Megan is a community social worker with more than 10 years of experience. She brings a wealth of expertise to our work; her background includes direct service with young people, community-building, and advocacy. Most recently, Megan was the Program Manager for Denver Shared Spaces, helping nonprofits connect commercial real estate with social impact. She has also worked as a counselor with young people and their families. This varied experience informs her work, and brings to Building Bridges a rich set of skills and expertise that will support the organization as we grow our work with young people here in Colorado.

Liz Hamel originally joined Building Bridges in the summer of 2014 as a Colorado Program Facilitator and worked as a Summer Intensive and School Year Facilitator for two years. Liz’s background creating and facilitating programs with various communities is grounded in her love for transformational leadership development, social justice work, and creative non-traditional education. As a bilingual community organizer, Liz worked alongside immigrants to develop leadership and bring immigrant voices to the policy process. She has worked in many educational settings, most recently with groups of parent leaders as partners in their students’ education. Additionally, Liz teaches as an adjunct faculty and has assisted with Latin American social work immersion courses. Liz is passionate about Building Bridges’ unique and powerful programming because it creates spaces for participants to be their true selves while challenging them to connect their individual and group experiences to larger social issues. Liz holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Spanish. Originally from Kansas, Liz has lived in Denver since 2008 and enjoys reading, history, exploring new places, musicals, coffee, Jayhawk basketball, and spending time with her family, friends, and dog Rory.

Tabea is excited to join Building Bridges as an MSW intern attending the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver. She earned her BSW at Indiana Wesleyan University and has worked as a family case manager and after school co-facilitator serving families experiencing poverty in Indianapolis. Tabea is passionate about developing genuine community, challenging systemic sources of oppression, and empowering youth, families, and communities celebrate diversity, live authentically, and overcome barriers to self-determination and wellness. In her free time, Tabea enjoys exploring new places, hammocking, reading, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.