Our Team
GLOBAL is made up of diverse professionals who are dedicated to improving the lives of people with Down syndrome through research and medical care. Our Team is made up of staff, board members, and committee members, as well as individuals with Down syndrome, those who have family members with Down syndrome, and friends who are differently-abled. What everyone at GLOBAL shares in common, is a determination to measurably contribute to social justice and equity.
While most of us work from our Denver headquarters, we have staff in several states who work remotely, and our international work has us managing multiple time zones. We like to consider ourselves small but mighty. What we have accomplished since 2009 is truly remarkable. At GLOBAL, we take pride in our work and we are always there for our families, especially when health issues occur. It is rewarding to know that saving and transforming lives at GLOBAL isn’t something we just talk about but something we actually do!
Whether someone works at GLOBAL for one year or ten years, we believe they acquire important skills we hope will help them achieve their goals, and an understanding of the great value people with Down syndrome bring to our society and indeed our world.
Executives & Staff
Executive Team
Michelle Sie Whitten is the President and CEO of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL). She co-founded the organization in 2009, after giving birth to her daughter Sophia, who happens to have Down syndrome. GLOBAL has become the largest non-profit in the U.S. working to save lives and dramatically improve health outcomes for people with Down syndrome.
GLOBAL’s primary focus is to advocate and fundraise for its affiliate organizations with hundreds of scientists and clinicians on groundbreaking Down syndrome research and improved medical care. GLOBAL has donated more than $32 million to establish the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, (“Crnic Institute”), the first Down syndrome research institute supporting over 400 scientists and over 2,000 patients with Down syndrome from 28 states and 10 countries. GLOBAL has a membership of over 150 Down syndrome organizations worldwide and is part of a network of Affiliates – the Crnic Institute, the Sie Center for Down Syndrome at Children’s Hospital Colorado, and the University of Colorado Alzheimer’s and Cognition Center – all on the Anschutz Medical Campus, and the Pilot Adult Down Syndrome Clinic at Denver Health.
GLOBAL’s widely-circulated medical publications include the GLOBAL Medical Care Guidelines for Adults with Down Syndrome©, Prenatal Testing and Information about Down Syndrome, and the award-winning magazine Down Syndrome WorldTM. GLOBAL also organizes the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show, the largest Down syndrome fundraiser in the world, raising over $22 million to date.
Working closely with Congress and the National Institutes of Health, GLOBAL is the lead advocacy organization in the U.S. for Down syndrome research and care. Michelle and her GLOBAL staff lobby Congress to ensure Down syndrome receives its fair share of funding from the federal government. GLOBAL’s hard work has resulted in a quadrupling of the Down syndrome research budget at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), from $27M in 2016 to an estimated $113 in FY2020. GLOBAL is largest funder of Down syndrome research and medical care after the federal government.
Michelle has received several awards for her Down syndrome work over the past decade, including: 17 ICON awards, Denver Business Journal’s Most Admired CEO Award, 2 National Down Syndrome Congress President’s Awards, arc Thrift Stores’ inaugural Distinguished Disability Leadership Award, University of Colorado Regents Award, Western Fantasy Humanitarian of the Year Award, NEWSED Civil Rights Award, Triumphant Woman Award from the Excelsior Youth Center, the Colorado Cross Disability Coalition Award, the inaugural National Football Foundation Community Outreach Award, Rainbow of Hope Award from Keshet of the Rockies, the Developmental Pathways Frances Owens Family Involvement Award, and the Arc Thrift Community Leadership Award.
Michelle sits on the boards of arc Thrift Stores of Colorado, the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, Denver Mayor’s International Council, and Constellation Philanthropy. She has been asked to speak at numerous conventions on Down syndrome advocacy, including the United Nations Headquarters and the Mission of the Holy See in 2012 and 2019.
Prior to her career in the non-profit sector, Michelle was a cable TV pioneer in East Asia working for Liberty Media Corporation and Starz Encore. She worked in the cable industry from 1993 until 2005 and is considered a pioneer in the China media industry. For her work during that time, she received the 40 Under 40 Achievement Award, the Real Women: Outstanding Entrepreneur Award, and the Women in Cable & Telecommunications Walk of Fame Award.
Michelle’s academic career focused on international security and diplomacy. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Regional Studies – East Asia and a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, both from Harvard University. She studied Mandarin Chinese at Peking University and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Tufts University.
Michelle is married to Tom, a British curator of Chinese contemporary art and they have two children,
Sophia and Patrick.
David Tolleson is Vice President-Strategic Alliances for Global Down Syndrome Foundation, the world’s leading Down syndrome medical and research advocacy organization. David oversees GLOBAL’s Membership Programs, the award-winning Down Syndrome WorldTM magazine, and multiple existing and new strategic alliances.
Previously, he served 19 years as Executive Director of the National Down Syndrome Congress, where he oversaw the organization’s advocacy and education work, including the world’s largest convention for people with Down syndrome, their families, and the professionals who work with them. Tolleson was elected to three terms on the Roswell, Georgia City Council and before that was Chief Operating Officer of Southern Druggists, Inc.
David and his wife have two adult children, including one with autism.
David can be reached at 720-584-5634 or dtolleson@globaldownsyndrome.org
Bryn Gelaro serves as Vice President for Research & Medical Care. She has a master’s degree in social work and has experience working in behavioral health with adults with adults with Down syndrome. At GLOBAL, she directly oversees the development and publication of their family and provider facing medical resources, including the Prenatal & Newborn Down Syndrome Information Pamphlet and the COVID-19 and Down Syndrome Resource, both of which she was a contributing author. Most notably, Bryn serves as an executive committee member and co-author of GLOBAL’s Medical Care Guidelines for Adults with Down syndrome (published in JAMA, 2020) and is currently project managing the ongoing second update on the GLOBAL Adult Guideline in collaboration with Down syndrome clinical experts from across the US.
Her department provides important support to GLOBAL’s affiliates, including outreach for the Crnic Institutes ongoing clinical trials and overseeing GLOBAL’s efforts to open a World Class Medical Clinic for adults with Down syndrome and the GLOBAL Adult Pilot Clinic with Denver Health. Bryn has spoken to parents, educators, and medical professionals at conferences across the nation, including at the National Down Syndrome Congress, the Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group, and the Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action.
Bryn earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University (2012) and a master’s in social work from the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service and Administration in (2015). She completed her Master’s graduate field training at the Adult Down Syndrome Clinic in Chicago, where she facilitated social skills groups, completed psychosocial assessments, and occasionally tried to keep up in Zumba class with teens and adults with Down syndrome.
During her free time, Bryn enjoys reading, crafting, and taking care of her suburban farm where she lives with her wife, Chelsey, and their 2-year-old, Sacha.
Bryn can be reached at 720-548-5624 or bgelaro@globaldownsyndrome.org
As the Vice President of Data and Analytics, Dana oversees the health and management of all constituent information. This data supports GLOBAL in its mission to improve the lives of those with Down Syndrome and their families through Research, Medical Care, Education and Advocacy.
Dana earned her Bachelor's degree in Business at the University of Central Florida. She entered the non-profit field by working with major hospital foundations in the Orlanda area. Since then, she has also worked with non-profits in the higher education and social good arenas.
Dana is the proud Mom of three, her oldest, Kyle, who is from Brasil has Down Syndrome. In her spare time Dana and her husband, Todd, enjoy weekend trips to the beach and antiquing. They spend time with their dogs and cats, which are all rescues and also spend time with their family scattered around the state of Florida.
Dana can be reached at 720-548-5614 or dswanson@globaldownsyndrome.org
As Community Development Director, Katie supports the revenue and engagement goals for GLOBAL’s many programs and events, including GLOBAL’s award-winning Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show.
Katie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Health Administration and Policy from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, where she became passionate about equitable health outcomes. Following graduation, she worked for a population health management company before joining the non-profit sector.
Katie is the proud older sister of Hannah, who happens to have Down syndrome. Her personal connection to Down syndrome motivates her daily to further GLOBAL’s mission of significantly improving the lives of individuals with Down syndrome through research, medical care, education, and advocacy.
In her spare time, Katie enjoys traveling, playing tennis, and spending time with her husband and goldendoodle, Max.
Katie can be reached at 720-548-5606 or kreddington@globaldownsyndrome.org
As the Events Senior Director, Tamara manages the logistics of GLOBAL’s two marquee events, the award-winning Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show and the AcceptAbility Gala, as well as other GLOBAL events highlighting the Down syndrome community.
She brings her many years of non-profit and for-profit experience and a broad range of skills to the team. Prior to joining GLOBAL, she worked for nine years at the National Down Syndrome Congress, supporting individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the professionals who serve them with accurate and up-to-date information across the lifespan; cultivated key partnerships and collaborations with local, regional, and national organizations; and planned and executed the largest annual convention specifically for the Down syndrome community. Tamara has presented webinars and workshops at national and regional conferences, on a variety of topics. She also worked for more than 5 years as the Operations Director for The Civic League for Regional Atlanta and 10 years as the Executive Assistant to the President & CEO of Futren Hospitality.
Tamara earned a BS from Florida State University, a Certificate of Non-profit Management and a Certificate of Non-profit Fundraising Essentials from the GA Center for Non-profits, and completed Partners in Policymaking training. She serves on the Advisory Panel for GotTransition.org, the Pandemic Toolkit for I/DD Work Group, and formerly served as the President of the DSA of Atlanta. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and raising her three boys (including her middle son who has Down syndrome) with her husband, in the suburbs of Atlanta.
Tamara can be reached at 720-548-5619 or tpursley@globaldownsyndrome.org
Richard is responsible for providing legal counsel to the Foundation, negotiating and drafting agreements, and advising on a wide range of legal and policy issues. He oversees outside counsel in specialties including government relations, intellectual property, biomedical research, and not-for-profit operations.
Prior to joining Global in 2015, Richard had been an attorney at the Starz television networks for nearly twenty years, serving as Senior Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs. At Starz, Richard was primarily responsible for negotiation and drafting of affiliation agreements with all major cable, satellite and internet distributors for carriage of the Starz networks. Richard was also responsible for the company’s government relations and regulatory compliance activities, and had also served as Counsel for Starz affiliate Encore International. Prior to Starz, Richard had served as a supervisory attorney at the Federal Communications Commission’s Mass Media Bureau in Washington, DC (1994-96). Prior to the FCC, Richard was in private law practice for 16 years in Washington (1978-94), specializing in cable television, broadcast, and copyright law and policy, and representing major Hollywood movie/television studios (the MPAA), broadcast stations, and cable systems before the FCC and other agencies and courts.
Richard graduated from Brandeis University (BA English Literature/Creative Writing, 1975), and Syracuse University College of Law (JD 1978). He’s an avid golfer and music fan.
As the Consulting CFO for GLOBAL, Jeff is responsible for assisting the GLOBAL Board and the President & CEO to create long-term sustainable financials, annual audits and monthly reporting. He supports GLOBAL departments and initiatives with financial supporting financial information throughout the year.
Jeff is a signing director with CLA and has over 30 years of experience serving nonprofit organizations in several capacities. He has served as an auditor, CFO, and consultant with many organizations. Jeff has expertise with religious organizations, foundations, social service organizations, associations, and private schools. Jeff is passionate about implementing cloud-based accounting systems to better serve nonprofits and is a key player with CLA's national Intacct practice. In addition to designing and implementing accounting software, Jeff has experience with reviewing and designing internal controls, financial reporting, dashboards, processes and procedures, and financial planning/analysis. Jeff is also a frequent speaker at nonprofit events.
Jeff is committed to GLOBAL’s mission to significantly improve the lives of people with Down syndrome through Research, Medical Care, Education & Advocacy.
Anca Elena Call is the Senior PR Advisor at the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. Anca is responsible for the Foundation’s awareness outreach to the general public. She oversees press relations, awareness campaigns, and helps with a multitude of special projects. Anca first volunteered for the Foundation at the inaugural Global Down Syndrome Educational Series, featuring the late Dr. William I. Cohen. As she learned more about Down syndrome, the lack of funding and the terrible lack of human and civil rights this population faces, she decided to join the Foundation and help make a difference.
Anca serves on the board of, and Chairs, the Program Committee at the Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association. She is also on the advisory board of the John Lynch Foundation.
Anca joined the Global Down Syndrome Foundation in 2007 from the International Channel Networks where she served as Marketing/Product Specialist, coordinating international premium TV networks. Previously, she was an international sales representative at Micromedex, Inc.
Born and raised in Romania, Anca has significant international experience and has lived and worked in the United States, China and Romania, and has traveled extensively throughout the world. She is fluent in English, Chinese, and Romanian and conversationally fluent in French.
Anca holds a BA degree in Chinese and Romanian language and literature from Bucharest University in Romania and a BA degree in China Studies from the Beijing Language and Culture University. She lives with her two children and her husband, Jeffrey, in Littleton, Colorado.
Anca can be reached at acall@globaldownsyndrome.org
Ashley Sparhawk is the Executive Assistant to the President & CEO and GLOBAL’s Awards Program Manager. She is responsible for assisting with multiple tasks and multi-faceted projects, including but not limited to calendar and time management, overseeing event and travel logistics, managing talent and donor relationships, and establishing and implementing processes and protocols for all staff. Ashley also manages GLOBAL’s three annual organization member award programs which provide much-needed funding to local Down syndrome organizations, the GLOBAL Education Awards, Self-Advocate Employment Initiative Awards, and the COVID-19 Emergency Relief GLOBAL Awards.
Ashley earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from the University of Colorado Denver. Prior to joining the Foundation, Ashley worked as Office Manager at her family’s construction supply company. She always dreamed of pursuing a career in the nonprofit sector, and in 2013 Ashley joined the GLOBAL team. She is proud of the work GLOBAL achieves to improve the lives of people with Down syndrome.
In 2020, Ashley was awarded the Colleen Barrett Award for Administrative Excellence through the Denver Metro Admin Awards. This award is the Admin Awards’ most prestigious honor and it celebrates the professionals who best embody the “spirit” and proficiency of one of the most admired (former) admins, Colleen Barrett, President Emeritus of Southwest Airlines.
Ashley is a Colorado native, and in her spare time she enjoys going up to the mountains, traveling, catching up on the latest tv show, and spending lots of time with her family and friends.
Ashley can be reached at 720-548-5605 or asparhawk@globaldownsyndrome.org
Marisa Cucuzzella joined the team in 2017 and currently serves as the Office Manager. She keeps the office running smoothly, acting as a liaison for building management, IT, and finance. She also oversees GLOBAL’s internship program and in-office volunteers.
Marisa has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Towson University in Mass Communications. Prior to joining the team, Marisa was the Assistant Director at the Melwood Recreation Center, overseeing inclusive recreation programs including camps, travel and equestrian programs for people of all ages and abilities. In 2010 she received the American Camp Association, Chesapeake Section Service Award. She has over 20 years of experience including accounting, administration, operations, and office management.
Originally from the east coast, Marisa relocated to Colorado in 2015 and enjoys the 300 days of sunshine! When she’s not at work, you’ll likely find Marisa at one of Colorado’s many music venues enjoying a concert with friends. She travels back east when she can, and likes to visit with her friend of 30+ years, Erin, who happens to have Down syndrome.
Marisa can be reached at 720-548-5566 or mcucuzzella@ajsfoundation.com
Office Assistant
Kat is an Office Assistant for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. She joined GLOBAL in 2011 and is responsible for assisting with programs and office administration. Kat plays an important role at the GLOBAL offices where she helps with data entry, ensures that mailings go out on time, and greets visitors. She also plays an important role in GLOBAL’s Birthday Club, ensuring that all self-advocates in our database receive birthday wishes!
Kat brings a wealth of experience to her role as an Office Assistant, drawing on seven years of expertise in an accounting firm. Her background also includes valuable customer service skills gained while working as a courtesy clerk and grocery sacker at King Soopers. Additionally, she has experience managing tickets and directing guests at a local cinema theatre.
Kat graduated from Overland High School in Aurora, Colorado. After graduation she attended vocational school at Pickens College in Aurora where she took horticulture classes. She also attended Aurora Community College from 2004-2006 and took a variety of business-related classes. She also attended the ALIVE class at the University of Denver, a year-round class for adults with Down syndrome supported by GLOBAL.
Family is very important to Kat. Her “GLOBAL family” remains an important part of her life. Kat has a great affection for animals. Her activities include movies, going to the theatre, traveling and learning about other countries, their languages and food!
Kat can be reached at 720-548-5627 or kloewen@globaldownsyndrome.org
Dedicated Staff
Palmer Brooks serves as the Community Development Manager at the Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Palmer and the Community Development team are tasked with ensuring that GLOBAL raises enough funds to underwrite the important work of GLOBAL – from research to medical care to GLOBAL’s important advocacy work in DC.
Palmer’s responsibilities include fostering and stewarding strategic corporate and individual philanthropic relationships to advance operational goals, programmatic initiatives, and endowment projects.
Palmer is also responsible for supporting the growth, revenue, and advocacy associated with GLOBAL’s annual award-winning marquis events, the AcceptAbility Gala in Washington, DC, and the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show in Denver.
Palmer has had a dedicated focus on the disability community since 2015. Beyond his professional commitments, he has been and continues to be deeply engaged in supporting organizations such as The Joshua School, Imagine! Colorado, and Night to Shine, reflecting his passion for improving the lives of individuals with disabilities.
Palmer earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of North Texas, providing him with a strong foundation in business principles and strategies that he applies to his work in community development, corporate partnerships, and event planning at GLOBAL.
Palmer can be reached at 720-548-5613 or pbrooks@globaldownsyndrome.org.
Ashleigh Rutledge is the Community Development Executive Assistant at the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. She holds a Health Sciences degree from Arizona State University and is a certified health coach. Ashleigh is passionate about health and wellness and enjoys using her coaching skills to help friends and family feel their best. Known for her critical thinking and detail-oriented approach, Ashleigh brings these skills to support the Community Development team in handling administrative duties and meeting department deadlines. Her responsibilities include working closely with event sponsors and conducting donor outreach and stewardship. With her dedication to fostering positive impact, Ashleigh is committed to contributing her best to the foundation's mission.
Ashleigh loves spending her free time outdoors with her fiancé and their dog June, adventuring around Colorado either hiking or snowboarding.
Ashleigh cane be reached at 720-548-5610 or at arutledge@globaldownsyndrome.org
As Senior Project Manager, Strategic Alliances, MaryKate Vandemark brings her experience of progressively expanding responsibilities in the nonprofit, disability sector to Global Down Syndrome Foundation. Her area of focus for GLOBAL includes improving organizational effectiveness through working collaboratively with the Strategic Alliances team to build relationships with national and international disability organizations. Working cross-departmentally within GLOBAL, the Strategic Alliances team provides community outreach for new and existing initiatives.
Previously, she served over 10 years with the National Down Syndrome Congress in many roles and completed her work there as the Director of Administration, handling all office operations and finance. She earned her bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fullerton.
When not traveling, reading, going to the movies or a concert, MaryKate and her husband enjoy spending time with their adult children and grandchildren!
MaryKate can be reached at 720-548-5609 or mvandemark@globaldownsyndrome.org
As Senior Membership Coordinator, Kayla maintains GLOBAL’s Membership program by supporting new and returning members, maintaining membership benefits, and other membership duties. Kayla works with all individual members. Before joining GLOBAL, Kayla worked in nonprofit public health programs, where she found a love for the IDD community. She has a Masters’ in Public Health specializing in nonprofits and Maternal and Child Health from the Colorado School of Public Health and a B.S. in Biology from the University of Colorado Denver. Kayla is a proud Colorado native and spends her free time exploring, reading, and training in Taekwondo.
Kayla can be reached at 720-548-5616 or kalbrechtson@globaldownsyndrome.org
Sarah Learn is the Events and Programs Specialist at the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. She helps organize several well-known GLOBAL programs, including the I Love You Dance Parties, GLOBAL Webinars, and the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Dance Classes. She also assists with GLOBAL’s larger events such as the AcceptAbility Gala and the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show.
Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management at Colorado State University. Prior to joining GLOBAL, Sarah worked as a Sales and Event Planner at the Art Hotel in Denver. She has 8+ years’ experience in event planning and she is excited to bring that experience to GLOBAL. She has a passion for helping people and wants to help fulfill GLOBAL’s mission of ‘improving the lives of people with Down syndrome.’
Sarah is a proud Colorado native, born and raised in Lakewood. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, watching football, reading, and spending time with her 6 nieces and nephews.
Sarah can be reached at 720-548-5628 or slearn@globaldownsyndrome.org
Allie Seracuse is the Research and Medical Care Senior Specialist at the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. Passionate about healthcare access, she transitioned from clinical medicine to advocacy, aiming to promote healthcare accessibility across diverse populations. Allie, a Whitman College graduate in Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology, has diverse clinical experience, including at a COVID Clinic, Teletón Chile, and clinical research labs. These roles shaped her person-centered approach, prioritizing the impact of medicine and research on individuals. In her free time, Allie enjoys painting watercolor landscapes inspired by her travels and pets.
Allie can be reached at 720-548-5609 or aseracuse@globaldownsyndrome.org
Molly McNiven is a Senior Coordinator at the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. She supports GLOBAL and the Research and Medical Care department through data tracking, resource distribution, maintaining local and international resource information, and providing community and family support. Molly also assists with event logistics and GLOBAL’s membership award programs.
Molly is a proponent of collective liberation and is particularly passionate about healthcare advocacy. Her background is in health policy and advocacy, and she is invested in increasing access to resources for people with Down syndrome. She has a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Neuroscience and a Master of Social Work in Organizational Leadership and Policy Practice.
In her free time, Molly enjoys hiking, playing with plants, and reading in hammocks.
Molly can be reached at 720-548-5615 or mmcniven@globaldownsyndrome.org
Lindsey Mandolini is the International Project Consultant with the Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL). With over 15 years of experience, she brings a strong background in strategic collaboration, program design, and advocating for disability rights in education, public policy, and nonprofits across the Americas and Sub-Saharan Africa.
At GLOBAL, she supports the Research & Medical Care department by fostering relationships and opportunities for collaboration with Down syndrome organizations around the world. Lindsey has worked closely with in-country collaborators in several countries to facilitate the multi-lingual translation of key resources, including GLOBAL’s Medical Care Guidelines for Adults with Down Syndrome, the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Health Supervision for Children and Adolescents with Down Syndrome, and the Prenatal and Newborn Pamphlet.
She holds a BA in Special Education from Hope College and a MA in International Studies from the University of Denver’s Korbel School of International Studies. Lindsey is based in Denver, Colorado, where she lives with her wife and daughter.
Lindsey can be reached at 720-548-5617 or lindsey.consultant@globaldownsyndrome.org
Cole Wilkes is the PR & Communications Specialist at GLOBAL. As part of the PR/MarCom team, she supports social media management, market research, media asset organization, press pitches, interviews, and fundraising events. She is also a contributing writer for GLOBAL’s award-winning Down Syndrome World™ magazine.
Early in her career, Cole identified nonprofit public relations as the perfect marriage between her aptitude for writing and her passion for social justice. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication with a specialization in nonprofit public relations from Boston University, and has formulated and executed successful PR plans for several of Boston’s exceptional nonprofit organizations. Cole also enjoyed rounding out her portfolio and working on national brand campaigns during her time with an integrated communications agency in Sydney, Australia.
In addition to her work at GLOBAL, Cole is passionate about sustainable fashion and helps organize mutual aid-style clothing swaps in the Denver area.
Cole is conversationally proficient in American Sign Language and loves to tend to her herb garden, play guitar and read anything written by Patti Smith.
Cole can be reached at 720-548-5631 or cwilkes@globaldownsyndrome.org
Allison Munk is the PR Marketing & Communications Executive Assistant at Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL). As a seasoned communications professional with eight years of experience in digital marketing and public relations she brings a unique blend of strategic thinking, creative execution, and data-driven decision-making to the GLOBAL team.
Working directly with the President & CEO, Allison plays a pivotal role in the overall success of GLOBAL’s communication strategies across all departments and works to streamline processes to optimize marketing and communications tactics.Her experience in project management and business development allows Allison to effectively coordinate cross-functional teams and identify new opportunities for growth and optimization.
Allison finds working with GLOBAL’s self-advocates is extremely rewarding. She is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive environment for everyone, particularly in terms of people with Down syndrome having the opportunity and right to reach their potential in their workplace.
Allison can be reached at 720-548-5632 or amunk@globaldownsyndrome.org
Shannon Mize is GLOBAL’s Education Center Administrator. At the nexus of Global Down Syndrome Foundation and the Anna and John J. Sie Foundation, the GLOBAL Education Center provides a free community learning space for community and non-profit organizations to meet, host events, and provide learning opportunities. Shannon engages the community in utilizing the GLOBAL Ed Center, manages operations, and oversees GLOBAL programs within the space like the GLOBAL Fitness Program and GLOBAL Cooking and Nutrition Program.
With a background as K-12 educator and non-profit Executive Director, Shannon’s work has always focused on providing safe and inclusive spaces where individuals can come together, learn, and grow. Her work as the Education Center Administrator gives Shannon the privilege of fostering relationships and continuing to learn from the growing number of professionals and individuals in the IDD community and effectuate change through awareness and education.
Shannon is also an accomplished artist and performer. Her oil paintings have been exhibited in galleries in Texas and Colorado, she has performed lead roles in over a dozen stage productions, illustrated a children’s book, produced audiobooks, directed award-winning performances for youth and adults, and served as a statewide One-Act Play adjudicator.
Contact Shannon at 720-548-5618 or smize@globaldownsyndrome.org
Josh Tucker is the Database Specialist at the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. He works on the database team to support GLOBAL in our mission to significantly improve the lives of people with Down syndrome. He does this through the maintenance of excellent data health and accurate reporting, ensuring GLOBAL can connect with as many families as possible. Josh is a problem solver who excels at finding unique solutions to complex problems and enjoys finding efficiencies is processes wherever he can. Josh graduated from University of Nevada, Reno with a BS in Information Systems.
Josh grew up in Burbank, California, and moved to Denver in 2022. In his spare time, he enjoys snowboarding, swimming, and traveling.
Josh can be reached at 720-548-5612 or jtucker@globaldownsyndrome.org
As the Database Senior Coordinator, Cole has refined his skills working with and manipulating data to streamline its use for the data team and all those integral to GLOBAL’s success. While Cole is outside his studied discipline, he has had the chance to use his degree from the University of Iowa in Health and Human Physiology: Exercise Science to pilot the GLOBAL Fitness Program Using Mann Method PT© for some of GLOBAL’s wonderful self-advocates. Outside of work, Cole tries to play at least one round of golf every weekend, enjoys hiking during the weeks and months he cannot play, and watches sports to unwind.
Cole can be reached at 720-548-5631 or ckirschbaum@globaldownsyndrome.org