Meet the

Board of Directors

Alexiss Benoit Gioielli

Executive Director

Hello! My name is Alexiss (she/her), and my passion has always been in advocacy, justice, and helping people find their voice. Throughout my career, I have worked to connect individuals with the resources, support, and services they need to thrive. I love building relationships and fostering a sense of community and belonging.

When my son was born with a disability, my spouse and I were suddenly navigating a whole new world—therapies, doctor’s appointments, and countless unknowns. It was overwhelming, but we found strength in the support of our community. That experience ignited my passion for helping families who, like us, find themselves on an unexpected journey.

I deeply believe in the power of community and the inherent worth of every child. Every family deserves guidance, encouragement, and a network of support, and I am honored to be part of an organization that makes that possible.

Cassy Bohnet

Secretary

Hi, I’m Cassy! I love spending my days outdoors—gardening, hiking, biking, running, or simply enjoying a walk. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Biology Education and a Master’s in Ecosystem Management from the University of Northern Iowa, I moved to Colorado with my husband, where we quickly fell in love with the state.

For the first eight years of my career in Colorado, I worked with various nonprofits in Environmental Education before transitioning to my current role as Volunteer Manager for the City of Boulder in 2016.

I am also a mother of two children, both of whom were born prematurely and required Early Intervention services to help them catch up to their peers. Occupational therapy was particularly essential for their feeding and coordination. This personal experience ignited my passion for ensuring that all families of children with developmental delays have access to the support, education, and resources they need to help their child thrive. As a board member, I am dedicated to advocating for these families and making sure they receive the services they deserve.

Emily Engle Bailon

Treasurer

Hola! My name is Emily (she/ella). Soy bilingüe y disfruto conectando con la comunidad latina en el condado de Boulder. (I am bilingual and enjoy connecting with the Latinx community in Boulder County.)

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Spanish Language and Literature from Westmont College in 2006 and my Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from CU Boulder in 2012. Since completing graduate school, I have worked in early childhood education within the public school system, providing diagnostic services through Child Find evaluations and delivering speech and language therapies to children with disabilities.

I believe that when a therapist, child, and family work together, we create a powerful, lasting impact in each other's lives and in our comunidad. This is why I am deeply passionate about the mission and vision of Hold You, and I am honored to support families through this work.