Our President & CEO
Dave Stalls
Before directing Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado Dave founded and led The Spot youth center in Denver, which nightly attracts high risk and often gang involved adolescents for involvement in Hip Hop culture focused activities such as free music recording studios, magazine creation, break dancing, spoken word, graffiti murals, and also high school GED instruction, job assistance and medical services. Prior to working with youth Dave was an executive within the telecommunications and investment banking industries, a professional public speaker, researcher and student in Veterinary Medicine and Marine Biology, and a football player with the Superbowl Champion Los Angeles Raiders and Dallas Cowboys. Dave graduated from the University of N. Colorado with a degree in zoology. His children, Jon and Tracy are college students and athletes.
Anne Thul - Sports Buddies Specialist
Hi! My name is Anne! I'm the Sports Buddies Manager here at Big Brothers Big Sisters. I love being part of a great organization where I get to meet amazing volunteers, parents, and children! I grew up in Minnesota, went to school there and graduated with a degree in Child Psychology. I was a member of AmeriCorps*NCCC for two years. Through AmeriCorps, I was able to travel all over the Southeast United States doing various service projects. I love playing all sports, going to concerts, and snowboarding as much as possible.
Dean Snyder - Program Specialist
I am a Colorado native though I did spend two years living in Florida. One of the highlights from that time was being able to visit the Salvador Dali museum in St. Petersburg. When the heat and humidity of the Sunshine State became too overwhelming I packed up and headed home and have no intention of leaving any time soon! I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology and have a great interest in all things psychological and related to the workings of the mind. I have been working with children in varying capacities for most of my career, most recently for the YMCA of Metro Denver. I have been an on-call substitute teacher, the director of a before and after school program, and worked extensively with children having both physical and emotional special needs in school settings. In my spare time I enjoy drawing and painting, listening to music and playing guitar, and reading.
Desiree Ott - Customer Relations Specialist
My name is Desiree Ott. I have been with Big Brothers Big Sisters since October of 2002. I was born and raised in Colorado. I enjoy all of the outdoor activities that Colorado has to offer. My favorite things to do are go skiing and hiking with my daughter. I love to travel but, wish I could travel more. My favorite trip has been to Hawaii, where I learned to scuba dive and surf. My husband and I are having a great time figuring out where in the world we would like to travel. So far we have concluded that we will have to win the lottery to be able to travel to all the places we want to go such as Italy and Africa.
Dustin Hailey - Program Specialist
Born and raised right here in Colorado, I actually lived just down the street from Big Brothers Big Sisters as a kiddo before moving to Fort Collins in the 6th grade. I graduated from Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, where I studied Psychology and Business Administration. After graduation, I left for a year of adventure in the Australian Outback. My current interests include: eating, exploring, painting, playing outside, finding ways to turn ANYTHING into a competition, and spending time with my beautiful wife, Karen. Last but not least, I hope to someday have a pet fox. Prior to joining Big Brothers Big Sisters in September 2011, I worked with a Residential Treatment Facility in Northern Colorado, providing mentor services to at-risk and adjudicated youth through the Division of Youth Corrections (DYC). I believe in the powerful, lasting effects of mentoring and I’m honored to work with the dedicated volunteers of Big Brothers Big Sisters Colorado!
Jeff Eliassen - Program / Enrollment Support
I grew up in Colorado playing wiffle ball and "3-seconds-left-on-the-clock" basketball with my friends. I also played music and drew pictures, and had a sweet tooth to rival most anyone. I went to college for music in Los Angeles at California Institute of the Arts. I lived there for 4+ years playing music professionally, before moving back to Colorado to get more involved in the community. I have been a Big Brother in our program since July '05 and taught Special-needs at a DPS elementary school before joining the BBBS staff in June '06!
Jill Rodgers - Program Specialist
Jill moved to Colorado from Milwaukee, Wisconsin in November 2009, where she worked for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee. Prior to working in non-profit, she was a teacher and taught in Japan, England, Nevada, and Wisconsin. Jill is an avid Packer, Badger, and Brewers fan and enjoys doing just about anything outdoors. She is looking forward to exploring Colorado and is enjoying the beautiful weather. She is also looking forward to improving her skiing skills and doing a lot of biking.
Josh Burris - Program Specialist
I was born and raised in Colorado and I love it here when the weather is nice and warm. When it is cold and too much snow…well I have a bit of a hard time, but I am usually able to handle it. I have been involved in sports most of my life. I enjoy track (sprints only), football and basketball to name a few. I try to play as much as I can whenever an opportunity arises. My absolute favorite sport is tennis; I have taught tennis for the past 7 years to inner-city youth. I also had the opportunity to work as an intern and a volunteer (my Junior and Senior years in college) in a Program called First Serve at the Boys & Girls Club in Fort Collins, Colorado which was awesome.
I received my Bachelors Degree in Speech Communication with a concentration in Media Studies from Colorado State University. I love to meet new people and get to know them. I always enjoy being around people, whether they are youth or adults, and I try to help in anyway I can. I cannot express in words how glad I am that BBBS of Colorado exists and I am so excited to work with the outstanding individuals on staff here who care so much about others and are focused on making a positive change in the community. I look forward to giving my best effort to serve you.
Kirsten Eastwood - Program Team Supervisor
Born and raised in Colorado, I love all this great state has to offer! I split my weekends staying at a lake near Fort Collins wakeboarding and waterskiing in the summer, and playing in the snow at a cabin in Grand Lake in the winter. I also love to take my chocolate lab Caddie for hikes, travel to warm places, and listen to live music. A proud alumnus of Colorado State University, I managed to graduate in four (and a half!) years with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies. I worked at a residential treatment center for kids with mental health needs prior to coming to work for Big Brothers Big Sisters in Nov 2006.
Liz Bertrand - Impact Specialist
I am a transplant from the Chicago ‘burbs who grew tired of the brutal winters and flatness of the Midwest, and came to Colorado for some sunshine and mountains. Motivated by a desire to give back after studying Mass Communications and Creative Writing in college, I arrived about 3 years ago for an AmeriCorps program called the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC). I traveled all over the United States with a team of other NCCC members providing direct service for non-profits that were in need of extra help. After my term of service was complete, I decided that one year of AmeriCorps just wasn’t enough, so in 2009 I accepted an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado, working to recruit volunteers and network within the Aurora community. I’m excited to be back as a Program Specialist where I will be working directly with the kids and families we serve, and volunteers that dedicate their time to impact a child’s life. In my free time you can find me enjoying the outdoors as much as possible whether it’s hiking, camping, playing Frisbee, gardening, skiing or running. I also love writing, traveling (whenever my bank account allows), cooking, live music, and yoga.
Mele Cabral - Program Specialist
Hey! My name is Mele (rhymes with jelly) and I am a Program Specialist for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado. I am very excited to be a part of this great organization and work with so many wonderful people! I was born in Indiana, but grew up in Colorado. I returned to the Hoosier state for college and attended a small school called Valparaiso University, where I played soccer and earned a degree in social work. Although I learned to appreciate the corn fields, I missed the clear blue skies and mountains of Colorado. So I returned home to attend graduate school at the University of Denver. I’m very happy to be back in Colorado and have been enjoying snowboarding and hiking in the mountains, as well as cheering on the Buffs! I love to be outdoors, play sports, travel, and spend time with my friends and family.
Mike Fye - Sports Buddies Program Specialist
I have lived in Lakewood, Colorado for most of my life but was born in Miami, Arizona. I graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in 2006 where I majored in English and minored in coaching and media studies. I am happily married and my wife and I have a yellow lab named Bailey. I am a sports nut and love to play and watch just about any sport out there and also enjoy coaching. I enjoy being outdoors and hiking in the mountains and have a passion for music and playing and collecting percussion instruments. Before coming to Big Brothers Big Sisters I worked with The Patu Foundation and was also a freelance sports writer. I came to BBBS because I have always been passionate about working with kids and finding ways to help them succeed.
Nikki DiGioia - Sports Buddies Program Specialist
Hi, my name is Nikki, and I am thrilled to be a part of this fabulous organization. I am originally from Chicago, Illinois, and I moved out to Colorado a year and a half ago. This is definitely the place for me as I consider Colorado an adult playground. I love to ski, hike, bike, play soccer and enjoy the scenery in this beautiful state. Before moving, I attended the University of Illinois and graduated with a degree in Education. When I was finished with college, I pursued my dream of traveling around Europe. I moved to London for half a year as a substitute teacher, and I was able to visit 10 different countries. Once I returned to the States I took a job as a sixth grade Social Studies teacher in Thornton. I look forward to the opportunity of working with children outside of the classroom. My hope in working with Big Brothers Big Sisters is to provide the little’s with an opportunity to flourish both academically and socially with the help of a stable, fun, and encouraging mentorship.
Patrick Caldwell - Program Team Supervisor
I was born in Michigan and grew up in California where I enjoyed hiking and camping in the Sierra Nevada. The view from the top of Yosemite's Half Dome if great! I received a bachelor of arts in geography and a teaching credential from Humboldt State University, a small college on the coast near the Oregon border. Afterwards, I spent a number of years teaching redwood ecology to elementary school students in the forested mountains above Santa Cruz. Tiring of the wet, wet, winters; my wife and I decided we were interested in a change. Summer vacations in Crested Butte were my introduction to the Centennial state. I have lived in Littleton for two years.
Rachel Clement - Program Specialist
Hello! My name is Rachel Clement and I am a Program Specialist for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado. I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, and graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a concentration in Spanish. I’ve taught English to recent immigrants to Denver from Sudan to El Salvador and have also spent significant time teaching English abroad in Austria, Costa Rica, and Ecuador. I’m a “Big” myself and am passionate about mentoring and the amazing friendship that develops from it. In my free time I enjoy traveling, practicing my Spanish and German, reading, snowboarding, and floor hockey!
Rachel Bell - Program Specialist
I am very excited to be working with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado! A few years ago I was an AmeriCorps VISTA with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee and loved my experience there. My favorite part was organizing events for the children like taekwondo and break dancing. I love traveling and have spent time in Namibia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Austria. My most recent experience abroad was in India working with Tibetan refugees and teaching ESL to first and second graders. I earned my bachelors degree in History with a minor in Latin American Studies at Elon University in North Carolina.
Rachel Francis-Barnes - Program Specialist
I grew up in a small town in Nebraska - a farm girl through and through. I moved to Colorado after graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Human Relations. Before coming to Big Brothers Big Sisters, I worked with children and their families in various capacities over the years. My most rewarding experience was working directly with families struggling with domestic violence and substance abuse. In all of my work experiences, I have found that volunteers can make a huge impact in the lives of children so I'm thrilled to join in the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Outside of work, all my spare time is spent with my husband and our two daughters, Lena and Ivy.
Sandy Karr - VP Program
I grew up in Nebraska and am a Husker fan thru and thru. I love living in Colorado and love seeing the mountains each and every day. I have always been involved with children and families in some capacity. I have been with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado since July of 2000. I believe the way to impact the lives of others is by impacting one child at a time. That is what mentoring is all about.
Sarah Robinson - Sports Buddies Program Specialist
I have worked with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado since October 2009. First as the Development Assistant and now as a Sports Buddies Program Specialist. I am from Arlington, Texas but grew up in Aurora, Colorado. I studied Nonprofit Administration at University of Northern Colorado. I currently serve as a Denver Court Appointed Special Advocate and I have been involved with a local youth camp for 5 years. I played varsity lacrosse in high school and a little club in college. I love learning new sports and am always up for the challenge. I really enjoy Colorado and try to take advantage of what it has to offer. In this new position I am most excited to see our Littles build confidence. I see what a mentor along with playing a sport can do for a child and it’s pretty awesome! (I also might be looking forward to not sitting in my cubicle all the time and getting to play on Saturdays!)
Sally Stoker - Director of Education and Training
My name is Sally Stoker and I am the Training and Professional Development Coordinator for BBBSC. I've lived in Colorado for many years, and can't think of another place I'd rather be. I love all kinds of outdoor activities as well as reading, going to movies and plays, and hanging out with my family and friends. I come to BBBSC with a background as both a public school teacher and counselor. I've also worked as a trainer and consultant with schools and agencies across the country in the field of violence prevention. My desire to make this world a better place for all our children has led me to my job here at BBBSC where I have the opportunity to work with like-minded adults who want to make a difference in the lives of children.
Sean Kenney - Impact Specialist
Before joining the Big Brothers Big Sisters program team, I worked with refugee youth as Youth Program Manager at the African Community Center in Denver. A Colorado native, I attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, where I studied cultural anthropology and Spanish/Portuguese language and culture. My interests in culture, identity, and youth programming led me to supervise community-based volunteer projects in Paraguay, teach at a student summer camp in Luoyang, China, and work with a Brazilian NGO on public health, gender, and youth issues. I feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of a team and an organization that is passionate about youth development and building meaningful relationships.
Tennille Pippenger - Education and Community Resource Manager
First and foremost, I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of the BBBS team and greatly look forward to meeting and working with you. The mentorships/relationships formed and sustained through the organization are so inspiring and I applaud you! I’m coming to BBBS with a background in education, more specifically working with special needs children, mentoring foster children, and parenting education. I graduated from Metropolitan State College of Denver with a B.A. in Writing and a minor in Modern Cultural Studies, which leads me to my favorite past-time activities; writing screenplays and stage-plays, film, art, music and traveling. Most recently I spent some time in India studying Hindi Cinema, and my next adventure in the works is a trip across Europe for my 30th birthday!
Stephanie Peetz - Program Specialist
I graduated from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in 2009 with a degree in Communications and I am currently working on a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy through Regis University. I have a strong desire to impact the lives of children, adolescents, and families. I have worked with youth from a variety of backgrounds and ages for most of my life. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, spending time with friends and family, swimming, and traveling. I am excited to be joining the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado team and look forward to developing quality relationships and support for youth, volunteers, and families.
Alissa Benjamin - Program Specialist
I’m a Colorado girl as I was both born and raised here in the Denver metro area! I moved to Iowa for college where I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Spanish from Cornell College. After graduating I spent several months volunteering with street children in Ecuador and traveling through different parts of South America. I absolutely love being back in beautiful Colorado now and I am really excited about working at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado! I enjoy snowboarding, being outdoors and even though I played volleyball in college, basketball is probably my favorite sport. Along with loving sports, I also love spending time with family and friends, reading, traveling, listening to music, watching movies, scrapbooking, and eating. My favorite foods are peanut butter and nutella.
Curtis Salas - Sports Buddies Program Specialist
Hi, my name is Curtis Salas. I am a Sports Buddies Program Specialist here at Big Brothers Big Sisters. I was raised in southern Colorado, and have lived there my entire life. Growing up I spent the majority of my time around sports, playing football, basketball, and baseball all throughout high school and was fortunate enough to play baseball at Colorado State University. I originally attended CSU in pursuit of a degree in engineering, but soon realized my passion was in helping others which led me to my Bachelors in Social Work. It has always been a dream of mine to combine my passion of sports and desire to work with youth. I am very excited to be a member of the Sports Buddies team and look forward to my experience here.
Alex Monk - Sports Buddies Program Specialist
I’m really excited to be a part of an organization as worthwhile as Big Brothers Big Sisters. I was born and raised just up the road in Greeley, Colorado where I spent most of my time playing outside, either soccer or home-run-derby in the back yard or skiing every day I could. I have three little sisters who still live in Northern Colorado, so I get back up there when I can. Since high school, I’ve lived in Boulder, Michigan, New England, Spain and most recently Chile but now, I very happily call Denver home. I’ve worked a lot of jobs in a lot of places but I’ve never been as passionate about an organization’s vision as I am about BBBS’, which is why I’m so happy to be here working with my community.
Sergio Munoz - Sports Buddies Program Specialist
I have always had a passion for helping and changing people’s lives. I know that with Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) I can do just that. Their vision and mission is aligned with mine and I am grateful to be part of great organization. I was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico and attended the University of New Mexico. Before BBBS I work for a charter school there I was able to work with youth and teach them about the importance of giving back to their community through a program called Service Learning. I strongly believe that we need to mentor and focus on building our youth of today because they are our future leaders. I am so excited to be part of an organization that focuses on the well-being of our young generations. Denver is now my home and I am excited to give back to this wonderful community.
