Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker is a licensed psychologist, international/transracial adoptee of color, and an adoptive parent. She specializes in providing mental health support focused on adoption, trauma, and racial identity work through her private practice based in Denver, Colorado. She is a frequent speaker and trainer at adoption agencies, camps, and conferences throughout the US, and the creator of the National Adoptee-Therapist Directory. She is also the author of “The Adoptee Self-Reflection Journal,” “The Adoptive Parent Self-Reflection Journal,” and the “Adoptees Like Me” illustrated series for elementary readers.

Shari has a 30-year career as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has been the Executive Director of several mental health facilities, is currently an adjunct professor, has a private practice, and is a consultant for treatment providers looking to implement evidence-based practices and trauma ingrained care. She is grateful for the opportunity to share expertise on mental health, epigenetics and trauma alongside her mother.

Since a young age, Shari has studied resiliency and the enduring self-sabotaging thoughts that are often the result of trauma. She is co-author of Which Way?, a memoir and psychological handbook on trauma for survivors, clinicians, and anyone who wants to understand and celebrate just how resilient the human spirit is.

Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker is a licensed psychologist, international/transracial adoptee of color, and an adoptive parent. She specializes in providing mental health support focused on adoption, trauma, and racial identity work through her private practice based in Denver, Colorado. She is a frequent speaker and trainer at adoption agencies, camps, and conferences throughout the US, and the creator of the National Adoptee-Therapist Directory. She is also the author of “The Adoptee Self-Reflection Journal,” “The Adoptive Parent Self-Reflection Journal,” and the “Adoptees Like Me” illustrated series for elementary readers.

Timothy J. Eirich is an honors graduate of the Loyola University of Chicago School of Law. At Loyola, Tim was as a Philip H. Corboy Fellow (member of the National Trial Team), a Curt N. Rodin Fellow in advocacy, and a Civitas Childlaw Fellow. Tim was also an associate editor for the Children's Legal Rights Journal. Tim received his undergraduate degree from Santa Clara University where he majored in English and was a captain of the NCAA Division 1 Crew Team. Tim focuses his practice on adoption, child welfare, and guardianship cases. Tim represents prospective adoptive parents, foster parents, relatives, birth parents, and juveniles charged with delinquent acts. Tim is an experienced litigator who has tried over twenty-five jury trials, litigated dozens of contested hearings, and has argued in the front of both the Colorado Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. Tim litigated the ground-breaking case, both at the trial level and before the Colorado Supreme Court, that addressed the rights of foster parents and other caregivers in dependency and neglect cases. Tim has also received a number of awards recognizing his work. In 2012, Tim received the Excellence in Practice Award for a Juvenile Law Attorney at the Colorado Summit for Childen Youth and Families. In 2014, the Colorado State Foster Parent Association honored Tim with the Champion Award for work and efforts on behalf of Colorado’s foster parents. Also, in 2014, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute awarded Tim the prestigious Angels in Adoption Award for his work in adoption and positive child welfare practices. Tim has handled dozens of private, public, and contested adoptions and has been recognized as a Fellow with the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. Tim has lectured frequently on the rights of foster parents and the child welfare system and is a regular presenter for the Colorado State Foster Parent Association. In addition to training foster parents and relative caregivers, Tim teaches trial skills to fellow attorneys as an instructor for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA). Prior to joining the Grob & Eirich, LLC, Tim was the Deputy Director of the Rocky Mountain Children's Law Center where he litigated some of the center's highest profile cases; represented foster parents, prospective adoptive parents, relative caregivers and juveniles; and supervised a multi-disciplinary staff of attorneys and social workers who served as guardians ad litem for abused and neglected children in Denver Juvenile Court. Prior to his time with the Children's Law Center, Tim was a trial attorney with the Office of the Colorado Public Defender where he represented adults and juveniles charged with felony offenses.

Timothy J. Eirich is an honors graduate of the Loyola University of Chicago School of Law. At Loyola, Tim was as a Philip H. Corboy Fellow (member of the National Trial Team), a Curt N. Rodin Fellow in advocacy, and a Civitas Childlaw Fellow. Tim was also an associate editor for the Children's Legal Rights Journal. Tim received his undergraduate degree from Santa Clara University where he majored in English and was a captain of the NCAA Division 1 Crew Team. Tim focuses his practice on adoption, child welfare, and guardianship cases. Tim represents prospective adoptive parents, foster parents, relatives, birth parents, and juveniles charged with delinquent acts. Tim is an experienced litigator who has tried over twenty-five jury trials, litigated dozens of contested hearings, and has argued in the front of both the Colorado Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. Tim litigated the ground-breaking case, both at the trial level and before the Colorado Supreme Court, that addressed the rights of foster parents and other caregivers in dependency and neglect cases. Tim has also received a number of awards recognizing his work. In 2012, Tim received the Excellence in Practice Award for a Juvenile Law Attorney at the Colorado Summit for Childen Youth and Families. In 2014, the Colorado State Foster Parent Association honored Tim with the Champion Award for work and efforts on behalf of Colorado’s foster parents. Also, in 2014, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute awarded Tim the prestigious Angels in Adoption Award for his work in adoption and positive child welfare practices. Tim has handled dozens of private, public, and contested adoptions and has been recognized as a Fellow with the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. Tim has lectured frequently on the rights of foster parents and the child welfare system and is a regular presenter for the Colorado State Foster Parent Association. In addition to training foster parents and relative caregivers, Tim teaches trial skills to fellow attorneys as an instructor for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA). Prior to joining the Grob & Eirich, LLC, Tim was the Deputy Director of the Rocky Mountain Children's Law Center where he litigated some of the center's highest profile cases; represented foster parents, prospective adoptive parents, relative caregivers and juveniles; and supervised a multi-disciplinary staff of attorneys and social workers who served as guardians ad litem for abused and neglected children in Denver Juvenile Court. Prior to his time with the Children's Law Center, Tim was a trial attorney with the Office of the Colorado Public Defender where he represented adults and juveniles charged with felony offenses.

Rachel Wise is the Outreach and Marketing Coordinator with Benefits in Action, a nonprofit organization serving Coloradans across the state through benefits navigation, application assistance, food delivery, mental wellness supports and more!  Rachel is passionate about working within her community to share valuable resources and appreciates the impact of community-based organizations on the lives of families and individuals.

I was drawn to becoming a Financial Advisor by recognizing the unmet needs that individuals, families, and businesses have in making informed decisions with their funds to achieve their version of financial wellness. As a result, I started Better Pockets Financial – alongside Josh – to continue making a positive impact on others.  

The thread of commonality that links all my professional roles is my personal mission to make a positive impact on others, so they can subsequently foster their own positive impact on others, creating a community-level movement towards positive change! As such, I value building strength-based relationships, having candid conversations, comprehensive planning, and working cooperatively in a trustworthy manner. 
 
I am a native of Colorado and have lived along the front range and mountain regions. I received a bachelor's degree in Social Work from Colorado State University (CSU) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Regis University. Additionally, I have obtained certifications from the Project Management Institute (PMI) and the American Society for Quality (ASQ). 
 
When not working, I enjoy spending time with my amazing wife, Carla, our cockapoo dog, and extended family. My interests – which I am always happy to discuss – include restoring/driving classic automobiles, attending cars-n-coffee events, travelling domestically and globally, listening to a diverse selection of music, and experiencing other cultures. And, the mountains call to me regularly, so I look for opportunities to go fishing, hiking, camping, or exploring. 
 
Outside of work, I volunteer with local non-profit organizations to give back to our community.

I stumbled into financial services right out of college after accepting an internship with an annuity and insurance provider. My goal was to gain experience while looking for another job but turns out the experience was so good that I stayed for over 4 years. While supporting financial advisors, I helped solve some of the financial challenges their clients face. But ultimately, it wasn’t the right role for me, so I moved to England to earn an MBA from Manchester Business School (for any “football” fans – GGMU!) Life brought me back to Colorado and eventually to a position working with local and state governments, focusing on improving retirement plan offerings and outcomes for their employees. Again, I gained more great experience in roles that just weren’t for me. 

During this time and for a plethora of reasons, I accepted that the corporate world might not be for me. With both companies, I was able to help solve problems and offer solutions that really helped my clients. But I also was exposed to some of the gaps in our current system, where far too many people are being left behind. I really hate that part the most – so many people just don’t have access to the help they need. That led to Clint and I launching Better Pockets Financial. We want to have an impact by helping you have an impact – through relieving financial stress, allowing you to live the life you want.  

I was drawn to becoming a Financial Advisor by recognizing the unmet needs that individuals, families, and businesses have in making informed decisions with their funds to achieve their version of financial wellness. As a result, I started Better Pockets Financial – alongside Josh – to continue making a positive impact on others.  

The thread of commonality that links all my professional roles is my personal mission to make a positive impact on others, so they can subsequently foster their own positive impact on others, creating a community-level movement towards positive change! As such, I value building strength-based relationships, having candid conversations, comprehensive planning, and working cooperatively in a trustworthy manner. 
 
I am a native of Colorado and have lived along the front range and mountain regions. I received a bachelor's degree in Social Work from Colorado State University (CSU) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Regis University. Additionally, I have obtained certifications from the Project Management Institute (PMI) and the American Society for Quality (ASQ). 
 
When not working, I enjoy spending time with my amazing wife, Carla, our cockapoo dog, and extended family. My interests – which I am always happy to discuss – include restoring/driving classic automobiles, attending cars-n-coffee events, travelling domestically and globally, listening to a diverse selection of music, and experiencing other cultures. And, the mountains call to me regularly, so I look for opportunities to go fishing, hiking, camping, or exploring. 
 
Outside of work, I volunteer with local non-profit organizations to give back to our community.

I stumbled into financial services right out of college after accepting an internship with an annuity and insurance provider. My goal was to gain experience while looking for another job but turns out the experience was so good that I stayed for over 4 years. While supporting financial advisors, I helped solve some of the financial challenges their clients face. But ultimately, it wasn’t the right role for me, so I moved to England to earn an MBA from Manchester Business School (for any “football” fans – GGMU!) Life brought me back to Colorado and eventually to a position working with local and state governments, focusing on improving retirement plan offerings and outcomes for their employees. Again, I gained more great experience in roles that just weren’t for me. 

During this time and for a plethora of reasons, I accepted that the corporate world might not be for me. With both companies, I was able to help solve problems and offer solutions that really helped my clients. But I also was exposed to some of the gaps in our current system, where far too many people are being left behind. I really hate that part the most – so many people just don’t have access to the help they need. That led to Clint and I launching Better Pockets Financial. We want to have an impact by helping you have an impact – through relieving financial stress, allowing you to live the life you want.  

Karen Wolf is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker; born and raised in the Denver metro area. Karen has extensive experience working with children and families who have experienced trauma and has a strong passion for the foster care community. Providing support and education about trauma-informed care, child development, and self-care are essential to making the foster parent experience work in the long term and Karen is dedicated to providing that education and advocating for better pathways to ensuring all foster parents have access to the information they need to foster longer!