Tiffany D. Cron, PhD
Tiffany is the Director of the Colorado Office of Employment First.
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.
Contact Dr. Tiffany Cron at tiffany.cron@cuanschutz.edu
Cordelia Robinson Rosenberg, PhD, RN
Professor Emerita Department of Pediatrics
Corry is a Senior Advisor with the Colorado Office of Employment First.
After serving as Director of JFK Partners, CU School of Medicine from 1993 to 2015 Corry partially retired to half time, continuing to do research on autism and began to work in inclusive higher education serving as evaluator for IN! and the three IHE’s providing inclusive education opportunities for students with I/DD in Colorado. That work brought her to Employment First Advisory Partnership meetings. Participation as a Subject Matter Expert at EFAP resulted in the creation of COEF in 2019 through an interagency agreement between Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and CU School of Medicine, JFK Partners, Colorado’s University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service. Corry assumed the responsibility of Interim Director of COEF between November 2022 and June of 2023.
Contact Dr. Cordelia Robinson Rosenberg at cordelia.rosenberg@cuanschutz.edu
Brian Dean, MA, CRC
Brian is a Program Developer/Trainer specializing in Supported and Customized Employment.
Brian has 7 years of experience in the field of rehabilitation counseling and is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC). Brian obtained his master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado. Brian is the Rehabilitation Counseling Discipline Director for the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Program (LEND) through JFK Partners, Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at the University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus. Brian is certified in the evidenced-informed practice of customized employment as a practitioner, trainer, and mentor. Brian received both the Colorado Association of Peron’s Supporting Employment First (CO-APSE) Wendy M. Wood Emerging Leader Award and the DVR Shining Stars Award in 2018. Brian’s work focuses on and is committed to expanding competitive integrated employment, real work for real pay, opportunities for all people with disabilities, especially for individuals with significant barriers and experiences related to employment both at the State and National levels.
Outside of work, Brian enjoys trail running throughout the Colorado mountains and spending time with his family.
Contact Brian Dean at brian.dean@cuanschutz.edu
Melanie Honsbruch, CPWIC
Melanie is a Curriculum Developer/Trainer specializing in Benefits Counseling.
Melanie brings 16 years of experience as a Community Partner Work Incentive Coordinator providing information to service professionals and Coloradans with disabilities and their families about how work and various life choices interact with benefits.
Melanie is a kickboxing instructor, enjoys hiking and spending time with friends.
Contact Melanie Honsbruch at melanie.honsbruch@cuanschutz.edu
Vikki Ortiz, MS, CESP
Vikki is a Curriculum Developer/Trainer specializing in Supported Employment and Communications.
Vikki is a certified Employment Support Professional (CESP) and a graduate of both the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) Emerging Leaders in Employment First professional development program and the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities Leadership Institute. Vikki is a past President of the Colorado APSE Chapter and is a current Board Member, Communications Chair, and Policy Liaison. Vikki is also a Director on the National APSE Governing Board serving on the Board Development, Fundraising, and Accessibility and Belonging Committees.
Her educational background is in Human Development and Family Studies with an M.S. in Family Studies. She is currently enrolled in the University of Colorado Denver’s Graduate Certificate Program in Policy Entrepreneurship and Advocacy.
Vikki has lived experience as an AuDHD woman and 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 daughters, Isabella and Guinevere. She loves being outdoors – camping, hiking, and traveling to new places.
Contact Vikki Ortiz at vikki.ortiz@cuanschutz.edu