Child Development Center

Home » About Us » Staff & Board

Executive Team

• 

  
  

  Carolyn Prussen,
  Executive Director

  Meet Carolyn…

  Carolyn wants to live in a world where tolerance, acceptance, and inclusion are standard practice, and people are kinder than necessary. As the Executive Director, she’s responsible for guiding the agency with a mindful and cohesive vision. She strives to ensure that CDC is known for its staff expertise, consumer satisfaction, and community contributions.

   

  When she’s not in the office, you might find her getting lost in the wilds of Glacier National Park, summitting a peak in the Jewel Basin with her husband and kids, or roasting marshmallows over a fire at her backyard in Florence.

   

• 

  
  

  Catherine Hafliger,
  Early Intervention and Family Education & Support Director

  Meet Catherine…

  Catherine Hafliger wants to live in a world where children are full of love, acceptance and bellies of good food. As the E&D Director, she oversees all new referrals as well as CDC’s evaluation clinics in Missoula, Kalispell and Bozeman. Catherine is passionate about connecting families with the education and supports they need to enhance their lives.

   

  When she’s not at CDC, you can find Catherine making snacks and chasing her two boys around!

   

• 

  
  

  Greg Malone,
  Chief Financial Officer

  Meet Greg…

  Greg wants to live in a world where Debits and Credits can all get along, payroll always runs smoothly and insurance companies and providers coexist in obtaining the best possible outcomes! Seriously though, Greg came to CDC as the CFO to streamline business practices, so that staff could focus on CDC’s mission: helping children and families.

   

  When he’s not pouring over financial data and spreadsheets, you can find Greg in a gym or on a football field rooting on his sons.

   

• 

  
  

  Karlyn Gibbs, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
  Retired, Consultant

  Meet Karlyn…

  Karlyn wants to live in a world where mornings start a little later, square pegs aren’t required to fit into round holes and every child has at least one adult who is irrationally crazy about him or her. Although she is now retired, she held the title as As the Autism & Behavioral Services Treatment Director, assuring that children with autism spectrum disorders and other disabilities received the support and training they needed to succeed. Karlyn is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and has been instrumental in the pioneering of autism services in the state of Montana.

   

  When she’s not working, you can find Karlyn gardening meditatively in her flowerbeds, absorbed in a thick novel, sewing like a mad woman, searching for the best fare for her next trip to Seattle and reflecting dreamily on the perfection of her grandchildren.

• 

  
  

  Lea Shanks,
  Life Skills Program Director

  Meet Lea…

  Lea Shanks wants to live in a world where kindness, dignity and respect are at the forefront of all interactions, and each of our unique strengths are celebrated.As a director, Lea oversees the implementation of policies, budgets and support plans that impact the children and families in her programs. She guides Family Support Specialists through the challenges and triumphs of their roles, providing assistance with crisis situations and developing and training on front-line behavior interventions.

   

  When she’s not multitasking at CDC, you can find Lea directing a local theatrical production, shuttling cub scouts, hosting friends and family around a backyard bonfire and rocking out to the 80’s in her minivan.

   

• 

  
  

  Laura Lopach, Ph.D
  BCBA

  Meet Laura…

  Laura Lopach, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Laura earned her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Utah in 2016.

   

  She has years of experience providing comprehensive services to children with behavioral, social, and emotional challenges and their families. She has experience providing evidence-based intervention services in home, school, clinic, and residential treatment settings. As a former school psychologist, Laura enjoys collaborating with her clients’ school teams and helping parents navigate special education processes and procedures. Laura is a published author for the Tough Kid book series.

Board of Directors