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Academy Operations Team

Allison, Colorado Operations Manager

Allison Stepnitz, Director

Allison serves as the Director of BuildStrong Academy of Colorado, where her leadership focuses on addressing the construction labor shortage through impactful training programs and community-driven solutions. A Michigan native, she earned her degree in geology from Grand Valley State University and began her career as an exploration geologist in Alaska. After transitioning into the homebuilding industry in Colorado, she quickly advanced to operations manager for a local builder, honing a broad set of leadership skills.

Her work is driven by a deep commitment to equity and dignity for all people, helping individuals achieve financial mobility and build meaningful careers in the trades. With a focus on training new skilled trades workers and providing upskilling opportunities, Allison’s efforts address the critical shortage of labor in construction—a key factor in making housing more affordable by improving efficiency and reducing costs. Allison’s vision for the academy integrates her personal values with her professional dedication to operational excellence and workforce development. She is proud to lead a team making a tangible impact in the Denver Metro community and beyond.

Irazu

Irazú, Project Manager [Bilingual]

After graduating from the University of Denver with a B.A in Sociology and Spanish, Irazu began her career in Community Engagement. After traveling to the heart of Community Organizing, San Jose, California- for a 9-month activist training, she soon realized that her passion was rooted within her community and the people. As a young immigrant Latina growing up in West Denver, she understood the importance of becoming the voice of those who do not have one. Irazu now supports students at the BuildStrong Academy of Colorado achieve their construction career goals by breaking down any social and economic barriers. Irazu enjoys exploring nature’s hidden gems while backpacking with her soulmate.

Kristen

Kristin, Career Coach

Kristin Davenport is a native Coloradan and graduated from the Art Institute of Colorado with a Culinary Arts degree. Kristin has spent much of her career working in Corporate America as a recruiter for several Fortune 100 Companies (IBM, Comcast, UnitedHealthcare). Kristin previously worked for the City and County of Denver on the WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) Grant where she worked with employers all over the Denver Metro area to find the youth of Denver sustainable employment. Kristin has been a recruiter in the construction field for the last several years and looks forward to assisting BuildStrong Academy students/graduates with networking, resume building, interviewing skills and making introductions to employers in the BuildStrong Academy network. In her spare time, Kristin enjoys going camping, fishing and attending rock concerts with her husband, she is also known to throw dinner parties from time to time.

Coming Soon

Sam, Partnerships and Pipelines Manager, Interim Recruiter

Although raised in Colorado, Sam spent most of the last 14 years outside of the United States living, learning, and working in Switzerland, Ireland, and France. With an academic background in International Relations and professional background in policy work, education, and trade, Sam now builds strategic partnerships as Buildstrong Academy of Colorado’s Partnerships and Pipelines Manager. His deep passion for community and longtime advocacy for equitable education, housing, and workers’ rights shapes how he connects industry partners with Buildstrong’s mission.

Outside of work, Sam can be found in the gym training as a powerlifter, running tabletop games for his friends, or at home with his partner and their two cats. He has a deep love of sports, community organizing, and every kind of food.

Reece, Operations Assistant

Instructors

Ricardo, Carpentry Instructor [Bilingual]

Ricardo began his career graduating as an Architect from Mexico City, after a life long passion for building. Moving to the US a few years later, he used his skills to build a business as a contractor. Ricardo has found a deep connection with remolding, and takes pride in leaving a lasting impact in the homes he works on. He looks forward to doing the same with his students, helping them to build their own foundations and help them to build their own paths. 

Joe, Electrical Instructor

Joe is a US Navy Seabee veteran. He graduated from Redstone College with a degree in Avionics and Advanced Electronics, after which he pursued another degree from the Ecotech Institute for Electrical Engineering Technology. As a Seabee and a Master Electrician, Joe brings a “can-do” attitude and over 19 years of electrical industry experience to the team. His devotion to learning and succeeding has helped him elevate throughout the different aspects of electrical careers. 

Jasmine, Construction Instructor

Jasmine, originally from Iowa, has been calling Colorado home since 2021. With an educational background in mathematics and a deep passion for art, she has uniquely blended these interests into a fulfilling career in construction. Over the past 5 years, Jasmine has gained experience in maintenance, remodeling, and home inspection, where she can bring a creative and precise approach to every project. Jasmine is dedicated to helping students discover their own passions and integrating them within their professional goals.

Debra, Construction Instructor

Debra is a US Air Force civil engineering veteran originally from Birmingham, Alabama. With a background in civil engineering, she brings extensive experience in heavy equipment operation, concrete, masonry, rough and finish carpentry, MIG/SMAW/TIG welding, and sheet metal fabrication. Driven by a desire to help others, Debra began instructing in Marietta, GA, where she shared her knowledge with military newcomers across all branches. Her experience in counseling military members has also fostered her compassion for those around her. Debra enjoys reading, writing, and telling jokes whenever she can, and she’s excited to share her expertise with those eager to start a career in construction.

Danny, Construction Instructor

Born and raised in the Southwest, Danny spent much of his adult life working multiple jobs including organic farming, heavy equipment repair, brewing, and logging. He has over 15 years of experience in the construction field on a variety of different projects. In 2021 Danny received his Bachelor of Civil Engineering from NAU in Flagstaff, AZ. He is a licensed commercial building inspector and plans examiner in Boulder, CO. In his free time, Danny likes to hike, run, and bike with his partner and restore his vintage Volvo station wagons. He is full of energy and enthusiasm to help prepare the next generation of construction professionals

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