Our board of directors.
Marissa Lewis
President
Marissa has been a volunteer supporting people of all ages with different needs since 2003 and has a passion for helping the Autism community. She was in the ASC Village and had a six-year career supporting families and doing community engagement for an Autism provider. She is so excited serve on the board of the Autism Society of Colorado and is dedicated to building awareness and acceptance for autistic people statewide.
Marissa grew up in the Chicago area and went to school at the University of Kansas where she got her undergraduate degree in Marketing with a Spanish concentration. After spending some time in Kansas City, she moved with her husband to Denver in 2015. She now spends her spare time with her incredible husband, daughter and dog camping, hiking, skiing and traveling.
Michel Friberg
Vice President
Michel joined the Autism Society of Colorado’s board in September 2021. She had several years of experience as a board member in the roles of President, Treasurer and Secretary. She also serves on the Colorado Special Education Advisory Committee.
Michel originally grew up in California and while attending the University of Colorado at Boulder, fell in love with the state. While attending the university she started working for nonprofits and for the past 20 years, she has worked in Development in several nonprofits throughout Colorado.
Michel has a twice exceptional daughter that was diagnosed with Autism in 2017. Knowing the challenges parents face upon diagnosis and the issues that come up while navigating services and the school systems, she is looking forward to working with families on their journeys. Understanding the importance of Autism awareness and acceptance, Michel will work with the board and community to help bring about programs and support for families.
Dr. Jennifer "Jenn" Paz-Ryan
Board Secretary
Jenn is the co-founder of Elevated Insights Assessment, specializing in Psychological Assessments for Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults. As a graduate with her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology (GSPP), Jenn specializes in bilingual (English/Spanish) assessment and treatment of children/adolescents and their families. Jenn earned her Master of Education through Regis University and taught for five years within DPS. She dedicated herself to providing a culturally responsive classroom, formed strong relationships with her students and their families that continue today, and was awarded Mile High Teacher of the Year 2009/2010.
Commitment and admiration for underserved populations led to volunteering with AmeriCorps, and Jenn was awarded the 2014 Mountain West Engagement Award for Excellence and honored by the University of Denver Magazine. In 2015, Jenn began working on program development for the Latinx Psychology Specialty (LPS) at DU. In 2017-2019 was appointed as the Senior Program Associate, bridging the Latinx and Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Specialties. Jenn’s passion for community partnerships and collaboration has led to presenting at national conferences (ZTT 2018; NLPA 2018 & 2019) and co-creating a professional development workshop for practitioners- Diversity Informed Practice: Infusing Multicultural Awareness into Your Work. In an effort to increase access to services, Jenn created a consultation group for bilingual (English/Spanish) psychologists who provide assessments with a specialization in diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This group aims to enhance providers’ ability to ensure evaluations are culturally and linguistically responsive. Jenn is excited to join the Autism Society of Colorado to assist the organization in expanding its services for Spanish-speaking autistic individuals and their families in a linguistically and culturally appropriate way.
Brian Glabe
Treasurer
Brian currently serves as the treasurer on the board of the Autism Society of Colorado. With a career dedicated to finance, he is committed to supporting the organization's expansion and facilitating the strategic financial planning for the ASC. A long-time resident of Colorado, Brian grew up in Arvada and later pursued his undergraduate education at Colorado State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. Seeking to expand his knowledge and skill set, Brian went on to complete an MBA in Finance from Willamette University in Oregon. Brian currently resides in Colorado Springs with his wife and two energetic boys.
Erik Utzinger, PPC
Board Member
Erik is a financial advisor with over 20 years of experience. He is passionate about helping families with special needs plan for the future. For the past 13 years, he has hosted financial planning workshops for families in the Denver area. These workshops cover a range of topics, including Letters of Intent, Medicaid, SSI Disability, Guardianship, ABLE, and Trust services.
Through his work with families, Erik has developed a deep understanding of the challenges they face. He has also seen firsthand the positive impact that early intervention and support services can have on people with autism.
Erik is excited to join the Autism Society of Colorado and contribute to its mission of providing support and resources to families affected by autism. He currently resides in Broomfield with his family.
Katherine "Katie" Vahey Gaebler
Board Member
Katie is a downtown Chicago native, calling Colorado home since 2003. Originally relocating for a Masters program at University of Colorado Boulder, Katie went on to earn a PhD in Education Leadership from the University of Northern Colorado in 2011. For nearly 20 years she worked on college campuses throughout the Denver area, primarily in Program Administration, Academic Planning/Advising, and Faculty roles. Passionate about young adult student development, and personal growth through continuing education, Katie built a career being drawn to opportunities for learning - for herself and others - through immersive and narrative experience.
Katie’s cumulative career leads to her current and (so far) ultimate learning experience, parenting two beautiful young boys who identify on the Autism Spectrum. Her oldest son is 9 and a 3rd grader in a dedicated ASD Center program within Jefferson County school district. Katie started her platform, AutismNERD.com – the Neurodiverse Education Resources of Denver- to chronicle and connect about living with and parenting for Autism in the Denver area. She currently works with local schools, therapy providers, and families as a communication conduit for increased understanding and executing tailored strategies in support of her community. Katie is thrilled to join the Board for the Autism Society of Colorado to increase her network and reach for those who may need her counsel. When not living/reading/breathing life with Autism at home in Golden, you can find her in a vinyasa flow on a yoga mat, (un)packing for a hot springs road trip, and enjoying the companionship of her spouse and partner, John.
Paige Thomas
Board Member
Paige is an Illinois native who has been proud to call Colorado home since 2020. She has a Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Baylor University, and has enjoyed working closely with the Autism
Community over the last 5 years. While working in a pediatric therapy setting, Paige has served on the Autism Diagnostic team and specializes in finding Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices for her patients. Paige also serves as a Community Liaison which allows her to gain useful resources across the Colorado front range for patients and families.
Outside of work, Paige coaches competitive gymnastics and you can find her camping, hiking, skiing, reading, and hanging out with her fiance
and two dogs.
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Dr. Nicole Gurash, Psy.D., LMFT
Board Member
Nicole joined the ASC Board in May of 2024. She created and founded Spectrum Connections Therapy (SCT) in 2012 to provide neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-focused therapy in Colorado. SCT is a small team of mental health and trauma recovery therapists in Lone Tree, CO. who are passionate about providing integrative and holistic counseling for individuals, couples, and families living with Autism Spectrum, PTSD/C-PTSD, ADHD, Anxiety, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. The Spectrum Connections Therapy team are committed and compassionate neurodiversity specialists, who all have some lived experience with neurodivergence, and are LGBTQIA+ affirming. Nicole holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Colorado.
Nicole is excited and honored to partner with the Autism Society of Colorado Board and join in their mission, vision, and commitment to improving the lives of families and individuals living with Autism Spectrum Disorders. She hopes to be able to support the ASC community and help increase awareness around trauma-related needs and Autism. she is also a proud mom to an autistic young adult who was identified with autism spectrum at age 7. When she is not working in her private practice, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and Yorkies, running, baking, and doing yoga.
Daisy Montgomery
Board Member
Daisy Montgomery is an autistic and ADHD multi-award-winning speaker, author, and business owner of Autistics Anonymous, a company dedicated to educating on what it’s like to be autistic everyday and working directly with the autistic community to provide opportunities for belonging and acceptance. She has spoken at over a dozen events across the country, including at the world-famous People’s Improv Theater in New York City! She is regularly featured in the media and podcasts that range from entrepreneurship to mental health, and is also the author of Autistic Everyday, which can be found at a variety of independent bookstores and big box stores such as Barnes & Noble.
Before starting Autistics Anonymous, she served in technical project and program management roles for 13 years and achieved her Project Management Professional (PMP) global certification in addition to her MBA which focused on Project Management. Her ultimate goal is to increase autistic representation and understanding so that autistics can live a full life with meaningful opportunities, love, and endless possibilities. She is thrilled to join ASC to continue improving conditions for autistics everywhere! When she is not educating about autism, she is spending time with her autistic husband and child, petting cats, and playing video games in Fort Collins, CO.
Scott Bartlett
Board Member
Scott Bartlett has worked with older adults and people with disabilities for thirty years. His most recent work was in the role of a long-term care ombudsman for fifteen years, where he helped insure people using the long-term care system for support retained their civil liberties and received quality care. Scott aspires to create a community that is inclusive and respects the rights of all people. In 2015 Scott was selected by The National Consumer Voice, as recipient of The Howard Hinds Memorial Award for leadership in advocacy. He has chaired or co-chaired committees including the El Paso and Teller Counties Ethics Committee, the local Behavioral Health Committee and Palliative Care Committee. Scott was a commissioner for Colorado’s Veteran Living Centers. He lives in Colorado Springs and enjoys horses and video games in his free time. His interest in the board comes from being a father to a young autistic adult and that he is also autistic.
Mark Prussin
Board Member
Mark Prussin was born and raised in northern New Jersey. he attended the University of Colorado at Boulder from 2008 – 2012, and received his Undergraduate Degree in Business Administration. Mark's journey and career in homecare and consumer directed services started when he joined Team Select Home Care in 2015, where they helped hundreds of family members become paid caregivers for their loved ones, and create opportunities for families that otherwise did not exist.
A year ago, Mark had the privilege of joining Maxim Healthcare Services as their Regional Director of Business Development, where they started a division centered around Consumer Direction, specifically Financial Management Services. Mark recently began working for Palco as the Vice President of Sales, and is very eager and thrilled to be joining such a wonderful organization. In his free time, Mark likes to be with his amazing family, which consists of his beautiful wife, perfect daughter, and fun (but annoying) dog. Skiing, golfing, and all outdoor activities are why he moved to Colorado permanently in 2015, and what he likes to do on the weekends. He is beyond excited to be rejoining Autism Society of Colorado again!
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Shana Beggan
Advisory Board Member
Shana is originally from the suburbs of Chicago, relocating to Colorado for law school in the late 90s. Since then, Colorado has become her second home, and Boulder County is where she met her husband, and have raised three daughters. Shana's father-in-law, Robert Beggan, was a second Dad to her and profoundly impacted her life. Following his professional career in non-profit work, Bob retired and served as a board member for the Autism Society at the national level until his passing. Through Bob's tireless advocacy and Shana and her husband's devotion to serving others through the legal and justice fields, Shana found her way to the Autism Society of Colorado.
Shana has a deep passion for justice, serving others, and connecting those with unique and challenging lives to the world. She has supported family members and close friends with unique challenges ranging from neurodiverse spectrum disorders to sensory processing disorders to mental health and physical illnesses. Shana's experiences watching these amazing individuals face life, and the challenges their unique hurdles have presented, have led her to become a staunch advocate, cheerleader, and supporter. Now, with her children grown and in young adulthood, Shana has turned to an organization she holds near and dear to her heart to carry forward her intense commitment to helping others.
Dick Layton
Advisory Board Member
Dick is the founder and president of a startup organization focused on impacting the lives of people with Autism and other disabilities. His passion for helping people with Autism developed when he worked as the executive director at the STAR Institute from early 2016 until late 2018. STAR provides Research, Education and Treatment for children and adults with Sensory Processing Disorder. Dick has a strong desire to help adults with Autism find employment. He has a fourteen-year-old granddaughter in Florida who was diagnosed when she was about five, and since her mom and dad found the “right school” for her, she is doing well. Dick’s education includes engineering, operations research and computer science. He also worked as an adjunct professor in the School of Business at Colorado Christian University from 2007 until 2016. Dick served as the Vice Present of the ASC Board until January 2022.
