Leadership & Board of Directors

Kirsten K. L. Yurich, became the first Chief Executive Officer of Vista in January 2018, having previously served as Chief Clinical Officer. As CEO, She oversees all operations of The Vista School®, The Vista Foundation, and Vista Adult Services. Kirsten holds a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Pennsylvania State University and a bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Lock Haven University, and is a board-certified behavior analyst and a licensed behavior specialist. She also is a certified coach for the Competent Learner Model, a method of tailoring teaching environments to a student’s individual learning needs. Kirsten is co-author of The Precision Teaching Book and has been a featured contributor at professional conferences and in numerous publications, including the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. She is a member of the adjunct faculty at Penn State College of Medicine and formerly of Elizabethtown College where she taught courses related to psychology and special education. She serves as an executive board member for the ABA in PA Initiative, an advocacy organization working to ensure all children with autism in Pennsylvania have access to Applied Behavior Analysis therapy. Building systems of excellence within the field of autism and ABA drives much of the work Kirsten undertakes. In her work, she strives to change the status quo of autism treatment and help the community at large preserve the dignity of people with autism. Kirsten currently resides in Palmyra with her husband and their four children.

Patricia holds an educational specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University and a master’s degree in School Business Leadership from Wilkes University. Pat has a background in educational finance and business operations. Prior to coming to Vista, she was Business Operations at the Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute and Manager for the Penn State Center for the Protection of Children, both at The Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. She also served as Executive Director of Business and Finance for the Lebanon Campus of HACC and was the Assistant Director of Business Affairs for the Palmyra Area School District. Pat enjoys walking and hiking in her down time. She resides in Annville and is a mother of two adult children. Pat’s goal is to expand Vista’s financial development.

Alicia has expertise in Behavioral Health. She holds a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Pennsylvania State University and currently, and is a board-certified behavior analyst and a licensed behavior specialist. She is a member of the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts, has participated in research regarding effective toilet training strategies, and has presented at related conferences. For 20 years, Alicia has focused on providing treatment and consultation to individuals with autism and their families across the life span. She is passionate about ensuring individuals receive effective treatment and have the highest quality of life. Her passion for ABA comes not only from the research of successes in the field but also from the pleasure of witnessing interventions be successful and make a difference in one’s life. Alicia strongly believes that growing an individual’s personal and behavioral independence is how one measures success in this field.

Candis has expertise in Special Education. She holds a master’s in Special Education, a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education & Special Education, and a Supervisory Certificate, all from Millersville University. For 18 years, Candis has focused on developing and monitoring Special Education programs and services, while ensuring compliance with the Pennsylvania Department of Education and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). She is a Vista representative within the Alliance of Approved Private Schools of Pennsylvania (AAPS) and has facilitated curriculum discussions on a national level with the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP). Candis has worked in both the public and private school sectors, serving as a Special Education Teacher, as well as Supervisor of Special Education Services. She lives in Camp Hill with her husband and their son. As a family they enjoy spending time outdoors and visiting National Parks. Candis is passionate about ensuring school-age students with special needs have access to the best services possible to achieve their highest potential.

Sabrina holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Oregon and is certified in Quality Management through the Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs. Sabrina worked 10 years in customer service and administrative management with Peace Health, a non-profit health care system located in Oregon, Washington and Alaska, prior to relocating to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 2000. She worked for Northwestern Human Services in Administration before joining The Vista School® in July 2004. She has experience in compliance, licensing, financial reporting, office management, customer service, and human resources. She currently resides in Midtown Harrisburg with her beloved Australian Shepherd “Nissa,” and enjoys playing the guitar, hiking, and writing. Sabrina feels her work enables Vista to function at its best and to “keep the lights on.”

Holding a degree in Business Administration, Megan graduated from Elizabethtown College’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies where she focused on a leadership curriculum. She additionally holds a Certificate in Human Resource Management from Villanova University. As an active member of the Society for Human Resource Management (“SHRM”), she earned a Certified Professional accreditation and has worked in the Human Resources field since joining Vista in 2009. Megan serves as a management consultant and employee advocate, implementing strategies including compensation and benefits, performance management, policy development, talent acquisition, employee relations, and legal compliance as related to personnel matters. Megan’s interests include spending time with her husband and two sons, as well as developing and refining HR systems for Vista that keep it operating at the uppermost industry levels.

Kendra holds a master’s degree in education from Temple University and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland, and is a board-certified behavior analyst and a licensed behavior specialist. Since 1997, Kendra has worked in the field of behavior analysis with a focus on the education and treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorders. She started Vista Outreach Services in 2003 and Vista’s Early Intervention program in 2017. She has presented at professional conferences including Association for Behavior Analysis International, Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy, and Northeast Federation for Precision Teaching Conference. Kendra lives in Harrisburg with her husband and son. Her interests include developing systems that support making meaningful differences in people’s lives and translating research into practice.