Aug 14, 2026 · 32 min
A founder scales behavioral services through values and trust
1541: Building Harmony: A Founder's Guide to Value-Driven Leadership w/ Dr. Mariela Feldman
The episode connects entrepreneurial growth with the harder work of expanding ethical, culturally aware behavioral support into underserved communities.
- 1Mariela Feldman grew a behavioral-services organization by learning operations, delegation, and leadership alongside clinical work.
- 2Armonia Coaching extends applied behavior-analysis training and supervision toward international and Spanish-speaking communities with limited access.
- 3Feldman argues that AI can improve behavioral services only when trained professionals critically evaluate its output and protect ethical standards.
Don't miss
Feldman explains why AI should support—not replace—professionals who understand clinical practice, research, and how to question its output.
The brief
After immigrating from Argentina, Dr. Mariela Feldman built a career in applied behavior analysis before co-founding A Change in Trajectory and taking on every operational role herself.
The organization’s growth forced a shift from doing everything personally to delegating, building systems, and leading a multi-location operation serving thousands of families.
Feldman then launched Armonia Coaching to expand training, supervision, and access to applied behavior analysis, especially for Spanish-speaking and underserved communities.
Her approach to technology is measured: electronic systems can improve efficiency, but AI requires clinical knowledge, research experience, and critical judgment.
The episode’s central leadership lesson is collaborative rather than controlling: listen across cultures, communicate clearly, and build organizations around trust, accountability, and authentic values.
Featuring
United States
ArgentinaListen to the full episode and explore every guest, topic, and moment on PodLume.