Leadership Team

Robert F. Littleton Jr. is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of numerous service agencies including the Evergreen Center, Beacon ABA Services of Massachusetts and Connecticut, Criterion Child Enrichment, BehaviorPedia Inc., and Human Services Management Corporation. Dr. Littleton has taught elementary and special education in the Barnstable Public Schools. He has held certifications as an Administrator of Special Education and as an Early Intervention Program Director. He received his B.A. degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and his Masters in Education in Severe Special Needs from Lesley University. Dr. Littleton completed his doctoral research in Special Education at Boston University on the treatment of toddlers with expressive language delay. He is a past President of the Massachusetts Association for Approved Private Schools and is a former Chair of the Council of Affiliated State Associations, a subcommittee of the National Association of Private Special Education Centers. He is also a founding incorporator of the Massachusetts Association for Applied Behavior Analysis. Dr. Littleton was the catalyst and has been a key contributor to the development of graduate training programs for behavior analysts at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth and Cambridge College. He has served as a committee chair for the Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium and as a trustee the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies. He is currently a trustee of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst Foundation and the Milford Regional Medical Center. In 2012, Dr. Littleton was an inaugural recipient of the Salute to Service Award from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Dr. Cliff R. Cabral brings over 30 years of experience in the health and human services field to his role as the Chief Executive Officer of the Evergreen Center. His career has been marked by a diverse range of roles, showcasing his expertise as a clinical and senior leader in the health and human services sector.

Since November 27th, 2003, Dr. Cabral has demonstrated exceptional leadership in various settings, including psychiatric hospitals, residential programs, community mental health centers, and a wide variety of community based educational and supportive services for individuals of all ages and abilities. His commitment to individuals with developmental disabilities, including autism, physical disabilities, neurobehavioral disorders, and special needs, aligns seamlessly with Evergreen Center's mission.

Prior to joining Evergreen, Dr. Cabral served as the Chief Executive Officer of Horizon Healthcare Partners, where he provided strategic and operational leadership. His achievements include leading the BH Link project in Rhode Island, the state’s only dedicated 24/7 behavioral health crisis facility and emergency call center. Dr. Cabral also spearheaded the passage of legislation in support of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in Rhode Island, ensuring a positive transformational change to the behavioral health system across the state. Dr. Cabral's extensive experience also encompasses roles as Vice President at Seven Hill Rhode Island and Seven Hills Behavioral Health, overseeing operational and administrative initiatives for dozens of health and human service programs across RI and Massachusetts.

As the CEO of Evergreen Center, Dr. Cabral is committed to continuing his legacy of transformative leadership. He brings a wealth of expertise in health and human service administration, strategic planning, government relations, grant procurement and fundraising, and clinical supports. Dr. Cabral's proficiency in navigating the complex landscape of laws and regulations in Rhode Island and Massachusetts ensures Evergreen's commitment to providing the highest quality care for individuals with diverse needs.

Dr. Cabral holds a Doctorate in Health Administration from Central Michigan University, a Master of Arts in Agency Counseling from Rhode Island College, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Roger Williams University. He is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, a National Certified Counselor, and a Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor.

Joe has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) since 2001 and has served as a consultant and trainer for 15 years working in both early intervention and public school settings prior to joining the Evergreen Center in 2012.  Joe is the Graduate Program Director of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) at Elms College. He has published several research articles related to teaching individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Joe has served as a Guest Reviewer for several journals including the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Analysis and Practice, Behavioral Interventions, and the Psychological Record. He is the current treasurer and past president of the Massachusetts Association of Applied Behavior Analysis (MassABA).

John received his Doctorate in Learning Processes and Behavior Analysis in 2011 from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY). Since 2001, John has provided services to individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, and his clinical work has included consultation and training in early intervention and residential treatment settings. He has published 18 articles and book chapters in the areas of staff and parent training, choice and preference for instructional procedures, developmental disabilities, and applied behavior analysis. John is passionate about teaching applied behavior analysis, staff training, and the application of behavior analysis to improve the wellbeing of students with disabilities.

Allie has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) since 2017 and earned her Doctorate in Applied Behavior Analysis with a Specialization in Autism Intervention from Cambridge College in 2023. Since joining Evergreen in 2018, she has served in various clinical roles and as the Director of Professional Development, working to advance student outcomes and strengthen staff performance through training. Allie is passionate about teaching applied behavior analysis, skill acquisition, and staff training, and is dedicated to building strong clinical teams and improving outcomes for the individuals and families she serves.

Kayla has been a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) since 2019 and earned her Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis from Cambridge College in 2024. She has experience supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities across both educational and residential settings, with a strong focus on individualized, skill-building interventions that promote independence and quality of life.

Prior to joining Evergreen in 2020, Kayla worked in center-based, school-based, and home service programs, where she developed a well-rounded clinical perspective and a collaborative approach to care. In addition to her clinical work, she is an Adjunct Professor at Elms College, where she teaches Applied Behavior Analysis. Kayla has also presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) Annual Conference multiple times.

Jennifer is a Speech-Language Pathologist and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. As the Director of Therapy Services, she leads a talented team of specialists that ensure our students have the motor and communication skills to be successful in their living and learning environments.  

Jen studied Speech-Language Pathology at Boston University and MGH Institute of Health Professions. She returned to school to study Applied Behavior Analysis at Simmons University and is currently working on her doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology through Northwestern. 

Although she began her career as a Speech-Language Pathologist and is still passionate about promoting communication for all individuals, her work has expanded to include a variety of interdisciplinary roles. She works to integrate knowledge and interventions from a variety of disciplines into the program for our students, helping them to develop skills and working to enhance their quality of life. In her doctorate studies, Jen is researching indirect service delivery models within Allied Health fields and how to ensure that students receive the most effective and efficient evidence-based interventions. In addition to her work at Evergreen, she teaches graduate-level special education and early intervention courses through Cambridge College.  

Maureen joined the Evergreen Center's Community Services division in Malden in 2000. Maureen holds a Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Maureen has worked with children, teens, and families struggling with mental health issues and behavioral struggles for more than 25 years. Maureen is passionate about providing children and families in crisis a stable support network within the foster care system.

Elizabeth is a registered nurse with a background in critical care, clinical leadership, and business management. She has experience in high-acuity clinical environments, including serving as a critical care charge nurse and as an active member of hospital code teams. She has contributed to interdisciplinary, ICU-based initiatives focused on improving patient outcomes, safety practices, and care delivery systems. Elizabeth is passionate about supporting individuals with complex medical and developmental needs and is committed to fostering safe, consistent, and compassionate care environments. She brings a strong operational perspective to her work, promoting collaboration, accountability, and high-quality care across multidisciplinary teams.

Mike Gauthier brings more than 30 years of experience in education and residential services, with a career spanning both public and residential school settings. Throughout his professional journey, he has served in a variety of educational and leadership roles, including teacher, coach, Assistant Principal, and Principal at the middle and high school levels.

Through his work in classrooms, athletic programs, and educational leadership, Mike has developed a deep understanding of child development and student support. He is committed to helping every child succeed and finds great fulfillment in seeing students gain confidence and achieve their goals. Mike is equally passionate about supporting staff, helping them build on their strengths and grow professionally.

Since joining Evergreen, Mike has held several leadership positions, including Residential Supervisor, Residential Operations Coordinator, Assistant Director of Residences, and now Director of Residences. As Director of Residences, he oversees Evergreen's residential programs and services, leading a dedicated team that provides safe, welcoming, and meaningful home environments for Evergreen students.

Mike holds a Master's Degree in Education and a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education.

Kayley earned her Master’s degree in Education from Cambridge College in 2021 and holds a teaching license in Moderate Disabilities for grades 5–12. She brings more than 12 years of experience working with students across a wide range of ages, abilities, and support needs.

For the past eight years, Kayley has been a member of the Evergreen Center community, growing from a direct care and educational support role into administrative and organizational leadership. This breadth of experience has given her a unique understanding of both the day-to-day needs of students and the systems and practices that support effective educational programming.

Kayley’s combination of classroom experience, specialized training, and deep organizational knowledge allows her to approach educational leadership with a strategic perspective while remaining grounded in a student-centered approach. She is passionate about creating an educational environment where every student is recognized for their strengths, supported in reaching their potential, and provided meaningful opportunities to develop the skills needed for greater independence and success.

Rachel joined The Evergreen Center in 2013 and has advanced through a variety of direct care, residential leadership, and operational roles. Beginning as an Instructor, she went on to serve as a Residential Supervisor, Residential Operations Coordinator, and Director of Residential Operations and Scheduling before becoming Assistant Director of Adult Supports.

Throughout her time at Evergreen, Rachel has gained extensive experience in residential operations, staff supervision and development, workforce scheduling, and regulatory compliance. She has also worked closely with Evergreen’s Executive team and department leaders to strengthen operational practices, support organizational initiatives, and promote consistency across programs. Rachel is passionate about helping direct support staff and managers grow in their roles, knowing that well-supported teams are essential to the success of the individuals Evergreen serves.