Staff

Pamela Bisceglia is the Executive Director of AdvocacyDenver. As a parent of a child with a disability, Pamela gained practical experience regarding the rights of children and adults with disabilities. Her professional experience is marked by her devotion to individuals in need, first-hand knowledge of the operation of public systems and their obligation under state and federal law. Pamela stands with a team whose principal focus is on achieving equal rights and social justice for people with disabilities through individual advocacy and systems advocacy at the state and federal level.

Melissa Palacio is AdvocacyDenver’s Office Manager, working alongside leadership to support adult and child advocates. Melissa attended Western Cuna Management School at Pomona College majoring in Business Management, and Front Range Community College holding a certification in Certified Event Rental Professional. She’s a passionate volunteer for Special Olympics Colorado and other events supporting people with disabilities. Melissa volunteers her time to a non-profit organization serving as a Coach, mentoring leaders of small women groups that are working through life’s unique circumstances. These professional and personal experiences have paved a way for Melissa to devote her skills in supporting the active voice AdvocacyDenver upholds in the community.

Alejandro Arrieta is a Child and Family Advocate. From a young age Alejandro understood the importance of multilingualism and service to the Spanish-speaking community and people living with disabilities. He continuously fights to protect language and educational rights. His younger sibling, whom has disabilities, motivates him to serve as a bridge between community and the public special education system. Currently, Alejandro uses his experience in respectful communication, facilitation, and more to thrive in his position with AdvocacyDenver. Alejandro spends his free time connecting with the outdoors and his four pets.

Linda Brooks is an Advocate for Adults. She spent 12 years as a Service Coordinator for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and 11 years investigating allegations of Mistreatment, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation (MANE). She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska in Children’s Rehabilitation and a Master’s degree from Drake University in Vocational Rehabilitation-Personnel Counseling. She is a Huskers fan (GO BIG RED!).

Kaley Day is an Advocate for Adults and advisor to People First of Denver. She publishes Policy Perspective, featuring interviews with state policymakers and community members on issues that affect the work and mission of AdvocacyDenver. Kaley is a graduate of the University of Denver with a degree in Strategic Communication and emphases in nonprofit organizations and social justice. She has an older brother with disabilities and grew up in the family support and advocacy community of Colorado. Kaley’s passion lies in amplifying the voices of self-advocates, supporting siblings in their unique journeys, and most recently, providing comprehensive, inclusive sexuality education for youth and adults. She has been with the organization since 2011 and previously served as the Coordinator for Communication and Grant Development.

Heather Peters is a Child and Family Advocate. She joined AdvocacyDenver in August, 2018. Heather graduated from Towson University with a psychology degree. She worked in different urban public school systems as a paraprofessional, a teacher and as a Family Liaison for children with special needs. In the role of Family Liaison, Heather connected families with community resources, helped families navigate through the Individualized Education Program, Section 504 process and understand educational rights of children with disabilities. Heather has, and continues to serve on a range of councils and boards.

Tony Sears has been an Advocate for Adults at AdvocacyDenver since 1998. Tony holds a BA in Psychology and has worked in the mental health field for more than 19 years, the past ten years of which have been in the developmental disabilities field. Additionally, he works with public agencies and advocacy organizations in crisis intervention, criminal justice, dual diagnosis (developmental disabilities and mental health), and RTD’s Access-A-Ride Appeals Committee.

Scott Utash is a Child and Adult Advocate. Scott holds a B.S. in Special Education from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Scott has more than 35 years of experience working for and advocating with people with disabilities and previously served at AdvocacyDenver (1999-2000) as the Justice Coordinator for adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities or Mental Illness. He also served on the Board of Directors for AdvocacyDenver.

Michael Breeskin is Counsel for AdvocacyDenver, and he is the attorney for the organization’s Center for Special Education Law. Mr. Breeskin has a Juris Doctor from the Georgetown University Law Center and previously served as Senior Attorney for the nonprofit organization that the Governor of Colorado designated as the Protection and Advocacy System for people with disabilities in the state.

Charlene Lawrence works part-time for AdvocacyDenver and has been doing miscellaneous office work assignments with us since 1998. Charlene has been an AdvocacyDenver client and an integral part of the ARC and People First Community since the mid-nineties. She received an award from the Arc of Denver for her dedication to volunteerism in 1995, as well as the John Bear award in 1998. AdvocacyDenver helped assist Charlene in buying her first condo in 2000, where she still resides with her husband of 11 years, Mike, who is also a client of AdvocacyDenver. Charlene is passionate about dogs, shopping, meeting new people, Starbucks coffee and her beloved church community. Charlene enjoys eating meals with friends at her favorite restaurant, Golden Corral.