This summer, former NECC Director of Research Gina Green, PhD, BCBA-D, was inducted into the Women in Behavior Analysis (WIBA) Hall of Fame, recognizing her decades of contributions to the field of behavior analysis.

Established in 2021, the WIBA Hall of Fame honors women whose work has helped shape the science and practice of behavior analysis while preserving their stories for future generations. Gina was one of five women inducted during this year’s conference in Chicago.

Gina came to NECC from the Shriver Center  research group, joining in 1993 as Director of Research during a period of continued growth for the organization’s research program. She continued her grant-funded research while leading the department, and helped strengthen NECC’s commitment to evidence-based practice, encouraging colleagues to ask thoughtful questions and use science to guide the way educators and clinicians support children with autism and their families.

For Bill Ahearn, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA, Director of Research at NECC, Gina’s influence began before they ever became colleagues.

“The first thing that comes to mind is actually from before I applied to work at NECC,” said Ahearn. “Gina was one of the main reasons I was attracted to the New England Center for Autism (NECA at the time). Her prominence as a stimulus control researcher and her expertise in early intensive behavioral intervention were and continue to be well known.”

Gina’s scientific work and mentorship would be enough to warrant her place in the Hall of Fame, but many would point to her advocacy as her most significant contribution. Across the United States, she has worked to expand access to ABA services, support insurance coverage, strengthen professional standards, and challenge unsupported or harmful treatments. She continues this work into her retirement.

For Chata Dickson, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA, a Principal Researcher at NECC and co-chair of the WIBA Hall of Fame Selection Committee, Gina’s influence also began before they ever met.

“It was Gina’s writing that led me to seek out NECC as a place to spend my career, and I know her contributions have inspired many others,” said Dickson. “I think that says something about the reach of her influence. She shaped not only the science and practice of behavior analysis, but also the careers of people who encountered her work.”

Gina’s induction was celebrated during the WIBA Hall of Fame ceremony, where committee member Amanda Rissmeyer presented a tribute she prepared with Nikia Dower.  As part of the presentation, Rissmeyer shared a video of the late Murray Sidman, a foundational figure in behavior analysis and longtime colleague of Gina’s, speaking about Gina and her work. It was a moving moment in the ceremony. Sidman served as Senior Scientist at NECC for a number of years.

The WIBA Hall of Fame recognizes a remarkable career. For those who know Gina, that influence is also personal. It shows in the questions she encourages others to ask, the research she has advanced, and the professionals who continue building on the foundation she laid within our walls and beyond.