Staff
Andrew Romanoff
Executive Director
Andrew Romanoff was elected to four terms in the Colorado House of Representatives, including two terms as speaker of the House. He won bipartisan acclaim as one of the most effective legislative leaders in America. Among other achievements, Romanoff authored laws to strengthen the prevention and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders, to expand home- and community-based services for older Coloradans, and to protect the victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. He also spearheaded the Colorado Economic Recovery Act (Referendum C) and Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST), the largest investment in school construction in state history. Romanoff conceived and persuaded the legislature to create The Colorado Channel, providing live television coverage of the General Assembly. His leadership earned recognition from more than 40 state and national organizations — including Governing Magazine, which named him Public Official of the Year. Over the last nine years, Romanoff has led two nonprofit organizations: Mental Health Colorado, the state’s leading advocate for mental health and substance use services; and Great Expectations, the chief source of child development guidance and support in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys. He also founded the Posner Center for International Development, now home to nearly 200 organizations dedicated to the eradication of global poverty. Romanoff began his career at the Southern Poverty Law Center, joining the battle against Ku Klux Klan and neo-Nazi groups. His work there fueled a lifelong passion for social justice — a cause he later championed at a state civil rights agency. Romanoff taught in Central America and speaks fluent Spanish. He and his wife live outside Glenwood Springs, Colorado. aromanoff@disabilitylawco.org
Meghan Baker, JD, MSW
Facilities and Community Integration Attorney Team Leader
Meghan Baker has been practicing law in Colorado since 2011. Meghan completed her undergraduate education at the University of Texas at Austin where she majored in Plan II Honors. Meghan graduated from the University of Houston with a JD and an MSW in May 2011, after which she accepted a position with the Colorado Office of the State Public Defender. In that capacity, Meghan represented adults and youth charged with crimes, in El Paso and Arapahoe counties. From 2015-2017, Ms. Baker worked as a guardian ad litem through The Law Offices of Meghan Baker LLC, advocating for the best interest of children involved in various types of court cases, in Denver County. Having worked at the Protection and Advocacy organization in Texas during law school, Meghan is thrilled to return to serving people with disabilities and applying the knowledge and experience she has gained about systems in Colorado to bringing about lasting and systemic change for youth and adults in our state. Meghan has a particular interest in issues related to juvenile justice and the child welfare system, as well as special education and mental health treatment in jails and prisons. Meghan lives in Denver with her wife, two dogs, and a cat. In her spare time, Meghan mentors young people and also enjoys yoga, the arts, and travel. mbaker@disabilitylawco.org
Esther Brieno
Operations Manager
Esther Brieno joined Disability Law Colorado as Operations Manager in December 2020. She graduated from University of Phoenix with a Masters in Business Administration. Her 30-year background in the telecommunications industry includes beginning as an Operator and advancing to an Operations Supervisor. Her volunteer work includes mentoring and coaching young girls in softball and working BINGO sessions on Saturday nights. She enjoys working with seniors and listening to their stories. ebrieno@disabilitylawco.org
Rebecca Brigham
Investigator
Rebecca Brigham graduated from Canisius College in 2015 with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Criminal Justice, and SUNY Buffalo State in 2017 with a Master’s in Criminal Justice. Rebecca has worked in diverse fields, including for a non-profit disability agency, Adult Protective Services, mental health, and a jail-based competency restoration program. Rebecca is originally from New York, and joined Disability Law Colorado in 2019 to utilize her unique skills and passion for justice. In her spare time, Rebecca enjoys hiking, aerial arts, and spending time with her husband and two cats. rbrigham@disabilitylawco.org
Gina Viola Brown
Grants and Financial Manager
Gina Viola Brown joined Disability Law Colorado as the Legal Assistance Developer for the Elderly in August 2021. Previously, Gina worked for the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution where she managed a number of complex projects, including policy development efforts and educational programs. Gina also coordinated a national law school competition and served as the managing editor of the ABA’s Dispute Resolution Magazine. Gina has a JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law and an MPA from the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. She is a black belt in tae kwon do and an avid gardener, baker, and reader. gbrown@disabilitylawco.org
Bill DeSonier
Senior Investigator
Bill DeSonier is a US Navy Operations Specialist veteran who has Criminal Justice and Psychology degrees from Columbia College. Bill worked for the State of Colorado as a District Court Intensive Supervision Program (ISP) Probation Officer and with the State of Texas in their Child Protective Services and Office of Inspector General departments. He recently worked with the Arapahoe County Attorney’s Office as a Welfare Fraud and Department of Human Services Internal Affairs Investigator. Bill joined DLC in March 2019, and in addition to conducting abuse and neglect investigations for DLC, he manages the SSA’s Rep Payee program. bdesonier@disabilitylawco.org
Kim Erickson
Client Assistance Advocate
Kim Erickson joined Disability Law Colorado as the Client Assistance Program (CAP) Advocate in October of 2023. She has over 30 years of experience in nonprofit management and program development focused on improving health services for children and youth across Colorado. Kim graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a MS in Vocational Rehabilitation- Work Adjustment, BS in Vocational Rehabilitation and has previously worked for the CAP in Wyoming and Colorado. Outside of work she enjoys traveling with her wife, attending women’s basketball games and outdoor concerts. kerickson@disabilitylawco.org
Angie Garberding
Senior Advocacy Specialist
Angie Garberding has been with Disability Law Colorado since September 1998. She is the Self Advocacy Support Services Team Lead and Advocate for the Special Education, Protection & Advocacy for Individual Rights, and Protection and Advocacy for Developmental Disabilities programs. Angie received her paralegal certificate from the Denver Paralegal Institute in 1997. She graduated in 1993 from Arapahoe Community College with an associate’s degree. Angie enjoys spending time with her family, birds and hiking Colorado 14ers. agarberding@disabilitylawco.org
Emily Harvey
Community Access and Youth Advocacy Attorney Team Leader
Emily Harvey graduated from George Mason University School of Law in 2013. While in law school, she was a Research Editor on the Civil Rights Law Journal and attended two semesters as a visiting student at the University of Denver. She joined Disability Law Colorado as a legal fellow in March of 2014, was hired as a staff attorney in September of 2014, and promoted to Intake Team Leader in 2016. After pursuing an opportunity to work as an attorney at the Office for Civil Rights with the U.S. Department of Education, Emily returned as DLC’s Youth Advocacy Leader in June of 2021 and started supervising DLC’s Community Access work in March of 2023. She is an adjunct professor at the University of Denver where she teaches a disability rights law seminar. Emily is a co-founder and the board president of LIM359, a nonprofit that provides activities-based support for people with limb loss and limb difference in the Denver area. She also serves as LIM359’s youth camp director. Emily is the author and illustrator of a children’s book series called The Girl with the Robot Leg. In her free time, Emily enjoys walking, reading, and spending time with her husband, dog, and cats. eharvey@disabilitylawco.org
Jack Johnson
Public Policy Liaison
Jack is Colorado has spent the last 6 years working on elections and public policy in Colorado, including several years in the Colorado State House. He has his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado in Molecular Biology, and will graduate in 2023 with his JD from the University of Denver. Jack joined Disability Law Colorado in 2021 as a legal extern working with the access team and has since transitioned to working alongside the team leaders on legislative advocacy and policy issues. In his free time Jack enjoys coaching little league baseball and traveling. jjohnson@disabilitylawco.org
Kelly McCullough
Director of Legal Services
Kelly McCullough has been practicing law since 2010 when she graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a law degree and her Master's in Social Work. She spent 10 years as an attorney with the Colorado Public Defender's Office. Prior to law school, Kelly worked as a mental health social worker in Ohio. She joined Disability Law Colorado in 2020 as the Access Team Leader and is excited to keep fighting for disability rights as the Legal Director. Kelly spends her free time woodworking and cooking. kmccullough@disabilitylawco.org
Bob Mook
Development Manager
As Development Manager, Bob Mook is responsible for growth strategies, securing grants, pursuing revenue and cultivating donor relationships. With over two decades of experience in strategic communications and content development, Bob has dedicated his career to advocacy and journalism. His passion for disability rights is informed by observing the challenges and opportunities his close friends and family with disabilities face day to day.
He honed his skills in grant writing, fundraising and digital storytelling with Colorado Center on Law and Policy, the Colorado Health Foundation and the University of Colorado College of Nursing. Bob excels at making complex policy understandable, crafting compelling narratives and managing successful communication campaigns. He has earned awards from the Colorado Healthcare Communicators, the Colorado Society of Professional Journalists and the Colorado Press Association. Bob is a proud alumnus of Metropolitan State University of Denver. In his free time, Bob enjoys cycling, listening to music, playing board games and reading. bmook@disabilitylawco.org
Gentrice Petrie
Advocacy Specialist
Gentrice Petrie (they/them) joined Disability Law Colorado in 2023 after earning a Master of Arts in Public History from Colorado State University. As a historian, they have written and taught about the history of disability activism and the independent living movement and facilitated the disability rights oral history project housed at History Colorado, Colorado’s state historical society. Gentrice has also been a long-time member of Americans Disabled for Attendant Programs Today (ADAPT) and has worked with others in the group to advocate for policies that would expand the right for people with disabilities to receive home and community-based services. Gentrice lives in the mountains of Livermore, Colorado, and in their free time enjoys stargazing with their friends and students while running the observatory at Front Range Community College. GPetrie@disabilitylawco.org
Felix Ortiz
Communications Manager
Felix Ortiz brings nearly a decade of experience in public relations, communications, and marketing communications project management. He holds both a master’s and bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Colorado Denver and is a Certified Scrum Master. Prior to joining DLC, Felix served in key communications roles, including as Senior Program Manager at Sling TV, where he played a pivotal role in the launch of the Freestream product, and as Development and Communications Manager at Kids First Health Care, where he developed a comprehensive organizational communications plan to promote programs and services to all key stakeholders. Felix’s diverse background in both for-profit and nonprofit sectors equips him with a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in advocating for disability rights through innovative communication strategies. In his free time, Felix enjoys attending the many artistic community events held around the metro area with his two sons. fortiz@disabilitylawco.org
Sara Pielsticker
Disability Rights Attorney
Sara Pielsticker joined Disability Law Colorado as a Staff Attorney in 2021. She graduated from the University of San Diego in 2016 with a degree in Education and Nonprofit Management and from Syracuse University in 2020 with a dual degree. She received her law degree from the Syracuse University College of Law with a curricular focus in Disability Law and Policy and a Master’s of Science in the Cultural Foundations of Education with a Certificate of Advanced Study in Disability Studies. Sara is originally from Colorado and has spent most of her life working for nonprofits that promote inclusion for people with disabilities. In her free time, she enjoys photography, jigsaw puzzles, and being outdoors as much as possible. spielsticker@disabilitylawco.org
Tim Postlewaite
Advocacy Specialist
Tim Postlewaite joined Disability Law Colorado in October 2021. He is a Colorado native and holds an English BA from Metropolitan State University of Denver. He also holds a paralegal certificate and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Colorado Denver. Tim brings extensive disability rights advocacy experience to the Disability Law Colorado as he has participated in volunteer advocacy work for the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition. tpostlewaite@disabilitylawco.org
Pamela Rios
Paralegal
Pamela Rios has recently joined Disability Law Colorado as a Paralegal in September of 2023. She received her Paralegal Certificate from Center for Advanced Legal Studies in January of 2022. She is currently working on obtaining her major in Public Relations from Metropolitan State University of Denver. Pamela has worked in previous law offices such as immigration and personal injury. She aspires to make a positive impact in everyone’s lives, especially those with disabilities. Pamela spends her free time working on her Aguas Frescas business and with her family. prios@disabilitylawco.org
Kassidy Roberts
Disability Rights Attorney
Kassidy Roberts joined Disability Law Colorado as a Disability Rights Attorney in March 2023. She graduated in the top 1% of her class from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in May 2022, where she spent two years in the Civil Rights Clinic as a student attorney. In this role, she and her team investigated ADA violations in Colorado prisons, then filed and litigated a lawsuit that ultimately resulted in a settlement providing widespread relief to hundreds of incarcerated people with hearing disabilities. Prior to joining DLC, she worked as a trial attorney for the Colorado State Public Defender, where she represented indigent criminal defendants in misdemeanor cases. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, being active, getting outside, and playing pickleball. kroberts@disabilitylawco.org
Tessa Stackow
Investigations and Monitoring Coordinator
Tessa Stackow received a BA from Hampshire College and a JD from the University of Denver, where she was a Chancellors Scholar and member of the Jessup International Moot Court Team. Prior to attending law school, she worked in a variety of social service settings, including youth residential, public school, and homelessness programs. As a JD candidate, Tessa interned with the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In her free time, Tessa enjoys art, writing, traveling, and spending time with friends. tstackow@disabilitylawco.org
Olivia Thomas
Investigator
Olivia Thomas graduated from the University of Denver in 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology. Olivia is a former Research Assistant in the discipline of historical discrimination. She has also amassed a plethora of skills, including analyzing financial documents for fraud and working with children who have neurodevelopmental disabilities. Olivia was born and raised in Colorado. Outside of work, her passions include cooking, painting, and volunteering in the community. othomas@disabilitylawco.org
