Rinat Hitelman Co-Founder, Wide Therapy Rinat Hitelman is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with over two decades of experience in early intervention and autism therapy. As Co-Founder of Wide Therapy, she leads the clinical vision behind the company’s patented digital health platform, ensuring it is both scientifically rigorous and practically impactful. Her work focuses on creating accessible, scalable solutions that help children develop independence, improve compliance with medical procedures, and reduce the burden on families and providers. She is dedicated to ensuring every child—regardless of background or ability—has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Lauren brings more than a decade of experience in education to her role as Head of Admissions and Organizational Growth at Shrub Oak International School. Passionate about helping autistic students and their families, Lauren began her career as a preschool teacher before moving into admissions. As a member of Shrub Oak’s founding team, she played an instrumental role in building the school from the ground up, and feels fortunate to collaborate with a group of like-minded professionals committed to a common goal: providing therapeutic support to autistic students in a warm, supportive, and family-centric environment. Recognizing the need for a specialized program to serve autistic adolescents who also require intensive psychiatric support, Lauren went on to conceive of and launch The Pines at Shrub Oak. In her current role, she not only leads admissions but also drives strategic initiatives that support Shrub Oak’s continued growth and ensure its programs meet the evolving needs of students and families. Lauren received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her master’s degree in social work from Fordham University. She is currently pursuing her PhD at SMARTlab – Thomas Jefferson University, focusing on ways to support autistic individuals, particularly those with co-occurring mental health conditions. Lauren is dedicated to fostering a compassionate and effective therapeutic environment, where each student is empowered to reach their full potential.