Heather K. Blier, Ph.D.

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Elaine Silberstein, MS/CAGS, NCSP

Elaine Silberstein, M.S./CAGS, NCSP, is a nationally certified School Psychologist with a specialization in serving underrepresented and minority populations. She has extensive experience working with urban school districts in Maine and Massachusetts developing her understanding of how best to support diverse learners and their families. She joins the team eager to support schools and students through Multi-Tiered Systems of Support for both emotional and educational needs.

Elaine is certified with the Maine Department of Education as a school psychologist. She received her B.S. in Biopsychology from Loyola University Maryland and her M.S/CAGS in School Psychology from Northeastern University.

She recently welcomed her first daughter and is enjoying all the wonderful baby cuddles. On days off, you would find Elaine horseback riding, skiing, reading, knitting, or spending time with friends.

Alexis Kiburis, Psy.D., NCSP

Alexis Kiburis, Psy.D., NCSP is a nationally certified school psychologist who specializes in reading and math instruction; program development for multi-tiered systems of support; and designing effective interventions for students who struggle with learning difficulties. She is an Orton-Gillingham and Direct-Instruction trained reading expert and specializes in assisting schools in setting up and implementing tiered supports for all students.

Dr. Kiburis is certified with the Maine Department of Education as a school psychologist. She received her Psy.D. in School Psychology at the University of Southern Maine, where she also received her MS in Educational Psychology. Dr. Kiburis served as the Director of the SMART for Schools Learning Lab in Gorham, Maine, an after-school tutoring program for students with reading and math difficulties. Most recently, Dr. Kiburis has taught as a part-time faculty member at the University of Southern Maine and has also consulted with the University of Minnesota to develop tailored academic interventions, to help support struggling students move closer to grade-level literacy and math goals.

Dr. Kiburis enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children. Their weekends are filled with family outings, playground adventures, and lots and lots of reading.

Heather K. Blier, Ph.D.

Dr. Heather Blier started Dirigo Consulting after holding research, teaching, and leadership positions in schools and healthcare agencies. Drawing from this diverse background, Dr. Blier developed a consulting model dedicated to collaborative working relationships with leaders in educational organizations. Through these relationships, she helps to bring innovative interventions to better serve individuals who face challenges in their learning, social relationships, access to academic or clinical resources, and/or self-regulation of their emotions and behaviors.

Dr. Blier has a doctorate in Clinical Psychology with license in the State of Maine as a Psychologist. She specializes in clinical assessment and intervention, placing a special emphasis on research-based practices and applied research in clinical and academic settings.  In addition, Dr. Blier has extensive training and experience in program development, with a focus on helping agencies and systems better meet the needs of each individual they serve.  She is a trainer in leadership development for young and emerging professionals.  Dr. Blier has also developed and supervised clinical training opportunities for professionals in subjects such as trauma-informed practices, violence/bullying prevention, risk assessment, treatment of adolescent addiction, rural health services, school mental health, and family-based intervention.

Dr. Blier also provides expertise to families and teams in transition planning and college advising for youth and young adults with disabilities.

Dr. Blier has co-authored a number of articles and textbook chapters with leading researchers in the field of behavioral disorders and has presented her work internationally.

When not working, Dr. Blier is a Disaster Mental Health Volunteer for the American Red Cross. A champion of youth-serving organizations, Dr. Blier is on the Advisory Board for the Yellow Tulip Project and served on the board of directors for the Girls on the Run nonprofit organization. She is also a member of the Women Fighting Hunger Steering Committee for the Greater Boston Food Bank. Dr. Blier is a former co-director of the Maine chapter and serves as a national Life Entrepreneurship trainer with the nonprofit New Leaders Council, a progressive organization that focuses on building leadership skills for young professionals.  She also enjoys traveling, trail running with her dog, Winston, and a range of outdoor sports including running, cycling, kayaking, hiking, skiing, and snowboarding.

Joshua M. Glazer

Josh works behind-the-scenes to provide logistical support for the team, managing everything from invoicing to business planning. He also conceptualizes and executes long-term special projects that further the company’s mission to turn research into practice on a state and federal basis.

Before joining the company here in Portland, Josh lived and worked in Manhattan. Always dedicated to enriching young people’s lives, he was an editor at the world’s largest children’s book publisher and even achieved his lifelong dream of becoming an award-winning author. After 14 years of frenetic life in the big city, the success of his published work enabled him to move to Maine in pursuit of a work-life balance that aligned more closely with his core values.

He holds a master’s degree in sociology and education from Columbia University Teachers College as well as a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Gallatin School at New York University.

In his spare time, he enjoys yoga, jogging, exploring Maine, and chasing after his Jack Russell Terrier, Simon.

Kara Giron Wisniewski, Ph.D., NCSP

Dr. Wisniewski is joining Dirigo Consulting with 13 years experience in clinical, research and leadership positions in public schools. Central to her work is the focus on building collaborative relationships within intradisciplinary educational teams.  Dr. Wisniewski specializes in diagnostic assessment that is linked with best practice intervention and progress monitoring, programming for students with autism and significant emotional and behavioral disorders, and multimodal functional behavioral assessment. She has extensive experience in assisting school systems with program development, including day treatment, school-based programs for students with autism spectrum disorders, school-wide positive behavior supports, response to intervention and instruction, and general provision of special education services. Dr. Wisniewski earned her M.S.Ed. and Ph.D. in School Psychology at Duquesne University. She is certified as a School Psychological Service Provider and Assistant Special Services Director. She has co-authored a number of articles and textbook chapters in the area of area of child violence, differentiating emotional disturbance and social maladjustment, and mentoring in educational leadership.

Dr. Wisniewski serves as a School Psychologist and Regional Service Coordinator for our Midcoast Office.

Meaghan Swan, Psy.D., BCBA

Meaghan Swan, Psy.D., BCBA, is an educational consultant at Dirigo Consulting. Dr. Swan specializes in complex diagnostic assessment; program development for students with significant emotional and behavioral needs; and, at all levels of support, providing effective interventions for children who struggle with autism or emotional disabilities in schools. Working closely with school teams, Dr. Swan uses Multi-Tiered Systems of Support to improve academic and behavioral outcomes at the individual and systems level.

Dr. Swan is certified with the Maine Department of Education as a special education teacher and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2014. Dr. Swan received her Psy.D. in School Psychology at University of Southern Maine, where she also received her MS in Educational Psychology.

On days off, Dr. Swan loves skiing, mountain biking, hiking, and anything else outdoors. She is also a craft beer enthusiast who even owns her own brewery in Farmington along with her husband, Matthew.

Heather K. Blier, Ph.D.
Joshua M. Glazer
Meaghan Swan, Psy.D., BCBA