Staff

Gina Maione Earles

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Gina has been the Executive Director of Blue Sky Bridge since 2012. During her tenure, the organization has expanded into three programs providing child abuse intervention, therapy, and prevention education services. She has extensive experience with numerous nonprofit and for-profit organizations nationwide, offering her expertise in financial management and fundraising, communications and event planning, external relations, and organization dynamics and operations. Gina also serves as Treasurer of the Board of Directors for the Colorado Children’s Alliance. She received her BA from Northwestern University and MBA from the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College. Born in Indiana, Gina has lived on both coasts before settling permanently in Boulder with her husband and two sons. She enjoys the beautiful Colorado outdoors, visiting her Florida getaway, and escaping to her home pottery studio.

Susana Avelar, MSW

INTERVENTION TEAM DIRECTOR & FORENSIC INTERVIEWER
Susana joined Blue Sky Bridge in 2022. She began working as a Forensic Interviewer in 2016 and has conducted over 1,500 forensic interviews, in both English and Spanish. She began working in victim assistance in 2006 as a Legal Advocate and then as a Bilingual Counselor. Prior to becoming a Forensic Interviewer, Susana worked for Adams County Human Services as a Child Protection Intake Caseworker. Through the Colorado Children’s Alliance, Susana participates as a statewide trainer and has presented locally and nationally on the topics of forensic interviewing and language access. She has been endorsed as an expert witness in Forensic Interviewing in several Judicial Districts in Colorado. Susana has a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies and a Master’s Degree in Social Work.

Allison Breed, MSW, LCSW

THERAPIST
Allison Breed joined Blue Sky Bridge in 2017 as a Therapist.  Allison received her Master’s degree in Social Work in 2005 from the University of St. Thomas and St. Catherine University joint program.   She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from St. Olaf College.   Allison has worked in community mental health with young adults, as well as worked for several years in schools supporting and empowering adolescents.   She was a school social worker in Boulder Valley School District, and also a Prevention/Intervention Specialist at a middle and high school in St. Vrain Valley School District.  Allison is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and provides Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at Blue Sky Bridge to children, teens, and caregivers impacted by traumatic experiences.  Using TF-CBT, Allison strives to meet families where they are to help them in their healing, as well as to strengthen their resiliency and overall wellbeing.

Tava Bystrom

PREVENTION OPERATIONS MANAGER
Tava joined Blue Sky Bridge in early 2022, after completing her BSW practicum with the Intervention Team. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from University of Massachusetts. Tava coordinates all aspects of the School Based Education Program serving BVSD and SVVSD, is the supervisor of the Prevention Education Internship, and coordinator for the Education Committee volunteer program.  She also supports the Development & Outreach Team. Tava is passionate about empowering children and supporting families, and she is honored to be a part of the team.

Nicole Cherro

PREVENTION EDUCATION TEAM ASSOCIATE
Nicole joined Blue Sky Bridge in early 2023. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Sociology certificate in Health, Care, and Resilience from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She is passionate about educating and empowering children, as well as advocating for mental health, self-love, and body positivity. Since volunteering with the Education team for the past year and a half, Nicole is beyond excited to officially join the Prevention Education Team and continue helping keep kids safe.

Lisa Duran

PROGRAM SUPPORT ASSOCIATE

Lisa became a member of the Blue Sky Bridge team in 2023. As an experienced mental health and substance abuse recovery coach at Mentor Connection, she has also honed her skills in communication management, networking, and enhancing workplace efficiency. Committed to aiding children in overcoming trauma and fostering joyful lives, Lisa brings passion and dedication to her role. Her educational background includes a B.A. in Neuroscience and Molecular Biology from CU-Boulder.

Gretchen Fair, LCSW

PREVENTION DIRECTOR
Gretchen joined Blue Sky Bridge in 2017. She has a Masters of Social Work from the National Catholic School of Social Service and a B.A. from Duke University. For the past decade, Gretchen has worked with survivors of interpersonal violence as a therapist and advocate in non-profits and in private practice. Gretchen works from a strengths-based model that emphasizes each individual’s inherent ability for growth after trauma.

Robin Friesen-Holwell, MS, LMFT

CLINICAL DIRECTOR & THERAPIST
Robin Friesen-Holwell joined Blue Sky Bridge in 2014, after working as a Family Support Advocate during her Master’s level internship. Robin holds a Master’s degree of Science in Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Psychology. During her time at Blue Sky Bridge, Robin has worked on strengthening and expanding prevention education across Boulder County.  Robin gives a variety of trainings about the issue of child sexual abuse, how adults can recognize it and respond appropriately, and how adults can talk to kids about their bodies. She is committed to the goal of expanding awareness of these issues in order to create a safer community for children and families. As a therapist on staff, Robin works with children and families who have experienced trauma and are on the journey of healing.  Robin is a nationally certified TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) therapist, is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy), and is a member of AAMFT (American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists) and APSAC (American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children).

Raine Garcia, MA, LPC, ATR-P

BILINGUAL THERAPIST (she/ella)
Raine joined Blue Sky Bridge in 2019. Raine’s formal training was at Southwestern College where she graduated with a dual Master of Arts degree in Counseling and Art Therapy. Prior to her employment at Blue Sky Bridge, she provided trauma informed psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and adults in private practice, education systems, inpatient facilitates, and non-profit sector. She is a nationally certified TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) therapist and is currently training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy). Raine’s individual and group sessions also incorporate aspects from creative, mindfulness, somatic, and humanistic therapeutic modalities in order to support wellness, growth, and healing.

Anne Hedlund

PREVENTION EDUCATION TEAM ASSOCIATE
Anne joined Blue Sky Bridge in 2020. Anne graduated from C.U. in 1985 and never left Boulder. After earning her CAC (Certified Addictions Counselor), she spent most of her working years with high-risk youth in the Denver/Boulder area. Anne’s favorite aspect was the outdoor education component primarily for its profound impact on transforming children’s lives. Anne has always volunteered in her community, and especially admires this staff and their dedication. Since volunteering with the BSB education program the past 7 years, she is thrilled to officially join the Prevention Education Team and stand by her goal to keep kids safe.

Lucia Martinez Diaz

BILINGUAL FAMILY SUPPORT ADVOCATE
Lucia joined Blue Sky Bridge in 2022. Before joining the Intervention Team, Lucia worked as a Bilingual Child Protection Intake Caseworker for Boulder County were she collaborated regularly with Blue Sky Bridge. Prior to that Lucia had worked in different non-profits both in Boulder and Mexico City where she grew up. Lucia feels passionate about supporting children and their families. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Centro Eleia in Mexico City.

Megan O’Neil

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Megan joined Blue Sky Bridge in 2023. She recently worked in the private sector at Crestone Capital, LLC on their Client Advisory team in Boulder, overseeing the business development activities, process, and strategy. From 2009 – 2020, Megan served as Development Director for Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), a think tank and nonprofit organization, in Aspen/Snowmass, raising funds and awareness for renewable energy projects worldwide. Prior to RMI, Megan worked in philanthropy at a single family office in Chicago, and at an educational foundation in San Francisco. This role at Blue Sky Bridge aligns with her passion for building authentic and long-term relationships to further advance philanthropic goals. She received a BA from Santa Clara University and grew up in San Diego.

Marce Olsen

PREVENTION EDUCATION TEAM ASSOCIATE
Marce joined Blue Sky Bridge in 2020. Marce graduated with a bachelors in social work from Utah State University. She started her career as a child welfare social worker and loved being part of the solution to combat child abuse. She loves teaching and empowering children to keep their bodies safe and having a voice. This work is her lifelong passion and is honored to be a part of this team!

Bella Parker

FAMILY SUPPORT ADVOCATE & MDT COORDINATOR
Bella joined Blue Sky Bridge in 2020. She graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology-focusing in criminal justice and a minor in Anthropology. After graduation, Bella joined Blue Sky Bridge as a case support intern before being hired as a staff member.  Currently, she assists the child advocacy programs with administrative duties while also being a co-supervisor for the internship program. She is committed to helping keep kids safe and is honored to be a part of this team.

Jeff Stewart

OPERATIONS MANAGER
Jeff joined Blue Sky Bridge in 2018. Coming to us from financial services management in a corporate environment, Jeff wanted to parlay his skills and experiences into meaningful administrative and logistical support for Blue Sky Bridge’s clinical and educational programs. His transition to the non-profit world was influenced by memories of years past, serving the needs of kids through education and volunteering opportunities. He’s proud and excited to be part of a mission which tangibly protects and serves children and families, and advances abuse prevention goals through educational outreach.  He holds a B.A. in History from Lafayette College.

Trish Wood

PREVENTION EDUCATION TEAM DIRECTOR
Trish Wood joined Blue Sky Bridge in 2016. Trish has been working in the areas of violence prevention, cause marketing and community outreach for most of her career. Most recently, Trish worked at LEVI (Longmont Ending Violence Initiative) where she was responsible for domestic violence prevention/education and victim assistance. Trish also helped initiate the collaborative grant with BSB to develop Project Pinwheel, a child sexual abuse awareness project that targets the Longmont community. Trish holds a Masters in Journalism from the University of Colorado and is committed to spreading the prevention message throughout our community.

CONSULTANTS

Mercedes A. Bransfield

COLORADO CERTIFIED COURT INTERPRETER

Silvina Madga

COLORADO CERTIFIED COURT INTERPRETER