ASPEN NETWORK DIRECTORS
Meg Fields, RN, Psy.D. (She/Her)
Director of Program Development
Meg has a doctorate in clinical psychology, is on the Advisory Board for the Disability Student Services at Diablo Valley College, has extensive counseling experience and completed a career of 20 years at San Francisco General as a psychiatric emergency room nurse. Her doctoral dissertation revealed that young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder are socially lonely and underemployed. The aftermath of this finding highlighted the need for Aspen Network’s social living model which Meg co-founded. Meg continues to develop programs for young adults with social differences who have difficulty launching from their parents’ homes or are underemployed due to social anxiety, mood disorders, depression, OCD, ADHD, executive function disabilities, or learning difficulties. Meg’s wealth of theoretical knowledge and counseling experience complemented with her compassion, love, and unconditional regard for an individual is the foundation in which she brings individuals together to great belonging.
Michael Fields RN.(He/Him)
Director of Operations
Michael has been on the emergency-room staff at California Pacific Michael comes with 20 years of experience as an emergency room charge nurse at California Pacific Medical Center. He and Meg co-founded Aspen Network and he oversees the daily programmatic operations for the Living PODs. He provides direction and supervision for the peer counselors. His natural ability to connect with clients on a uniquely individual basis enables them to discover their paths. He truly loves working with young adults, helping and encouraging them to accomplish their individual goals. Mike is an integral part of the magic that surrounds Aspen.
SOCIAL LIVING COACHES
Tyler Shields, B.A., (She/Her)
Clinical Manager
Tyler Shields received her B.A. in Psychology from San Francisco State University magna cum laude. Her next step a graduate degree in Psychology! Tyler has been an integral part of the Aspen Network team for seven years. She is a brilliant Interning-counselor with a deep intuitive sense of connecting with the residents.
Tyler supervises and helps many other young, excited fellow students from the Psychology Department at San Francisco State University. Tyler gets to know her fellow students very well and has been a Teacher’s Assistant and Co-lecturer for many semesters at SFSU, her role as TA has helped her discover a love of teaching and seeing her students succeed.
Jeffrey Allen Hayes, MA, Emotion Skills Coach (He/Him)
Critical Growth Games
Jeffrey received his BS in Theatre Arts from Southern Oregon University and his MA in Psychological Studies from California Institute of Integral Studies, where his primary focus of study was Drama Therapy. During his Master’s program, he noticed similarities between drama therapy theory and the way he engaged with his hobby of tabletop roleplaying games, such as Dungeons and Dragons. Since then, Jeffrey has made a business of using games as a modality to help others develop their social and emotional skills. His work has taken him to senior centers, LGBTQ+ communities, schools, and now to Aspen Network.
You can learn more about his business at www.criticalgrowthgames.com
Liz Graham (She/Her)
Wellness Specialist
Liz received her Bachelor’s degree in communication studies from St. Mary’s College of California. She is a freelance communications and wellness specialist with experience in service-minded and social impact organizations, passionate about working in the spheres of wellness, education and community. Liz teaches yoga and meditation classes down the street from Aspen Network at Atma Yoga in Orinda. She got involved with our community when some clients and staff began to attend her classes. Liz and Aspen began to deepen their relationship and she now works as a life skills coach and wellness specialist for the residents of Aspen. She hopes to bring grounding and playful energy to the clients and staff of Aspen Network.
COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR
Amy Fields (She/Her)
Co-Founder & Business Development Director
Amy has an A.A. in Psychology from Diablo Valley College. Amy has worked with Aspen Network for the past 10 years. She is invaluable as a trained peer leader, helping to build a residential community and participating in program development. Amy’s intuition and kindness reach across wide divides with the residents and assists them with their internal challenges with relationships and living with other people.
Anna Fields, B.A., (She/Her)
Linguist, Poet, Assistant Chef
Anna just graduated from UC Santa Cruz, where she studied literature and French. Aspen Network has always been a huge part of her life, but since graduating, she’s had time to actively participate in more activities. She works as an Instructional Assistant for Wagner Ranch Elementary School, and a substitute teacher for the whole Orinda school district. She runs Tuesday night dinners at the pod with Tyler. She has a gorgeous heart and compassion for those struggling.
Ally Sawyer, B.A., (She/Her)
Tutor
Ally Sawyer received her B.A. in English Literature from the University of Connecticut. She served two years with the AmeriCorps program City Year doing “pull-out” tutoring and “push-in” intervention in Alum Rock Unified, as well as assisting with long-term subbing. She has been teaching Social Science, English, and Algebra at Holden High School as a core academic teacher and Senior Advisor for eight years.
