Elizabeth Moran
Executive Director
303-864-9334
ELIZABETH A. MORAN, JD, serves as Executive Director for Arc of Colorado. Elizabeth brings an extensive lived experience and professional background working in disability rights across the lifespan. Prior to joining the ArcCO team, Elizabeth served as Chief Counsel at the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging, where she provided substantive support and expertise to the Commission with a focus on guardianship law, policy, practice, and reform at both the state and federal level, specifically in the areas of guardianship, supported decision-making, capacity issues, and abuse, neglect, and exploitation of individuals who have a broad range of disabilities impacting their ability to communicate, such as intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), traumatic brain injury, or who acquire dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other disabilities associated with aging.
Earlier in her career, Elizabeth served as Deputy Director of the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council, Public Policy Coordinator for the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities, and founded an organization called Midwest Advocacy for Disability Rights, where she served as its Director for several years. Elizabeth also served as Chair of the Missouri Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and more than ten years serving as adjunct professor at UMKC School of Law where she co-instructed the course Leadership in Disability Studies: A Multi-disciplinary Approach.
Elizabeth is a sibling of an individual who has an IDD diagnosis and is strong supporter of supported decision-making and community inclusion. She is an enthusiast of creative problem solving, particularly in promoting and protecting the human rights of individuals with IDD as they navigate legal systems and options for quality of life supports. She is most passionate about providing resources, support, leadership training and advocacy for and with individuals with IDD and their families as they seek information and understanding of the options and alternatives available to them in pursuing the most appropriate means of the long-term and decision-making supports necessary for individuals to live a truly integrated life. Elizabeth actively supports full inclusion and participation of all individuals impacted by IDD in their community and throughout their lifetimes.
Meredith Henry
Senior Policy & Advocacy Associate
303-864-9334
Meredith Henry brings extensive experience and expertise on Medicaid at the State and National Level, including an understanding of waivers, the ever-changing landscape of health systems, and current health policy changes at the State and National levels, including but not limited to Medicaid’s Accountable Care Collaborative program and Colorado’s efforts to comply with federal requirements of Conflict Free Case Management. Prior to joining The ArcCO team, Meredith spent over 8 years working in local public health with the new Arapahoe County Public Health Department as a Senior Community Health Promotion Specialist, and previously with the Tri-County Health Department as the Child and Adolescent Wellness Coordinator. Meredith’s contributions to local public health have centered on working with children and youth with special health care needs and their families through advocacy for improved access to care, with additional experience promoting mental health and suicide prevention initiatives. This extensive experience has provided Meredith with a comprehensive understanding of the ever-evolving healthcare landscape and current health policy changes at the state and national levels. Prior to working in public health, Meredith was the Child Health Policy Specialist at the State of Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. Meredith has a Master of Public Policy from the University of Denver and a Bachelor of Arts from Pitzer College.
Yaletzi Rodriguez
Administrative & Outreach Coordinator
303-864-9334
Yaletzi Rodriguez graduated from the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, CO, in May 2021 with a degree in Criminal Justice and two (2) minors: Spanish and Sociology. Her journey in the disability rights community began when she participated with Special Olympics Colorado as a partner and fell in love with working with people who identify as a person with disabilities. Shortly thereafter, she received and accepted an opportunity to work for The Arc Pikes Peak region, where she advocated for individuals with IDD, served on their Guardianship team, and administered the Family Resource Library which provided opportunities to learn about and experience adaptive tools and equipment for people to gain skills and independence. She is grateful for the opportunity to advocate, actively support and engage individuals with IDD, promoting their rights and aiding them in achieving their goals. Yaletzi is bilingual, speaking fluent English and Spanish, where she uses her skillset to work closely with Spanish-only speaking families. She is passionate in her work as an advocate for and with individuals with IDD.
Molly Kirkham
Legislative Policy Advocate
303-864-9334
Molly Kirkham serves as President of the statewide organization Speaking for Ourselves Colorado (SFO). SFO is a self-advocacy organization that cares about human rights and social justice issues like:
– Real jobs with real wages, not jobs we may not like, have no choice about and pay less than minimum wage.
– To be treated with respect when we do need support from a program. To direct the kind of program we have.
– To be part of the community, not separate.
Outside of SFO and her disability advocacy work, she’s a regular participant in Phamaly theater productions. Molly loves acting in plays at Phamaly Theater Company. In her spare time, Molly hangs out with friends, reads books, and goes on walks. “I really love helping people. It gives me a wonderful feeling, and I love seeing the difference I make.” Molly’s goals in life are to get a good job and make a difference in the lives of the people she meets every day!
Grant Gladstone
Administrative Coordinator II
303-864-9334
Grant Gladstone, JD, is a recent law school graduate from the University of South Dakota School of Law. After graduating from law school in the spring of 2022, Grant returned to Colorado to explore career opportunities where he could marry his legal research and analytical skills with his interest in legislative process, Colorado law, civil rights advocacy, and the Denver Broncos! Grant began his work at The ArcCO as a legislative and advocacy intern, in Spring 2023, later evolving into an administrative support role where he provides valuable education and advocacy advancing the mission of The ArcCO. A valued member of the ArcCO Team, Grant demonstrates daily his passion for the promotion and furtherance of civil and human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).