We believe in a world where every child should have the same opportunities regardless of disability, language, culture, or ethnicity.
Sharky Hearts Behavior Support Services was founded in Kailua-Kona to help meet the growing need for high-quality Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services for children and families on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi.
Our mission is to provide compassionate, individualized, and evidence-based care that helps children on the autism spectrum build meaningful skills and improve their quality of life. Our team is made up of skilled professionals who bring not only extensive training in evidence-based practices, but also genuine compassion and dedication to every child and family we serve.
The safety, privacy, and well-being of our clients are at the heart of everything we do. Sharky Hearts follows HIPAA requirements to protect client privacy and confidential health information. All staff maintain current CPR/BLS certification and participate in annual Quality Behavioral Solutions (QBS) Safety-Care® training, providing our team with evidence-based skills to safely prevent, minimize, and respond to behavioral challenges.
At Sharky Hearts, we believe effective ABA goes beyond teaching skills—it is about building relationships, supporting families, celebrating progress, and helping each child reach their fullest potential. Meet the team that make it all possible!
Meet the Team:
Paige Stegeman: BCBA, LBA, and Owner of Sharky Hearts Behavior Support Services
Outside of Paige’s passion for Applied Behavior Analysis, she has a deep love for animals, travel, and the ocean. Paige resides in Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi, with her Great Dane and cats. In her spare time, she enjoys spending as much time in the ocean as possible, whether she’s surfing or diving with sharks.
Paige is also an avid traveler, having visited nearly 50 countries and experienced all Seven Wonders of the World. Her passion for ABA has even followed her abroad, where she has volunteered her time in children’s homes, training staff in Applied Behavior Analysis and helping them incorporate behavioral principles into the care and support they provide
Malena Charreton: Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Gabrielle Deal-Cruz: Registered Behavior Technician & Future Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Leah Teramoto: Registered Behavior Technician & Future Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Helena Weiss: Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst
Alyssa Ackerson: Registered Behavior Technician
Mya Anson: Registered Behavior Technician
Anna McNay: Registered Behavior Technician
Diana Mojica : Registered Behavior Technician
Veronica Berg: Registered Behavior Technician
Raven Heller: Registered Behavior Technician
Allison Blanco: Registered Behavior Technician
Tracy Bertovich: Registered Behavior Technician
Savannah Cerezo: Registered Behavior Technician
Vasyl Issel: Registered Behavior Technician
Kiana-Audrey Ku’ulei O’Connell: Registered Behavior Technician
Cheyshia Materne: Registered Behavior Technician
Gage Matzen: Registered Behavior Technician
Heather Garrick: Administrative Coordinator
