Our Mission |
The mission of the JUSTin HOPE Foundation is to give hope to families and individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities by promoting inclusion and creating opportunities through education/training and family support to maximize the individual’s potential.
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Our Staff
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Maricela Gutierrez Rodriguez | Executive Director
Maricela was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. Maricela graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in Communication Disorders in 2014 and is perusing her Masters in Nonprofit Leadership and Management. She is fluent in Spanish and functional American Sign Language. Maricela has worked in community-based organizations for over six years specializing in program management, education and training. She has been working with families and individuals with disabilities both locally and worldwide for the past eight years. Maricela brings her passion for community engagement and inclusion to the JUSTin HOPE Foundation. |
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Carla Hernandez | Community Outreach Associate
Carla, was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. She will be graduating in 2022 with her degree in Sociology and a minor in Communications from the University of Nevada, Reno. She is a proud first-generation Mexican-American and hopes to ultimately have a career in community outreach and to be able to help others. “Having volunteered with nonprofits in the past, I have developed such a strong passion for the work they provide to people with many diverse backgrounds and needs.” Carla is extremely eager to intern with the JUSTin HOPE Foundation because of its desire to create an overall better community regardless of differences or obstacles. |
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Yulisa Mendez | MSW Intern
Yulisa, was born in Santa Barbara, CA, but grew up in the small town of Truckee, CA. She has now lived in Reno, NV for the past three years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Biology and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Nevada, Reno and will be graduating in 2023. Yulisa hopes to ultimately work as a licensed clinical social worker, providing mental health services to minority low-income individuals in her community. “I have worked directly with patients/clients for more than 5 years in medical settings. The part I enjoy the most is advocating for my client’s needs and working with them side by side, helping them meet their goals.” Yulisa is excited to join the JUSTin HOPE Foundation because of its mission to empower individuals and families with disabilities. She hopes to learn new skills that will help in her future role as a social worker. She is particularly excited to be a part of the Spanish Support Group and provide needed resources for this community. |
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Ryan Blackwood | MSW Intern
Ryan was born and raised in Roseville, California. She graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in Psychology in 2020 and is pursuing her Masters degree in Social Work. Ryan hopes to one day work with children and youth in the foster care or juvenile system. "I love the work that nonprofits provide to their community and I am excited to help make a difference with the JUSTin HOPE Foundation." Ryan is very excited to be an intern and help provide inclusive opportunities for people with disabilities. |
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Drew Nicolas Dunbar | BSW Intern
Drew is originally from Allentown, Pennsylvania and has lived in Reno for five years. He is currently pursing his a degree in Social Work. With the hope of getting his masters in Social Work soon after. Drew has worked with the Path to Independence program at UNR as an educational coach for students with disabilities. "Working with the Path to Independence program has only grown my passion for helping people with disabilities get the same opportunities that all people get. One of my main goals in life is to create a business that provides equal opportunities to those with developmental and intellectual disabilities." Drew is excited about helping people of all abilities reach their goals and fullest potential. |
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Xitlaly Reyes | BSW Intern
Xitlaly was born in El Paso, Texas and was raised in Reno, Nevada. She is a student in the school of Social Work at the University of Nevada, Reno where she is working to get her bachelor’s degree in Social Work. She is passionate about being part of a profession that works toward social justice and the empowerment of marginalized communities. “I am excited to soak in as many skills and as much knowledge as I can during my time with the JUSTin HOPE Foundation.” Xitlaly hopes to engage with families in ways that empowers them to reach their goals. She is especially excited to work with the Spanish speaking community. |
Board of Directors
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Mitch Laughton | Chair
The Laughton Co. Mitch is the president of The Laughton Company, an insurance brokerage and investment advisory firm. Mitch has spent more than 30 years specializing in advising businesses and individuals on their Health and their Wealth. His goal is to assist in designing a blueprint for success with business owners as they build their financial fortress. With his unique experience in Employee Benefit, Executive Benefit, and Retirement Benefit planning , the team at the Laughton Company delivers programs that can combine sponsored programs with individual planning to meet personal goals. Mitch graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor's of science in business. Mitch and his wife Galen have been married for 29 years. They have two sets of twins: Carter, Kelsey, Sydney, and Shayna. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, golf, skiing, fishing, music, and sports |
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Darrell Plummer | Past-Chair
Sierra Nevada Properties Darrell is an owner/broker of Sierra Nevada Properties. A fourth-generation Nevadan. Darrell is a 1984 graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in business administration with a special emphasis in finance and a minor in economics. Darrell has been the past president or chair of numerous professional boards and is currently the chair for the Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce. He is the recipient of the 1992 College of Business Outstanding Alumnus Award and the 2017 recipient of the Nevada Alumni Association Professional Achievement Award, which is awarded for outstanding records of distinguished career accomplishments and contributions to their profession. |
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Beth Farley | Treasurer
Eide Bailey Beth is a partner at Eide Bailey LLP, a national top 25 CPA firm. Beth is an experienced accountant who specializes in nonprofits, churches, governments, contractors, and small businesses. Beth works with her clients to make sure they understand their financials and develop tools that strengthen their business or organization. She prides herself in making sure clients receive professional service and valuable information. Outside of work, Beth is married to Mike, and they have two daughters. As a family, they enjoy spending time with family and friends camping, hiking, and relaxing. Beth has lived in Northern Nevada since 1997 and is a UNR graduate. |
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Carol Reitz | Co-Founder
Sierra Nevada Chocolates Carol grew up in Southern California, where she met Art nearly 30 years ago. She graduated from Lee College of Court Reporting in 1999, and now would never leave "home." She completed the Nevada Leadership Education in Neurodevelopment Disabilities, Partners in Policymaking, and is a certified Nonviolent Crisis Intervention instructor. She is also the owner of Sierra Nevada Chocolates. The business was purchased so that Justin and others can be trained to become contributing members of our society. Carol enjoys running and hanging out with her four extraordinary boys: Kyle, Justin, Riley, and Art. Her passion is to continue to build a community of support and engagement for all individuals and families with special needs. |
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Art Reitz | Co-Founder
Reno Fire Department Art is the co-founder of the JUSTin Hope Foundation. He is Justin's father and has been married to Carol for almost 20 years. He has been employed with the City of Reno Fire Department for the past 17 years. He is the recipient of the 2014-2015 Community Service Award from Firehouse Magazine and the Northern Nevada Red Cross Real Heroes Community Impact Award for 2014. |
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Karen Purcell
PK Electrical, Inc. Karen Purcell, P.E., is the founder, owner, and president of PK Electrical, Inc., an electrical engineering, design, and consulting firm with offices in Reno, NV and Denver, CO. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Widener University in Pennsylvania. Ms. Purcell has more than 30 years of experience in electrical engineering. She draws on her successful engineering experience to inspire young women to enter into and remain in science, technology, engineering and math related careers with full confidence, knowing that she did it, other women have done it, and that they are unquestionably our leaders of tomorrow. Ms. Purcell is a Nevada Women’s Fund board member, served as the Event Chair for the 2016 Salute to Women of Achievement, and has received numerous awards in her profession. |
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Meredith Williams
United Federal Credit Union Market Vice President for United Federal Credit Union, responsible for growing the Nevada Market through engaging and developing her employees and the community. Meredith has over 23 years of financial service industry experience in the Reno and Carson City, NV area and also serves the community as a board member and Big Sister for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern NV. |
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Brandon Gottier
BDG Web Design Brandon is the founder and owner of BDG Web Design, a web development firm in Reno, NV. BDG’s main focus is custom web development and mobile applications. Brandon enjoys being able to work with other small businesses in the area to develop systems and create solutions to help his clients succeed. Brandon grew up in Washington state and moved to Nevada to play baseball at the University of Nevada Reno in 2002. In 2005, Brandon graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in Business Information Systems. In his spare time, he enjoys playing sports, camping, hiking and spending time with his wife and two daughters. |
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Lindsay Diamond
University of Nevada, Reno Dr. Diamond is an Assistant Professor of Special Education in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Nevada, Reno. Dr. Diamond teaches courses at the graduate level and is the Project Director for The Nevada Collaborative: Interdisciplinary Training to Improve Educational Opportunities for Young Children with Autism (NVC). NVC is an interdisciplinary personnel preparation program funded by the United States Department of Education (USDOE) through the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to address state-wide shortages of qualified personnel serving young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who have high-intensity needs by training Early Childhood Special Educators (ECSE) and Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) scholars. Prior to this position, she worked with young children with high and low incidence disabilities at the elementary level as a teacher and a new teacher mentor. Her current research interests are surrounding the availability of quality early childhood and special education services for young children, interdisciplinary training programs, instructional approaches to teaching problem solving, both in school and out of school supports for families and children, and disability awareness among police officers. |
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Meagan Noin
MN | G Partners, Inc. |
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Ryan Gaumer
Lead Dog Brewing Co. |