Janette Ferguson grew up in Boulder, Colorado. She started her career as a commercial litigation attorney in Newport Beach, California and San Francisco, California. She returned to Colorado in 2000 with her husband and two sons where she continued her thirty-five-year career as a commercial litigator. Her two sons are neurodiverse, one has ADHD and the other is on the autism spectrum.

They have taught her so much about the beauty and strength of a unique mind, as well as the challenges faced by neurodiverse individuals. Both are now thriving; one is getting his Master of Fine Art in creative writing at Emerson in Boston and the other will graduate soon with a Masters in Cybersecurity from the University of Denver. Janette recently retired from private practice and her firm Williams Weese Pepple & Ferguson PC; she took a position in house with a former client to stay engaged until she is ready to fully retire.

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.

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.

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.

After twenty-five years in the health insurance industry, with deep experience in healthcare operations, medical management, network development, actuarial and analytics, Donna co-founded ValueIQ, a healthcare consulting firm working with integrated health systems across the country, with a particular focus on value-based healthcare. She also co-founded and serves as the CEO of Tellus Wellness, a complementary medicine company. In her community, Donna serves on the board of Firefly Autism, The Delores Project, and the National Advisory Group of MindSpark.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Krystal Than has a been in the HR field for over 20 years, supporting organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 500s. She is the Founder and Chief HR Officer Consultant at Better Than Consulting, LLC. She has served the Firefly Board for 10 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.

Laura Giocomo Rizzo serves as the Colorado Director of Government Affairs for Intermountain Health. In this role, she works to promote public policy that advances Intermountain Health’s goals. She partners with elected and state agency officials, community leaders, and partner organizations to communicate opportunities and challenges related to public policy for the system; advance strategic priorities; and deepen relationships for Intermountain across the region. Prior to joining Intermountain, Laura was the SVP of Scholarship and Communications at the Daniels Fund, one of the Rocky Mountain region’s largest private foundations where she oversaw more than $18 million in giving annually. With extensive experience in public policy, Rizzo led communications, marketing and government affairs for the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce for nearly a decade. While there, she led campaign efforts on multiple ballot issues and engaged in statewide policy work on behalf of thousands of businesses across the metro area. Laura has also worked in strategic communications, policy development and marketing for then-Mayor John Hickenlooper, the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Centura Health and SE2, a Denver-based communications consulting firm specializing in public issues. As a senior associate at SE2, she worked at the intersection of communications and public policy for a range of health care and education clients. Having worked as a communications assistant and the director of scheduling for then-Mayor Hickenlooper, the health care committee co-chair for Hickenlooper for Colorado in 2010 and in various roles for political campaigns across Colorado, Laura has a deep understanding of public policy and its impact on businesses and constituents in our state. A Colorado native and graduate of the University of Denver, Laura is an avid downhill skier and yogi. She is a 2017 winner of the DBJ’s 40 under 40 award and alum of the Leadership Denver class of 2016. She volunteers time as a board member at Firefly Autism and an executive board member of Scouting Colorado. She and her husband live in Denver with two awesome young sons and two lively golden retrievers.

Leigh Sullivan is the perfect blend of entrepreneurial grit and family heart. A third-generation Coloradoan, Leigh’s career began with her father at SullivanHayes, where she learned the ins and outs of real estate and got a taste (literally) of the restaurant world. From real estate deals to running restaurant operations, those early years taught her the ropes of hospitality, branding, and building meaningful connections—skills that would set the stage for her future successes. In 2001, Leigh leaped into the restaurant business, co-founding her first spot in Cherry Creek alongside her dad and a team of partners. That venture kicked off a string of hits under the Sullivan Restaurant Group banner, including beloved spots like nine75, emogene, and TAG, each earning its share of buzz and acclaim. Never one to slow down, Leigh founded Leigh Sullivan Enterprises, a consulting firm dedicated to helping other restaurant owners thrive in a tough industry. After more than two decades in the culinary world, Leigh returned to her family’s roots at The Sullivan Group. She now serves as Principal Managing Partner in this construction fee development company. She works alongside her husband, Travis, proudly carrying forward her father’s vision for growth and innovation. But there’s so much more to Leigh than business. She’s a mom, dog mom, and proud first-time grandmother, making her household an adventure all on its own. Her passion for community shines through her work as one of the co-founders of Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary, where she uses her marketing know-how to help senior pups live their best lives. Leigh also dedicates her time to the Board of Directors for Firefly Autism, a charity near and dear to her heart. These days, Leigh Sullivan is keeping her creative energy in full swing. She recently brought together a powerhouse team to launch Cannolo Family Farms, a venture focused on growing and delivering top-notch gourmet mushrooms to restaurants. But Leigh doesn’t stop there—her latest brainchild, YMA, is an irreverent, chef-driven spice blend company set to hit shelves soon, shaking up kitchens everywhere. Leigh is always working, always dreaming, and constantly creating, proving there is no limit to what a little vision, hustle, grit, and creativity can achieve.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.