Mike has been with Treeline Pass since it opened in January of 2020. He has been working with people with developmental disabilities since 2007. His passion developed as an undergraduate at Western Michigan University where he studied behavior analysis with a focus on children on the autism spectrum. He went on to receive his master’s degree in behavior analysis from Northeastern University in Boston and his MBA from Metropolitan State University in Denver. He has also been Board Certified Behavior Analyst since 2011. Mike worked in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain where he was the Clinical Director for a center for children with autism. He also worked at The Joshua School in Denver as the Director of Behavioral Programming and at the New England Center for Children as a Behavior Therapist. In his free time, Mike enjoys playing softball, traveling, and binging great TV shows.

Meghan began working at Treeline Pass in January of 2021. She worked as a Special Education teacher in Denver at The Joshua School from 2016-2020 as well as in Palos Heights, Illinois from 2014-2016. Meghan received her bachelor’s degree in education from Olivet Nazarene University and her master’s degree in special education from Trinity Christian College. She also completed her graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University on her way to becoming a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. Meghan enjoys almost any activity that involves exercise, traveling, or being outside, but is ok relaxing as long as she is surrounded by other people!

Chris began working at Treeline Pass in February of 2022. He previously worked as the director of the Shining Stars program at the Wyckoff YMCA in New Jersey. The Shining Star program provides various classes such as cooking, fitness, social groups, art, etc. to individuals with special needs. Chris received his bachelor’s degree in special education from Mount St. Mary’s University and his master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Caldwell University. He officially passed his board exam to become a BCBA in June of 2022. Chris spends most of his free time outdoors on hiking trails with his wife and two dogs, rock climbing, or mountaineering.

Lila joined the Treeline Team in late February 2022 after moving back home to Denver from New Orleans, where she graduated from Tulane University. In December 2021, she received bachelor’s degrees in psychology and economics. She is currently working towards her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis and plans to pursue the BCBA credential. Previously, she assisted in research and data analysis surrounding the implementation of mental health funding, programming, and support throughout society. In her spare time, Lila loves hiking, climbing, and hanging out with the people she loves.

Shawnie has been with Treeline Pass since August of 2021. Prior to TLP, she worked with preschool and school-aged children with developmental disabilities and autism for 7 years. Shawnie loves being a part of the TLP team and feels she learns something new every day and is humbled to be part of such an impactful and amazing community. Shawnie is a Colorado native and loves hiking, camping, and exploring with her husband, son, and dog. When she isn’t outside, she loves cooking, crafting, reading a good book or cuddling on the couch watching a good movie or show.

Lacey Ruskin comes to Treeline Pass with more than 20 years of nonprofit experience. She is passionate about impact, organizational development, relationships, arts, education and community. Lacey holds a BA in Theatre Arts, an MA in Community Education and a K-12 teaching degree. Lacey is the (favorite) aunt to an amazing woman who is on the Autism spectrum and participated in her upbringing. She is excited to be able to serve this community on a larger scale and hopes one day her niece will join the TLP community.

Kathleen Roberts is a Colorado Native with four children, four grandchildren, and a passion for creativity. She is the owner of Hodge Podge Boutique, in Parker, Colorado. She also donates her handmade art to raise money for Fragile X Syndrome and volunteers her time and expertise at the X-Drive Classic Golf Tournament. Her objective for Treeline Pass is to inspire creativity in those with autism and developmental disabilities in order to help them reach their full potential, cultivating self confidence, building skills, and fostering independence.

Laura Ayres is married to Brad and a mother to 2 adult sons, one of whom has Fragile X Syndrome. Laura graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in Elementary Education. Laura helped start the Special Education Advisory Committee/SEAC in Cherry Creeks Schools and served on the Board for 17 years. She worked for PEAK Parent Center and is currently a Certified Nurse Assistant for her son. Laura serves on the board for the Family Support Council at Developmental Pathways and as the leader for Colorado Fragile X, which was chartered in 2010.

Richard Trebus is a midwestern native (St. Louis) who transitioned to Colorado in 2008 from North Florida. He is the founder of Split Arrow Consulting, an organization dedicated to supporting the development of nonprofit and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) service organizations. Richard started his career working with L’Arche Jacksonville. L’Arche is a worldwide federation of people, with and without intellectual disabilities, working together for a world where all belong. Richard has a passion for supporting human service organizations to harness their power to transform lives and create meaningful change. Richard lives in Boulder and is the proud father of two adult children.

Kari Ansay Is the mother of five children, two of whom have Fragile X Syndrome. She graduated from the University of Denver with a BA in Mass Communication. Before getting married and focusing on raising her family, she was the Community Outreach Manager for the Dumb Friends League. Kari started the Parent Association for The Joshua School (TJS) and has served as the President for the last ten years. She and her husband, Matt created The X Drive Classic Golf Tournament and have raised over $375,000 since 2014 to support programming at TJS and Treeline Pass.

Gabe Koroluk manages several privately held investment portfolios for wealthy individuals. He is also the father of two children; his oldest is diagnosed with Coffin-Siris Syndrome. Gabe currently serves as the Treasurer for the Board of Freedom Service Dogs of America (FSD) – a nonprofit whose mission is to unleash the potential of dogs by transforming them into custom-trained, life-changing assistance dogs for people in need. Gabe graduated Magna cum Laude from Northwestern University with a BA in Economics and Mathematics.

Amy Warren is a grant writer and nonprofit event planner with a Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University. Her experience raising a child with disabilities inspired her to pivot from a teaching career to full-time advocacy for the disability community. Amy founded CaliCom, which provides direct community-based services to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, including Individual Residential Services and Supports and Supported Community Connector. As a member of the Family Advisory Council at Children’s Hospital Colorado, she works with hospital leadership and staff to promote and improve family-centered care. Amy also serves on the University of Kansas Care Board to transform how policymakers, researchers, media reporting, and nonprofit organizations perceive the role of care work in the U.S. economy.

Nicole Frank is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with an MA in Clinical Psychology. She began her career in autism treatment in 2003 at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, in the pediatric inpatient psychiatric unit. In 2006, she moved to San Diego to serve as program supervisor for a private autism treatment company. She became the Director of Early Intervention at The Joshua School in Denver in 2010. During her 6 years there, she developed insurance management protocols, ABA treatment programs, and many staff development and leadership initiatives. She stepped down in 2016 to focus on her three children and husband. She currently provides consultation to autism non-profits in the Denver area and also sits on the board of The Rise School of Denver.

John Hermann is a go-to market specialist for Amazon Web Services and former Microsoft channel exec. Currently he consults clients on their infrastructure, cloud service strategies, and is a technology veteran of 22 years. John serves as tournament co-chair for the “X-Drive Classic” golf tournament, which raises awareness of Fragile X Syndrome and supports programming at The Joshua School and Treeline Pass. He is also active in missions with Cherry Hills Community Church. John and his wife, Kristi have two sons, and he holds a B.A. in Communications from Indiana University.

Theresa Richter is a co-founder of The Joshua School (TJS), a non-profit school for people with autism and developmental disabilities. She taught students at the school for over 10 years and developed a successful transition program for students to acquire real life work experience in the community in fields that interest them the most. Theresa has retired from The Joshua School and is pursuing new interests and enjoying the time she spends with her grandchildren.

Stephanie Pike is a mother of 3 children with experience as a Contracting/Marketing Coordinator and National Account Representative in the healthcare field and not-for-profit industry. She has a B.S. in Health Care Management and Marketing from Metropolitan State University. She served as the president of the parent association at her children’s school and the Fundraising Chair at her church for four years. She also volunteers and does pro bono event planning for a non-profit children’s organization. She was inspired by the passion and dedication of the parents founding Treeline Pass and is excited to create a unique and groundbreaking program for adults with special needs.

John Broadbent is a lawyer who works in the Corporate and Government Relations practices of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP, a law firm based in Denver. He previously worked in various capacities on Wall Street and in corporate development. His personal background of having overcome significant, easily apparent physical disabilities to achieve career success has taught him much about networking, building relationships, and proving oneself to others that are especially critical for individuals with disabilities to find employment. John earned a BA with Distinction from Duke University and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Colorado Law School.

Lea Ziegler is a bilingual special education leader in the Denver area. Lea’s personal childhood experience of education as a great equalizer ignited her fierce dedication to ensuring that all students can access a meaningful education. She has been in the educational field since 2014, and has worked in a multitude of educational settings. Now a licensed teacher and principal, Lea is currently a Multi-Intensive Center Director for STRIVE Prep, where she coaches and supervises a team of special educators. Lea’s specialty is in creating and implementing culturally responsive instructional practices. Lea graduated magna cum laude from University of Colorado – Denver with a BA in Education and Human Development. In the spring, Lea will graduate with her MA in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from University of Denver. Lea is excited to partner with Treeline Pass to expand the reach of its services.