Staff
Natalie Baddour, LPC, EMDR
Co-Founder
Megan Scruggs
Director of Women Empowerment Community & School-Based Mentor
Crystal Sanchez
Youth Mentor & Program Associate
William Davis, LPCC
Director of Community-Based Intervention Services
Gabriel Colman
Director of HR & Staff Culture
Celine Wuarin
Interim Executive Director
Frida Soto, MSW SWC
Community & School Therapist
Angela Taylor
Director of Finances
Aaron Howard
Program Manager
Community & School-Based Mentor
Keen Cano
Assistant Director of School-Based Prevention Services
Phillip Roybal
Director of Community and Policy Advocacy
Independently Contracted Staff
Alicia Espiritusanto, LCSW
Community-Based Therapist
Victoria Smith
Community-Based Mentor
Becca Turner
Community-Based Mentor
Kelsey Dittloff
Community-Based Mentor
Thelonius Crews-Yearick
Community-Based Mentor
Alicia Garcia
Restorative Strategist & School-Based Mentor
Claire Geppelt, LPC
School-Based Therapist
Doug Farley
School-Based Mentor
Tessa Wood
Community-Based Mentor and Case Manager
Board of Directors
Niki Adams is deeply passionate about our nation’s youngest citizens. She is dedicated to ensuring the best outcomes for direct caregivers, children, and their families. Early childhood education (ECE) has allowed Niki to realize her passion, be innovative, and utilize her leadership skills to enhance the lives of young children and those who care for them. Niki is the Executive Director of the Institute For Racial Equity and Excellence (IREE) Community Based Licensing Team, as well as an Instructor at Metropolitan State University of Denver in the ECE Department. Niki earned her Bachelor's Degree from the University of New Mexico and her Masters Degree from the University of Colorado at Denver. Niki takes great pride in her community involvement and task force activities. Away from serving in many capacities you can find Niki enjoying her husband (Justin) son (Alexander), and a incredible village!
Niki Adams
Gretchen Morgan is the Managing Partner at Center for Innovation in Education where she and her team lead work within and across states focused on learner centered assessment for learning, family partnership, and liberatory design as a foundation for rebuilding public trust and reimagining school and district accountability. She was previously the President at CareerWise Colorado where she led the launch of a state-wide youth apprenticeship system. Morgan also served as the Associate Commissioner of Innovation at the Colorado Department of Education where she led strategic initiatives including design of an assessment pilot and competency-based learning, as well as overseeing the state's charter, postsecondary, and student re-engagement work. Morgan has also worked as a principal, curriculum and program developer, instructional and leadership coach, and an elementary school teacher.
Gretchen Morgan
Charles S. Gilford III is a proud Colorado native and servant leader of social change and innovation. He currently serves as the Deputy Director for Council Relations and Special Projects to Mayor Michael B. Hancock in the City and County of Denver; his scope includes being a bridge between the Executive Branch and Legislative Branch, driving projects that impact $3.65B of capital expenditures, and serving as the Chair of the Mayor’s Faith Council in Denver. Charles attended the University of Colorado at Boulder where he studied Business Administration, International Business, and Leadership. He is a proud husband and father to a precious little girl and little boy.
Charles Gilford III
Sergio Raphael, a Denver native, was raised with understanding the importance of community investment in youth. From his years as a youth wrestling coach to recently being a mentor for Advocates for Children CASA, Sergio is dedicated to the youth in our community. Sergio currently sits as the Head of Global Talent Acquisition at Wheel Pros and uses this platform to help promote corporate social responsibility. Throughout his professional career he carries a proven track record of success in building teams, networks and revenue streams to position organizations for success. When he's out of business mode you can usually find him with his 3 little ones (Jagger, Sophia & Lux) climbing all over him, watching sports or at the gym for his 4am workouts.
Sergio Raphael-Sisneros