Program Director

Hello there! I am Marliese Bankert. I stumbled upon this industry years ago when my daughter was first entering kindergarten. I wanted to go back to work but still wanted to be a good and present mom. I quickly fell in love with my work because I am a people-person who loves learning new things. I have experience in many of the day program positions over the years from instructor, to bus driver, to art and events coordinator, to department coordinator to program manager. I was managing a local program in Truckee that closed leaving our clients without services in the middle of the pandemic. Many people encouraged me to start my own program. (Something, ironically, that my husband had been saying for years!) Alta California Regional Center came alongside me and with the help and expertise of Dan Kilmer, Elevation became a reality. Many details came together beautifully to open this program. It has been exciting learning so many new things about business, but what most amazes me is how every talent or gift I have learned in my lifetime has come together and been useful in this program. My background in communications, Spanish, art, journalism, custom picture framing, floral, culinary and as a mom have all been needed and utilized in the creation of Elevation. The unique talents and gifts of our staff have also come together to create a beautiful program for the wonderful people we are blessed to learn with. Together we plan to live up to our name and elevate to new heights!

Program Manager

Hello! My name is Cat Walton and I have been a part time instructor at Elevation since January 2023. I joined the management team, first as the Program Coordinator in 2024, and now I have been in my current position, as Program Manager, since May of 2025. Coming to work each day and getting to do life with our clients is such a bright spot in my life here in Truckee. Being an auntie to a niece who has special needs, I know how important it is to have a great program, like Elevation, in our community.

Prior to moving to Truckee in 2020, I was the Special Needs Program Director, for three years, for a large church in the Central Valley. I worked with kids and adults ages 2-40+ with a variety of special needs. I also coordinated volunteers who worked one-on-one with our special friends, to help them attend Sunday School classes, and other special events at the church. I have also worked in the public school system as a para, done respite care, as well as volunteering at Camp Mighty, a camp for kids with special needs, in Belize. Before reentering the workforce in 2018, I spent 18+ years raising and homeschooling my two beautiful daughters. Next to being a mom, working at Elevation has been the best job ever! We have such a great team!

Program Coordinator

Hi! My name is Austin. I moved to Truckee in 2024 from Monterey County. Prior to moving here I attended college at CSU Monterey Bay and worked for a decade in Orthopedics. While working in the medical field I gained experience in direct patient care, managing administrative tasks, and connecting with people in a compassionate and reassuring manner. I am also very passionate about serving in the local church and have been a worship leader / church musician for over a decade. I love playing the guitar and using music to minister to other people. I also enjoy cooking and getting inspiration online and from my family. Lately, I have been learning to cook a lot of Korean-inspired recipes in particular. I hope to share my passions and skill-sets with our clients and to see them thrive as a result!

Instructor

Hello, my name is Vince Zotstein and I became the Program Manager here at Elevation in June of 2023-2025, but have decided to step back into the roll of Instructor, to spend more time being a dad and raising my two sons. I recently moved back to the area, after spending the last 4 1/2 years in Wyoming, where I was a state employee and worked as a case manager, where I focused on facilitating self-sufficiency with clients who were experiencing a wide variety of barriers. It was rewarding work that helped me extensively expand my skillsets. Having lived and worked in Truckee from 2013 to 2019, I made some excellent friends and contacts in the area and it is so great to be back in the area. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, and have spent the past 15 years working within both education and social services. I had the privilege of working with many of our current clients, and others, when I was employed by both Aim and Associates, as well as with Choices, when living in Truckee. Our clients made a lasting impression on me, and I am so excited to be working with them again.

Instructor

Hello, my name is Angie. I moved to Truckee in 2015 from Sonoma County. My previous experience has always centered around working with children. I was a nanny all through college and also worked as a preschool teacher. Later, I went to school to become a dietician. Most recently, I’ve been a stay-at-home mom, homeschooling my children who are now in college. I stay busy helping my husband run our church and working for Elevation.

I truly love working at Elevation for so many reasons. It’s a positive, happy & healthy work environment. I love to see God’s individual fingerprint on each one of the clients, and getting to know everyone has been such a joy. They are all so loving and it’s incredibly rewarding spending time with them, The clients make me laugh so much, and I receive far more from them than I could ever give in return. Although this is my first experience working with adults with special needs, I am genuinely enjoying  the challenge and grateful for the opportunity.

Instructor

Hello! My name is Carolyn.  I have been married to my husband Paul for almost 26 years and we have two adult daughters. I have lived in Truckee for nearly 26 years and have invested much of that time joyfully serving children, teens and adults in our community.   My Christian faith is important to me so when I sensed God's nudge towards the Elevation program, I had to investigate! I am forever grateful to Him that I did. It is a job that doesn't feel like a job! It is a place where there is much fun, laughter and adventure.  It is a place where deep bonds of friendship and trust are formed, goals are strived towards and met, life is embraced! I am blessed to be a part of a program that elevates the human experience!

Instructor

Hello! My name is Hannah Reinin and I am brand new to Truckee. I’ve been visiting my mom here for the last 10 years and decided to move here in August 2025. Before Truckee, I was living in Los Angeles. I have a little over 10 years of experience working with both children and adults with special needs. Most of my experience is in Applied Behavioral Science (ABA). I have experience in Discrete Trial Training, Social Skills, Safety, Natural Environment Training, as well as others. I am really enjoying Truckee so far and owe much thanks to the Elevation team for teaching me the ropes and offering such a fun place to work every day.

Instructor

My name is Susan Bailey. In 2010, my husband and I moved from Scottsdale, Arizona to Truckee to work at a residential golf course development. At Martis Camp I was Office Manager where I interacted with architects, contractors and homeowners. Back in Arizona, I was an account executive in the public relations field for ten years where I put my Journalism degree to good use. Writing was a big part of my job, so it has been a joy to teach how to express yourself in words with clients at Elevation. In my spare time, I learned to paint with oils, acrylics and watercolors and eventually sold some of my paintings at local art shows. Now I am thrilled to share my love of art with our Elevation clients and watch their unique and wonderful personalities come to life. As a Sunday school teacher in both Arizona and California, teaching became second nature to me. Sharing subjects and ideas with clients and watching them become independent adults undoubtedly is the most rewarding job I have ever experienced.