MAUREEN LEIF, PRESIDENT -
Maureen is a Project Manager and a Human Services Subject Matter Expert with more than 20 years of experience focused on multiple human service programs.
In 2016, she established the consulting firm Grays Peak Strategies as a certified woman-owned business focused on providing business transformation, training, and communications consulting services to human services programs and the courts. Over 7 years, Grays Peak has demonstrated a sustained record of successful projects for state, local, or tribal governments in 22 states and the province of British Columbia.
Maureen has worked in the area of family law and human services since 1999 and served on numerous state committees dealing with child support, child welfare, and technology. Before starting Grays Peak, Maureen was the Child Support Coordinator at the Colorado Judicial Branch, where she acted a liaison between the Judicial Branch and the state, county, and federal child support programs. In 2005, she was appointed by the Governor of Colorado to serve on the Colorado Child Support Commission overseeing the review of child support guidelines; in 2014 she became the Co-Chair and in 2016 became the Chair.
In that capacity Maureen oversaw the statewide uniform guideline review, research on the current economic data on raising children and current best practices in low-income adjustments and presumptions of imputed income. She was awarded the 2013 Excalibur Award by the Colorado Family Support Council for leadership and vision in the child support community for her work with the state and county offices of child support and courts.
Prior to joining the Judicial Branch, Maureen worked as a Deputy District Attorney in the Child Support Division for the 18th Judicial District, during which time she was awarded the “Statewide IV-D Attorney of the Year” award and “Spirit of the Child Award”. She has also worked as a private attorney specializing in family law and was awarded the Arapaho Bar Association Young Lawyer of the Year award in 2004.
Maureen is a frequent speaker at state, regional, and national conferences on topics such as strategic planning, child support law and policy, legal ethics, and the innovative use of technology in the human services arena. Maureen is currently the Past President of the Western Intergovernmental Child Support Engagement Council and a former Board Member of NCSEA. Maureen graduated from Purdue University with a B.A. in Psychology before obtaining her J.D. from Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis.
Joe Mamlin, Managing Director -
Joe is a Certified Project Manager (PMP) with more than 25 years of experience in public and private sector Human Services programs. Joe has devoted the majority of his career to the Child Support program with a focus on improving services by giving programs and workers the tools they need to succeed. Joe is a former State Child Support Director in Indiana and understands the challenges that state and local agencies face in providing services to families. While focused on Child Support, he has also worked in Child Welfare, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). He has provided oversight and analysis of programs and systems, business process analysis, and performance-based procurement projects. Joe has spoken at State, Regional and National conferences on topics including leadership development, strategic planning, common sense project management, and modernization planning. He excels at team building, change management and being the voice of reason.
Joe is a past president and honorary life member of the National Child Support Enforcement Association (NCSEA) and currently serves as a board member and officer of the Western Intergovernmental Child Support Engagement Council (WICSEC).
Liz bullard, executive consultant -
Liz is an experienced executive coach and leadership development professional with over 30 years of experience focused on enhancing individual and organizational performance through effective communication. Liz partners with leaders to provide executive coaching, customized leadership development, facilitation, organizational development and team building solutions. She has over 20 years in various roles with the Colorado Judicial Department where she led the development of the Judicial Executive Development Institute for new and emerging leaders as well as the Judicial Executive Leadership Development Program for executive leaders. She created and facilitated soft skill workshops for over 3500 employees in such areas as Facilitation Skills, Coaching/Mentoring, Team Building, Communication, Motivating Employees, Building Trust, Crucial Conversations, and Leading Change.
Liz was a Training Manager for Intel Corp where she created one of the first Supervisor Training programs for Plant Supervisors. In addition, she served in Management Analysts positions with the US Air Force in Germany for five years as well as the US District Court in San Antonio, TX. SHE believes everyone leads from where they are in the organization. Her philosophy is “Leadership begins with WHO you are and then moves to WHAT you do.” Through assessments, feedback, facilitation and coaching she partners, supports and challenges individuals and teams to capitalize on strengths, increase trust, align goals and build collaboration all in service of reaching their highest potential.
Liz holds a B.S. in Business Management from New Mexico State University and a M.S. in Systems Management from the University of Southern California. She is a certified professional coach through the Coaches Training Institute (CTI) and a credentialed Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coach Federation (ICF). She is certified to interpret and facilitate multiple leadership assessments as well as being a certified Organizational Workshop facilitator.
DAVID RAMM, EXECUTIVE CONSULTANT -
Served until recently as the Advisor for Strategic Initiatives for the New York City Human Resource Administration's Office of Child Support Services (OCSS), where he built on his training in behavioral economics and his background as a writer, researcher, and editor to create print and electronic materials intended to improve client engagement and staff morale and, ultimately, improve the well-being of parents and children in New York City.
David began his career with an investigative article on mental health care policy for Southern Exposure magazine. He went on to be a staff writer and then Assistant Editor at the magazine Current Biography, where he wrote and edited biographical articles on international figures in the arts, sciences, and politics. He then spent six years as the Editor-in-Chief of AMS Press, an independent scholarly publishing company focused on the humanities and social sciences. At AMS, he led a top-to-bottom reorganization of the company’s editorial and production processes, including guiding it from a print-only business model to a modern one combining both print and electronic distribution for its most prominent journals. David has presented and moderated sessions at conferences of the Eastern Regional Interstate Child Support Association (ERICSA) and National Child Support Enforcement Association (NCSEA) and is a graduate of NCSEA's NCSEA U program for emerging child support leaders.
David has a BA in Humanities (with a concentration in history) from Antioch College, an MA in English from Ohio University, and an MFA in Fiction from Indiana University; he taught writing and research at the latter two institutions as a graduate assistant and adjunct lecturer. A former regional wine buyer for a national retail chain, David has also taught wine appreciation classes for the continuing education division of Duke University. More recently, he has been a guest speaker on on the life and career of the artist Nicolas Carone for the New York Studio School and the Boca Raton Museum of Art. David now resides in Charlottesville, Virginia.
ROBERT RIDDLE, EXECUTIVE CONSULTANT -
A Human Services Management Consultant and Child Support Subject Matter Expert with more than 30 years of experience in human service programs as well as child support leadership and business development arenas. In 2016, he joined Grays Peak Strategies as a Principal and has worked to enhance their leadership, procurement consulting, and professional services practice. Robert recently served as a Director with First Data Corp and the Vice President of Business Development for Systems & Methods Inc, where he was responsible for strategic direction, capture management, responses to procurements as well as marketing and business process evaluation. Robert has worked in leadership positions in human services and was formerly the Director of Child Support Services in Georgia for over 6 years where he instituted Lean Management, Systems Development, Change Management, and Communication projects. He is currently active in the National Child Support Enforcement Association
CLAUDIA CANNIZZARO, OPERATIONS MANAGER -
Ensuring our projects stay on track from start to finish. Currently, she is also the Director of Art Omi: Artists, an international artist residency program. Cannizzaro was also co-Founder and co-Director of Akrai Residency, an international multidisciplinary residency program that took place in Sicily from 2013 to 2018. Previously, she has worked in various capacities for several contemporary arts foundations both in Italy and the US. Cannizzaro was also a professional visual artist for two decades. Highlights of her career include exhibitions in Italy (1994, 1998, 2007), the U.S. (2000, 2001, 2004, 2009, 2011), Brazil (two in 2006), Malaysia (2012), and Thailand (2012).
Born in Sicily during the Years of Lead, a critical moment in Italy in the seventies that shaped her views of the world and the importance of social justice, she grew up in Rome where she studied painting at the Academy of Fine Arts before moving to New York in 1997. After two decades of primarily living in New York she moved her base back to Italy, where she currently lives in the Sicilian countryside with her husband, and their two children.
BILL ALGER, SENIOR CONSULTANT -
Bill’s background is in business administration. He has vast experience in governmental financial operations. He retired from the government sector at the end of 2021, after over 33 years of service. He worked as an auditor and accountant for the Montana Department of Revenue for 18 years. He then worked in a leadership position at Montana Department of Health and Human Services, heading up a fiscal operations bureau in the Business and Financial Services Division. This position oversaw a unit that provided financial management support to agency budget and accounting staff, oversaw agency cost allocation, agency payment processing, as well as to the providing guidance to fiscal policy staff. He eventually headed up the budget and financial operations bureau for the Montana Child Support Division, where he oversaw the budget and financial operations of the division, as well as the state disbursement unit. Some of his accomplishments while with the child support division included integrating debit/credit OTC devices at the regional offices throughout the state, implementing a new payment processing system for checks, and working on the re-platforming of the child support case management system.
Bill has a BS in Business Administration (with a concentration in accounting, minor in computer science) from Montana Tech located in Butte, Montana. He currently lives in Helena, Montana with his family.
AGNES BLACKWEASEL, SENIOR CONSULTANT, TRIBAL PROGRAMS -
Agnes M. Flamand-BlackWeasel is an experienced administrator with a comprehensive background in policy interpretation, development, and implementation at Tribal, State, and Federal levels. With extensive experience in managing complex programs and projects, she has a proven track record of successfully overseeing large-scale operations, such as the Blackfeet Child Support Enforcement Program. Her expertise spans grant management, community organization, case management, and budget management.
Throughout her career, Agnes has demonstrated an exceptional ability to manage diverse teams and build effective partnerships across various government agencies and community organizations. Her role as the Director/Administrator at the Blackfeet Child Support Enforcement Program involved managing a substantial caseload and supervising a significant number of staff members. Agnes is skilled in policy advocacy and has successfully driven legislative changes to enhance community services. Her knowledge of human resources and program management, combined with her dedication to improving services for her community, makes her an invaluable asset to any organization.
In everything Agnes does, she does with compassion and empathy and in addition to her role at child support, she is a dedicated and loving mom and grandma and currently takes care of five grandchildren. Her and her husband Earl run a working cattle ranch on the Blackfeet Reservation.
CINDY DEAN, SENIOR CONSULTANT -
Has over 36 years of professional experience with the last 26 years specializing in the child support program. She has worked in four different states focusing on financial/accounting systems, training, testing, policy and procedures. She spent ten years applying extensive knowledge in disbursement processing, systems modification lifecycles, accounting and distribution changes required by PRWORA, adjustment processing and system reconciliation. Ms. Dean's experience includes business needs analysis, requirements documentation and development and delivery of training on enhancements for an automated Child Support Enforcement system. She has taken a lead position on state system certification teams. Ms. Dean served for six years in management positions within the State of Montana’s Child Support Enforcement (CSE) Division, and on CSE consulting projects in Michigan, Nebraska and Oklahoma. She was most recently employed as the project lead for the interstate case reconciliation (ICR) effort and as a technical support liaison for the Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS) for the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE).
Aston Horton, Project Specialist -
Aston is a researcher and communicator who is passionate about local level policy and its impact on broader societal and global change. He recently completed his Masters in Global Energy Transition and Governance, which he studied in Nice, France and Berlin, Germany. He brings analytical, problem-solving, and writing skills from experiences interning with a progressive political communications firm and with the Colorado Governor's Office, conducting outreach with the CU Boulder Environmental Center, and assisting with demographics research with a CU Boulder professor. Aston thrives working on a variety of fields and projects, an adaptability he learned studying the broad field of International Affairs (with minors in Geography and Space!) for his Bachelor's degree. In his free time, he loves to spend time in the mountains skiing and hiking, going on a bike ride, and playing or coaching Ultimate Frisbee.
PUNI KALRA, SENIOR CONSULTANT -
For the past 10 years, Dr. Puni Kalra has been providing leadership development and executive coaching to clients across a multitude of industries. She uses her psychological expertise to drive corporate leaders in understanding the root of their leadership challenges so they may become more effective business leaders. She specializes in executive leader assessment and development, team building, emotional intelligence, organizational and cultural change, and strategic planning. As a clinical psychologist, executive coach, and consultant, Dr. Kalra brings a broad and pragmatic business perspective to her many clients around the globe. She integrates her keen insight into human behavior to guide executives in identifying how their personality, behavior and culture work together to impact their leadership effectiveness. She uses a feedback intensive, behaviorally focused, results-oriented approach to help executives deepen their understanding of their leadership strengths and challenges. Dr. Kalra works jointly with her clients to develop strategies and skills that get them the results they need. Not only do they achieve personal and professional success, they inspire and transform others to lead more effectively.
Puni holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Michigan, an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver. She is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC)
Noelita Lugo, Senior Consultant -
With nearly twenty-five years of public sector experience, Noelita has led nationally recognized public programs and multidisciplinary teams. She enjoys working hand-in-hand with clients to solve persistent and complex problems. Noelita's expertise spans a range of areas, including: organizational transformation, public-private procurements, technical-skill development, professional development and leadership coaching. She's committed to practicing the principles of procedural justice, servant leadership, and collaborative innovation. In addition to working as a consultant, Noelita is finishing her four-year term as an elected school board trustee with the Austin Independent School District, the fifth largest school district in the state. When not working or volunteering in the community, she is spending time with her three children.
JENEILE LUEBKE, PHD, PROJECT CONSULTANT -
Jeneile Luebke PhD, RN is an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing at University of Wisconsin-Madison in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. She holds an affiliate appointment for the American Indian Studies program and is a faculty member of the campus Sexual Violence Research Initiative. She is an enrolled member of Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. She received her BS and MS Nursing from the University of Wisconsin- Madison, and her PhD from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her research aims to better understand the lived experiences of gender-based violence through storytelling, as well as advocating for survivor-led, trauma informed, and culturally safe screening methods and interventions for Indigenous survivors of violence using Indigenous specific and community engaged research methodologies. Her other current work focuses upon the relationship between land violence, planetary health, and gender-based violence among Indigenous peoples.
EMILY MAXFIELD, SENIOR CONSULTANT -
Magistrate Emily Maxfield practiced in family law for 20 years, as a Deputy District Attorney, a Legislative Liaison for the Colorado Department of Human Services, and as a Magistrate in Denver Juvenile Court. Maxfield served on the Child Support Commission and was a Special Matter Expert in many different subjects within Title IV-D work over those years. Maxfield is currently doing family law mediation in the Denver Metro area.
Services: Child Support Commission, Colorado Department of Human Services, Legislative Liaison, Colorado Judicial Branch.
Education: University of Denver, College of Law, JD 1998-2001, Colorado State University, BA, 1992-1996
JANICE NEAL, SENIOR CONSULTANT -
Janice has over 30 years’ experience in public and private sector Human Services programs with a concentration in child support and child welfare. Her dedication to children and families began shortly after her graduation from Indiana State University with a degree in Criminology. Janice has spent most of her career in service to children beginning with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, Indiana working in every area from Intake to management. She is a subject matter expert in child support and she has worked on several statewide projects including Indiana, Wisconsin and Virginia.
As a Business Analyst she worked for Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) in Indiana on an enhancement project for Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). As a member of Grays Peak Strategies, she’s extending her reach in human services on the DELTA project, for the Indiana Department of Corrections (IDOT) to better manage the offender population within the penal system.
Her key focus areas include testing, training, curriculum development and locate. Janice is a past member of the National Child Support Enforcement Association (NCSEA). She has led breakout sessions and acted as moderator. Her commitment to learning directed her to teach STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) classes for children in Indiana schools. She also co-created a literacy camp, Write On, Read On in 2020 to help students affected by the pandemic with reading comprehension.
CONTACT JANICE
CLARKE PARKER, SENIOR CONSULTANT -
Clarke is a Certified Project Manager (PMP), Business Analyst, and Subject Matter Expert with more 20 years of experience in the child support area. In 1999, Clarke began working for the Florida Department of Revenue as an Operations Review Specialist and continued to work there over the course of 9 year as a Government Analyst, Senior Management Analyst Supervisor and Revenue Program Administrator. He continued his passion for child support working as a consultant on the Illinois and Indiana modernization projects as a project manager, Subject Matter Expert and Analyst. He has worked in many areas of child support from paternity, operations, revenue, business process re-engineering, project management and system certification.
Clarke is a graduate of Florida State University, and received his PMP Certification from the Project Management Institute in 2016.
MELENA POTACK, PROJECT ASSISTANT -
Aaniin, Niitaagiizhigookwe nindizinakaaz. Melena indaash nindigo. Makwa nindodem. Odawagazaiganing ninddonjibaa.
Hello, my name is “First Sky Woman”, My English name is Melena Potack. I am a part of the bear clan. I am from the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe tribe!
Starting fresh into the field of Human Services, I have joined an expert team to be able to work alongside with! I will be graduating in May of 2024 with my Associates in Liberal Arts. Afterwards I am on towards achieving my next degree in Sociology or Human Services! Starting out as an intern with GraysPeak, I am now a project assistant. I am rapidly gaining the best insight I could ever receive! I can aid with a variety of tasks, and always give the best of my ability! I hope to continue to learn and grow as an individual, in order to be a beacon of hope and to represent Indigenous people. Outside of my occupation and career journey, I love to bead and sew. I hand bead different styles of earrings, and sew a variety of ribbon skirts! It is a very peaceful hobby to me, and oftentimes helps me destress! Mis’iw Miigwech! Starting fresh into the field of Human Services, I have joined an expert team to be able to work alongside with! I will be graduating in May of 2024 with my Associates in Liberal Arts. Afterwards I am on towards achieving my next degree in Sociology or Human Services! Starting out as an intern with GraysPeak, I am now a project assistant. I am rapidly gaining the best insight I could ever receive! I can aid with a variety of tasks, and always give the best of my ability! I hope to continue to learn and grow as an individual, in order to be a beacon of hope and to represent Indigenous people. Outside of my occupation and career journey, I love to bead and sew. I hand bead different styles of earrings, and sew a variety of ribbon skirts! It is a very peaceful hobby to me, and oftentimes helps me destress! Mis’iw Miigwech!
CHELSEE PREE, PROJECT ASSISTANT -
Oki nii-stoo nii-dahnee-goo, Chelsee Pree. Hello, my name is Chelsee Pree, and I am from and live in Browning, Montana on the Blackfeet Reservation. My Blackfeet name is Iistayakii (Diving Woman). I am a Piikani Studies major currently enrolled at Blackfeet Community College (BFCC), the BFCC USDA Extension administrative assistant, and the Grays Peak ‘Good Future’ project assistant. As a passionate advocate for language and culture, I am committed to continuing my education to enhance my teaching skills and broaden my understanding of effective pedagogical methods. My journey began with a deep appreciation for my heritage, as I was practicing the Pacific Islander culture but never having practiced my own while away at University of Montana.
Through further studies, I aim to develop innovative teaching strategies that resonate with diverse audiences, fostering an inclusive environment where students can engage with their language and culture meaningfully. I aspire to share my language and cultural traditions both locally and nationally. I believe that education is a powerful tool for empowerment. By imparting my knowledge both in Browning as well as other countries, homelands, and cultural conferences across the nation, I hope to inspire others to embrace their cultural identities as well as continue to learn about ours (the Amskapi Piikani).
Ultimately, my goal is to create a bridge between generations, ensuring that the richness of my language and culture is preserved and celebrated. I am excited about the opportunity to connect with learners from all backgrounds, learn from the most prominent knowledge carriers in Browning, sharing the beauty and significance of my heritage, and encouraging a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity across all ages.
AINSLEE REESE, PROJECT ASSISTANT -
Ainslee is a graduate from the University of Colorado in Boulder, where she earned her bachelor's degree in International Affairs with a minor in Political Science in May 2023.Throughout her academic journey and professional experiences, she has cultivated a deep commitment to conflict mediation, human services, and environmental policy.
Having engaged in internships, jobs, and a comprehensive education, Ainslee has emerged as a passionate advocate for positive change. Her dedication towards human services and policy research has led her to Grays Peak, where she channels her knowledge and enthusiasm into providing valuable research for a variety of internal and client-facing projects.
VERONICA RILEY, SENIOR CONSULTANT -
Veronica has over 20 years of experience in training and leadership development. She has worked in various capacities in the county, state, and private sector. Most of her career has been devoted to the child support industry. Veronica started her career as a child support caseworker in California. She worked as a senior consultant and lead trainer on the implementation of California’s statewide child support system and several large-scale government IT projects. She later joined the California Department of Child Support Services and served as the Chief of the Statewide Training Branch, Chief of the Program Oversight Branch, and as Regional Administrator. She was the Assistant Director of the San Joaquin County Department of Child Support Services from 2017-2023. She has extensive experience in state and local government, policy development and implementation, and training.
Veronica is an excellent speaker, trainer, and facilitator. She regularly speaks at state and national conferences. She has a passion for leadership and improving organizational culture, performance, and customer service. She is now using her experience and passion to partner with Grays Peak, where she provides a range of training and consulting services to the human service industry. She is currently serving as the Immediate Past President of the Western Intergovernmental Child Support Engagement Council (WICSEC). She is also active in the National Child Support Engagement Association (NCSEA), the California Child Support Directors Association (CSDA) and the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA).
Veronica holds a B.A. in Political Science from California State University, Chico and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from CSU, San Bernardino.
JASMINE ROBINSON, MARKETING STRATEGIST -
Graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in May 2021 with her bachelor’s degree in business administration. Through internships, school and previous positions Jasmine has gained experience in marketing, business development and digital/ graphic design creation. During her undergraduate studies, Jasmine worked as an intern with the North Carolina Office of State Human Resources where she focused on recruiting, and created a central information hub to house all talent acquisition policies, resources and tools for agency recruiters. Jasmine brings to Grays Peak a wealth of marketing and business support skills, and a creative energy to enhance both internal and client facing projects.
AMY SKOGEN, BUSINESS ANALYST AND CREATIVE LEAD -
An innovative thinker, Amy uses her creative and organizational skills to bring projects together. Amy draws on her creativity, entrepreneurial skills and her demonstrated customer service abilities to bring a different perspective and new possibilities to the table for GPS clients. Prior to joining GPS, Amy put her degree in Fine Arts from the University of San Diego to work leading her own residential custom painting business, creating murals, complex faux finishes, and other decorative work to help her clients’ realize their visions for their homes. Houses she worked on were featured in the Denver, Colorado Parade of Homes. She brings that same level of commitment and creativity to her work on critical customer engagements. A team player at work and at home and the mother of two amazing daughters, Amy’s active involvement in her local community includes coaching girls’ volleyball and soccer teams and enjoying time outside to hike, ski, bike, paddle board, and play beach volleyball.
Amy was part of the inaugural Grays Peak’s hike, summiting the 14,278' peak with GPS founder Maureen Leif.
SHANTELLE WILLIAMS, DIGITAL MARKETING CONSULTANT -
Shantelle is a digital marketing consultant, meaning she’s ready to put on her cape and come to YOUR rescue for all things relating to digital marketing. Her career path includes a variety of industries and leadership roles in financial services, tech, legal, and multiple digital agencies.
Shantelle is an entrepreneur at heart and loves utilizing data and creative writing to birth amazing digital marketing campaigns. In her spare time, you’ll find her hanging out with her son and daughter, on the dance floor, or stepping on stage or on set as an actress.
Skills include: Digital Marketing Strategy, Creative Writing, Dancehall Queen, Acting, Analytics