Meg has enjoyed an exciting career in the mental health and care management fields. She has always been fascinated by the potential and resiliency of individuals and has dedicated herself to exploring these with clients. Her clients describe her as attentive, kind, curious, and always chipper.
Her career began with directing a non-profit crisis hotline while attending the University of Virginia. After which she transitioned to serve youth with behavioral concerns. It was during this time that she developed a passion for serving individuals with traumatic brain injury as well as serving clients with severe mental health concerns such as bipolar disorder and psychosis.
Meg decided to return to school and attended the University of Washington for Clinical Social Work. Following this, she joined Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, WA working with individuals seeking neurology and rehab services as well as serving in Emergency Departments providing crisis care and evaluation of clients experiencing severe mental health episodes and psychosis.
After several years of observing the frequency with which clients returned to the emergency department, the struggle with long-term recovery, and the confusion with navigating available resources, Meg decided to transition to private care management to bridge the missing gap in services.
In her free time Meg can be found loving on any and all animals. She and her husband love to rock climb, ski, and travel. They love a good laugh and enjoy spreading the joy of Colorado to family, friends, and clients!
Paul is the engine behind Stride and allowed the dream to come to life. He is a technical and systems expert, entrepreneur, and software engineer to his core. He has a deep passion for helping others find and reach their potential.
He has accrued over 12 years of experience with top companies such as Microsoft, AOL, and Fullstack Digital, and has served countless others (big and small) as a consultant and/or developer to help them problem solve and grow. He is instrumental in Stride’s evolution of back-end systems and processes and keeps us all up to date on the latest technology and available services.
Paul’s natural humorous and empathetic nature is unique and refreshing and he has a special eye for identifying other’s talents and aptitudes. He applies his expertise, patience, and creativity with clients looking to take ownership of their finances and/or branch out into an entrepreneurial endeavor.
In his free time he can be found skiing, rock climbing, gaming, or developing new side projects. He is always looking for the next challenge!
Ashley has a diverse background in the world of business, psychology, and social work. Her personal hero is social worker, Brené Brown, and lives by her quote: “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” She aims to partner with clients by guiding them in finding strength in vulnerability and empowering them to be the author of their own life story.
She started her career in the child welfare system working with adolescents living in the foster care system. Through providing individual therapy and case management, she was inspired by the resiliency of the human spirit. From there, she worked at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in an individual therapy setting for adults and adolescents. During her time here, she began researching factors that lead to recidivism rates of psychiatric hospitalizations. This research inspired her to work in a setting where she could focus on crisis stabilization that promoted emotional resiliency and empowerment.
Ashley then transitioned to a prominent mental health and addictions hospital in Colorado She became the primary Adult Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) therapist. She worked to develop a 40 hour curriculum, utilizing evidence based approaches, to promote stabilization following inpatient hospitalization for both mental health and substance use reasons. This program expanded to include military and first responders, which led to incorporating trauma focused work. She grew a passion for crisis work and program development. She was promoted to Clinical Outpatient Program Manager and oversaw the expansion of outpatient services for adult and adolescent PHP/IOP programming. Her wealth of experience with mental health programming combined with her kind and creative nature provides an amazing support to her clients. Ashley loves working with clients to identify their goals and partner with them throughout their journey.
As a Colorado native, Ashley loves anything and everything outdoors. She is hoping to adopt a dog soon to join her, as she is always looking for the next adventure!
Driven by a lifelong passion for mental health and family well-being, Liz brings over 30 years of expertise to her role as Engagement Director. She is excited to help further our connections with the community and families seeking family-centered, home-based support across the country.
Throughout her career, she has led transformative mental health programs, enhanced inpatient and outpatient care strategies, and streamlined admissions processes. More recently, Liz has collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop improved support services that empower individuals and their families within their communities.
A proud Boston University graduate and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Liz is dedicated to guiding families, adolescents, and young adults through life’s challenges. Her extensive professional network has been instrumental in creating partnerships that drive long-term success in the field. She is looking forward to partnering with other industry leaders to help our novel approach to care and independence reach those in need!
Outside of work, Liz enjoys quality time with her husband and their two beloved dogs, Andy and Gretel. A passionate hot yoga practitioner and concert-goer, she brings the same energy and balance to her personal life that she encourages in her clients.
Katie’s career in social work has been driven by her passion for serving others and people describe Katie as empathetic, driven, and persistent. Her introduction to serving others began at a young age when her parents would bring her to soup kitchens on the weekends. They would work with the Missionaries of Charity and even Mother Teresa herself sometimes!
After obtaining her undergrad in social work, Katie volunteered at an orphanage in Ecuador for 10 months. During that time she taught reading/writing and spearheaded a fundraiser to support the girls’ continued education. Upon her return to the States, Katie joined the Advanced Standing program at Kean University and obtained her Masters in Social Work. In her social work career, Katie has had experience running therapeutic groups and giving psychoeducational lectures while working with adults and adolescents struggling with mental health concerns in an Intensive Outpatient Program. Katie expanded her skillset by working as an individual and family mental health therapist for clients of all ages and mental health challenges. She loves partnering with clients holistically to help them move forward in all areas of life!
In her free time Katie can be found enjoying the great outdoors, asking strangers to pet their dogs, burning her toast, hiking anywhere she can find, and spending time with her friends and family. Katie is energetic, goal oriented, and understanding – qualities she brings into each and every session!
Greta’s passion for serving others began when she started shadowing her mother at her job, serving youth with behavioral concerns in an intermediate school district. This experience was the catalyst for a fascination with Family Systems that has driven her career. Greta is also enrolled in a youth mentor program and has been a mentor for a young girl for roughly four years. Her mentee continues to be her inspiration to empower and advocate for others.
Greta received her Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Minnesota Duluth, where she minored in Early Childhood Studies. She then became a case manager for women and children experiencing domestic violence in an emergency shelter in Wisconsin. Greta decided to move from the Midwest to Colorado to pursue her Masters of Social Work at the University of Denver, focusing on Family Systems and Animal-Assisted Social Work. She then took a job as a Behavioral Health Therapist on a substance dependence treatment wing for men in a community corrections setting. Over the years, Greta has served many populations and has been described as caring, organized, and reliable.
When not at work, Greta can be found walking her dog, Leo, watching standup comedy, spending time in the mountains, and trying new restaurants with friends.
Paulette has a passion for helping clients recognize and utilize their unique strengths in order to move towards personal success. Empathetic in nature, she ensures each client feels supported and heard. She employs a collaborative approach to treatment; helping individuals and their families move towards healthier, happier, more independent lives.
Paulette began her career working with children as a behavioral therapist at The Children’s Home. Here she saw the immense value of a family system’s approach and how it progresses the whole family forward together. She then transitioned to supporting individuals struggling with substance use in an inpatient setting, First Step Home. She employed case management and therapeutic techniques helping women with severe substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders to find sobriety and stability in their lives. After assessing and diagnosing clientele, she was able to collaborate closely with her clients to create effective and individualized treatment plans for long term recovery. Paulette brings a fresh energy and attention to detail in her partnership with clients!
When Paulette is not working, you can find her spending time in nature, with friends and family, or with her dogs, Lucy and Poppy. She is an avid animal lover and baker. She is still working on perfecting her favorite dessert, lemon bars!
Joel has worked in the field of social work for seven years and has experience working in trauma, case management, and mental health. He was born and raised in Ontario, Canada and moved to the United States for University, which he attended in the Midwest.
Having begun his career as a caseworker in the field of domestic violence, Joel has worked closely with other agencies to provide safety and mental health services to victims and offenders. He has spent much of his career working with children and families that have experienced trauma and mental health issues, addressing crisis, and helping clients develop skills to overcome obstacles for daily living. Joel also has experience working in foster care specifically in certification of foster homes and training families to overcome behavioral challenges related to trauma and mental health.
In his free time Joel enjoys backpacking, running, biking, and spending time with his family (including his dog Kipp!). He also enjoys working on housing projects including renovation and interior design.
Madison, originally from Indiana, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from DePauw University and a Master of Science degree in Counseling from Indiana University of Indianapolis. She spent a large part of her career as a partial hospitalization therapist, as well as an intensive outpatient therapist at a Denver hospital for clients struggling with acute symptoms associated with mental health and addiction. Her passion for the field amplified as she saw all of the immense progress her clients made in treatment, and she hasn’t looked back since.
Passionate about employing an existential approach, Madison believes in fostering meaningful relationships with her clients to empower them in finding purpose. Her compassionate, detail-oriented, and goal-focused nature drives her commitment to pushing each client towards realizing their full potential.
During her free time, Madison enjoys reading with her black cat, Koda, by her side, cheering on the Indianapolis Colts, and exploring the outdoors with her husband, Logan, and nearly pet therapy certified golden retriever, Goose.
Kassidy is a Denver transplant originally from Kansas City, MO. Kassidy believes she has always been a helper by nature therefore has a difficult time nailing down one instance in which she felt called to the social work profession.
Kassidy earned her Bachelor of Social Work with a minor in psychology from The University of Central Missouri. While in school, she worked as a tech in a 21-day residential facility for adults with substance use disorders. Upon graduating, she transitioned into a case management role, providing community-based services to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. Here, she guided a diverse population of adults in developing life-skills and accessing resources in line with their personal desires and ambitions. These experiences combined solidified Kassidy’s passion for the profession. She then decided to pursue Master’s level education to more effectively serve others, earning her Master of Social Work, with clinical specialization, from The University of Kansas. Since, Kassidy has provided group therapy at both Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient levels of care for individuals experiencing substance misuse.
Kassidy is passionate about applying a systems perspective in her work. Her favorite thing about what she does is building meaningful relationships and guiding people toward the resources and education necessary to achieve overall wellness. Past clients describe Kassidy as attentive, passionate, and patient within her professional roles.
Outside of work, you can find Kassidy browsing around a local thrift shop or taking a group fitness class (indoor cycling is her favorite!). She also enjoys live music and being outdoors with her husband and their fur-daughter, Koda.
Alex’s journey began in St. Paul, MN, and over a decade ago, it led her to the scenic landscapes of Boulder, CO, where she pursued a BA in Environmental Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder. From a young age, Alex developed a deep love and respect for the environment, animals, and a commitment to helping those in need. This passion guided her to a fulfilling role with an organization dedicated to supporting children, young adults, and families grieving the loss of a loved one.
The rewarding experience of providing compassionate and empathetic care to individuals in grief inspired Alex to further her education and become a social worker. She earned her Master of Social Work degree from the metropolitan State University of Denver.
Alex’s time working in a partial hospitalization program honed her skills in providing individual and family therapy, conducting biopsychosocial assessments, and managing crises for youth and families facing mental health challenges. Additionally, she has enjoyed working with neurodiverse children and adults through Applied Behavior Analysis therapy.
Alex is dedicated to embracing and supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds, using a collaborative and nonjudgmental approach in all aspects of client care. She looks forward to working with you and offering personalized, empathetic support tailored to your unique needs. In her free time, Alex enjoys long walks with her dog, Ozzy, getting her hands dirty in her garden, and spending as much time as possible in the mountains!
Sydney graduated from Rutgers University in New Jersey with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Throughout her undergraduate degree, Sydney learned about the profession of social work, and immediately knew she found her passion. Sydney moved to Denver to pursue her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Denver, with a concentration focus in Mental Health.
Sydney worked as a Victim’s Advocate, fostering her skills in crisis intervention, risk assessment, and community knowledge/engagement. Sydney also had a clinical focused role in behavioral health within the emergency department setting, working with all different psychiatric needs from clients, implementing a holistic, trauma informed, and psychosocial approach.
Sydney believes that all clients are the experts of their own story, and is keen on collaboration, empathy, and empowerment with client care. Sydney strives to create a non-judgmental environment and builds meaningful relationships to help guide her clients to find their purpose and to achieve their goals.
In Sydney’s free time, you can find her trying out new coffee shops, being anywhere in the outdoors, playing tennis with friends, reading too many books, or with her two kitty cats.
BrookLynn graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Colorado Mesa University. She started her career as an Employment Specialist at AllHealth Network, where she assisted job seekers struggling with severe and persistent mental illness by providing resume building, job application, and interview preparation support. BrookLynn is passionate about helping people and organizations achieve their potential and goals.
During this time, BrookLynn earned a master’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Johnson & Wales University. BrookLynn has a strong background in talent development and career services. She has experience as a Lead Functional Consultant where she led clients through end-to-end Eightfold implementations, aligning talent acquisition and talent management solutions with business processes. After developing a passion for implementation she became an Operations Manager for a pediatric practice where she leveraged her knowledge to provide regular training programs to ensure employees were equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to remain within compliance standards.
In her spare time, BrookLynn enjoys exploring new trails, camping, fishing, going to concerts, and writing poetry. She hopes to release a third book and continue exploring new trails!
Deyon holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Sociology from CSU Pueblo and a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Capella University. He is currently pursuing another Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling to deepen his ability to serve individuals and families.
Deyon’s journey has been shaped by his experiences as a military brat, a former professional athlete in the NFL, and his lifelong desire to help others heal from unseen scars and traumas. Growing up with frequent moves, Deyon developed a keen perception of emotions and a passion for helping others, which ultimately led him to the mental health field.
Having worked alongside world-renowned nutritionists, strength and conditioning coaches, and some of the greatest athletes in the world, Deyon uses his platform to promote mental health awareness in young adults through partnerships with organizations like The Jed Foundation via the NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” initiative. He also has extensive experience working with youth, including in special needs classrooms across the Cherry Creek School District, as a behavioral technician providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, and with youth camps and outreach programs supporting children affected by abuse and trauma.
As an African American male in the mental health field, Deyon is passionate about providing representation and being a role model for young African American individuals seeking care. He believes that seeing someone who looks like you in a therapeutic setting can have a profound impact on mental health outcomes. In his free time, Deyon enjoys listening to music, fitness, trying new restaurants, playing video games, reading comic books and manga, and watching anime. He also has a dog named Metro who loves playing fetch.
Kat graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Liberty University located in Virginia. During her senior year, Kat moved from Virginia to Alaska and completed her final semester online. While in Alaska, Kat worked as a school counselor and a Behavioral Health Technician helping to provide ABA therapy for individuals diagnosed with autism.
From a young age, Kat has had the opportunity to work alongside individuals who have experienced major traumas. These experiences have been within hospitals, schools, universities, and personal relationships. As a result, Kat is working to receive her counseling license so that she can provide trauma therapy and trauma informed care for those who may need it. Kat is currently working towards her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University.
When she is not working, Kat can be found paddle boarding, camping, hiking, snowboarding, rock climbing, working out, and traveling.
Cele graduated from the University of Kansas and pursued her passion for helping children and adolescents hospitalized for mental health. As a behavioral health specialist in the emergency department, Cele helped to provide crisis assessments and crisis care to children and their families before focusing her energies on patients with eating disorders.
As a program therapist, Cele spent time facilitating psychoeducational groups, supporting patients as they transitioned through various levels of care, creating relapse prevention plans and providing 1-1 support for patients in crisis and needing meal support.
Cele is hoping to pursue her Masters of Social Work with a specialization in Animal-Assisted Interventions. Her focus continues to be on helping patients sustain recovery and patient advocacy.
During her downtime, Cele loves to paddleboard and ski with her ever-adventurous therapy labradoodle, Goose.
Kendall has always had a heart for serving others, beginning with her work assisting individuals with autism. She enjoyed partnering with her clients to help them find joy in life. Seeing their success in employment, social situations, and connection with their family drove her passion to explore therapeutic and supportive approaches within treatment. She found that a family systems approach served both her clients and their support systems for the long-term, and decided she would study Human Development and Business at Virginia Tech.
Kendall’s passion for helping others meet their needs and take the steps afterwards to achieve their higher level goals compelled her to pursue a position with Stride Denver while beginning her work towards her Master’s. She has an infectious laugh and rapport with clients while offering a direct and pointed approach.
When Kendall is not working, you’ll find her trying new restaurants and breweries, walking her dog, cooking a new recipe, or exploring museums. She recently adopted a cat that keeps her life full of cuddles and sass!
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