About Us

Suzanne Wheeler-Del Piccolo taught at the preschool through 4th grade level for 10 years, served as the Basalt Elementary School principal for 22 years, and worked as an Educational Specialist in English Language Development and Special Education in the Roaring Fork School District for a year. In 2021, she retired from public education after 32 years of service and joined the Raising A Reader team as the Executive Director to pursue her passion for early literacy learning. Throughout her career, her mission has been to ensure that all children have the skills needed to thrive now and in the future. In her spare time, Suzanne loves playing tennis, skiing, hiking, reading, and hanging out with family and friends.

Andrea Suarez is committed to helping families in the valley stay connected through love, compassion, and a love for reading. She joined the Raising a Reader team in 2022 as a program coordinator focusing on the Bolsitas Rojas programs in Carbondale and Aspen. She has served in many capacities in the Roaring Fork Valley, including as an advocate for Child Find, an early childhood family liaison in the Roaring Fork School District, and an interpreter for many organizations. Andrea grew up in Mexico City and lives in Carbondale with her husband and two teenage children. She loves books, music, art, traveling, and working with people, especially young children.

Mary Margaret Hesse has worked as the Raising a Reader Aspen to Parachute’s Director for Strategies, and 123 Let’s Read Program for over 10 years. Mary Margaret’s professional background is in foreign affairs: she served as a U.S. diplomat overseas and in Washington, D.C.; and as a civilian with the U.S. Department of Defense before returning to her native Colorado. She enjoys working with wonderful children’s books and supporting families as they promote their children’s healthy development through reading and language development. Mary Margaret loves traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

Sabrina Ferguson joined Raising a Reader last year; she first worked in our summer camp and then started as a program coordinator this school year. She has owned and operated home childcare, taught Spanish at the Waldorf school, and was a ski instructor for children ages 3-6. Sabrina was also the Preschool Director at Basalt Elementary, a dual-language school, for eight years. Sabrina grew up in Caracas, Venezuela and moved to the United States as a young adult. Her life’s passion has been to work with young children, especially children whose first language is Spanish. In her free time, Sabrina coaches volleyball, renovates homes, and loves spending time with her family and friends.

Kelly Baker enjoys sitting in the summer sun with a great book in her hand. She has worked with Raising a Reader for over three years and has been an elementary school teacher passionate about inspiring young children and families in our region to read at home. Kelly enjoys traveling the country with her husband and two kids. In her free time, Kelly enjoys working in her garden as she watches her many chickens roam around her home in rural Colorado.

Valeria Carbajal recently joined the Raising A Reader team as a program coordinator. She brings her love of reading, her ability to connect with students and teachers, and her expertise in technology to the team. Her passion lies in making the community a better place through her actions and contributions to our program. Valeria is a dedicated mother of two young boys and a loving wife. In her free time, she enjoys immersing herself in the world of books and expanding her knowledge through reading.

​​Liz Russo has been a lead program coordinator at Raising a Reader for the past five years. She has 15 years of experience as a preschool teacher in local schools and on the infamous “Gus the Bus”. Liz is an exceptional early childhood educator and leader who loves working with children and families to inspire the love of reading and learning together at home. She was born and raised in Chihuahua, Mexico and has lived in the United States for over 20 years. Liz enjoys cooking, reading, walking, and spending time with her family in her free time.

Rosa Vargas has been a program coordinator at Raising a Reader for six years. She has a beautiful passion for involvement in her community, helping families learn how to love literacy and make connections by reading books at home together. Rosa was born in Michoacán, Mexico and has lived in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River region for over 20 years with her husband and three daughters. In her free time, she likes to enjoy the outdoors.