Over the past year, the Council staff has been growing and changing to meet the needs of our community. Today, we wanted to take some time to introduce you to the team. Some of us are new to the team. Some folks have been here for awhile but took on new roles this year. All of us are committed to the work of our 24 Governor-appointed Council members to advocate for systems change by promoting meaningful person-centered participation, self-determination and inclusion for all individuals with developmental disabilities in Colorado.
Carrie Mitchell, Program Assistant
Top 5 Strengths: Empathy, Developer, Learner, Arranger, Consistency
Carrie joined the Council in March 2025 as our Program Assistant. Carrie responds to requests from our community to ensure that we connect people with questions to the resources and support they need. She coordinates the Council calendar, open meetings requirements and the day to day processes that keep us running. Carrie provides administrative support for the whole team and ensures we follow the processes required by our designated state agency, Colorado Department of Human Services, for purchasing, travel, human resources and technology. She supports the Executive Committee and Full Council meetings.
Yadiel Tesfaye, Planning and Evaluation Specialist
Top 5 Strengths: Harmony, Responsibility, Achiever, Arranger, Competition
Yadiel joined the Council in September 2024 as our Planning and Evaluation Specialist. Yadiel works to bring together the full life cycle of our Council projects and programs through our needs assessment, program planning, project implementation and evaluation of our state plan goals and objectives. He ensures that our work is informed by our community and that we use both quantitative and qualitative evaluation to understand our work and our impact on the lives of people with IDD. Yadiel supports the Planning and Grants Committee.
Kristina Ericson, Director of Policy and Outreach
Top 5 Strengths: Activator, Belief, Connectedness, Intellection, Learner
Kristina joined the Council in April 2024 as our Director of Policy and Outreach. Now in her first full legislative session with us, Kristina is our staff lead for policy and advocacy work. She works with our partners to build connections, educate law makers, testify on bills and gather Council perspectives to inform policies that impact people with IDD. Kristina also leads our work in supported decision making, voter education and accessibility, and emergency preparedness. She is the primary staff liaison to the Legislative and Public Policy Committee.
Sarah Grazier, Executive Director
Top 5 Strengths: Ideation, Strategic, Connectedness, Intellection, Learner
Sarah joined the Council in November 2023 as our Executive Director. In this role, she was asked to evaluate the current conditions in Colorado’s disability community, identify opportunities for the Council to fulfill its mission and to reestablish the Council as a valued community partner. Sarah works across community partners, state agencies, and within our national network of Councils to create the conditions for change. She works on behalf of the Council to lead our team and support our community with intentional, thoughtful and strategic initiatives. She is the primary staff liaison to the Executive Committee.
Susan Carter, Director of Program Operations
Top 5 Strengths: Context, Achiever, Learner, Intellection, Relator
Susan started with the Council in 2021 in a grants and fiscal role. At the end of 2024, Susan was promoted to be our first Director of Program Operations. This position honors the leadership Susan has shown in working with our Council grantees to develop grant projects that help us implement our state plan goals and objectives. Susan ensures that the Council and our grantees are in compliance with our federal grant spending and reporting requirements. She also ensures we follow the processes required by our designated state agency, Colorado Department of Human Services, for procurement, accounting and contract monitoring. She is the primary staff liaison to the Planning and Grants Committee.
Vanessa Hernandez, Community Engagement Specialist
Top 5 Strengths: Relator, Consistency, Belief, Harmony, Developer
Our longest term staff member, Vanessa joined the Council in 2017 in an administrative role. At the end of 2024, Vanessa took on an exciting new role with the Council and was promoted to be our first Community Engagement Specialist. This position blends Vanessa’s passion for and expertise with supporting our members and bringing new people into our work. Vanessa handles all our newsletters, social media, accommodation requests, and event planning. She also supports new member recruitment, onboarding, training and continuing education. She is the primary staff liaison to the Council’s Membership Committee.