Sharon Starkey
Sharon Starkey graduated in 1985 with a degree in Human Relations, now called Nonprofit Leadership and Management from High Point University, and holds an American Humanics Nonprofit Management Certification. Sharon has worked in the field with children and adults in the nonprofit sector and the corporate settings since graduating. Her son was officially diagnosed on the autism spectrum at the age of 6 and she began becoming active in the Autism community. She was on the board of directors for Autism and Asperger Connections from 2014 to 2018. Her husband is also on the spectrum.
Suzanne Johnson
Suzanne Johnson graduated in 2001 with a certificate in accounting/bookkeeping. After graduating she worked in the accounting field in the Bay Area, California from 2001 - 2003. Then, in 2004 she moved to rural Nevada. She worked and lived in rural Nevada as a business bookkeeper for a local school district from 2004 - 2011. In 2011 after her 3rd child was born she moved to Colorado Springs, CO. This was her new journey as a stay at home mom and caregiver. In 2017 she became a licensed CNA in the state of Colorado and takes care of two of her daughters who qualify for CNA hours. Currently, all 5 of her children are diagnosed on the spectrum with other varying disabilities.
Mark Davidson
Mark Davidson began working in the allied healthcare industry in 1988 while serving in the Army as a combat flight medic and transitioned to pediatric nursing in 1991. He has served the greater Colorado Springs area for 30 years while working with children, adults, and families in hospitals and homecare while collaborating with specific groups to raise awareness and seek means to ensure they receive quality care.
Meet the Board of Directors
Brenda Horn
Brenda has been an executive leader in large technology companies for the past 25 years, excelling at building strong teams, strategic planning, and program execution. Recently retired from the corporate world Brenda has shifted her focus to utilize her managerial, organizational and leadership skills to assist non-profit organizations. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Washington University and has lived in the Denver region for the past 22 years.
She has two adult sons, the younger who was diagnosed on the autism spectrum at the age of three. She is enthusiastic about family, self-advocacy, and educational and employment opportunities for all. Her focus is on encouraging others to recognize their full potential and helping them achieve their goals.
William Kramer
Prior to working at Your Choice, William’s dedication to the people he serves was sparked 15 years ago while providing behavioral intervention focused work in Romania for children. He continued his work in Nebraska, as a Behavioral Support Coordinator and later as a Forensic Interviewer. He has 15 years of leadership experience and has worked in nearly every facet of waiver program systems. William has managed a day program, coordinated residential services, and has developed Behavioral Plans for over 200 developmentally/intellectually disabled adults, with a goal of reducing or eliminating their levels of psychotropic medication and other restrictions they faced. William was also a member of the Quality Enhancement Team, and has a strong understanding of regulatory statues and standards for people in services. He loves the work and the fact that he is able to serve this population, and wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
Chris Wingate
Christopher Wingate is a graduate of UCCS and has a bachelors degree in Communications. He writes about autism and has served as the secretary of Autism Vision of Colorado since its founding. He was inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success after graduating from college in 2020. He is on the autism spectrum.
Siddhartha "Sid" Sarkar
Siddhartha Sarkar is a global executive at Philips Healthcare, specializing in strategy, planning and operations. He has an MBA from CEIBS, Shanghai and a Masters in Research from Durham Business School, UK. He is also a futures enthusiast and is currently engaged in a Masters program in Foresight at the University of Houston.
As a proud neurodivergent living the dream on the spectrum, Sid is drawn towards creative arts, which led him to the Pikes Peak Community College to fulfil his long-standing dream of exploring Theatre and Performing Arts.
Sid is a nomad, unattached to and unburdened by traditions, beliefs, or any rigid societal norms, and actively seeks discomfort, for there he finds his growth. At this stage in his life, Sid is determined to help others on the spectrum find their peace and place in society.
Heather Vesel
Heather Vesel is the co-founder of Peak Autism Services. She has been a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) since 2011 and has worked with children with autism using behavior analysis since 2003. She hopes that the passion she has for her job shows in everything she does.
Heather got her master’s degree from St. Cloud State University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
In her free time, Heather loves to travel, camp, hike, and generally anything outdoors. She also enjoys playing the piano, going to concerts, going to sporting events, and shopping.
Her philosophy for living is best expressed by E.B. White who says, “I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world.”
Tara Blanchard
Tara Blanchard moved to Colorado Springs in 2020 to is attend the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) and is majoring in Social Work. After graduation, Tara plans to get her master’s degree in social work and aims to get certified as a Dance Movement Therapist. Since being in the Springs, she has worked as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to children on the Autism Spectrum.
Prior, Tara worked as a Treatment Supervisor at a residential treatment center for at-risk youth, providing evidence-based treatment modalities. In her free time, Tara likes to dance, spend time outdoors, and watch anime. Tara also spends time with friends and family when she is not busy with school.
Tara lives by Brené Brown’s philosophy of "having the courage to show up when you can't control the outcome."
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