Paul Atkinson, Jr.
Vice President of Operations
Eggleston Services
Areas of Expertise: Employment, Transportation, Advocacy, Leadership
Available to Connect For: Consultation, Collaboration
For over two decades, Paul Atkinson, Jr. has worked in several roles supporting individuals with disabilities. Paul started out as a summer camp counselor, providing therapeutic recreation and respite services. Paul was invited back to work in a more permanent role as a Direct Support Professional. After several years in that capacity, Paul transitioned to employment services working on AbilityOne contracts in an industrial laundry facility. Paul then took his employment experience and worked with a community partner to establish job opportunities for individuals with disabilities by running a gym’s laundry operations.
After a demonstrated ability to establish a successful employment program, Paul was recruited to design and implement a Group Supported Employment auto detailing program at an automotive auction. The auto auction was part of Employment Service Organization which accepted donated vehicles and conducted auctions as a fundraiser. Paul was later promoted to run the automotive division for the organization. Within that organization, Eggleston, Paul was further promoted to Director of Business Operations and then to Vice President of Operations. These roles reflect his oversight of several programs offering employment services- Document Services, Facilities Maintenance, Landscaping, and Retail Operations.
Alongside his career, Paul served on numerous Boards, Commissions, and Committees. Paul’s areas of concentration in these efforts are employment, advocacy, and transportation. On many of these bodies, Paul served in a leadership role. Paul received a related degree from Virginia Wesleyan University. Paul’s leadership focus is affording others an opportunity to find their purpose through alignment with a mission about which they can be passionate.
Tiffany Cron, PhD
Director
Colorado Office of Employment First (COEF)
Areas of Expertise: Supported Employment, Person-Centeredness, Employment First, Research Methods and Data Analysis
Available to Connect For: I am open and willing to connect on a wide variety of topics and projects. I have an open mind and love innovation!
Tiffany is a well-respected leader in the field of disability and has over 17 years of experience working with people with disabilities to live the life they want. Tiffany began her career working within a non-profit Program Approved Service Agency as a direct support professional and worked her way up to being a residential, day program, and employment manager, coordinator, and director. Tiffany has also been an online educator for 14 years and has primarily taught undergraduate courses in statistical reasoning and research methods. Prior to becoming the director of the Colorado Office of Employment First, Tiffany previously held positions as a curriculum developer, trainer, and communications lead, as well as their data analyst, grant writer, and programs evaluator. Tiffany has been a certified Person-Thinking Trainer for the last 10 years and infuses the person-centered mindset into all that she does.
Tiffany is a graduate of the National APSE Emerging Leaders in Employment First professional development program and continues to participate on the Employment First Leaders Community of Practice. She is also the Vice-President of the Colorado chapter of the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE). Tiffany holds a PhD in general psychology with an emphasis in cognition and instruction and a master’s degree in educational psychology. Tiffany is driven by the belief and value that all people have the right to work, and that support does not come in a one-size-fits-all model.
Outside of work, Tiffany enjoys spending time with her husband and their two kids as well as baking cakes.
Heather Hagen, BSW, CESP
Employment Services Assistant Director
Developmental Disabilities Resource Center (DDRC)
Areas of Expertise: Supported Employment, Employment First, Competitive Integrated Employment, Organizational Leadership, Organizational Change
Available to Connect For: Consultation, Speaking Engagements, Mentorship
Heather Hagen (she/her) proudly serves as the Assistant Director of Employment Services at Developmental Disabilities Resource Center (DDRC) in Colorado. Like many colleagues, Heather fell into the world of supported employment in 2010 by chance, and found a passion for helping people pursue their career goals. Heather has had the privilege of experiencing employment services evolve significantly over the past 10+ years and is enthusiastic about Colorado’s commitment to Employment First! In her work, Heather is especially passionate about developing highly competent Employment Support Professionals who approach their work with a historical understanding of disability services and a passion to cause “good trouble” in pursuit of equity and true inclusion for everyone. A recipient of the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) Wendy M. Wood Emerging Leader award and DDRC’s Charlie Allinson award, Heather seeks to move the needle in the day-to-day work that we do with career seekers, and to ask for big change in state and national policies.
Heather enjoys life in the Colorado mountains with her husband, son and two dogs. In her free time, you can find Heather hiking, baking, cross stitching and planning fun vacations with her family!
Tiffany Jones, CESP
Community Employment Coordinator
Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Areas of Expertise: Business Engagement/Dual Customer Approach, Community Engagement and Outreach, Wrap Around Services, Best Practices for Successful Vocational Rehabilitation Program
Available to Connect For: Training, Speaking Engagements
Tiffany Jones was born and raised in Northeast Ohio, where she has worked in the ever-evolving field of Developmental Disabilities for over 20 years. Currently she is the Community Employment Coordinator for Portage County Board of DD where she helps connect people and businesses. Tiffany embraces her passion for employment and transition services, by serving on the Ohio ASPE Boards of Directors, the Steel Academy School Board, and the Board of Directors for the Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce and as the Workforce Readiness Chairperson for Portage County SHRM. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, spending time with her wife and managing and creating items for her Etsy jewelry Shop.
Vikki Ortiz, MS, CESP
Supported Employment Trainer, Curriculum Developer, Communications Lead
Colorado Office of Employment First (COEF)
Areas of Expertise: Supported Employment, Communications, Curriculum Design, Resource Development, Lived Experience with Neurodiversity
Available to Connect For: Training, Consultation, Collaboration, Speaking Engagements, Presentations, Special Projects
Vikki is a certified Employment Support Professional and a graduate of APSE’s Emerging Leaders in Employment First professional development program. She also serves as a Co-President of the Colorado Chapter of the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE). Her educational background is in Human Development and Family Studies with an M.S. in Family Studies. Vikki has a vision for all people with disabilities to fully realize, pursue, and accomplish their employment goals.
Outside of work, Vikki enjoys adventuring with her husband, Michael, and her daughter, Isabella. She loves being outdoors – camping, hiking, and traveling to new places.
Lisa Svidron-Stroup, EdD
Training Associate and Supervisor of Maryland Supported Employment
TransCen, Inc.
Areas of Expertise: Community Integrated Employment (CIE), Self-Employment/Entrepreneurship for people with disabilities, technology for on the job supports, transition programming, benefits counseling
Available to Connect For: Consultation, Collaboration, Partnerships, Speaking Engagements
Dr. Lisa Svidron-Stroup is a distinguished member of the TransCen Inc. training team, serving as a prominent leader in the supported employment division. With a rich background spanning over 26 years in the Pittsburgh area, Dr. Stroup has consistently demonstrated her commitment to the field.
At TransCen Inc., Dr. Stroup has played a pivotal role in designing and implementing comprehensive programs for direct support staff, such as Job Coaching 101 &102, Taking Care of You Makes You A Better Job Coach, and Just a Tip a Day from a Successful Day. In her capacity as the manager of supported employment, she oversees day-to day operations, managing staff, volunteers, and fiscal responsibilities.
A dedicated educator, Dr. Stroup imparts her expertise nationally by teaching the National ACRE curriculum for certification to organizations across the country. Additionally, she conducts engaging webinars and speaks at prominent events, contributing to the advancement of supported employment practices.
Dr. Stroup is a distinguished graduate of the National APSE Emerging Leaders in Employment First program and serves as a board member for the Pennsylvania APSE, while also being an active member of the APSE ESPCC Council. Her academic achievements include an EdD in education and curriculum design, complemented by a master’s degree in human services counseling and life coaching. Driven by a passion for transforming interests, likes, strengths, and desires into self-employment opportunities, Dr. Stroup is a dynamic force in the field of supported employment.
Beyond her professional commitments, Dr. Stroup finds joy in watching her son play baseball and indulges in her love for the mountains, often seeking elk-searching adventures. With a family consisting of three mostly grown children, Dr. Stroup recently celebrated her new marriage.
Lee Sylvester
Employment Services Administrator
Developmental Disabilities Resource Center (DDRC)
Areas of Expertise: Supported Employment, Customized Employment, Community Inclusion, Lived Experience as a Person with a Disability
Available to Connect For: Consultation, Communications, Speaking/Panel
Lee is currently the Employment Services Administrator at Developmental Disabilities Resource Center, located in Lakewood, Colorado. He champions Employment First strategies for the IDD community and is currently creating DDRC’s benefits counseling service while supporting their efforts to promote inclusive employment for all. Previously he was the Employment Director at Community Link where he moved forward their wholistic approach to community inclusion for people with IDD. He is a graduate of APSE’s Emerging Leaders program and previously completed a thesis on making support for those with disabilities.
He has been involved professionally with the disability community since 2004 through direct support, advocacy, and leadership positions. He believes that everyone should have the ability to choose what constitutes their best life and in developing systems at the individual and structural levels that facilitate that outcome. As a person with lived experience of disability, he has been afforded access to educational, professional, and personal growth and strives to see others have such opportunity. He has a B.S. in Business Management, as well as a Master of Divinity.
Lee has spent portions of his life in the Midwest, Deep South, New England, and the Mountain West and feels a connection to each one of them. In his free time, he enjoys meditation practice, sports, and spending time with his friends and family.
Leah Wing, MPA
Director of Employment Services
Jewish Family Service of Colorado (JFS)
Areas of Expertise: Supported Employment
Available to Connect For: Consultation, Collaboration, Mentorship, Speaking Engagements
Leah Wing is Director of Employment Services at Jewish Family Service of Colorado (JFS), located in Denver. She began her time at JFS as a Job Developer before moving on to manage the Competitive Integrated Employment services aimed at supporting job seekers with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities. Prior to her current position, Leah served as Business & Workforce Development Manager and focused on growing and nourishing JFS’ employer partnerships.
Leah serves on JFS’ DEI Advisory Board. Before her time at JFS, Leah served as Inclusion Coordinator at the St. Paul JCC and Camp Butwin, and Special Education paraprofessional at Hiawatha Leadership Academy.
Leah earned a Bachelor of Science in Youth Studies from the University of Minnesota and her Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Organizations from the University of Colorado Denver.
Leah is passionate about advocating for a more equitable and inclusive workforce and society. She strives to work in solidarity with the communities JFS serves.
Outside of work, Leah enjoys travelling, eating Thai food, and hiking with her black lab.
Our Community of Practice is committed to the advancement of Employment First. Learn more About Us.