Our Team
Adam Betancourt (He/Him)
Senior Director of Youth Programs
Adam joined the Dream Team in November 2024 as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction. He is originally from Phoenix, Arizona. Adam joins the team with over a decade of experience in K-12 public education - including teaching, school leadership, and education consulting. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. Adam holds a Colorado Elementary Education Teaching License and a Data Wise Certificate from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Additionally, Adam is trained in Project Based Learning, has completed training in Liberatory Design, and The Problem with Problems as well as has partnered with districts across the country to facilitate professional learning and guide strategic planning.
Along with his depth of knowledge and experience in the education sector, Adam brings a passion for centering equity and collaboration in his work and is committed to honoring our past and history to create a more equitable tomorrow. His favorite part about working on this team is being able to collaborate with such a talented team and the idea that we can all continue to learn and grow together.
When Adam is not ensuring our teams are well equipped with the skills and strategies to ensure our youth can thrive, you can find him running (he’s run five marathons), working on cars, traveling (he’s been to seven countries and counting). He enjoys eating around town and, like any busy professional, he loves to sleep!
Aimee Alcorn, LCSW (She/Her)
Senior Director of Clinical Programs
Aimee Alcorn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the Senior Director of Emotional Wellness at Colorado Dream Foundation. She holds a Master of Social Work from Colorado State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Educational Studies from the University of Northern Colorado, along with post-graduate training in Applied Behavior Analysis. Her background spans education, private practice, inpatient psychiatric care, and school social work.
CDF’s mission inspires Aimee because she knows firsthand the challenges of overcoming barriers in school settings, and she is passionate about ensuring youth and families have the tools they need to thrive. Guided by values such as communication, creativity, passion, and empathy, she enjoys working alongside a dedicated team to support Dreamers and the community.
Outside of work, Aimee loves hiking with her dog Luna, spending time with her big Italian family, and trying new restaurants. A fun fact is that one of her drawings is displayed in a school in Florence, Italy, and her favorite book is Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola - a nod to her Kindergarten teacher roots.
Akilah Martin, LPCC (She/Her)
Associate Behavioral Health Therapist
Akilah joined the Dream Team in May 2022 as an Engagement Specialist. She is originally from Aurora, Colorado, and has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Colorado State University. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health from the University of Denver. Akilah has a CITI research training certification with a specialty in social, behavioral, and humanistic research with human subjects. Akilah presented her research that focused on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the African American community at Colorado State University’s Multicultural Undergraduate Research Art and Leadership Symposium (MURALS) and was chosen as the overall winner from 5 categories & 77 total participants!
Akilah brings a positive attitude and passion to her work every day. She is proud to be a Dream Team member and loves that she will be a part of real change happening for youth. She is excited to work alongside her colleagues, youth, and families to provide inspiration and new opportunities that may not have seemed plausible before for students.
When Akilah is not exposing youth to new opportunities, you can find her thrift shopping, watching a new movie (somewhat like a film critic), or at the gym. She also has a passion for traveling and food!
Alyssa Karrasch, LPCC (She/Her)
Associate Behavioral Health Therapist
Alyssa joined the Dream Team as a Clinical Intern in August 2024. She spent over 20 years in the business world witnessing the profound impact of the pandemic on our society, I chose to return to graduate school and pursue my calling to become a therapist. Alyssa is currently pursuing a Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree from The Chicago School and has a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications and Advertising from Boston University.
Alyssa brings a strong passion for helping others - particularly children and their parents to her work. Alyssa takes an individualized and person-centered approach to her work as a clinician, using a variety of techniques and modalities.
When Alyssa is not ensuring her clients have all the tools to ensure they can be successful now and well into the future, she enjoys getting outside and traveling as well as hiking, spending time with family and friends, cooking, yoga, Barre3, and reading when she has time
Cain Cox (He/Him)
Lead Instructor 3-8th Grade
Cain was originally part of the Dream Team as an instructor during the whole school model and returned to the team in December 2024 as the Lead Instructor at Z Place Opportunity Center! He is originally from Colorado and is a Dreamer Alumni as part of the Denver Active 20/30 class!
Cain is a talented artist and brings a high level of empathy and creativity to his work with the youth in the program! Along with his fellow Dream Team members, Cain is passionate about helping the youth and the greater community.
When Cain is not facilitating a space where youth can bring their authentic selves, he explores his passion for the arts and creative expression. When he is not drawing incredible images (many of which have been published in magazines) he enjoys collecting records!
Erin Fernandez (She/Her)
Director of Post Secondary Success
BIO COMING SOON!
Essence Benson, LSW (She/Her)
Associate Behavioral Health Therapist
Essence joined the Dream Team as a Clinical Intern in August 2024. She is originally from Colorado, living in Aurora for most of her life. Essence is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work degree from Metropolitan State University of Denver and has a Bachelor of Science in Human Services from Metropolitan State University of Denver
In 2017, Essence began working with clients experiencing Mental Health crises. After witnessing the power of therapy i-risk n supporting clients in rediscovering hope and belief in their recovery, she knew becoming a therapist was her true calling. Essence is passionate about working with BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and at risk-youth. She uses a variety of treatment modalities to support her clients in discovering and honoring their power!
When Essence is not ensuring her clients have all the tools to be successful now and well into the future, she enjoys playing music, singing, bowling, going to concerts, and spending time with her nieces and nephews!
Gemma Sanchez-Contreras (She/Her)
Instructor
Gemma joined the Dream Team as an intern in August 2021 and became an Engagement Specialist shortly after. She has been the Program Coordinator at Westwood Opportunity Center since December 2022. She has her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Metropolitan State University of Denver and has an Associate of Arts degree from Colorado Mountain College and is originally from Jalisco, Mexico. As a Dreamer in the DACA program herself, Gemma, is passionate about ensuring that youth and families have support so they can achieve their goals and feel confident that they can achieve anything they set their mind to!
Gemma is committed to equitable treatment within relationships and is excited to be part of the Dream Team and ensure that youth and families’ needs are met to ensure that they have all the opportunities to thrive.
When Gemma is not elevating the voices and experiences of young people, she is a huge advocate for self-care and enjoys going to the gym. She recognizes that if she doesn’t care for herself, she can not care for others.
Giuliano Jones, LPCC (He/Him)
Restoring Futures Case Manager & Behavioral Health Therapist I
Giuliano joined the Dream Team in June 2024 as a Clinical Intern and transitioned to his current Behavioral Health Therapist I role in January 2025. He is originally from Northern California and has a Bachelor of Arts in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Prescott College and is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate in Colorado, working on his hours toward his full clinical license. Additionally, Giuliano is part of the National Mental Health Workforce Accelerator Collaborative.
Giuliano brings a high level of empathy and insight to his work and focuses on attachment and relationship patterns. He specializes in helping clients find their place in society and grapple with crises of meaning and purpose. Giuliano supports both youth and adults in ensuring comfort in exploring the self, attachment security, and a sense of personal effectiveness in solving internal and external problems.
He enjoys being a Dream Team member and believes that harsh realities do not have to mean hope and joy are lost, and he believes that our unique capacity to grow and change makes our thriving possible, given enough time and support to adapt.
When Giuliano is not supporting his clients' deep internal work, he loves Chinese and Japanese Tea and ceramics, perfumery, cooking, Indie/alternative rock, collecting records, reading and writing poetry/philosophy, eating out, and spending time at hot springs.
Hannah Edwards-Martinez (She/Her)
Instructor - High School
BIO COMING SOON!
Henry Schuler (He/Him)
Clinical Intern
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Hope Wallace, LSW (She/Her)
Assistant Site Leader
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Jennifer Stucklen (She/Her)
Operations & Communications Manager
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Joshua Meyer (He/Him)
Senior Manager, Grants & Development
Josh is a seasoned attorney with a career spanning over two decades, characterized by an unwavering dedication to his clients and a commitment to ethical excellence. Throughout his professional journey, Josh has consistently delivered positive outcomes for his clients by virtue of his diligence, transparent communication, and professionalism.
Driven by a desire to effect positive change beyond the confines of traditional legal practice, Josh made a transformative career shift into the non-profit sector in September 2021, joining the CDF team. He channels his expertise towards supporting grants management and fundraising efforts for the organization. Josh finds profound fulfillment in leveraging his skills to support CDF’s mission, helping to create a lasting impact in the lives of the youth and families we serve. He considers it an honor to collaborate with those dedicated to empowering communities and improving access to opportunities for all.
Josh holds an undergraduate degree in journalism with a second concentration in business from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO. A native of New Jersey, he enjoys pursuing outdoor activities such as mountain biking, snowboarding, and hiking in his leisure time, alongside cherishing moments spent with his family.
Josue Silva (He/Him)
Lead Instructor - High School
BIO COMING SOON!
Kady Mohammad (She/Her)
Clinical Intern
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Kate Crowley (She/Her)
Clinical Intern
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Kaye Taavialma (She/Her)
Chief Executive Officer
Kaye joined the Dream Team in June 2023 and has previously spent years in the Denver education scene! Kaye is originally from Gambier, Ohio, and has a Master of Arts in Education with an emphasis in Leadership and Adult Learning from Antioch University in Seattle, Washington, and a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in History from the College of Wooster in Ohio. Kaye has previously been involved in the indie film scene in Denver for years, and in one year, she had a film that went to the Oaxaca International Film Festival and another that went to Sundance Film Festival.
Kaye brings a high level of curiosity to her daily work and is passionate about doing work that creates systemic change by creating equitable access to opportunities, resources, and identity-affirming, safe spaces for our youth. Kaye loves being surrounded by other humans who are not afraid to dream big and dream together. She believes that affecting change in this world is a joint venture, and finding a collective of others who are also inspired to bring a shared dream to life is a rare and powerful gift.
Kaye is the proud mom of two children on the verge of adulthood. Her son is a wrestler at Otero College studying welding, and her daughter will attend Bard College in New York to study Psychology and Theater. When Kaye is not leading the team to dream big, she enjoys rafting trips with her wife and their circus of dogs. She is also planning their next great family adventure and has her eyes on India and spent three weeks in Morocco. You can also find Kaye reading on a sandy beach in the sun.
Kyara Supreme (She/Her)
Site Leader
BIO COMING SOON!
Lissette Uribe, LSW (She/Her)
Associate Behavioral Health Therapist
Lissette joined the Dream Team in April 2022 as an Engagement Specialist and joined the Clinical Team as a Systems Advocacy Intern in August 2023. She is originally from Los Angeles, California, and has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Colorado at Boulder and is in the process of pursuing her Master of Social Work Degree from Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Lissette is passionate about working with youth and working alongside them to see their potential and sharing new experiences with them! She is excited to join the Dream Team and work with like-minded individuals and youth to create a bright and more inclusive future.
In her free time, Lissette likes to cook, be with her friends and work on charcoal drawings!
Mary Elizabeth Taylor-Fishwick, LCSW (She/Her)
Senior Behavioral Health Therapist
Mary Elizabeth joined the Dream Team as a Clinical Intern in March 2022 and came on as a Behavioral Health Therapist in December of 2022 after she graduated from Virginia Common Wealth University (VCU) with a Master of Social Work. Additionally, she has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Spanish also from VCU. During her time at VCU, she received the Social Work Administration, Planning, and Policy Practice scholarship due to her passion for accessibility, policy change, and social justice. Mary Elizabeth previously worked in both the Neonatal ICU Psychiatric Unit at Virginia Children’s Hospital.
Mary Elizabeth is dedicated to bringing a level of acceptance and authenticity to her work every day, where everyone can acknowledge the inherent differences we all bring to navigating life. She strives to create an environment for clients, families, and coworkers that promotes comfort in being one's self through both a trauma-informed and healing-centered approach. She encourages her clients to be their most authentic selves in sessions, bringing any and all identity(s) they may have, in order to create more spaces of acceptance in life. Additionally, Mary Elizabeth is passionate about LGBTQIA+ rights, as well as the rights and equality of BIPOC individuals.
She is originally from Alabama but lived in coastal Virginia for 19 years before moving to Colorado with her partner and their dog! When Mary Elizabeth is not self-advocating and working on her own self-care practices, she enjoys practicing yoga, going for walks with her dog, painting, and reading fantasy and fictional genre books. Mary Elizabeth loves being part of the Dream Team because of the support and welcoming nature of the entire team as well as everyone’s own sense of self, knowledge, and perspective. Her favorite quote is, "the world will be saved and remade by the dreamers," which she believes the Dream Team is working to do in all interactions, both within the organization and within the community.
Megan Gianinetti, LSW (She/Her)
Behavioral Health Therapist II
BIO COMING SOON!
Rysa Bryan (She/Her)
Clinical Intern
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Sophie Silver - Trujillo, LPC, NCC (She/Her)
Therapeutic Services Manager
Sophie came to the Dream Team as the Clinical Manager in February 2020 from Children’s Hospital Colorado where she worked as a Mental Health Counselor in the Pediatric Mental Health Institute. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Colorado and a National Professional Counselor. She has a great deal of experience in working with people, specifically youth, who are experiencing grief and loss. Sophie is proud to say that she is originally from Denver! She has a Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adams State University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Denver. She enjoys research and data analysis and has been published in 15 articles in the field of Behavioral Health and Engineering.
Sophie brings a level of humility and empathy to her work and is the dedicated leader of our Clinical Internship program - ensuring that the next generation of Mental Health professionals leaves this experience being highly skilled in this work. Sophie is skilled at providing a safe space for community members to be authentic and feel love and support. She loves that the Dream Team members support one another and share the same values and passion for working alongside youth and families.
When Sophie is not training the next generation of mental health workers, she loves spending time with her husband and daughter and their dog, Olive! You can usually find them around Denver enjoying new sites or in the mountains somewhere!
Stephanie Dreiling (She/Her)
Vice President of Finance & Operations
Steph joined the Dream Team in 2008 and currently serves as the Vice President of Finance and Operations. A fourth-generation Coloradoan, she spent nearly a decade in Maui, Hawaii, working with Paradise Television and the Pacific Whale Foundation. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations and Advertising, along with a Minor in Sociology from the University of Northern Colorado.
As a dedicated leader, Steph brings stability, positivity, and a collaborative spirit to our team. She is deeply passionate about the mission of Colorado Dream Foundation and believes in the power of collective action to create meaningful, lasting change for future generations.
Outside of work, Steph enjoys spending time with family and friends, embracing the beauty of the mountains, and experiencing live music.
Will Murphy (He/Him)
Clinical Intern
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Zaraya Martinez (She/Her)
Instructor
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