We’re known for our transdisciplinary team approach to serving children and families. Our gifted staff of Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments, Teaching Assistants, Speech and Language Pathologists, Physical, Occupational, Horticultural and Music Therapists, and Ophthalmologists move beyond a discipline-specific approach. Working collaboratively, they provide the best in early intervention and childhood education services for the remarkable children and families we serve. Together, we are Anchor Center.
Get to know us a little better and see why our collaboration sets us apart.
As a team, their collective credentials and expertise include: Certification as Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI) and Certification in Orientation & Mobility (O&M).
Allison Alterman, TSVI
(303) 377-9732 ext 112 email
Melinda Carter, TSVI; O&M
(303) 377-9732 ext 123 email
Jessica Hank, TSVI
(303) 377-9732 ext 144 email
Eathan Holtz, TSVI
(303) 377-9732 ext 115 email
Tammy Miller, TSVI
(303) 377-9732 ext 154 email
Margi Moldane, TSVI
(303) 377-9732 email
Melissa “Covi” Rodriguez, TSVI
(303) 377-9732 ext 112 email
Erin Rupe, TSVI
CVI Initiative Manager
(303) 377-9732 ext 118 email
Teresa Vu-Fountain, TSVI
(303) 377-9732 ext 170 email
Collectively, our teaching staff has over 35 years of experience in the field of education and early intervention.
As a team, their collective credentials and expertise include: Certification in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE); expertise in Early Intervention, Assessments, Deaf-Blindness, and Assistive Technologies.
Tamara Gibson, ECE
(303) 377-9732 email
Lashley Rhodes, ECE
(303) 377-9732 email
Oz Spies
(303) 377-9732 email
Caroline Vaszauskas, ECSE
Preschool Coordinator
(303) 377-9732 ext 151 email
Collectively, our therapists have over 55 years of professional experience providing therapeutic services to children with blindness, visual impairments, and deaf/blindness.
As a team, their collective credentials and expertise include: Certification in Speech/Language Pathology (SLP), Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT), Recreational Therapy (RT), and Music Therapy (MT); and expertise in early child development, communication, feeding, sleep, positioning, and sensory-based therapies.
Laura Ganguli, MT
Music Therapist
(303) 377-9732 ext 116 email
Gina Higbie, OT
Infant Toddler Coordinator
(303) 377-9732 ext 143 email
Ali Huckins, LPC, BCBA
Developmental Psych Consultant
(303) 946-1097 email
Erin Lovely
Horticulture Therapist
(303) 377-9732 ext 114 email
Jennifer Parham, CCC, SLP
Speech/Language Pathologist – Preschool
(303) 377-9732 ext 165 email
Allison Michaeli, CCC, SLP
Speech/Language Pathologist – Toddlers
(303) 377-9732 ext 165 email
Lauren Willis, PT
Physical Therapist
(303) 377-9732 ext 127 email
Our Program Support team has over 50 years of collective experience serving children with vision impairments.
As a team, their expertise includes: curriculum planning, literacy, braille, vision services and screening and early childhood
Simone Craig
Teaching Assistant
(303) 377-9732 ext 143
Johanna Covarrubias Ponce
Teaching Assistant
(303) 377-9732 ext 167
Oz Spies
Teaching Assistant
(303) 377-9732 ext 127
Katelyn Swan
Teaching Assistant
(303) 377-9732 ext 124
Together, our Family Services team has over 35 years of experience working in the fields of patient and family advocacy and disabilities.
They have an impressive breadth of expertise in social work, family services, developmental disabilities, mental health, special education, child development and vision services.
Courtney Albers
Referral and Registration Manager
(303) 377-9732 ext 133 email
Naomi Aitken
Student Records and Data Coordinator
(303) 377-9732 ext 13 email
Julie Dani
Family Resource Coordinator
(303) 377-9732 ext 117 email
Melissa Hart
Operations Manager – Eye Clinic
303.377.9732, Ext. 135
Our Development and Community Relations team has over 45 years of collective experience in fund development and awareness.
Their expertise spans the fields of fundraising, volunteerism, marketing and public relations, with specialties in major gifts, events, grants, marketing, media relations, campaigns and appeals.
Naomi Aitken
Student Records and Data Entry Coordinator
(303) 377-9732 ext 130 email
Melissa Morris
Communications & Events Manager
(303) 377-9732 ext 142 email
Savannah Wippel
Director of Development and Community Relations
(303) 377-9732 ext 156 email
Our Administrative Services team supports the daily administrative duties entailed in operating Anchor Center’s nonprofit educational functions.
They have experience in providing professional services and administrative support to teachers, practitioners, managers and volunteers.
Michael Barla
Office/Facility Manager
(303) 377-9732 ext 110 email
Our Executive Leadership team is charged with supporting the smooth sailing and navigation of Anchor Center, fiscally, operationally and programmatically.
Collectively, they have over 65 years of experience in nonprofit management, with expertise in governance, fundraising, financial management, strategic planning and program development.
Meghan Klassen
Executive Director
(303) 377-9732 ext 113 email
Tamara (Tammy) Miller, TSVI
Director of Children’s Programs
(303) 377-9732 ext 154 email
Regina Kolc, CPA
Director of Finance
(303) 377-9732 ext 125 email
Savannah Wippel
Director of Development and Community Relations
(303) 377-9732 ext 156 email
Charles (Chic) Naumer, Ph.D
Board President
Matt Morris, CPS
Treasurer
Doug Weiss, MBA
First Vice President & President Elect
Jill Hollingsworth, AFR
Second Vice President
General Members:
Dave Bahr, M.Mus.
Wendee Crowley
Matthew Harrington
Suzanne Hoover, M.S.
Maria Kunz
Jenae Neiman, MBA, RN, BSN
Robert Olson, MBA
Anna Steele, MD
Suzanne Wanamaker
Susie Winders, JD
Edie Zusman, MD, MBA, FAANS
Murri Bishop
Former Anchor Center Board Member; Delta Gamma
Cheryl Blankenship
Former Anchor Center Board Member, Delta Gamma
Elizabeth Brenner
VP Foundation, Denver Delta Gamma Alumnae Group
Silvia M. Correa-Torres, Ed.D., COMS
Professor of Special Education, Doctoral Program Coordinator, School of Special Education at University of Northern Colorado
Nancy Cozart
Teacher for the Visually Impaired, Littleton Public Schools
Fred Davis
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leader
Rob DeHerrera
Executive Director at Developmental Disabilities Resource Center
Matt Duncan
Former Anchor Board Member; Former Anchor Center Advisory Council Chair; Principal, Pie Consulting and Engineering
Kelly Dunkin
President and CEO at Community First Foundation, Delta Gamma
Lori Frisher
Spokesperson and motivational speaker for nonprofits, especially disability organizations
Jill Hollingsworth
Anchor Center Advisory Committee Chair; Anchor Center Board Member, Retired Corporate Communications Leader, Delta Gamma
Mary Lou Johnson
Retired from Children’s Hospital Colorado (speech-language pathologist); Delta Gamma
Robert Keyser, M.D.
Ophthalmologist, Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine at Anschutz Medical Campus
Gwen Lillis, Ph.D.
Chair of the Lillis Foundation; Board Member, University of Puget Sound; Chair, Lundquist College of Business/University of Oregon; Delta Gamma
Lindsey Linden
Owner/Founder Lindsey Linden (Events), Former development staff at Children’s Hospital Colorado; Delta Gamma
Zoe Morgese
Former Anchor Center Speech Language Pathologist
Julie Mork
Former Anchor Center Board President; Former Managing Director of ECA Foundation; Former Director at Energy Corporation of America; Delta Gamma
Matt Morris
Anchor Center alum parent; Senior Manager, Financial Accounting Advisory Services, Ernst & Young LLP
Kerry Musfeldt
Anchor Center alum parent; Former Anchor Center Board President; Physical Therapist
Jenae Neiman, MBA, RN, BSN
VP, Research Operations, Children’s Hospital Colorado; Former Pediatric Oncology/BMT RN
Robert Olson
Anchor Center Board Member; Retired CFO and Executive VP of Tyco and DISH Network
Michael Perez-Mesa
Anchor Center alum parent
Carol Benson Puchalski
Former Anchor Center Developmental Psychologist; Delta Gamma
Nickie Rico-Bowman
Licensed Occupational Therapist and Early Childhood Special Educator; Owner, Pediatric Therapies
Emily Romero, M.A.
Anchor Center alum; doctoral student and psychology instructor at University of Northern Colorado
Nicole Rueth
Branch Manager, SVP, The Rueth Team (Mortgage Company
Peter Rueth
Integrations Manager, The Rueth Team (Mortgage Company)
Anna Steele, M.D.
Pediatric Ophthalmologist, Children’s Eye Physicians; long-time volunteer, Anchor Eye Exam Program
Kiera Zink
Anchor Center alum parent
At Anchor Center for Blind Children, we commit to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion. We ensure equitable opportunities, eliminating barriers for full participation based on race, gender, orientation, and other identities. We celebrate diversity, valuing unique perspectives in our team and those we serve. Our inclusion efforts focus on creating an environment where everyone feels valued and heard, ensuring diverse representation and active engagement. Recognizing this is an ongoing journey, we are dedicated to continuous reflection and action in our mission for a just and equitable society.
