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Board of Directors

Linda Childears Board Vice President

Linda Childears

Board Chair

Former President and CEO of Daniels Fund
Linda Childears retired from the Daniels Fund on April 30, 2020, after serving as its President and CEO for 15 years. Under Linda’s leadership, the organization grew from $1 billion to $1.5 billion, after distributing approximately $1 billion in grants and scholarships. In addition to serving with Firefly Autism, Linda is the past Chair and a current board member of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. She has served on over 25 state/local boards and five national boards and chaired nine of them. She has received several honors including most recently the Outstanding Women in Business Lifetime Achievement Award from the Denver Business Journal. Linda has received honorary doctorate degrees from Johnson & Wales University and the University of Denver.
Janette Ferguson Board Secretary

Janette L. Ferguson

Board Vice Chair

Director, Williams Weese Pepple & Ferguson

Janette is an experienced litigator with over 25 years of experience handling complex commercial disputes. She has experience with breach of contract claims, fraud and misrepresentation cases, breach of fiduciary duty, business torts, Consumer Protection Act claims, employment disputes, class action litigation, construction defect claims, product liability cases, insurance coverage and bad faith litigation, and state and federal bid protests. Janette also has experience challenging Federal natural resource agency decisions, NEPA compliance and litigation, consulting on the Endangered Species Act, the National Historic Preservation Act and the Oil Pollution Control Act. Janette is resolution focused. She works closely with her clients to determine their ultimate business goals and objectives and tailors her dispute resolution approach to efficiently and effectively meet those goals and objectives.

Jessen Gregory Board Member

Jessen Gregory

Board Secretary

Partner, Ruddy Gregory PLLC

Jessen Gregory is licensed to practice law in CA, CO and TX.  Ms. Gregory focuses on corporate and commercial real estate transactional work with Ruddy Gregory. Her practice involves complex mergers and acquisitions business transactions.
In 2009, Ms. Gregory was recognized for her Pro Bono work in the Denver Bar Association’s publication, “The Docket.” Ms. Gregory earned her Juris Doctor from San Diego School of Law in 2005. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Colorado.

Travis Plakke Board Member

Travis Plakke

Board Treasurer

Principal, Sullivan Group Real Estate Services

Travis Plakke works with top restaurants all over the state as the Principal at Sullivan Group Real Estate Service. He came to the Board of Firefly Autism after having a chance meeting with a friend of the organization, Linda Appel Lipsius. Travis is on the autism spectrum and thought this would be a great way to give back and offer some valuable insight, with a very appropriate point of view.
Professionally, Travis recalls an event from his youth that still drives him today: When he proposed an idea for a fine restaurant we was working in his teens, he was promptly shut down by the Executive Chef. The lessons that have stuck with him have taught him to always learn and grow in any situation you might be in, but know who you are and who you want to be. With that vision, learn and grow until it's time to move on. He also believes that if one wants to affect change, it is done from the top. That is why it is his pleasure to serve on the Firefly Autism Board.
Personally, to Travis, being a husband and a father is the single most important thing he has ever done and ever will do. Being with family is incredibly fulfilling to Travis.
He says "People on the spectum don't have Autism...we are Autistic and with the right environment and resources (Firefly) their super power(s) will be revealed."

Ed Francis Board Treasurer

Ed Francis

Board Member

President & CEO, INBank
Ed Francis joined Firefly’s Board of Directors in 2020. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board, President and CEO for InBank, a commercial bank serving the Denver Metro Area, southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. Ed studied Managerial Finance from the University of Mississippi before his post graduate work at Louisiana State University. In addition to Firefly, Ed has served as President of the Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana, Baton Rouge Area Foundation and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. Mr. Francis is excited to bring his impressive background of executive leadership, team-building and finance experience to Firefly, to share ideas and help the organization grow to new heights.
Donna Goldin-Evans Board Member

Donna Goldin-Evans

Board Member

Principal at ValueIQ, LLC

Donna Goldin-Evans comes to Firefly Autism’s Board as an executive-level Healthcare Consultant. A proven leader and visionary, Donna has made a career out of solving difficult problems with innovative solutions. In addition to Firefly’s Board of Directors, Donna also serves the community through the Women’s Bean Project, Clinica Tepeyac, Denver Chapter of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, SafeHouse Denver and Project Angel Heart. Donna is passionate about the mission of Firefly Autism and is committed to growing the organization through increased efficiencies and creative problem solving.

John Griffith Board Member

John Griffith

Board Member

GFL Environmental, Regional Vice President

John Griffith has served on Firefly Autism's Board for over 10 years. Professionally he is the founder and former President of Alpine Waste & Recycling. Personally, John has personal attachments to Firefly Autism and has loved ones on the spectrum.

Sandra Gudat Board President

Sandra Gudat

Immediate Past Board Chair

CEO, EasyAI

Having served as the CEO of Customer Communications Group (CCG) and Publisher of customer.com for over three decades, Sandra Gudat shaped customer loyalty visions for giants like Nordstrom, Macy's, and General Motors. Now as the CEO of EasyAI, Sandra is on a mission to help small businesses leaders gain a competitive edge by learning to leverage artificial intelligence in their businesses

Jim C. Tolliver Board Member

Saurabh Gupta

Board Member

CEO and Founder, Gyan-I Inc.
Saurabh is the CEO & Founder of Gyan-i Inc. He has worked in the cybersecurity field for the last 25 years and is a subject matter expert in cybersecurity governance, risk, and compliance management. Saurabh sits on cyber advisory board committees of various nonprofits in the Denver metro area. He also plays the role of a virtual chief information security officer to various private foundations. Before founding Gyan-i, Saurabh served as the vice president of technology at the Daniels Fund. He has technical and hands-on expertise in effectively managing and running cybersecurity programs and incident response teams for various local entities. Saurabh holds a master’s in information technology from the University of Denver and a bachelor’s in business management from the University of Bangalore, India.
Jim C. Tolliver Board Member

Deborah Howitt

Board Member

Howitt Legal Services, LLC

Deborah (“Deb”) Howitt is an attorney specializing in data privacy, cybersecurity, digital marketing, and technology law, through her own law firm: Howitt Legal Services, LLC.  She recently stepped back from "big law" in order to devote more time to charitable causes about which she cares deeply, including Firefly Autism.  She has personal experience with autism, and is proud to serve on the board of an organization making such a tremendous difference for individuals on the spectrum.  Outside of work and volunteering, she spends as much time as possible in nature, whether hiking, skiing, paddleboarding, or simply enjoying the beauty of the Rockies.    

John C. Morgridge Board Member

John C. Morgridge

Board Member

Morgridge Family Foundation

John C. Morgridge is a Senior Investment Advisor with the Morgridge Family Foundation where he evaluates potential investments and manages investment allocation of the Foundation's endowment, among other growth and development tasks. John has an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Denver and a MBA for DU as well.
In addition to serving with Firefly Autism, John volunteers with the Morgridge Family Foundation, Eide Baily, Impact 100, and the United Way.

John is very excited about the work that Firefly Autism is doing and believes that he will bring a valuable perspective with his service to the organization.

Greg McCarthy Board Member

Greg McCarthy

Board Member

CEO, Denver Health Medical Plan and Executive Director Managed Care, Denver Health
Greg McCarthy joined Denver Health Medical Plan in 2017, bringing a broad spectrum of health insurance experience. McCarthy’s career has encompassed commercial, government and military health insurance products. Before joining Denver Health he spent 12 years at Martin’s Point Health Care in Portland, Maine, filling a number of high-level leadership roles, culminating with Senior VP Health Plan Operations. He also served as Vice President of Operations for Community Health Options in Lewiston, Maine. McCarthy earned his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree from DePaul University’s Charles H. Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. Greg currently serves on the Board of OnPoint Health Data and previously was on the Boards of United Way of Greater Portland, The Center for Grieving Children, and the New England Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society. Greg resides in Evergreen with his wife, Julie McCarthy.
Suzie Murphy Immediate Past Board Secretary

Suzie Murphy

Board Member

Douglas County Substitute teacher

Suzanne Murphy is a former kindergarten teacher who still enjoys to guest teach every chance she gets. She holds a Masters in Education from UNC Greeley and a Bachelor of Education from Metro State. In addition to giving her time to Firefly Autism, Suzanne volunteers at Crisis Center of Douglas County. Suzanne was led to Firefly after attending a silent auction for Firefly and was touched by the excitement, commitment and love displayed for these children. She felt she found a place where she could volunteer her services to help support such a great cause. She says, “I feel it is extremely important to gain support, knowledge and education to those in our community about autism. I would like to volunteer to support Firefly by involvement, attending events and participation.”

Jesse Ogas Board Member

Jesse Ogas

Board Member

Executive Director of Social Responsibility and Community Affairs
9News

Jesse Ogas, former CEO of Firefly Autism, now leads community engagement, manages station partnerships, and champions inclusivity at 9NEWS. Ogas is a key part of the station’s executive leadership team. Ogas has more than thirty years of nonprofit leadership experience and under Ogas’ leadership, Firefly Autism has grown to serve families and children with autism across Colorado and is considered one the leading agencies in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy nationally and internationally.

Ogas is a proud member of one of the nation’s prominent Latino Theater companies, Su Teatro. He is a community advocate that serves on a variety of nonprofit Boards, including Colorado Aids Project, Tepeyac Community Health Center, Kemp Foundation, Latina Safehouse, Newsed, Adams Camp and the MSU President’s Cabinet. He is a recipient of the Eric J. Duran Community Service Award, which honors a person of Latino descent who has made a positive impact in the Denver community.

Ogas was the 2021 9NEWS Leader of the Year, which is presented by the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation. The award is peer nominated and selected and honors leaders in the community who have made significant contributions to the well-being and development of Colorado. Ogas also recently participated in 9NEWS’ Voices of Change initiative during Hispanic Heritage month. Voices of Change is an ongoing conversation that amplifies voices of community members who are provoking change toward building an equitable, inclusive, and flourishing Colorado. 

Jessica Ostoyich Board Member

Jessica Ostoyich

Board Member

Project Executive, Mortenson Construction

Jessica Ostoyich was born and raised in a small farming community on the eastern plains of Colorado, Jessica ventured off to the big city of Golden, Co where she studied Engineering with a Civil Specialty at the Colorado School of Mines. Jessica graduated in 2006 and began her career with Mortenson out at the Stapleton Redevelopment project as a field engineer. Since her stint at Stapleton, she has spent time on the Vestas Blade Manufacturing facility, National Renewable Energy Laboratory Integrated Bio-Refinery Research Facility, Saint Joseph’s Hospital, Charles Schwab Lone Tree Campus, Woodward Lincoln Campus, HUB RiNo, Facebook Data Center, Fitzsimons Redevelopment and is currently working on a building a pipeline of business for the Mortenson Denver Operating Group. While not working, Jessica loves spending time with her husband Ryan, traveling, and volunteering at several local non-profit organizations, including Firefly Autism. If there were 36 hours in a day, Jessica could find activities to fill 38 of those 36 hours. She also has a really cool nephew who she can’t get enough of and enjoys spending time with him showing off her rusty basketball skills, helping him with homework, and just hanging out.

Randy Teeters Board Member

Randy Perko

Board Member

RSC Insurance Advisors, LLC
With over two decades of experience as a licensed insurance broker, Randall “Randy” Perko stands as a seasoned authority in the field. For the past 13 years, he has honed his expertise in Medicare/Medicaid, life insurance, and personal insurance products, earning acclaim for his dedication and proficiency. In 2018, Randy founded SC Insurance Agency LLC, a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence. Under his leadership, the agency has flourished, now overseeing a team of three dedicated licensed agents and a roster of esteemed outside agents. Randy is renowned for his consultative-sales acumen, consistently exceeding both customer and employer expectations. His keen eye for opportunities, coupled with his adept relationship-building skills, positions him as a formidable force in the industry. His dedication to staying abreast of the latest trends ensures that clients benefit from his comprehensive knowledge of financial and insurance products, as well as industry best practices. A natural leader, Randy fosters top-performing teams driven by a shared commitment to impeccable service delivery and goal attainment. His unwavering professionalism and adherence to ethical standards serve as guiding principles in all his endeavors. Beyond his professional pursuits, Randy finds joy in travel, golfing adventures, and cherished moments spent in the scenic landscapes of Colorado and Wyoming alongside his wife, Jessen, and their beloved canine companions.
Jim C. Tolliver Board Member

Mark Richtermeyer

Board Member

VP of Professional Services, Nexustek

Mark Richtermeyer has over 25 years of experience leading professional and technical organizations. His background as an entrepreneur influences his approach to market strategies, and his experience building high-performing teams drives his executional style. Mark is the VP of Professional Services for Nexustek and manages 7 operational practice areas and the Program Management Office (PMO) within the organization. Previously, Mark founded The Spitfire Group and served as its CEO for 12 years. The company successfully sold to David Consulting in 2016. He was the Denver Office Managing Partner for Hitachi consulting (a roll-up of BDO Seidman, Grant Thornton, Tactica Technology and other consulting organizations). He was the Western Region VP for iXL, managing over 800 consultants in the Western US and Asia Pacific. Mark has deep experience leading teams that deliver complex technology and management consulting solutions. Mark has an MBA from the University of Colorado, a BS in accounting from the University of Wyoming, was previously licensed as a CPA in Colorado and Wyoming. Mark is a veteran who served as an officer in the US Air Force and Air National Guard.

Jim C. Tolliver Board Member

Javier Alberto Soto

Board Member

President & CEO, The Denver Foundation

Javier Alberto Soto is President and CEO of The Denver Foundation. Before joining The Denver Foundation in October 2019, Javier spent 10 years as President and CEO of The Miami Foundation. Javier has strong personal ties to Colorado. In his first month with The Denver Foundation Javier cycled more than 60 miles through dozens of neighborhoods, meeting with residents and leaders along the way. Javier graduated from Florida State University with a B.A. in History and Political Science and earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. 

Meyer Saltzman Board Member

Leigh Sullivan

Board Member

Restaurateur & Marketing/Development Strategist

Leigh Sullivan is the Development Director for Pepper's Senior Dog Sanctuary (PSDS) in Denver, Colorado. The third-generation Coloradoan is passionate about animal welfare, management, and philanthropy. As a life-long animal lover, she was always bringing home stray dogs and wanting to help those in need. 

Prior to her work at PSDS, Leigh, a restaurateur, founded the culinary supergroup, FIVE, and spent three decades in the hospitality industry. She is a widely-respected marketing and communications strategist and is innovative in her efforts to support both the Colorado culinary world and charitable causes. In recent years, Leigh has been recognized for her invaluable service and support to the LGBTQ+ community. She also serves on the board of directors for Firefly Autism, a charity that is near and dear to her heart. 

In 2021, Leigh and her family moved outside of Denver’s city limits so they could exceed the three-dog per household maximum and focus on their work with PSDS. She now lives in Littleton with her husband, three children, and seven dogs, and a Russian tortoise named Charlie.

To learn more about working with Leigh at PSDS or to get in touch with her about about donating or volunteering to support the organization’s mission, please reach out via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Matt Teeters Board Member

Matt Teeters

Board Member

Regional President, Alpine Bank, Denver
Professionally, Matt Teeters works as the Regional President of the Front Range for Alpine Bank. In this role, Matt’s responsible for all loan and deposit operations for the bank’s locations in Fort Collins, Boulder, Denver, and Colorado Springs and he also oversees all of the small business and commercial banking operations for the entire bank. Personally, Matt’s a Colorado native and was born and raised in Denver. He attended Cherry Creek High School and from there, went on to Grinnell College, earning a bachelor’s degree in Economics. He completed his MBA from the University of Denver in 2013. In addition to working for Alpine Bank, Matt also serves as the board Chair for Roundup River Ranch, the Board Vice Chair for Judi’s House, the Board Treasurer for The Sonoran Institute and Developmental FX, and serves as a board member for the Colorado Thought Leaders Forum. As an acknowledgement for the leadership displayed with these organizations, Teeters was selected as one of ColoradoBiz Magazines Top 25 Young Professionals in 2016. Personally, Matt was married to Sarah in July 2017, has a 5-year-old daughter named Charlie and a 2.5-year-old named Dean. Lastly, his hobbies include golfing, mountain biking, skiing, and spending time outdoors.
Krystal Than Board Member

Krystal Than

Board Member

Executive Vice President of Human Resources at Public Partnerships

Krystal Than has a been in the HR field for over 20 years, supporting organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 500s. She currently serves as Executive Vice President of Human Resources at Public Partnerships. She has served the Firefly Board for more than 8 years and continues to do so because of the great mission and team that makes REAL impact to the community and the families we serve. Her experience in building process, infrastructure and collaborative environments as the human resources leader is key to the impact she creates towards business mission. Krystal has also been involved in non-profit work for over 20 years. In addition to her professional life, Krystal is a proud wife to her husband Van and mother to their son, Tyler.

Jim C. Tolliver Board Member

Jim C. Tolliver

Board Member

VP, Practice Leader, Woodruff Sawyer
Jim Tolliver is Vice President and National Practice Leader of Woodruff Sawyer - Private Client Group.
Jim’s insurance career spans 25 years of providing highly successful individuals, family offices and mid-sized commercial businesses with specialized risk advisory services. He oversees the personal lines practice nationally, which offers custom insurance solutions for over 1,000 individual clients across all 14 offices in the Western US, New England and Hawaii.
In addition to serving on Firefly's Board of Directors, Jim served on the Steering Committee of the Private Client Practice Group of Assurex Global from 2015-2018. He is a two-year term appointed Executive Sponsor of the Woodruff Sawyer DEI movement – Women’s Employee Resource Group.
Jim graduated from University of Louisville, with a bachelor’s Degrees in Communications.
In his spare time, he is frequently found attending kids’ sports programs with his wonderful wife, playing pickleball, traveling, floating rivers and casting flies to wild trout.
Morgan Wuthrich Board Member

Morgan Wuthrich

Board Member

MManager, Federal Tax, Rubin Brown
Morgan Wuthrich is a Manager in RubinBrown’s Tax Services Group. She is part of the federal tax group that manages across multiple industries including medical practices, construction services, high net-worth individuals and investment partnerships. She also assists with modeling sales and related tax implications, other complex tax transactions, and individual tax planning.