Our Team

Wendy Lee is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Addiction Counselor. She has a Bachelor's in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in adolescents and a Master's in Social Work. Wendy worked at Turning Point for 19 years, earlier in her career. After working in private practice, she returned to fulfill the Clinical Director role. Wendy is excited to be back working in a team environment that shares a joint mission and philosophy. Outside of Turning Point, Wendy has a private practice and teaches in the Psychology program at Colorado State University.

Farai Makombe, Ph.D. first joined the Turning Point team in 2000 as a counselor. Next, she spent 10 years working with DYS clients who were on parole. When Turning Point started offering behavior coaching services, in 2016, Farai was asked to supervise the coaching program and supervise the tracking program as the Transitional Services and Coaching Program Coordinator. Turning Point’s Behavior Coaching program started to grow under Farai’s leadership and became a full-time job by 2018. In October 2021, Farai became the Outpatient Coordinator for all outpatient programming. Farai enjoys working at Turning Point because it is very family oriented. “They support their employees through both good and challenging times,” she shares. .

Annie has a Master's in Public Affairs with an emphasis in Nonprofit and Community Services Management and a Bachelor's in Psychology, both from Park University in Parkville, MO. Annie moved to Colorado in 2007 and worked as a counselor and then case manager for Turning Point's girls' residential program. She left in 2011 and spent the next six years working as a Child Welfare Caseworker and Family Engagement Facilitator. She completed her Master's degree in 2013 and, in 2017, shifted her career to the administrative side of nonprofits, working as the Executive Director for a small nonprofit in Wellington, wearing all the hats for an organization that focused on downtown revitalization and community events. In late 2019, she started her own business, Sunshine Ink, and worked as a news reporter and freelance writer. In late 2020, she returned to Turning Point as the Referral Coordinator, moving into the Development Coordinator Role in 2021.

Annie provides consultant, marketing, and grant writing services through Sunshine Ink and divides her time between Turning Point and a couple of other nonprofits in the community. Annie is passionate about helping at-risk youth, having been one herself, and loves serving in the nonprofit world.

In her free time, Annie is an adventure junkie and proud dog mom. She can be found training or preparing for her next big adventure. She also enjoys adventures with her adult human son, daughter-in-love, and granddog.

Tyler joined the team in November, 2023. He has a Bachelors in Business Management and Human Resources, and will graduate in May 2024 with a Masters in Business Administration. He has seven years experience in Human Resources.

Michael is serving part time as Turning Point’s Chief Financial Officer, and has over 20 years experience in the field.

Michael Bennett is a dynamic, operational financial executive specializing in building high growth companies in a variety of industries. Michael currently serves as CFO for STAR HARBOR and is building the world’s first publicly accessible spaceflight preparation facility and cutting-edge research and development campus for emerging technologies. Michael has also served as Managing Partner for Mile High Advisors, a full stack consulting firm supporting clients in Technology, SaaS, Real Estate, Construction, Mining, Non-Profits, Manufacturing, and CPG.

Michael began his career with Arthur Andersen and PwC in Silicon Valley, consulting companies in the technology sector. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude, from California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo and is a CPA.

Michael moved from California to Colorado in 2002 to ski and never left. With his free time, Michael still loves skiing and traveling with his wife and two sons.

Jamie’s role includes facilitating DUI education level II and therapy classes, substance evaluation, and individual therapy. His education is a Bachelor’s degree in Art in History from Colorado State University in 1998, Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Colorado State University in 2002, and Master’s degree in Social Work from Colorado State University in 2012.

Jamie’s licenses/certifications include CAS #6850. Jamie utilizes Evidence-Based Practices: Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). He has been with Turning Point since 2001, a Certified Addiction Specialist since 2009, and DUI Program Coordinator since 2011. He is experienced working with systems: clients, families, community resources, and interagency and referral sources. Referral sources include Probations, Contract Probations, Recovery Monitoring Systems (RMS) and Intervention), Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Youth Services (DYS), and Youthful Offender System (YOS).

When not working, Jamie enjoys spending time with his family, riding his bike, reading, watching movies, and most things geeky.

Christy Malara is the substance abuse treatment specialist for Intensive Outpatient Program groups and is also one of the facilitators for DUI/DWAI classes for education and therapy. Christy has a BA, Certification in Impaired Driver Education and Certified Addictions Specialist (CAS). She is straightforward, down-to-earth, and that is how she teaches. Christy uses different group techniques, such as Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. She has been a substance abuse counselor with Turning Point since 2008 and has been with the DUI/DWAI program at Turning Point since 2016. She started with the IOP program in October 2022 and has played a considerable role in getting that program up and running.

In my childhood, I was described as an adventurous thrill seeker. I grew up in Evergreen, Colorado, and was blessed with the opportunity of playing outdoors. Today I still enjoy exploring the outdoors through hiking, paddle-boarding, and biking. With all the adventures outside, I have fallen many times. And with all the times I have been down, I have learned that it takes the support from others to help me back up. In the times of the most traumatic events, it is the individuals around you supporting you that raise you up.

I have a passion and drive for working in a career where everyday I get to work with families. That started in 2010 with me accepting a position at Turning Point Center for Youth and Family Development as a Behavioral Coach. That was where I discovered this is the field where I can support families in need and meet a purpose in my life. While gaining the experience at Turning Point, I received my Bachelor of Science from CSU with the degree of Human Development and Family Studies. In May of 2016, I stepped into a new career as a Child Protection Social Caseworker for Larimer County. It was this opportunity that I learned the most about how to support families by utilizing Motivational Interviewing Skills, Solutions Focused Conversation Skills, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Trauma Informed Care Practices. In 2018, I accepted a position as a Chaplain at Denver Rescue Mission, Harvest Farm Rehabilitation. It was an honor to work with men striving to be independent. There I completed my Certification Addictions Specialist and also trained counselors in addiction therapy. I have worked extensively in Medication Assisted Treatment and understand the benefits of utilizing medication in assisting individuals in recovery. Now I am very excited to begin this new opportunity to continue to grow, teach, and walk alongside all.

If I am not working, I am probably with a friend, cooking, or training for the Tough Mudder.

Alex Tyskiewicz is committed to providing high quality care to individuals in the Northern Colorado community. Alex is currently a fifth year Counseling Psychology Ph.D. student, and has graduated with a Masters in Addictions Counseling and a Masters in Science. Alex is somewhat new to working at Turning Point, and has worked in several other mental health facilities in Fort Collins. Alex's philosophy is that every individual is deserving of unconditional positive regard and thoughtful and effective treatment. Alex believes that working at Turning Point allows him to live congruently with this philosophy and provides him with continued opportunities to learn and grow.

Katherine is a Licensed Addiction Counselor Candidate. She received her bachelor's degree in Psychology from Quincy University in Quincy, IL and received her Master's in Addiction Counseling in Psychology from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. Katherine has experience working as a substance abuse counselor at a rehabilitation facility in Illinois. While there she worked with both inpatient and outpatient clients. Katherine also has several years experience working with patients in a behavioral health hospital in Fort Collins, CO. She joined the Turning Point team in June, 2023.

Bags (she/her) is a fourth-year PhD student in the Counseling Psychology program at Colorado State University. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Baylor University, where she developed her interests in behavioral-health research, performance art, and triathlons. In 2022, she received her MS from Colorado State University. Through her experiences as a student, endurance athlete, and creative, she has developed her orientation as a narrative therapist. Her research is currently focused on scale development for substance use outcomes, but she is broadly interested in substance use patterns, psychedelic-assisted treatments, and holistic health. When she is not working at the university or in her role as a therapist, she spends much of her time watering her plants, in the Rocky Mountains, or at the local comedy club.

Taryn is an LPCC and graduated from CSU's Masters of Addictions Counseling program. She completed her internship as an addictions specialist in Turning Point's residential treatment program and, from there, moved on to work as a counselor at Platte Valley Youth Services Center in Greeley. She returned to Turning Point in September 2023 as a therapist and is excited to be back and part of a fantastic team. Taryn has a passion for working with individuals and helping them to work through life's challenges.

Taryn is a Colorado transplant, visiting for what was supposed to be a summer and never moving away. In her free time, she can often be found curled up with a good book, lost somewhere in the wilds with her camera, planning her next travel adventure, or trying to spend as much time as possible in the water despite living in a landlocked state.

Morgan Douglass (She/Her) earned a master's in Mental Health Counseling from SUNY Albany in May of 2019 and is currently working towards completion of her Doctorates in Counseling Psychology through Colorado State University. Morgan’s areas of clinical specialty include substance use and addictive behaviors, mood disorders, and providing support for individuals in the LGBTQ+ community.

In her free time, Morgan enjoys napping, knitting, and reading fantasy.

Bio coming soon

Sydney began working as a Behavioral Coach at Turning Point in August 2022 while she continued as a student at Colorado State University. She interned at CSU's Campus Connections from 2020-2022 as a mentor and worked up to the Lead Mentor Coach position. In addition, Sydney focused on how trauma can impact individuals and systems at the CSU Trauma and Resilience Assessment Center as an undergraduate intern. Sydney graduated from CSU in December 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Clinical and Counseling along with a minor in Women's Interdisciplinary Studies. Since March 2023, Sydney has served as the Lead Behavioral Coach where she meets with youth, adult, and family coaching clients as well as assists Farai with administrative tasks for the coaching team. Sydney plans to continue her education after gaining more experience working with clients at Turning Point.

Antonia is a graduate student at Colorado State University in the Master's Addiction Counseling program. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology in the spring of 2023. She is currently working as a behavioral coach with the goal of eventually becoming a licensed addiction counselor and psychological counselor. Antonia is a creative person who loves art and painting. "I always strive to do my best to help others in any way I can."

Parker Thurston is an administrative assistant at Turning Point, completing a variety of tasks and projects for the organization. He is an undergraduate student of Addiction Counseling at Colorado State University, striving for his Master’s Degree in the program. Parker is a Fort Collins native who enjoys drumming and bowling when not in the office.

Lisa O’Sullivan Carroll is passionate about mission-based work such as what Turning Point provides. She has worked in the non-profit industry for over 20 years as an executive director, running everything from social service agencies to museums. Lisa also worked in the for-profit sector, running accounting departments for several organizations. She has managed organizations throughout the western United States in Arizona, New Mexico, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and the Navajo Nation. She has provided professional counseling, administrative, and accounting services in her career. She has been with Turning Point since October, 2020.

Outside of her educational and professional achievements, Lisa’s greatest passions are her family and pets. Her horse Zeus is her greatest motivation outside of her husband, children, and grandchild. Lisa and Zeus were training to joust until Zeus’ health sidelined their progress several years ago. Now she and Zeus enjoy Liberty work, and Lisa and her husband Tim enjoy camping, hiking, sailing, snowshoeing and skiing, live music, and play dates with their grandson.

Mark Trumble is our IT System Administrator. He has been with Turning Point since 2010 and has worked to transform Turning Point's technology infrastructure to 100% Cloud based applications. He comes from a long list of previous IT/Computer based employers and has an Associates degree in Electronics as well as Microsoft Certifications. Mark enjoys exploring the Colorado mountains with his wife and 3 Portuguese water dogs and loves to camp and fish. Mark prefers working for a small non-profit where he can be more effective and give back to the community.

Mark retired as System Administrator in December, 2023, but is still helping on the side, by providing contract services . We miss seeing his face around the office!