team
Our dedicated team is here to make a difference
our
team
Stephanie Engels
Gabby Lorge
Stacey Owsiany
Fred Bernard
Dakota Yeck-Petty, CTRS
Brooke Robillard
Melissa Boik
Justin Engels
Amanda Pruess
Dianna Rodriguez
Rosie Lewis
Claire Chan
Jared Allen
Jonathon Sierra
Zachary Cadwallader
Kim Seper
Hunter Groboksy
Forrest Guthrie
Beky Winkler
Emily Hansen
Mathew Chaffin
Julia Garcia
Sydney Anders
Tanner Kase
Quinn McClain
Jonathon York
Hannah Hamilton
Moriah Kelldorf
Nate Johnson
Jaiden Ackerson
Paige Benner
Shelby Roberts
Jonathon York
Stephanie Engels
Additional roles: Co-Founder & Board Member
Stephanie is a values-driven leader with a demonstrated history of delivering outstanding results in nonprofit organizations focused on education, inclusion, and equal access. With more than 25 years of experience, she has supported neurodiverse individuals of all ages and in various environments, gaining a comprehensive understanding of their unique strengths and needs.
As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a Master’s in Education specializing in autism, Stephanie brings a wealth of expertise in Organizational Behavior Management, Applied Behavior Analysis, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Stephanie is deeply committed to advancing opportunities for underserved communities and crafting creative, impactful solutions that empower both individuals and organizations to drive meaningful, long-term change.
Gabby Lorge
Gabby grew up in Wisconsin and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UW-Milwaukee in 2018. Since graduating, her professional journey has been dedicated to supporting individuals with I/DD where she discovered her passion for working with teens and young adults. Throughout her time at REVEL, she found her love for community engagement, streamlining processes, and resource management to advance REVEL’s mission. Outside of work, Gabby enjoys spending time with her two sphynx cats, and enjoys traveling the world with her husband.
Stacey Owsiany
Stacey graduated with her bachelors degree in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado in 2011. Following graduation, she started her career working as a high school special education teacher teaching students with significant support and behavior needs. She received her masters degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University in 2015. Stacey worked as district level behavior support in Colorado and North Carolina before leaving public schools to fine tune her skills in the clinical setting. During this time, she worked with autistic people throughout the lifespan, and found her calling in working with adults. Stacey is passionate about client advocacy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and clinical leadership. Her goal is to help clients and staff alike in identifying their values and making committed actions toward those values. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and Boston Terrier named Dwight, thrifting, and listening to Stevie Nicks.
Fred Bernard
Fred is a licensed clinical psychologist who received his Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2022. He has worked with individuals with autism and IDDs of all ages and in a variety of capacities, including as a psychotherapist, paraprofessional, and counselor. From these experiences, he has seen firsthand that such individuals can thrive in distinctive and often unexpected ways with the right opportunities and the understanding of those around them. When not working, he enjoys exploring all of Denver has to offer as a new arrival to the city.
Dakota Yeck-Petty, CTRS
Dakota is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) with a long history of working with individuals with disabilities. Coming from a family background of Special Education administrators, and social workers Dakota was exposed to autism awareness and advocacy at a very early age. While still in high school he began working at a Summer Camp for children who had autism. This work inspired him to pursue a career in working with individuals with disabilities, specifically individuals on the autism spectrum. Dakota then went on to attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale where he began his studies in Special Education, and in 2018 received his bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation. During his time in college he worked jobs in adaptive recreation, and post secondary education helping young adults with autism learn independent living skills, and practice appropriate social behaviors. Dakota moved from Illinois to Colorado in 2018, and first interacted with REVEL through his previous position as the Program Coordinator for the National Sports Center for the Disabled’s (NSCD) Denver programs. Dakota is excited to bring his skills and experience to this amazing organization at REVEL! When not working at REVEL, Dakota can be found playing music with his bluegrass band the “Dakota Gray Band’ all over the Colorado front range.
Brooke Robillard
Brooke began her journey at REVEL as a job coach and is now excited to work on program development to expand the program’s impact. Originally from Sisters, Oregon, she moved to Denver, Colorado, to attend the University of Denver, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Her time at DU sparked her passion for enhancing the quality and accessibility of mental health and neurodiversity education. With experience as a swim instructor for neurodiverse individuals and a creator of adapted learning materials for individuals with ASD, Brooke pursued further opportunities to support the I/DD community. She is passionate about helping neurodiverse individuals live enriched and fulfilling lives.
Melissa Boik
Melissa Boik grew up in South Dakota and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human Development with a teaching license in Early Childhood Education from Metropolitan State University of Denver. She has held several roles in her career, applying the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and working with children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental disabilities. Melissa is dedicated to empowering individuals with ASD/IDD to achieve their full potential while fostering an environment of acceptance and celebration.
Currently, Melissa manages REVEL’s Gear Up daily enrichment program, where she feels grateful for the opportunity to continuously grow the program and enhance its quality. Outside of work, she enjoys playing ice hockey, dancing, traveling, and cooking.
Justin Engels
Justin grew up in Wisconsin and attended the University of Minnesota to study sociology and political science. His love of nature led him to Colorado in 2010. Justin has worked as a ski guide, adaptive sports instructor and summer camp supervisor. Justin has over 12 years of experience in the autism field. In 2018, Justin moved to Denver to continue his work in the field at REVEL. He lives in Denver with his wife Stephanie and son Finley and their 2 cats.
Amanda Pruess
Amanda was born in and raised in Lafayette, CO and moved to Denver in 2012. After working at a coffee shop that offered vocational opportunities for young adults with support needs, she knew she wanted to work for this population. In 2019, she found ABA and hasn’t looked back. She received her M.A. in Special Education with an emphasis in ABA from Ball State University and has since received her BCBA credential. Her passion lies in facilitating a high quality of life for adults with support needs in a client-driven way. In her free time, she likes to read, jog/wog, play video games and hang out with her orange tabby cat, dachshund, and fiancé.
Dianna Rodriguez
Dianna Rodriguez is a Registered Behavior Technician at REVEL. She has her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and is currently working towards her Master’s degree in Special Education with an emphasis in ABA and with the end goal of becoming a BCBA. Dianna has previously worked as a CNA for adults with disabilities as well as supporting people on the autism spectrum. In her free time, Dianna likes to watch netflix and spend time with her family and friends.
Rosie Lewis
Rosie is a Registered Behavior Technician at REVEL. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa where she studied Psychology and Disability Studies. She is currently working towards her Master’s degree in Applied Behavioral Analysis – Child Clinical Disorders from Endicott College with the end goal of becoming a BCBA. She is passionate about helping others and creating a more inclusive community through shared experiences, joyful engagement, and exploration. In her free time, Rosie enjoys spending time outdoors, long-distance running, and baking/cooking new recipes.
Claire Chan
Jared Allen
Jonathon Sierra
Jonathon is a passionate and dedicated Community Coach who specializes in supporting individuals with disabilities. With a background as a 1:1 Job Coach, he excels at developing personalized strategies to help clients gain meaningful employment and foster independence. Now working with groups, Jonathon facilitates community connections that promote inclusion and social engagement, creating a sense of belonging for each Reveler. Drawing on his years of operational management experience, he brings strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and a caring, easy-going nature to his work. Known for being dedicated, flexible, and supportive, Jonathon’s charisma and passion for human services enable him to make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of those he works with.
Zachary Cadwallader
Zachary was born and raised in Littleton, Colorado. He attended college at Montana State University graduating with a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education and Child Development. He started working in the ABA field in 2016 and hasn’t changed his career path since. Some of his hobbies include traveling, skiing and any kind of live music.
Kim Seper
Kim is an Illinois native who moved to Colorado in 2023. She attended Illinois State University studying Special Education. She started volunteering with Best Buddies in high school and found her passion. She taught Special Education in high school and middle school for three years. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, and binge watching shows.
Hunter Groboksy
Hunter graduated from Radford university with a bachelors in production technology and public relations in 2021. He began his career in news outside Roanoke Virginia. He quickly found out that his heart was being pulled in a different direction and started looking for employment opportunities that would allow him to help others. Hunter has been a Community Coach and RBT at REVEL since August of 2023. In his spare time he enjoys spending quality time with friends and anything outdoors.
Fun fact: Hunter was born at a very young age.
Forrest Guthrie
Forrest moved to Colorado at the age of 4 and hasn’t thought about leaving ever since! He has a deep connection to our state and a passion for working with the people who make our community so special. Growing up in Louisville, he moved to Denver to attend the University of Colorado Denver where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in business management and human resource management. Forrest began working with children in a 1:1 ABA therapy setting where he found his passion for helping others live meaningful and fulfilling lives. In his free time, you can catch Forrest skiing powder on the slopes or baking tasty treats in the kitchen with his daughter!
Beky Winkler
Beky began working in therapeutic recreation as a high school summer job. That summer turned into eight years, eventually serving as the program’s assistant director. She received her BA in psychology from American University and, driven to spotlight diverse populations, she went on to receive an MFA in screenwriting from Depaul University. She works independently, writing screenplays focused on representation. A Colorado native who is all about fun, Beky is thrilled to be a part of the REVEL team. Outside of REVEL and writing, any time spent with or learning about animals is a good time.
Emily Hansen
Mathew Chaffin
Mathew is a seasoned Human Resources professional with over 10 years of experience in recruiting, talent development, and leadership training. They have successfully led initiatives focused on talent acquisition, employee development programs, and leadership training, contributing to improved organizational efficiency and employee engagement. In the years following the global pandemic Mathew looked into opportunities to give back to his community and focus his attention and skill set on his local community leading him to pursue a career change ultimately leading him to REVEL. In today’s diverse world, it is essential that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have the opportunity to contribute to society in meaningful ways. As a job coach, Mathew advocates for inclusion in the workplace, ensuring that individuals with disabilities have access to equal employment opportunities and are fully integrated into the community to break down barriers and reduce stigma associated with disability status.
Julia Garcia
Julia is currently starting at Revel as a RBT. She is a proud graduate from Colorado State University where she was inspired to pursue a career in occupational therapy after gaining experience in other positions to become well rounded. She is very passionate about her work and she loves to exude a positive attitude. A fun fact about Julia is she’s had the pleasure of studying abroad in Spain to finish her undergraduate degree. Julia is very excited to be a part of REVEL and seeing what the future holds!
Sydney Anders
Sydney grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and has always had a passion for Colorado’s environment. She has been skiing and snowboarding since she was 4 years old, which drove her to attend the University of Colorado Boulder! She graduated with a bachelors in psychology and plans on getting her masters in the near future. Sydney fell in love with Revel while volunteering over the summer. It reminded her of the fun times at Best Buddies in highschool. Outside of her days at Revel Sydney enjoys hiking, dog sitting, and hanging with her friends.
Tanner Kase
Tanner is originally from Bloomington, Indiana and moved to Denver, Colorado August of 2022. He recently graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with a degree in Psychology along with a degree in nursing as an LPC. Tanner moved to Denver to pursue a job in ABA and quickly found a passion in working towards helping individuals meet their full potential. He hopes to keep learning and growing not only within the field but in the community as well. In his free time, Tanner enjoys spending time with his two cats, finding a new restaurant or coffee shop to explore and rate, and also discovering new artists.
Quinn McClain
Jonathon York
Hannah Hamilton
Hannah grew up in a small town outside Fort Worth, Texas and attended University of Colorado Boulder from 2020-2024. After graduation, I decided to pursue a Master’s in Professional Counseling at Texas Wesleyan University. I have a passion in working for others and want to develop a career that helps people achieve their goals and pursue interests. I am a huge music person, animal lover, and love to cook!
Moriah Kelldorf
Moriah is a Community Coach who is passionate about creating joyful, empowering spaces where individuals of all abilities can thrive. With a professional background in contemporary and apparatus dance, along with years of experience as both an art and dance teacher, she brings a creative and compassionate approach to everything she does. She has worked in behavioral and employment coaching for adults with special needs, and previously supported youth through dance and art therapy with SanTan Behavioral Health. She has also served as a somatic breathwork instructor, guiding others in practices that support emotional regulation and mind-body connection. In addition, she is an experienced event manager and coordinator, bringing people together through meaningful, well-crafted experiences. Outside of work, you’ll find her dancing, cooking, staying active, or diving into creative direction projects—always inspired to break down walls and build community through connection.
Nate Johnson
Jaiden Ackerson
Paige is originally from Pittsboro Indiana, and moved to Lakewood, Colorado early August of 2025. She is a recent graduate of Indiana University, studying Policy Analysis and Education Policy. She is particularly interested in the intersection between disability and policy, especially in schools and the workforce. She is excited to work directly with clients and maintain those relationships. In her free time, she dog-sits for clients around Denver, crochets, and hikes.
Paige Benner
Shelby Roberts
Jonathon York
board of
directors
Our board is comprised of a group of highly accomplished and dedicated individuals committed to guiding and shaping the direction of our organization to ensure that we are making a meaningful impact in the lives of our REVELers.
JENNIFER SUTTON
Robin Koncilja
diane osaki
Paula Frisina
Anna Costello
Kaylyn Fern
LLOYD LEWIS
Lauren Gulley
Marshall Custer
Katherine Ferfuson
Buffy Naake
JENNIFER SUTTON
For more than 20 years, Jennifer has advocated on behalf of special needs individuals and families to identify, secure, and implement government supports, private insurance, and community resources. Jennifer leverages her regulatory compliance expertise to successfully maneuver the labyrinth of local, state, and federal programs on behalf of her son Connor, a young man who was diagnosed with autism as a preschooler, and a family member with a traumatic brain injury. Jennifer’s experience includes coordinating residential supports, designing therapeutic care programs, and negotiating individualized education plans through private and government resource programs in Denver and Jefferson County Public Schools. Jennifer Chairs REVEL’s Board of Directors.
Robin Koncilja
Robin Koncilja is a real estate professional with a focus on the acquisition, restoration, and management of historic apartment buildings in central Denver. She is currently working towards developing inclusive co-housing solutions for the IDD/DD community, providing much-needed supported living options. Robin’s previous experience includes over 15 years of sales and business management, having successfully led sales and strategy efforts for institutions such as the Denver Art Museum and luxury brands including Michael Kors and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Her journey took a profound turn when her son was diagnosed with autism at age two. This transformative experience fueled her advocacy efforts, leading her to become a passionate voice for policy changes and support for families dealing with autism. Her advocacy focuses on areas such as medicaid, insurance, and community resources.
In addition to serving on REVEL’s board, Robin holds a position on the board of Metro State University’s Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Department. She also serves on the Denver Art Museums fundraising committee.
diane osaki
Additional roles: Co-Founder and REVEL Consultant
Diane is an occupational therapist, who has specialized in autism intervention for over twenty years. Her approach is grounded in merging principles of applied behavior analysis and a developmental framework to promote social relatedness, self-regulation, communication, independence, play/work, motor development, and problem solving. She works with individuals of all ages and functioning levels in a variety of settings. Beginning her career at the JFK Partners Autism and Developmental Disorders Clinic, Diane worked with Dr. Sally Rogers on early versions of the Denver Model program and is now certified as a trainer in direct delivery in the Early Start Denver Model. She founded and directed the Aspen Center for Autism treatment center providing developmentally-focused, behavioral intervention for children with autism. Diane provides direct intervention, program development, training, supervision and mentoring to families, schools, and outdoor recreation programs. She regularly consults with school districts and other agencies, nationally and internationally, to assist in developing new programs, training staff and collaborative problem solving.
Paula Frisina
I bring 25 years of experience in marketing, communications, PR, and business development, and have served in a variety of mid-to-senior leadership roles in medical device, telecommunications, and architecture/engineering/construction industries. I am extremely committed to my profession and the idea that these functions are essential for any strong business. I currently collaborate and manage a team of outstanding professionals to ensure our brand and key messages resonate with our target markets. In this position, I help coordinate efforts to keep our brand consistent and assist my team and internal clients in their efforts to effectively and successfully promote our strategic intents and current project efforts to gain better visibility for our firm in the marketplace. I firmly believe marketing and communications should inform, empower, motivate, educate, engage with, and support the members of the organizational team.
I have a rock-solid reputation as a collaborator, communicator, and creative storyteller. I enjoy work environments that allow me to try new things and challenge the status quo. Cultivating strong relationships and friendships, establishing and refining processes, working on teams to turn challenges into opportunities, and stretching my creative muscles are what fuel me day-to-day.
I am especially passionate about advocating for and supporting more equitable, safe, and diverse learning, work, and personal environments, and opportunities for all.
Specialties: Corporate Communication Strategies, Organizational Strategies, Corporate Planning, Marketing, Public Relations and PR Writing, Website Management, Special Event Planning, Branding, Client Acquisition and Retention, Preparation of Marketing Materials and Proposals, Strategic Planning and Decision-making
Software: Adobe Creative Suite, WordPress, Unanet | Cosential CRM, OpenAsset, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, SurveyMonkey, MailChimp, Loomly, HootSuite
Anna Costello
Anna Costello is the founder of Ship Sunshine, a company that creates corporate gift box experiences and provides branded merchandise and paper printing services.
Ship Sunshine was awarded Best for Colorado’s Inspirational Leader and was a finalist for Denver Chamber of Commerce’s Startup of the Year. Anna was named a Top 25 GenXYZ by Colorado Biz Magazine and nominated for the Start-up Person of the Year for the Small Business Administration.
Anna is active in several community organizations including serving on the Denver Leadership Foundation/B:CIVIC Advisory Board and Vice Chair of the Programs & Content Committee, serves as a Board member for The Action Center, Longer Tables, and REVEL.
Anna’s background is in media and software, working for her hometown newspaper the Tampa Bay Times and then the New York Times group and went on to lead the product development for a new platform for her company Adpay, which resulted in a multimillion-dollar acquisition by Ancestry.
Anna grew up in the sunshine state, St. Petersburg, FL and currently lives in the sunshine city, Denver, with her husband, Marty, and pup, Maddie.
Kaylyn Fern
Kaylyn Fern is a dedicated professional committed to philanthropy, sustainability, and social change. With extensive experience in environmental and social governance, nonprofit management, and community engagement, she has successfully led initiatives that create meaningful impact across various sectors.
A graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder, Kaylyn holds certifications in Environmental and Social Governance and Climate Action for Business from the Leeds School of Business.
Kaylyn currently serves as the Senior Community Impact Manager at Wana Brands, where she spearheads the company’s climate action initiatives and helps oversee the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Culture and Wellness Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). She collaborates with nonprofit organizations to amplify the company’s social impact, working tirelessly to elevate the brand while fostering a culture of community engagement. Additionally, Kaylyn focuses on minimizing the company’s environmental footprint in day-to-day operations and developing long-term sustainability goals. As a member of the Cannabis Sustainability Work Group, she partners with industry leaders to promote sustainable practices across the cannabis sector.
In her role with the Wana Brands Foundation, Kaylyn has helped shape the philanthropic strategy, facilitating over $6 million in gifts to nonprofit partners across the country.
Prior to her current role, Kaylyn held various positions in the nonprofit sector, including Director of Philanthropy for The Blue Bench and Development Officer at the Women’s Foundation of Colorado. In these roles, she honed her skills to support initiatives aimed at advancing economic security and leadership opportunities for women, alongside extensive work addressing domestic and sexual violence.
Active in her community, Kaylyn is a board member of REVEL and serves on the BCIVIC Programs & Content Committee, where she contributes her expertise to enhance outreach and impact. Her earlier experience includes an internship with the Colorado District Attorneys’ Council, focusing on domestic violence research, as well as advocacy work with the Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART) in Boulder County.
Passionate about climate action and social equity, Kaylyn continues to leverage her skills in philanthropy and community service to foster positive change and promote sustainable practices in business.
LLOYD LEWIS
Lloyd Lewis is the CEO of the Arc Thrift Stores of Colorado, one of Colorado’s largest nonprofits, employers of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and relief organizations. Under Lewis’ tenure, Arc Thrift has funded over $250 million to nonprofit causes and charities since 2005.
Lewis is a passionate champion on a crusade to promote a new way to think about inclusion and diversity.
Lewis the recipient of a Civil Rights Award and received the World Citizenship Award from the International Civitans, an honor that has included such noted past winners as England’s Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Eunice Shriver, the founder of Special Olympics. In May of 2024, Lewis was given the Distinguished Alumni Award in Public Service by his alma mater, the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business.
Lewis sits on the board of The Arc of the United States Foundation and is treasurer of Inclusion International, a worldwide organization advocating for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with members in over 100 countries.
Lewis has a 19-year-old son with Down syndrome.
He is the author of Why Not Them? a book about how his life was transformed by the birth of his son. In it, Lewis hopes to change the way our communities think about, connect with, and employee people with disabilities.
Why Not Them? is about a purpose-driven organization, arc Thrift Stores, whose mission is the success and inclusion of all its employees, regardless of their abilities. It’s about opening doors, challenging the way we do business, and touching hearts and minds.
Written from the perspective of a father and a businessman, it asks us all to join in the fight for inclusion and understanding. It is educational and moving and challenges us – as individuals and as a community – to perhaps look at the world just a little bit differently.
Lauren Gulley
Lauren Gulley is a senior associate at Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP, where her practice encompasses a variety of commercial real estate matters. Prior to relocating to Denver and joining the Davis Graham Real Estate Group, she lived and practiced law in Charleston, South Carolina. There, she worked primarily on commercial real estate development and financing transactions throughout the southeast region.
Lauren has extensive experience advising investors, developers, and large companies in a variety of real estate matters, including large scale renewable energy projects, leasing, acquisitions, dispositions, hospitality transactions and real estate title insurance.
In addition to serving on REVEL’S board, Lauren is an active member the Colorado Women’s Bar Association and the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce. During her free time, Lauren coaches the Denver Girls Athletic Leadership School’s high school basketball team and is passionate about advocating for and supporting more equitable and diverse learning and work opportunities for all.
Marshall Custer
Katherine Ferfuson
Katharine Ferguson is a seasoned leader and civics aficionado with extensive experience in public policy and leading large, public institutions. Most recently Katharine served as Chief of Staff for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, an expansive and fundamental federal agency with responsibility for programs ranging from school meals and SNAP to the U.S. Forest Service system, food safety, rural development, and agriculture. Katharine is known for her zest for solving complex problems; building talented, diverse, high-performing teams; embracing creativity and collaboration; and her ability to navigate complex, political, regulatory, and legal environments. Her career spans senior positions in both the public and non-profit sectors, including roles in the White House, the Aspen Institute, USDA Rural Development, and as an advisor to several U.S. Senators. Throughout her career, Katharine has maintained a focus on economic mobility and the intersection of place, race, and class and has been involved in shaping policies that enable kids and families to thrive, regardless of where they live. Originally from Denver, Katharine received her Bachelor’s degree from Tufts University and earned a Master of Public Administration from Syracuse University. For the past five years, Katharine has been the primary caretaker and opened her home and life to her cousin—who is an enthusiastic REVELer. When not working or consumed by all the responsibilities and paperwork that come along with being a caretaker and conservator, Katharine can be found at a local swimming pool, at her neighborhood community garden, dashing off to enjoy Colorado’s great outdoors, or scoping our Denver thrift stores with her cousin.
Buffy Naake
Buffy Naake is a fourth-generation native of Colorado and grew up in Park Hill and Hill Top. Buffy received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of San Francisco, has a Master’s in Public Policy Analysis from CU Denver, and is a CU Denver Change Makers Fellow. Buffy’s early career was in private sector consulting where she served as Vice President for The Center for Applied Research, a public policy and economic consulting firm.
In 2006, Buffy shifted gears to the education and nonprofit sector and ran Friends of Manual High School, launching the annual fundraising breakfast and creating pathways for alumni and community members to engage with this historic Denver high school. Buffy has worked on numerous projects aimed at supporting vulnerable populations and communities in the Denver metro area, including for the Rose Community Foundation, Early Milestones Colorado, and Denver Public Schools.
In 2017, Buffy originated the role of Director of Operations at Stanley British Primary School, a thriving independent preK-8 school in the Lowry neighborhood. Buffy piloted the school through many significant changes, most significantly ensuring a safe campus for in-person learning during the 2020 and 2021 school years. Buffy finds purpose in supporting organizations working to make positive change in the lives of young people and their families, especially those facing systemic barriers, by sharing her expertise in nonprofit governance, operations and stakeholder engagement experience.
Buffy lives in Park Hill with her husband and is fortunate to have her two adult children living nearby. She enjoys early morning walks with her dog, reading, spending time in the mountains, and cooking with good friends and family.