The Gary W. LaVigna and Thomas J. Willis Endowment Fund was established in honour of two pioneers whose vision, scholarship, and unwavering commitment have fundamentally transformed the field of behaviour support throughout the world.
For more than four decades, Dr. Gary W. LaVigna and Dr. Thomas J. Willis have exemplified outstanding leadership through the development, dissemination, and continued stewardship of Multi-Element Behavior Support (MEBS). Their work has redefined how professionals support people who display behaviours of concern, replacing aversive and restrictive practices with compassionate, person-centred, evidence-based approaches founded on dignity, respect, and the promotion of meaningful quality of life.
Grounded in the principles of applied behaviour analysis and the constructional approach, their work has reshaped behaviour support from a model focused primarily on behaviour reduction to one centred on skill development, environmental change, collaboration, and the achievement of valued life outcomes. Their enduring philosophy has demonstrated that effective intervention must be both scientifically rigorous and deeply humane.
Through the establishment of the Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis (IABA) in 1981, Drs. LaVigna and Willis created an international centre of excellence dedicated to research, education, consultation, and systems reform. Their work has influenced legislation, policy, professional standards, and clinical practice across Australia, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, and many other parts of the world.
Over the course of their distinguished careers, they have educated and mentored tens of thousands of behaviour analysts, psychologists, educators, clinicians, and support professionals. Through those practitioners, their work has improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities, complex support needs, and behaviours of concern, while also supporting families, carers, educators, and service providers to build more inclusive communities.
Their influence extends far beyond their publications and research. Through decades of mentorship, collaboration, and professional leadership, they have inspired successive generations of practitioners to pursue excellence with compassion, integrity, humility, and an unwavering commitment to human rights. Their legacy continues to shape contemporary behaviour support and will endure through those who carry their work forward.
This endowment fund recognises not only their extraordinary lifetime achievements, but also their enduring contribution to the advancement of compassionate, evidence-based behaviour support throughout the world. The Fund is intended to preserve and extend that legacy by supporting future generations of clinicians, researchers, educators, and leaders who share their vision of improving the lives of people through science, dignity, and respect.
The Dr. Gary W. LaVigna and Dr. Thomas J. Willis Endowment Fund is proudly established by Dr. Geoff Potter and Kylie Potter in recognition of their remarkable contributions to the international advancement of behaviour support and in appreciation of the lasting impact they have had—and will continue to have—on countless individuals, families, professionals, and communities around the world.
