member, staff leader, grant writer, and dedicated volunteer—to her role with RBTR Institute. As the primary care partner for a family member with dementia, she understands firsthand the overwhelming and fragmented nature of today’s care landscape. She envisions a future where people of all abilities are recognized, valued, and fully included—and believes RBTR Institute is pioneering the models families and individuals urgently need.
Rui Carreiro, Co-Founder and Executive Director
For nearly 30 years, I have dedicated my career to helping children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum disorder, developmental disabilities, and related challenges. I support individuals in crisis and with complex behavioral issues. My clinical approach emphasizes building trusted relationships, simplifying the assessment process, and delivering direct care and clinical services as quickly as possible.
Throughout my career, I have developed and managed services in various settings, including outpatient clinics, centers, public and private schools, group homes, day habilitation programs, hospitals, family homes, and community environments. I have held senior administrative and clinical roles at leading human services organizations such as Melmark New England, McLean Hospital, New England Village, and Eliot Community Human Services. I completed my undergraduate studies in Human Services Management and earned a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, focusing on cognitive and behavioral psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), from Cambridge College.
As the Executive Director of RBTR Institute, I align our programs with operational goals and oversee the strategic plan. My focus is on expanding our workforce and services, supporting professional development, enhancing quality and fostering a diverse team culture. Additionally, as part of our clinical team, I am the point of contact for referrals and requests for services. I work alongside our Behavioral Technicians to provide direct therapy to individuals exhibiting severe behavioral challenges while also role modeling and training staff and the next generation of professionals in the human services field.
The clinical team at RBTR Institute consists of master's level clinicians and Board Certified Behavior Analysts/Licensed Applied Behavior Analysts (BCBAs/LABAs) who supervise Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy administered by Behavior Technicians. All staff members complete an initial orientation and receive ongoing training in Safety-Care and ABA. This training equips them with practical tools and compassionate strategies to prevent challenging behaviors, enhance adaptive skills, and support individuals with dignity and safety.
Board Certified Behavior Analysts / Licensed Applied Behavior Analysts
Our BCBAs/LABAs design educational and behavioral programs, analyze treatment outcomes, and provide training and consultation to Behavior Technicians and caregivers. They receive regular supervisory support, participate in weekly team meetings, and have access to ongoing professional development opportunities.
Behavior Technicians
Under the supervision of BCBAs/LABAs, Behavior Technicians implement treatment plans and support individualized activities. They naturally apply goals during these sessions to enhance the effectiveness of therapy.
RBTR Institute is committed to empowering the teenagers and adults it serves as well as recognizing the vital role that family members play in supporting their loved ones. The Family Advisory Council serves as a supportive community for parents, siblings and other relatives. The Council also provides a mechanism for family members to help shape our programs and policies. The Council gives guidance on staff training, organizes educational events, and develops collaborative policies for RBTR Institute leadership and staff.