Our Team

Bethany Rivard

Director of Operations

Bethany Rivard is a bicultural, bilingual, Bay Area native, who was raised between California and Tucumán, Argentina. Her greatest passion is mothering her 3 beautiful children along with the countless children that have found sanctuary under her wing. She balances this sacred task while devotedly navigating her path of personal healing, and growth, and finding ways to serve her community. She is a fierce advocate and ally, a potent thought leader, and a deep lover of humans. Bethany also happens to be the beloved sister of our longtime colleague, Sarita Rivard Guerrero.

Bethany has extensive experience working with marginalized communities, most recently working 6 years at a non-profit organization based in West Oakland, where she was on the Support Services team, as a mentor and holder of safe spaces for the young people she served. Her formal training in the realms of social justice, inclusion, diversity, and equity, include “Undoing Racism” by The People’s Institute, “Equity & Inclusion Capacity Building” by Visions Inc. and “Race, Power & Privilege, Words Matter” by Dr. Darlene Hall.

Bethany draws from a tremendous amount of real-life experience, having faced all kinds of complexity in her own biography. She is a living example of resilience, grace, and wholeness. Her offerings to her community have included the founding and facilitation of art-based, Spanish language immersion preschool programs, language interpretation services, professional development coaching, and virtual assisting for young entrepreneurs. She is a certified Career Services Provider (CSP) and is on the path to becoming a certified coach.

Sarita Rivard Guerrero

Student Engagement, Story Development & Mentoring

A bicultural, trilingual native of both South and North America, and nomad of thirteen years, Sarita is a bridge between the many worlds to which she belongs. ‘Kindling for the Fire’, a project founded in her belief in creative expression as a tool to heal, transform, empower and ignite, is the fruit of her lifelong study to what she calls heART Activism. Kindling aims to facilitate creative dialogs among people of diverse and often “opposing” backgrounds, therefore weaving a sustaining tapestry of connection and solidarity across the divides. Sarita has guided Rites Of Passage journeys in Argentina, Bolivia, Perú, Nepal, and India. And is the author of Caminante, Bridger of Worlds published in 2010. She is nearing completion of her second book, a complex work chronicling her descent through the hell of losing her beloved life partner, and the art of being broken open by life’s complexity, rather than broken to pieces. She has been involved with Golden Bridge since 2010. Much of her healing and initiation into embodied leadership is owed to the profound container of this community. She is deeply devoted to her apprenticeship in this sacred work.

Abigail Rita Lubahn

Clinical Director and Mentor

Abigail Rita Lubahn, MA, LPC, R-DMT, graduated from Naropa University with a Masters of Arts in Somatic Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Dance/Movement Therapy. Abigail has worked with NorthStar Transitions, an Addiction Recovery clinic offering Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program running group, individual, couples and family therapy. Abigail also works as a SomaSource Practitioner and independent contractor with Golden Bridge since 2014 and has a private practice located in Boulder. Prior to employment with NorthStar Transitions Abigail worked as an emergency clinician in hospitals, jails, detox and crisis clinic with Boulder Mental Health Partners. She was also trained in various trauma-informed treatment modalities addressing developmental and early childhood trauma. She has worked with international populations using mindfulness-based, creative arts and movement therapies emphasizing client-centered interventions. Much of her orientation focuses on cultivating radical acceptance and compassion in the recovery and healing process from trauma, eating disorders, personality disorders and addiction. Outside of clinical settings, Abigail also works as creative support staff and professional dancer to a Brazilian dance company Samba Colorado and an assistant Capoeira instructor with United Capoeira Association. She has participated in facilitating and collaborative creative performance art programs while in the Naropa Graduate Program. She is currently developing a private practice based in Boulder and continuing to build bridges between various dance communities.

Dorcus Odera

Therapeutic Mentor

Dorcus is an integrative counseling psychologist with over ten years of experience in diverse roles including working with children with intellectual disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders, refugee children, and children living in informal settings in Kenya, Uganda, and Ghana. She holds a B.A. in Counseling Psychology from Africa Nazarene University in Nairobi, Kenya. She is training as a Somasource Practitioner with Golden Bridge and is trained in Child Protection: Children’s Rights in Theory and Practice through HarvardX.

Since 2008, Dorcus has founded or helped to found several organizations serving youth in Western Uganda and Kenya. Her projects have offered trainings and programs to youth in the fields of literacy, social entrepreneurship, anti-violence, and youth leadership and mobilization. In 2014, through the impact of her work with AMFR, she was selected by A World at School to represent her country as a Global Youth Ambassador. In early 2018, she was selected as one of the Emerging African Leaders and trained in “Leading in Public Life” by the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Dorcus leads by tapping into an individual’s potential to bring out the best in them.

Dorcus has been studying with Golden Bridge since 2015. She serves on the Golden Bridge Social Justice Advisory Team and is also a mentor on the Golden Bridge Support Team.

Mariah Tuffy

Production Manager and International Programs Coordinator

Mariah Tuffy, MSW, is a trilingual social worker whose true passion lies in living in various countries and focusing on sexual health, cross-cultural relationships and empowerment. Mariah graduated on the Dean’s List with her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Development. She has worked with adolescent mothers, recent immigrants, foster children, justice-involved youth, in schools, in a psychiatric hospital, with children living on the streets, and has created an island-wide mentor program for youth in Puerto Rico. She has also worked as a translator, editor, wedding planner, production manager, and international programs coordinator. Mariah is an avid learner and traveler. Mariah loves Caribbean and Latin culture, specifically Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Brazil, the beach, Salsa, Reggaeton, and meeting people from all walks of life and cultures.

Mariah and her mom inspire one another’s lives. Melissa began teaching the dance in her Small World Dancers children’s program when Mariah was 3 years old. Since then, many programs, including Surfing the Creative, have emerged as a result of the needs Melissa saw in her daughter Mariah’s life and that of her peers.

Social Justice Advisory Circle

The Golden Bridge Social Justice Advisory Circle serves as an advisory council, providing feedback and reflections to support Golden Bridge’s evolution. Each person chosen to be on the team has a long-standing relationship with Golden Bridge and diverse expertise in this field. Together, they engage in social justice programming decisions along with offering feedback and suggestions regarding social justice issues Golden Bridge may not have considered along the way or ones that need refining going forward.

Read about the 2020/2021 Social Justice Advisory Mission, Members, Meeting Structure and Contact Information →

Ariana Saraha

Web & Graphic Designer, Marketing, Technical & Admin Support

Most known for her work in the world as a singer and musician, Ariana is also skilled in marketing, graphic art, web development, and systems design. Occasionally she can also be found on the live music team for Golden Bridge events such as Shakti Sisterhood or Movement Mass. Between her arts, a love of deep ecology & depth work, and a varied technical expertise, Ariana brings a grounded and inspired perspective to the Golden Bridge team. Visit www.arianasaraha.com to learn more about her creative endeavors and wild wanderings.

Luke Gerzon

Web and Social Media

Luke Gerzon is a 20-year-old native of Cleveland, Mississippi, USA. He is currently a student-athlete at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. Luke is the owner of Below Retail Shop, an online store that he has been running since the age of 14. Starting on selling platforms like eBay and Amazon, and moving through online selling platforms like WordPress and Shopify, Luke has years of experience selling merchandise online. Through learning to sell online, he has developed basic web-development skills. He is currently working with Golden Bridge and working directly on the Golden Girls Global website. Luke’s goal is to become a real estate investor, flipping and renting out homes and apartments. His interests include financial literacy, real estate, home renovation, music, cooking, cars, and religion. Luke is an awesome big brother of twin sisters, and Melissa Michael’s step-grandson! Read more

Manuela Welton

Social Media Content and Story Creator

Born in Bogota, Colombia, Manuela has dedicated her life to exploring the connectivity between humans through movement, the psyche, and story-telling. Focusing on human rights, body, and culture, her immersions in different cultures, in 26 countries over the last decade, have informed her approach to renewing connection to spirit and the body while documenting different stories.

Manuela has danced with Golden Bridge and Melissa Michaels for a little under a decade. She is passionate about weaving and interconnecting stories and co-creating community through video, photography and the media. Read more

Fahadhi Kiryowa

Social Media Coordinator

Fahadhi Kiryowa is a Ugandan dance and music performer who utilizes his talent to inspire and engage people all over the world. Through breakdance and theatre performances, he shares and teaches leadership skills to young people and adults in order to help them become more socially responsible in their communities. He was a featured artist in the film, Shake the Dust!

In addition to his passion for the arts, Fahadhi is a youth leader. This began in 2015 when he participated in Golden Bridge’s International Leadership Program with Melissa Michaels and friends, starting a whole new chapter in his life. In 2016, he facilitated dance and storytelling workshops at Power of Hope Camp, a program organized by Partners for Youth Empowerment organization. The following year he took part in Project Ponte Berlin Germany, supporting young refugee children in their social skills and emotional development using creative art.

In 2019 he earned a certificate in social entrepreneurship from Watson Institute in Boulder, where he was trained on how to address global problems and initiate action to bring positive change. His passion for problem-solving compelled him to go on to complete a Nanodegree in Digital Marketing with Udacity Online course and master his skills in content strategy, social media marketing, SEO, SEM, Display advertising, and Email Marketing. The confluence of all of these passions and skills led Fahadhi to join the GB/GGG Social Marketing Team where he enhances and serves our Global community with style!

Outside of work, he loves to play soccer, walk in nature, and learn languages. If you challenge him in Karaoke, he will win. He is curious, open-minded, and looks forward to new opportunities to grow both professionally and personally. Read more

Luke Gerzon

Web and Social Media

Luke Gerzon is a 20-year-old native of Cleveland, Mississippi, USA. He is currently a student-athlete at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. Luke is the owner of Below Retail Shop, an online store that he has been running since the age of 14. Starting on selling platforms like eBay and Amazon, and moving through online selling platforms like WordPress and Shopify, Luke has years of experience selling merchandise online. Through learning to sell online, he has developed basic web-development skills. He is currently working with Golden Bridge and working directly on the Golden Girls Global website. Luke’s goal is to become a real estate investor, flipping and renting out homes and apartments. His interests include financial literacy, real estate, home renovation, music, cooking, cars, and religion. Luke is an awesome big brother of twin sisters, and Melissa Michael’s step-grandson! Read more

Janet Sentovich

Movement Mass Coordinator

Janet greets us all at Movement Mass every Sunday. She coordinates all the volunteers, helps run the door, and makes sure everything runs smooth as can be. We’re so grateful for her caring, meticulous touch.

Leah D’Abate

Therapeutic Consultant and Senior Support Team Member

Leah D’Abate, MA, LPC, BC-DMT, runs a thriving, full-time private psychotherapy practice in Boulder County as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapist (BC-DMT) and Somatic Psychotherapist where she works with individuals and couples and offers clinical supervision and consultation.

Videographers

These are the videographers we have worked with over the years:

• Steve Cannon: Original Golden Bridge Filmmaker. Beloved Ancestor.
• Blythe Massey
• Anne-Marie Hannah
• Lisa McVicker
• John March
• Henna Taylor
• Kenya Rachelle Ference
• Manuela Welton
• Matt Diss
• Scott Rowland
• Chenxi Ouyang
• People Productions

→ View our full VIDEO page