"Doing" OBM Without Changing Your Job Title: A Conversation with Mellanie Page
If you’ve ever thought about pivoting into OBM but felt unsure where to start, or wondered if it even counts as OBM if you’re “just” a BCBA® in a clinical role, this episode is for you.
I sat down with Mellanie Page, CEO of The ABA Collective and EVP of Operations at ABS Kids, to talk about her journey from clinical leadership into systems-level change and how she’s helping other BCBAs® do the same — without needing a new job title or formal certification.
What she shared was both refreshing and practical.
OBM Is More Than a Buzzword
Like many of us, Mellanie started in clinical work and quickly found herself managing intake, scheduling, and all the “extra” responsibilities that come with leadership roles in ABA. She pursued an MBA to fill some of those gaps and along the way, discovered a passion for helping other BCBAs® build real-world systems skills that aren't always taught in traditional programs.
We talked about how broad OBM really is. Think instructional design, performance management, culture change, and even marketing. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the directions you could go.
Her advice? Start where you are.
“You don’t need to wait for permission. You can start to make small changes, even within your own caseload or how you supervise your techs.”
From Burnout to Impact Without a New Title
One of the most powerful ideas Mellanie shared was the concept of job crafting — shaping your current role to better reflect your strengths, values, and goals.
It’s something many of us need to hear, especially when burnout creeps in.
Rather than leaving the field or chasing a new title, what if you made your current role more sustainable, more strategic, and more aligned?
That’s exactly what Mellanie helps BCBAs® do inside her OBM Practitioner Program, and we explored what that process looks like during our conversation.
A Simple Framework for Real Change
What I love about Mellanie’s approach is that she breaks OBM down into something you can actually do. Her project-based framework walks you through:
Understanding the business context
Pinpointing one behavior of impact
Diagnosing system-level barriers
Designing strategic interventions
Creating feedback loops and sustaining change
And if you’ve ever felt like you have 100 ideas but don’t know where to start, you’re not alone.
“The first few sessions I have with people in the cohort, I’m really trying to talk them down from ‘I have 100 ideas’ to ‘what’s the one behavior that matters most?’”
The Pizza Party Problem
One of my favorite moments from our conversation was when Mellanie described how organizations often throw pizza parties as a catch-all solution to morale problems.
“The pizza party probably costs more and is more effortful than addressing one behavior that could actually change everything.”
What’s really needed is alignment. Not just among staff, but across policies, reinforcers, values, and outcomes. That kind of systems-level thinking is what makes OBM so impactful.
Resources from Mellanie
Mellanie’s work is centered on helping BCBAs® expand their impact without leaving clinical work behind. If you’re curious about OBM, business, or just doing things differently, here are some great starting points:
💡 OBM Practitioner
A 12-week group experience where you learn OBM by doing it. Includes coaching, a project-based framework, and real-time feedback.
💻 Digital Clinician
For clinicians who want to create and sell digital products rooted in behavior analysis. Includes training on online business, marketing, and content creation.
🎓 Free Monthly CEUs
No themes, just high-quality workshops on the science and systems behind OBM, motivation, and practical leadership.
📅 Business of ABA Conference
A virtual event each September focused on strategy, quality, and sustainable growth in behavior analytic organizations.
Final Thoughts
There was so much in this conversation that I think will resonate — especially if you’ve ever felt like the system around you isn’t quite working, but you’re not sure how to change it.
Mellanie reminds us that you don’t need a different role to start thinking differently. Sometimes the most powerful changes start with one pinpointed behavior, one small project, or one shift in how you approach your work.
Website: theabacollective.com
LinkedIn: Mellanie Page
Instagram: @theabacollective
Ready to challenge the status quo and explore what’s possible with your BCBA®?
Listen to the full episode now →
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