Meet the Founders

LEAP ABA, LLC was founded with a shared commitment to ethical, individualized care and thoughtful collaboration with families. Our leadership team brings both clinical expertise and operational support to ensure services are delivered with integrity and professionalism.

Nikole Hughes, MS, BCBA

Founder & Clinical Director

Nikole Hughes is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and the founder of LEAP ABA, LLC. She brings extensive experience in the assessment, design, and supervision of individualized Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services for children and adolescents with developmental needs.

Nikole is committed to ethical, evidence-based practice and believes that effective ABA services are built through collaboration, transparency, and respect for each family’s unique journey. Her clinical approach emphasizes meaningful skill development, caregiver involvement, and data-informed decision-making across natural environments.

As Clinical Director, Nikole oversees all clinical services at LEAP ABA, ensuring programs align with professional standards, regulatory requirements, and best practices in the field.

Brian Hughes

Co-Founder & Operations Director

Brian Hughes is the Co-Founder of LEAP ABA, LLC and oversees business operations and organizational infrastructure. He plays a key role in supporting the systems that allow clinical teams to focus on high-quality, compliant service delivery.

Brian is dedicated to building efficient, ethical, and family-centered operations that support sustainable growth and responsible care. His focus includes administrative systems, compliance support, and operational processes that promote consistency, accountability, and professionalism throughout the organization.

Together, Nikole and Brian founded LEAP ABA with a shared commitment to providing responsible, individualized ABA services grounded in integrity and respect.