Our Team
Aimee Alcorn (She/Her)
Senior Director of Emotional Wellness
Aimee has been a member of the Dream Team since November of 2019. Prior to joining our team, she worked as a Behavior Coordinator at Children's Hospital Colorado in the Pediatric Mental Health Institute and was a teacher before that. Aimee is a passionate Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Colorado and a Certified Trauma Professional. She is from Colorado and has a Master of Social Work degree from Colorado State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree with minors in English and Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado. Aimee has been published as an author on eight different professional articles in the field of behavioral science and mental health and has presented her findings at two national conferences.
Aimee is dedicated to removing barriers and increasing the knowledge and awareness of the impact that mental health plays on the overall success of the youth, families, and communities that we serve at Colorado Dream Foundation. She believes that if we dream together, we can create a world with compassionate, bold, passionate leaders and world changers! When we dream big, we will achieve big!
When Aimee is not working to ensure youth have the tools to thrive, she can be found spending time with her family and her adorable puppy, Luna! She loves hiking, traveling, painting, and finding new restaurants in town!
Akilah Martin (She/Her)
Engagement Specialist
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 and is currently pursuing a Master of Art in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health. 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!
Aleix Lyon (She/Her)
Engagement Specialist
Aleix joined the Dream Team as an Engagement Specialist in April 2023. She is originally from Boston, Massachusets. Aleix has dual Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Colorado - Boulder in Psychology and Communication and is currently pursuing her Master of Clinical Mental Health degree from Colorado Christian University.
Aleix brings a valued level of optimism and empathy to her work and is dedicated to creating an environment rich with collaboration and teamwork with both her teammates and the youth in Program. She is passionate about working with youth and mental health and enjoys being part of the Dream Team because of the people. She recognizes that it’s such a passionate, fun, and funny group of people. She also loves the youth that she gets to work alongside every day and notes that they inspire her and she is proud to be a part of their story.
When Aleix is not meeting the youth where they are at every day, you can find her going to concerts, watching movies, thrifting, and watching The Bachelor with her friends.
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Allison Stertzer (She/Ella)
Behavioral Health Therapist
Allison returned to the Dream Team as a Behavioral Health Therapist in August 2022. She was an intern within the clinical program while she was studying for her Master of Social Work during the 2020-2021 school year and we are thrilled she is back! Allison graduated from the University of Denver with her MSW and has a Bachelor of Arts from Colby College in Maine. She is working toward becoming a Licensed Social Worker in the state of Colorado. She has a great deal of experience in working with youth in school settings as well as supporting families in hospice settings. Allison is originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico but has worked in the entertainment industry in both New York and Los Angeles.
Allison values and believes in the power of human connection and strives to be present and build meaningful connections with others on a daily basis. She is passionate about working alongside her clients and empowering them to discover their innate capacities - allowing them to thrive. She supports her clients in nurturing their strengths and discovering their unique interests and identities. Allison strives to incorporate alternative therapies, such as art, music, and experiential therapy. She loves that the Dream Team is full of thoughtful, supportive, silly people that I am able to both learn with and learn from. I am so grateful to work alongside such caring adults and truly amazing kiddos every day.
Allison brings compassion and patience to her work and is eager to support clients of all ages and continue to grow and develop the clinical therapy program at Colorado Dream Foundation. In her free time, Allison can be found listening to comedy podcasts, seeing live music, cooking, and spending time outdoors - preferably by a river!
Andy Hung (He/Him)
Clinical Intern
Andy joined the Dream Team as a Clinical Intern in August 2023. He is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Andy received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Neurobiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is pursuing his Master of Social Work from the University of Denver. Andy has published several articles related to MRI research!
Andy values joy and enjoys working with kids because of the unrestrained joy that they are capable of experiencing and sharing. Andy is looking forward to being part of the Dream Team this year and appreciates everyone's genuineness and passion for helping youth and each other.
When Andy is not diligently helping youth reach their full potential or vacuuming, he likes to cook, hike, play board games, play volleyball at Wash Park, and fawn over his partner's dog, Beignet, and welcomes the opportunity to share photos with anyone who asks!
Beatriz Chong (She/They)
Behavioral Health Therapist
Beatriz joined the Dream Team in August 2023 as a Behavioral Health Therapist. She is originally from South Florida and has a Bachelor of Science in Family and Child Science and Psychology from Florida State University and a Master of Science in Counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Beatriz is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate in Colorado, working on their hours toward their full clinical license.
Beatriz brings a high level of curiosity to support folks in expanding on how they uniquely understand the world around them. She also brings their whole authentic self and personality into each session she has!
She loves creating playful and genuine connections with others, and exploring new places, whether traveling, connecting to our current spaces in new ways, or getting curious about exploring our own emotional experiences. While Beatriz is new to the Dream Team, she is excited to get to know others and support one another in exploring their emotions!
When Beatriz is not holding space for their clients, you can find them camping, swimming, caring for their plants, and cuddling their cat.
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Blair Cooper (She/They)
Engagement Specialist
Blair joined the Dream Team in October 2023 as an Engagement Specialist. She is originally from Houston, Texas; however, she has been in Colorado since 1999. Blair is a proud member of “Free Mom Hugs” of Colorado and is committed to creating an inclusive and nurturing environment where the youth can feel safe, valued, and inspired to explore their passions and potential.
Blair has three children, ages 14, 15, and 16, who started their education at Knapp Elementary in the Westwood neighborhood! She loves to volunteer at their school and believes in the power of a supportive community for people to raise their families in and together. She is proud to be a Dream Team member and loves the collective understanding of the idea that a child’s development is not limited to their academics alone but also includes their social, emotional, and personal well-being.
When Blair is not encouraging positivity and collaboration, you can find them cheering on the 2023 National Champion Denver Nuggets or seeing a Broadway Musical. She tries to soak up family time as often as possible and loves to go back to Texas to visit as often as possible.
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Bobby McGreal (He/Him)
Engagement Specialist - Westwood Opportunity Center
Bio to come!
Briannah Hill (They/Them)
Program Coordinator - Z Place Opportunity Center
Briannah joined the Dream Team in March 2022 as the Program Coordinator at Z Place Opportunity Center. Prior to joining the team, they worked in the Non-Profit space within the Denver Metro area. Briannah is originally from Denver, Colorado, and has a Bachelor of Arts in Ethnic Studies with an emphasis in Blaqueer/Transgender Studies from the University of Colorado at Boulder as well as an Associates of Sciences in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. In 2019, Briannah was a Youth on Record Fellow.
Briannah brings an intersectional, youth-focused, and culturally-responsive lens to their work every day. They have a deep appreciation for the different voices, identities, and experiences that the youth and others bring to the room and is passionate about youth finding their voice and power, the liberation for Blaqueer and Trans folks, as well as rest and representation! Briannah loves that the Dream Team members support one another and have a shared passion for working with youth to see them succeed at every turn.
In their free time, Briannah is the Co-Executive Director of local poetry and arts nonprofit. Additionally, they love writing and performing poetry at open mics. Briannah and their partner have a Goldendoodle named Adonis and they love to spend quality time together!
Claire Palius (She/Her)
Clinical Manager at Z Place Opportunity Center
Claire joined the Dream Team as a Clinical Manager in August 2022. She is originally from Louisville, Colorado. She has a Master of Social Work from Metropolitan State University and a Bachelor of Arts - Psychology & Sociology from the University of Colorado - Boulder. Claire is a proud member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Colorado.
Claire has experience as a classroom teacher through the Denver Public School’s Math Fellow program, was an Americorps Member at City Year, and has extensive experience as a mental health professional and school social worker as well as a private practice therapist.
Claire brings a level of authenticity to her work, daily and is passionate about advocating for equal education for all and normalizing mental health every day in order to provide a safe space for youth to comfortably voice their struggles. Claire is excited to be on the Dream Team and work alongside other creative and passionate team members.
In her free time, Claire enjoys playing volleyball and kickball, reading, baking, and doing arts and crafts.
Galen Duran (He/Him)
Behavioral Health Therapist
Galen joined the Dream Team as a Clinical Intern in March 2022. He is originally from Boulder, Colorado, and has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Colorado College and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Denver. Galen is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate in Colorado, working on his hours toward his full clinical license. Additionally, Galen completed a service year with City Year as a Student Success Coach and competed in a collegiate a cappella group.
Galen brings empathy and patience to the clients he works with and values their autonomy in their sessions. He is passionate about social justice and helping his clients understand themselves better while encouraging them to give themselves grace as they sort through their needs. Galen has a specific passion and niche for working with queer/genderqueer/LGBTQ+ clients and those with different neurodiversity! He loves being part of the dream team and working alongside other members because they are genuine and real.
When Galen is not working alongside his clients, he enjoys playing music, gaming, hiking, biking, watching movies, and playing Dungeons and Dragons!
Gemma Sanchez-Contreras (She/Her)
Program Coordinator - Westwood Opportunity Center
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.
Jennifer Ramirez (She/Her)
Behavioral Health Therapist
Bio to come!
Kaye Taavialma (She/Her)
President & CEO
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.
Kenidee Myers (She/Her)
Clinical Intern
Coming soon!
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Lianna Semonsen (She/Her)
Systems Advocacy Intern
Lianna joined the Dream Team as a Systems Advocacy Intern in August 2023. She is originally from Portland, Oregon. Lianna is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work degree from the university of Denver and Bachelor of Arts in Psychological Science from Pomona College in California.
Lianna brings a high level of compassion to her work and is committed to focusing on the well-being of those she works with and around. She is passionate about increasing access to and de-stigmatizing mental and behavioral health care. Lianna is excited to be on the Dream Team and be able to work with and collaborate with compassionate and caring people both on the team and in the community.
When Lianna is not supporting program participants and community member’s secure resources to be successful, she enjoys walking and playing with her dog, Piper, cooking and baking, and doing an occasional painting.
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Lincoln Koester (He/Him)
Clinical Intern
Lincoln joined the Dream Team as a Clinical Intern in June 2023. He is originally from Tucson, Arizona. Lincoln received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology the University of Denver and is pursuing his Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Denver.
Lincoln brings a high level of compassion to his work every day and looks forward to helping others any way he can. Lincoln is looking forward to being part of the Dream Team this year and loves that he gets the chance to work with adolescents as he feels that it is a community that is incredibly underserved when it comes to mental health.
When Lincoln is not supporting youth in the community, he likes to workout and spend time with his friends. Lincoln mentions, if he wasn’t going into the Mental Health field he most likely would be a firefighter!
Lindsey Land (She/Her)
Clinical Intern
Bio to come!
Lissette Uribe (She/Her)
Engagement Specialist & Systems Advocacy Intern
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!
Malik Burton (He/Him)
Program Manager - Z Place Opportunity Center
Malik joined the Dream Team in September 2021 as one of the Program Managers. He is originally from Kansas City, Missouri. Malik joined the team with significant experience in higher education settings. He has a Master's in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Colorado State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from Iowa State University. Malik is certified in Adult Mental Health First Aid.
Malik brings a level of authenticity to his work on the Dream Team and is passionate about Social Justice. His favorite part about working on this team is the passion that each person has for the work that they do and feels that aids in the connections that are built with youth. He believes that the collective strengths of the team create an experience that youth enjoy while being pushed to learn and grow in a variety of ways - not to mention the fun that is had along the way!
When Malik is not facilitating the day-to-day operations of the center, you can find him playing or watching basketball, working out, writing poetry, or searching for new music.
Mary Elizabeth Taylor-Fishwick (She/Her)
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.
Sophie Silver - Trujillo (She/Her)
Clinical Manager at Westwood Opportunity Center
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 thirteen years ago and currently works as the Vice President of Finance and Operations. She is a fourth-generation Coloradoan; however, she spent nearly a decade in Maui, Hawaii where she worked at Paradise Television and the Pacific Whale Foundation. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications with an emphasis on public relations and advertising and a Minor in sociology from the University of Northern Colorado.
Steph grounds our team and brings light and positivity to all she encounters! She is passionate about the work we do at Colorado Dream Foundation and believes that together we can create a just, sustainable, and equitable future for all generations to come - as John Lennon once said, “A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.”
When Steph is not at work, you can find her enjoying time with her family and friends, hanging with her pup, Nalu, surrounding herself in the beauty of the mountains, or seeing some live music.
Summer Wimberly (She/Her)
Director of College & Career Development
Summer joined the Dream Team in July 2021 as the Director of College and Career Development. Prior to joining the team, she worked at Aurora Community College in the Dual Enrollment program assisting High School age youth to complete college credit while they are finishing their high school degree. Summer is from Northern California and has a Master of Arts in English, Rhetoric, and Composition from Oregon State University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Princeton University.
Summer is dependable and committed to college access and success for historically excluded populations. She appreciates the dedication that the Dream Team, as a whole, has to meet youth and families where they are at as well as the encouragement and support to the youth to uplift themselves.
When Summer is not ensuring that youth are college and career ready, she can be found reading, exercising, and crafting.
Taylor Vaughn (She/Her)
Program Manager - Westwood Opportunity Center
Taylor joined the Dream Team in April 2022 as the Program Coordinator at Westwood Opportunity Center and became the Program Manager in December 2022. Prior to joining the Dream Team, Taylor worked as a High School Fine Arts teacher in Denver. Taylor is originally from Denver, Colorado, and has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Education from the University of Northern Colorado and she has a Colorado educators license to teach K-12 Theatre.
Taylor brings a high level of empathy to her work daily and is passionate about teaching youth as well as spreading kindness. Additionally, Taylor loves the passion that other Dream Team members bring to this work!
In her free time, Taylor loves going to Target, doing puzzles, and enjoying brunch at spots around town!
Toni Herr (She/Her)
Systems Advocacy Intern
Toni joined the Dream Team as a Systems Advocacy Intern in August 2023. She is originally from Denver, Colorado. Toni received her Bachelor of Arts in Entertainment Industry Studies with a minor in Public Relations from Belmont University and is pursuing her Master of Social Work from Baylor University.
Toni values acceptance and recognizes that everyone is coming to their day with their identity and challenges and successes. She knows the importance of meeting each person where they are at. She is excited to work on the Dream Team this year!
When Toni is not supporting the Systems Advocacy needs of clients, youth, and families within the program, she enjoys reading, spending time with her dog, and embroidering. She also loves dance and theater!
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Vincent Robinson (He/Him)
College & Career Program Manager & Clinical Extern
Vincent joined the Dream Team in June 2023 as the College & Career Program Manager. He is originally from Fayetteville, North Carolina. Vincent has a Master of Arts in Sport and Performance Psychology from the University of Denver and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology from The University of Denver. During his doctoral program, Vincent will complete a portion of his practicum hours with our clinical team, providing 1:1 and small-group mental health therapy!
Vincent feels highly fulfilled in his work on the Dream Team. He is passionate about addressing systemic inequalities that have historically contributed to the education gap between marginalized and non-marginalized groups. His favorite part about working on this team is the intentionality everyone brings to their work with the youth.
When Vincent is not exploring creative ways to engage our high-school-age youth in the program, you can find him playing pick-up basketball or attending local comedy shows!