Meet Our Team

Founder and Executive Director

Aubrey Valencia

FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Aubrey is an art teacher and community educator with over 20 years of experience teaching academics and the arts to students of all ages. She has over 10 years of experience as a workshop facilitator in the areas of sexual assault prevention, violence prevention, mental health, and visual art. Aubrey has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in art education and a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction. Aubrey has designed and facilitated curricula in several subject areas including the visual and performing arts, mental health and wellness, violence prevention, human trafficking, servant leadership, and social justice education. Aubrey is an alumnus of The Circle of Latina Leadership, a 2023 Lideramos, and graduate of the Center for Creative Leadership’s Leadership Development Program. She is a recipient of the 2023 Cesar Chavez Peace and Justice Female Leader Award as well as the Organization Award for The Storytellers Project. Aubrey is a restorative justice practitioner and volunteers as a community member for the Conflict Center participating in restorative circles. She enjoys hiking, rock climbing, gardening, traveling, playing with her dog Leroy, and
attending her daughter Jasmine’s dance performances. Aubrey’s newest hobby is handling birds of prey as a volunteer with HawkQuest.

Favorite Self Care Strategy: Hiking
Why do you work for The Storytellers Project? I founded The Storytellers Project
because I wanted to help youth and adults to learn the healthy skills I used to recover
from depression, anxiety, and PTSD, heal from childhood trauma, and break the cycle
of family violence.
Favorite Poem: Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die life is a broken-winged bird
that cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams for when dreams go life is a barren field
frozen with snow. Langston Hughes

Devon Starks

YOUTH INSTRUCTOR

Devon was born and raised in Colorado living in between the Aurora and Montebello communities. He is a multi-instrumentalist who takes pride in being part of the Denver music community for the past 10 years. In his free time Devon enjoys playing/ recording music, sewing, and cooking.  Devon is an alumni of the Family Leadership Training Institute and has been working with youth since 2015. He is a Youth On Record Fellow (2022-2023) and has aspirations to become a full time musician. Devon aspires to have consistent growth in his character and to be the best father to his daughter that he can be. What Devon enjoys most about being a part of The Storytellers Project team is creating and providing a safe space for kids to be themselves. Some of his accolades and trainings are: Facilitation Training provided by CSU; Best Designer and Seamstress from Colorado Beautillion 2018; Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training provided by Darlene Samson.

Favorite Self Care Strategy: Working out

Why do you work for The Storytellers Project?:I work for The Storytellers Project because I get to be a part of a community that nurtures youth that grew up in a similar environment to mine. 

Favorite Quote: “The price of hating other human beings is loving oneself less.” - Eldridge Cleaver

Jasmine Valencia

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Jasmine is a Colorado Native and recently graduated Summa Cum Laude from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. Jasmine is an apprentice to the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensembles Second Company. Jasmine enjoys baking, downtime, playing with her dog Leroy, and spending time with family and friends. Jasmine likes to travel as much as possible and has visited Greece, Spain, Costa Rica, and countless states within the US. Jasmine finds passion in new experiences because she believes they allow for growth and learning in non-conventional ways not only for herself but for others as well. 

Favorite Self Care Strategy: Time set aside to rest and time spent with friends laughing 

Why do you work for The Storytellers Project? I chose The Storytellers Project because it allows me to work in an environment that values their employees and is committed to the work they do in the community. The Storytellers Project truly embodies their mission, vision, and values, and I think that is refreshing in our current society.  

Favorite Quote: “Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.” — Bobby Unser

PROGRAM ASSISTANT/ INSTRUCTOR

Adrianna Menchaca

Adrianna has worked in youth serving programs in the Denver Metro area for about nine years now. She has a Bachelors in Psychology with a minor in Elementary Education. She has participated in over 100 hours of trainings related to youth development, and is certified in both adult and youth mental health fist aid. She has completed the Denver Department of Justice’s restorative justice training and volunteers in restorative circles with the Denver District Attorney’s diversion office. Adrianna loves doing all things outdoors, especially exploring nature with her daughter. She enjoys traveling, trying new food, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Favorite Self Care Strategy: Body movement: walking, dancing, exercise.

 Why do you work for The Storytellers Project: The Storytellers Project provides the opportunity to serve the community through an environment and programs that value authenticity, humanness, and healing for both the participants and employees.

Favorite Quote: “I like turtles” - That one kid

Brienna Miller - Aragon

PROGRAM ASSISTANT

Brie has a bachelor’s degree in social work and will be completeing her BCBA in 2025. She has worked with youth populations for approximately 15 years now in various settings that include schools, youth mental health non-profits, housing authorites, ECE(early childhood education) agencies, battered women and children’s shelters, and reunification agencies. She is a certified coach in the Beegle Poverty Immersion Institute, CHFA Housing Professional Institute, Ending the Game Human Trafficking Initiative, and both adult and youth Mental Health First Aid. She loves to learn! Brie has also been a signed model since she turned 18. She enjoys traveling the world and immersing herself in diverse cultures and ways of life, and modeling has played a major part in that. Brie loves making memories spending time with family and the people she loves.

Favorite Self Care Strategy: Resting and being still - chilling and seeing what the day brings.

Why do you work for The Storytellers Project? I am grateful to be joining the team because I truly believe in the mission and want to use my strong voice for people that need it. I am also all about building and engaging in community. We all have a story to tell so this only seems right.

Favorite Quote: “Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg