Our Team
Leadership Team
Christopher Tiffany, Executive Director – Habla Español
Chris came to Raising Special Kids from the public school system in central Phoenix where he was a dedicated Special Education teacher and facilitator. Chris and his wife, Paulina, are parents to their only son who was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. Bringing his knowledge of Special Education as an educator and as a parent, Chris is dedicated to the mission of supporting families who are raising children, of all ages, with special needs.
Janna Murrell, Assistant Executive Director
Janna Murrell became a volunteer with Raising Special Kids in 1998, after experiencing firsthand the value of Parent to Parent support when her son was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. After working with families in the nonprofit arena for 12 years Janna joined the staff at Raising Special Kids in 2008 and has worn several hats; Family Support Specialist, Director of Family Support and Education and now Assistant Executive Director.
Janna is a Credentialed Peer Parent Support Partner; and BHT, Certified Trainer of the ASQ 3 and ASQ se, Accredited Provider of Level 4 Group Stepping Stones Triple P, Certified Trainer for Serving on Groups That Make Decisions and Certified completion of the Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening & Support.
Anna Burgmann, Office Manager
Anna joined Raising Special Kids as the office receptionist in 2010. She enjoys working closely with all staff assisting with daily office functions. She is very proud to work with Raising Special Kids and feels rewarded by the important assistance and encouragement provided to families who desperately need it.
Anna has been married more than 35 years to her high school sweetheart and is mom to one adult son and two sweet dogs.
Neil Wintle, Director of Operations
Neil joined Raising Special Kids in 2011. Neil’s previous work experience includes operations management, database administration, and marketing consultation. Neil also has extensive experience in client relations and training.
Neil is the father of two boys. When Neil’s youngest son was born four months early, his family began a 108-day journey through the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). During this time, Neil’s oldest son began to struggle in school and was eventually diagnosed with Dyslexia and ADHD. As a result of his family’s experience, Neil has a passion for supporting NICU families and those with learning disabilities.
Ceci Hartke, Director of Programs – Habla Español
Ceci first reached out to Raising Special Kids in 2008 as a parent of a son newly diagnosed with autism. In 2017, she became a Parent Leader with Raising Special Kids with a real passion to help support other families with the same measured guidance she’d received when her family needed it most. In 2019, Ceci joined the Raising Special Kids team. Ceci truly believes in the parent-to-parent model and is dedicated to helping families know they are not alone in their journey.
Wendi Scharnhorst, Director of Project Development
Wendi has a passion for supporting and educating families and professionals when it comes to children with special health care needs. She has facilitated hundreds of workshops and trusts that families can make the best decisions for themselves and their children. She recognizes that raising children can be difficult, but believes the more educated we are, the better the outcomes are for our children. Wendi has three teenagers of her own, two of whom have special health care needs.
Staff
Chris Ames, Human Resources Administrator
Andrea Anderson, Family Support Specialist – Habla Español
Trudy Billy, Tribal Program Manager
Brandi Clark, Family Support Specialist
Vickie French, Technical Assistance Administrator
Margarita Gonzalez-Maynez, Family Support Specialist – Habla Español
Kathy Gray-Mangerson, Education Systems Administrator
Rachel Hanzuk, Family Support Specialist
Michelle Henretta, Family Support Specialist
Claudia Jaramillo, Family Support Specialist – Habla Español
Angelica Lara, Family Support Specialist – Habla Español
Brittany Miller, Family Support Specialist
Maureen Mills, Communications Coordinator
Kelly Randall, Family Support Specialist
Cristina Renteria, Family Support Specialist – Habla Español
Dolores Rios, Family Support Specialist – Habla Español
Vicky Rozich, Family Support Specialist
Jessica Ruvalcaba, Administrative Assistant – Habla Español
Nannette Salasek, Healthcare Systems Administrator – Habla Español
Paulina Serna, Family Support Specialist – Habla Español
Laurie Shook, Family Support Specialist
Carolyn Sostrom, Family Support Specialist
Tracey Sullivan, Family Support Specialist
Jacque Tate-Tafoya, Family Support Specialist
Gloria Vidal, Family Support Specialist – Habla Español