Stride Autism Centers has named Emily Patrizi as its new chief operating officer (COO), bringing her extensive experience in autism therapy operations to the rapidly growing provider. A veteran of Trumpet Behavioral Health, Patrizi has a track record of optimizing clinical and operational systems to improve access to care. In her new role, she plans to focus on precision, efficiency, and sustainable growth while ensuring that Stride maintains its high standard of applied behavior analysis therapy for children with autism.
Based in Chicago, Stride Autism Centers provides applied behavior analysis therapy to children ages 2 to 6 through a mix of one-on-one and group sessions. With 20 centers across Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota, the organization serves approximately 250 full-time equivalent patients daily. In just one year, Stride has expanded into a new state and opened seven new locations—all without outside investment. As COO, Patrizi will be responsible for overseeing center operations, human resources, technology, and data while also supporting clinical initiatives that enhance the patient and staff experience.
A Leader Focused on Operational Precision and Efficiency
With over a decade of experience at Trumpet Behavioral Health, Patrizi has seen the evolution of the applied behavior analysis therapy industry firsthand. She served in multiple leadership roles, including COO and senior vice president of operations, before the company was acquired by KKR-backed BlueSprig in 2023. Her background as both a clinician and an operator gives her a unique perspective on the challenges facing applied behavior analysis therapy providers today.
“I really geek out on optimizing efficiencies and making it easier for people to do the right thing,” Patrizi shared with Autism Therapy Business. “There’s always an opportunity to evolve, invest in our people, and refine our systems to better serve our communities.”
One of her main priorities as COO is scaling Stride’s operations while maintaining its culture and quality of care. To achieve this, she plans to standardize core business functions and coordinate with other leaders to enhance clinical operations.
“Our role and responsibility is to serve our communities, and that means continuously evolving,” she added. “I want to ensure that our processes, systems, and workforce are structured in a way that allows us to provide the best experience possible for those we serve through applied behavior analysis therapy.”
Meeting the Challenges of a Growing Industry
Autism therapy has experienced rapid expansion in recent years, leading to a host of challenges—including workforce shortages, evolving credentialing standards, reimbursement issues, and payer requirements. Patrizi understands that navigating these barriers is crucial for Stride’s long-term success.
“I’m always looking at licensure, credentialing standards, and reimbursement rates—anything that could become a barrier in our current service model,” she said. “One of the biggest factors affecting our industry is the labor market, which is central to our ability to serve others with applied behavior analysis therapy.”
By focusing on operational rigor, Patrizi aims to build scalable, precise, and sustainable systems that support both families and employees. She defines this approach as “intentional, coordinated precision”—a way to streamline operations without sacrificing the quality of applied behavior analysis therapy.
A Vision for Long-Term Impact
Patrizi sees her role at Stride as one of empowerment, ensuring that the organization is set up for long-term success.
“It has nothing to do with me,” she said. “It’s really about positioning the organization and everyone in it to thrive.”
For her, that means creating a framework of systems and processes that make it easier for Stride’s team members to do their jobs efficiently and effectively. She is especially focused on integrating clinical operations with strong business practices to ensure sustainable growth and high-quality applied behavior analysis therapy.
“With the vulnerability of our population and the critical need for accessible autism services, we have a responsibility to be precise and rigorous in how we manage our operations,” she said. “I can think of nothing more important than ensuring high-quality, sustainable access to applied behavior analysis therapy.”
The Future of Stride Autism Centers
As Stride Autism Centers continues its rapid growth throughout the Midwest, Patrizi’s leadership will be key in ensuring the organization remains efficient, innovative, and patient-focused. With her expertise in clinical operations, workforce management, and business strategy, she is well-positioned to guide Stride into its next phase of expansion while staying true to its mission of providing exceptional applied behavior analysis therapy for young children with autism.
Under her guidance, Stride will continue to invest in its people, processes, and technology, ensuring that it remains a leader in the field of applied behavior analysis therapy.
