Our staff.
Lea Anne Paskvalich
Executive Director | director@autismcolorado.org
Lea Anne is originally from Chicago, Illinois and moved to Colorado with her family in 1998. When a family member diagnosed on the autism spectrum in 2000, she founded a support group for parents of special needs children. For the next 17 years, she founded and led support groups for parents, and later, Autistic adults. At the same time, Lea Anne worked with the Boulder Valley School District advising on and advocating for children with special needs.
Throughout her lengthy nine-year tenure at the Temple Grandin School in Boulder, she collaborated with dozens of professionals and organizations in Boulder County and across the Front Range to ensure student success. Lea Anne created signature fundraising and community events to advance the school's mission including, "Meeting of the Minds" with Dr. Temple Grandin, TGS Talks, TGS Shuffle 5K and Entrepreneurial Thursdays. Her volunteer and board involvement with the Autism Society of Boulder County, Autism Society of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado have deepened her understanding of the Autism resources available and the systems in place to help Autistic children and adults in Colorado and across the country.
Shannon Phen
Program Manager | program@autismcolorado.org
Shannon was born in Miami, Florida and moved to Texas in 2010. During college, she worked as a volunteer teaching autistic children about healthy habits and relationship skills. She has always had a passion for serving and helping local communities. Shannon earned her Masters in Public Health, focusing on Community Health. During her career, she has built health programs and events for numerous diverse communities. Shannon is committed to serving the Autism community and connecting them to supports and resources that enhance their lives. She believes everyone deserves to be empowered and included in decisions about their goals, health and happiness.
Keegan Hatley
Brand Ambassador
Keegan is originally from the Hill Country area of Texas and is an ecstatic alum of Texas Tech University. She graduated with a Bachelor's in Psychology, Master's in Elementary Education and Teacher Certification from Texas Tech University. Keegan taught for seven years at the elementary level in Lubbock, Texas, then moved to Colorado Springs in 2013. She returned to Texas Tech University online and received her Autism Certification. For the next eight years, Keegan was a special education teacher with Significant Support Needs students at the elementary level.
As a special education teacher, she became well versed in Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), accommodations and modifications, meaningful inclusion and outside supports to help each student achieve their full potential. Keegan is, first and foremost, the mother of two fabulous kids: Blythe and Emerson. Emerson was diagnosed with Autism when he was 19 months old.
Megan Haggerty
Nonprofit Intern
Megan is based in Columbus, Ohio, while she works on completing her Bachelor's degree in Public Policy and Nonprofit Management. Once she completes her degree at The Ohio State University, she plans to pursue a Master's in Nonprofit Management. Autism Society of Colorado's mission struck a chord with her and provided her with a space to put her nonprofit education to good use. Within the Autism Society of Colorado, Megan is working on connecting to sponsors and culminating information for individuals using Autism Society resources. Megan has been a constant advocate for the neurodivergent community and looks forward to providing quality resources to autistic individuals and their families.
