Meet Our Team
How We Started Cultivating Community
For more than 40 years, Common Roots has been part of the Colorado Springs community, supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live meaningful, connected, and fulfilling lives.
Our story began in 1982, when we opened our doors as Stroh Resident Homes, serving just eight individuals. Over the years, our organization has grown and evolved alongside the people we support. In 2020, longtime employees Melissa Albert and Tracy Brown became the owners of the organization and established Common Roots LLC.
Today, we support more than 100 people with disabilities through residential, employment, and community-based services. While our organization has grown, our commitment has remained the same: to know the people we support, listen to what matters to them, and help them build lives of greater independence, connection, and purpose.
After more than four decades, we remain locally owned, locally invested, and committed to the people and community we are privileged to serve.
Our roots run deep. Our future is growing.
Executive Team
Tracy Brown
Executive Director/Co -Owner
A native Coloradan, Tracy has called Colorado Springs home since 2000 and has dedicated more than two decades to supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She began her career with the agency in 2001 and has served in a variety of roles throughout her career, giving her firsthand experience and a deep understanding of the people, families, and staff who make up Common Roots.
Tracy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Rehabilitative Services from the University of Northern Colorado and is a graduate of the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities. Her professional experience and leadership development have strengthened her commitment to advancing person-centered services and creating meaningful opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
As Executive Director, Tracy is passionate about building a strong, sustainable organization that supports both the people served and the dedicated staff who make that support possible. She is committed to staying informed about changes in Colorado legislation, Medicaid, and disability services and actively advocates for policies and funding that protect the rights, opportunities, and quality of life of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Tracy believes strong leadership means being willing to listen, speak up, and continually learn. She is especially passionate about ensuring that people with disabilities have meaningful choices, opportunities for independence, and the opportunity to be valued and active members of their communities.
Tracy’s Colorado roots run deep. She comes from a family of Colorado ranchers, where she learned from an early age the value of hard work, personal responsibility, perseverance, and doing what you say you will do. Those values continue to shape her approach to leadership and her commitment to the people and families Common Roots serves.
Outside of Common Roots, Tracy enjoys exploring everything Colorado has to offer, from hiking and camping to backpacking and other outdoor adventures. She also loves traveling, music, animals, and spending time with family.
Tracy is proud to have spent her career growing alongside the organization and is committed to honoring its roots while helping shape a strong and meaningful future for the people it supports.
Melissa Albert
Registered Nurse/ Co-Owner
Melissa Albert
REGISTERED NURSE/CO-OWNER
Melissa has dedicated more than 25 years to supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and has been a Registered Nurse with Common Roots since 1999. As a co-owner and Registered Nurse, she brings a unique combination of clinical expertise, leadership, and firsthand experience in the field. Melissa is also a Certified Developmental Disabilities Nurse (CDDN), reflecting her specialized knowledge and commitment to the health and well-being of people with developmental disabilities.
Before becoming a nurse, Melissa worked in several roles supporting people with disabilities, including Employment Consultant, Direct Support Professional in a group home, and Service Coordinator. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Colorado, Beth-El College of Nursing in 2000. Her nursing experience also includes working as a medical-surgical nurse in a hospital and as a telephone triage nurse for physician practices.
Melissa is a strong advocate for advancing nursing care and health outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is an active member of the Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association (DDNA) and the Colorado Association of Nurses for Developmental Disabilities (CANDD). She also enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience with the next generation of nurses by welcoming nursing students from local colleges to Common Roots for internships focused on community health and leadership.
Melissa is passionate about ensuring that people with disabilities receive thoughtful, individualized support and have the opportunity to live healthy, meaningful, and fulfilling lives. Her commitment to improving quality of life is at the heart of both her professional work and her leadership at Common Roots.
A Colorado enthusiast, Melissa enjoys hiking, camping, backpacking, snowshoeing, and exploring the outdoors with her two daughters, Mia and Kayden. Having grown up as a military child and lived in several countries, including Germany and Panama, Melissa developed an appreciation for different cultures and perspectives from an early age.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading, particularly books exploring women’s rights and the challenges women face around the world.
Melissa believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a life of purpose, dignity, connection, and choice—and she is passionate about helping make that possible.
Residential Division
Tina Simpson
Human Resources /Bookkeeping
Tina Simpson
HUMAN RESOURCES AND BOOKKEEPING
Tina grew up in Pueblo West and pursued school finally obtaining her Accounting Degree from University of Phoenix in 2016. She comes to the agency after working as a bookkeeper for a grocery chain. She enjoys spending time with her 2 chiweenies Khloe and Karma and her 1 cat Buffy. Tina is always happy to attend concerts and spend time with friends. Playing board games and cards is a fun pastime for her.
Mary Gabaldon
Quality Assurance
Mary Gabaldon
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Mary Gabaldon, Quality Assurance Coordinator, has been with the agency since 1999. She brings to her job 30 years of experience working with people who have developmental disabilities. When Mary was 15, she started volunteering in her mother’s Special Education class at Edison Elementary, where she found her calling.
She taught at Wasson High School in the Special Education department for 12 years. Born and raised in Colorado Springs she cannot imagine living anywhere else. Mary and her husband Ron enjoy glamping, fishing, and spending time with their beloved pup.
She is also a strong advocate for animal and human rights.
Vanessa Archibald
Residential Program Director
Vanessa Archibald
RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Vanessa was born and raised in Colorado Springs. She started at the agency in 1999 and has worked with people with developmental disabilities for over 20 years. Vanessa graduated from USC in 2003 with her Bachelors in Social Work.
Vanessa has two children, a boy and a girl, with whom she loves spending time. She has taken dance classes for over fifteen years and enjoys the opportunity to dance. Vanessa and her family love camping, horseback riding, soaking in the hot springs, skiing, and being outside.
Vanessa appreciates a good laugh and listening to music. She also enjoys quiet time with good books of all varieties.
Rachel Thompson
Service Coordinator
Rachel Thompson
SERVICE COORDINATOR
Rachel was born and raised in Southern California before making her way to Colorado Springs in 1992. Rachel started with Common Roots in 2017. Her past experience in leadership and with serving the public, has made her a great addition to our team.
When she isn’t working, Rachel enjoys spending time with her daughter, Avery, and venturing out as often as possible to see what the State of Colorado has to offer. She also enjoys movies, a sunny patio with friends, and her dog, Mia.
Krys Williams
Service Coordinator
Krys Williams
SERVICE COORDINATOR
Krys Williams, Service Coordinator with Common Roots, comes with a passion for making a positive impact, holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Sociology and Biology. With 8 years of dedicated experience in human services, Krys excels at connecting individuals with the resources they need to thrive.
Outside of work, Krys finds solace in nature through gardening and outdoor adventures. A semi-skilled pickleball player, Krys values friendship and stays active engaging in this social sport. Committed, compassionate, and driven, Krys Williams brings a blend of expertise and warmth to every interaction, creating lasting impacts in the field of service coordination.
Mia Albert
Service Coordinator
Mia Albert
SERVICE COORDINATOR
Mia was born and raised in Colorado Springs. After high school, Mia moved to Fort Collins and completed her degree in Human Development and Family Studies in 2024 at Colorado State University. Mia recently moved back to Colorado Springs to complete her Masters in Social Work at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.
Mia has about six years of experience in the IDD community and has worked as a DSP in residential and day program settings. Mia has also had the opportunity to do respite in her home for individuals with IDD. In her free time, Mia enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, camping, and paddleboarding with her dog, Loki.
Michelle Porter
Registered Nurse
Michelle Porter
REGISTERED NURSE
Michelle Porter has been a dedicated registered nurse since 2012, bringing over a decade of diverse, extensive experience in both hospital, clinical, and community health. Before joining Common Roots in 2025, she served as a lead nurse for El Paso County’s D2 school district, supporting students with disabilities and complex medical needs.
After relocating to Colorado in 2019, Michelle continued her commitment to patient care at an inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. In 2021 she received her Master’s degree in Nursing from Aspen University. She also has a strong background in medical-surgical and cardiac nursing.
Outside of her professional life, Michelle is a proud mother of four adult children and has been married for over 20 years to her husband, a retired Army veteran. Together, they share a lively home with two dogs and several cats. Michelle enjoys traveling with her family, camping, and bowling. When she’s not outdoors or on the go, she can often be found curled up with a good book in her home library or engrossed in a true crime documentary.
Michelle Jakeman
Service Coordinator
Michelle Jakeman
SERVICE COORDINATOR
Michelle (AKA MJ) was raised in Southern California before moving to Pueblo in 1987. After high school, Michelle joined the U.S. Army stationed in Arizona. After the Army, she moved back to Pueblo and met her husband in 2000. Their daughter was born in 2004.
In 2015, Michelle was diagnosed with Stage 2A Brest cancer. After treatment, she went to Colorado State University – Pueblo, earning her BSW in 2020. Michelle’s background is in assisting older adults and adults with disabilities. In her free time, she enjoys camping, spending time with family and friends, watching Marvel movies, and spoiling her cat and guinea pigs.
Employment Division
Karin Cowan
Employment Services
Program Director
Karin Cowan
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROGRAM DIRECTOR
In 1997, Karin started working as the agency’s first Employment Consultant, helping people get and keep jobs in the community. She loves to see people learn new skills and work at jobs they enjoy.
She has over 25 years of experience working with people with disabilities in various capacities, including employment, case management, respite, and education. Karin has also managed a restaurant and taught school. She earned a B.S. at Stephen F. Austin State University.
Karin loves reading, stamping cards, baking, and playing games. She and her husband also enjoy providing a foster home to mother cats and their kittens.
Don Leavitt
Employment Consultant
Don Leavitt
EMPLOYMENT CONSULTANT
Don’s dad was in the military for 33 years, which allowed Don to travel throughout Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Bavaria, and Austria while growing up. Through his travels, he learned to appreciate different cultures and different ways of life.
He learned at a young age to respect others, even though they are different from him. Don returned to the US and moved to Colorado in 1967. He got a degree in Business Administration from the University of Western Colorado. He spent many years working as a manager in the restaurant business, through which he learned that everyone likes to be respected and treated as an equal. As a manager, Don used his skills to direct and motivate people. He is able to look at employment from both the employer’s perspective, as well as the job seeker’s/employee’s perspective.
Don unwinds by doing yard work, caring for his flowers and lawn. He enjoys getting his hands dirty and appreciates the smell of fresh earth. His favorite hobbies are skiing and hiking. He found the love of his life in his wife Connie and has 2 grown children, Loren and Lucas.
Miranda Davies
Employment Consultant
Miranda Davies
EMPLOYMENT CONSULTANT
Miranda was born in Tacoma, Washington, at the age of three she moved to Southern California. Her parents were both in the United States Army. They soon moved to Fountain, CO. A few years later her family was relocated with the military to Oahu, Hawaii where she finished elementary school and attended intermediate school prior to her family returning to Fountain, CO.
Miranda eventually moved to Colorado Springs where she obtained an Associates Degree in Arts and Humanities from Pikes Peak State College. Miranda has worked in customer service for several years before becoming a direct support specialist for two different adult day programs over a six year period and worked as a caregiver to the elderly during this same time period.
Day Program Division
Bob Dickerson
Direct Support Professional
Bob Dickerson
DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL
I was one of the kids while growing up who made friends with people who were different. They often had some type of disability or they were socially awkward. While I was in my 20s, I did volunteer work at nursing homes as well as at a program that was at the Pikes Peak Community College for the developmentally disabled.
My wife had similar views as I did, and when we got married, we began running a host home. I also started working with different individuals as a Community Liaison and/or an apartment counselor. I enjoy working with people that have developmental disabilities. My heart desires to help and teach these individuals to the best of my ability.
Other things I enjoy doing in my free time are having a game night with my family, playing drums, guitar, and ping-pong. I also enjoy going for walks, collecting coins, and having a nice antique toy car collection.
Every Journey Starts with Support
Together, we can create opportunities for greater independence, personal growth, meaningful employment, and lasting community connections.