President

Hope A. Wisneski, LCSW, President: Over the past decade, Ms Wisneski has established herself as a leader in various at risk youth and families’ social service projects and programs in the Southwest.

Her professional positions include serving as On-Call Juvenile Detention Officer at the Arizona State Judiciary in Tucson, Arizona and a School Social Worker for at risk children and families in the Denver public school system.

In 1999, Ms. Wisneski served an internship at the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of Colorado, Denver in which she provided crisis intervention and supportive counseling services for Rainbow Alley youth; created and facilitated support groups; oversaw peer leadership program; served as a one-on-one mentor for youth; created and implemented Adult Wellness programming, including increasing awareness about general health issues and emergency resources; and assisted in organizing an Annual HealthFest, coordinating with community health and mental health organizations.

From 2000-2003, Ms. Wisneski held positions of increasing responsibility for the Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network at the 18th Judicial District Juvenile Assessment Center, Littleton, Colorado. These positions include, Mental Health Assessment Specialist, Team Leader, and Clinical Coordinator.

Her more recent positions include acting as a group therapist at the Marvin W. Foote Youth Service Center in Centennial, providing direct care at the Senate Bill 94 Residential Weekend Work Program and acting as Director of Youth Services at the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Denver.

Equally active philanthropically, Ms. Wisneski serves as a Board Member of the Colorado AIDS Project, the Colorado Organizations Responding to AIDS, and the Colorado Child and Adolescent Mental Health Committee Board. She is a former Board Member of the Colorado Anti-Violence Program. Ms. Wisneski serves as a Team Captain for the AIDS Walk Colorado, Coalition Co-Chair for the Rocky Mountain Equal Care Coalition and a Committee Member for the Denver Alliance Tobacco Health.

Ms. Wisneski brings to the Institute, extensive experience in the development, implementation and oversight management of multiple programs, budgets, and grants. She is renowned for her expertise in developing community collaboration. Ms. Wisneski is recognized as a team builder, motivator, and mentor for cultural competence.