— Our leaders —

Costerfelt@thelaunchpadteencenter.org

My name is Courtney Osterfelt and I am the director of The Launch Pad. I have a bachelor’s degree in Education, a Master of Arts degree in Social Change and Community Development, and I have been working with teens for the past 13 years. I founded Women’s Empowerment Breakthrough, a non-profit educational organization for teenage girls in Yavapai County in 2003 and started working on developing The Launch Pad in 2011. I love working with teens because I remember my teenage years being particularly challenging and I want to support teens in becoming who they want to be. I also believe teens are powerful people who can inspire and create great change in our community and it is an honor to support them in realizing their own potential.

Catherine@thelaunchpadteencenter.org

Hello, I’m Catherine Robbins, Director of Fund Development for The Launch Pad and mother of three. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing Management. I am originally from the small mountain town of Felton, California, which is in Santa Cruz County, about 75 miles south of San Francisco. When my husband brought me to Prescott in 2015, I fell in love with this city. Just under one year later, we moved here with our two youngest children. As a parent, I recognize the importance of providing teens with safe places to gather and opportunities to learn life skills that will help them become involved, successful, confident and empowered young adults. I am honored to have the opportunity to take part in the mission of The Launch Pad Teen Center. In my free time I enjoy spending time with family and friends, hiking, kayaking, practicing Yoga, and crafting. 

 James@thelaunchpadteencenter.org

Howdy, my name is James Malek! I crawled out of a black box theater in Santa Rosa, California, newborn at the age of 19. Then, somehow, I managed to find myself attending Prescott College, with a cat and motorcycle, working at the Launch Pad only a few years later! I learned about the Launch Pad through a class offered by PC, and wanted to be as involved as possible as soon as I first entered the space! Day to day, I’m typically found trying to convince the Launch Pad teens to talk to me about Godzilla, or working diligently to teach them the all-important life-lesson that is juggling.
Also: my cat’s name is Reggie… In case you were wondering.

joy@thelaunchpadteencenter.org

Hi, my name is Joy Goff and I am the Mentorship Director at The Launch Pad. Prior to The Launch Pad, I worked for 15 years in child welfare. I worked at a couple of different agencies and in a variety of positions from foster care licensing, program directing to behavioral health tech. I really love working with kids and families and helping people connect with each other and build healthy relationships. I am also an artist and I love to bring that activity into my work with kids and families. Now that I am at The Launch Pad, in a position that I totally love, I am excited to connect with teens (and their parents), to offer art activities to build skills (and also chill out) and to help mentors (volunteers) find ways to support teens and build meaningful relationships. I am thrilled to oversee Academic Mentoring and Boys to Men at The Launch Pad, two outstanding opportunities for teens to be supported and for safe positive mentors to play an important role in their lives. Other things to know about me: I am a mom to two wonderful boys. I have a mini australian shepherd (he’s a lovable weirdo). I make art every day (most days). My husband and I have been married for 20 years! I am a Prescott native and I love exploring the desert southwest (camping, hiking, biking…all around adventuring with the fam).

 Natalie@thelaunchpadteencenter.org

Hi, I’m Natalie and I am the Director of Youth Employment and Leadership programs here at the Launch Pad Teen Center. I grew up in New England but have called Arizona home for the last 13 years. I am a certified history teacher and taught for nine years in local middle and high schools before joining the Launch Pad staff full-time in June 2022. Through my work with the Teen Advisory Council and the Better Together Campaign, I hope to create meaningful connections between teens and our community. Using my past experience in college and career counseling, I host three Project Launch workshops per year for youth ready to take the first steps toward employment. I also oversee the apprenticeship program at the Moon Café. My main career goal is to provide young people with the tools and opportunities to be lifelong learners, empowered citizens, and resilient leaders. Along with working at the teen center, I am currently pursuing my graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, hiking, and exploring the world with my seven-year-old, Finn.

I grew up in Prescott and recently moved back with my wife (Brittany, also a Prescott native) and two girls, Noe and Daisy. I received my degree in Civil Engineering from Arizona State and now work locally here in Prescott. In my free time I enjoy playing with my kids, hiking with my wife, coaching youth sports, and playing any outdoor sport that my now 34 year old body will allow me to play, which let’s face it, is now horse shoes.

I moved to Prescott from Virginia and have resided here for over 25 years. BA and PhD from Vanderbilt University. Financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial for over 27 years. I Have served on the following Boards of Directors: United Way of Yavapai County, Prescott Sunrise Lions Club, Boys to Men Mentoring of North Central AZ, and The Launch Pad Teen Center. I also enjoy outside activities such as travel, hiking, golf and chocolate (which is more of an inside thing).

Born in Roseburg, Oregon in June of 1947, and raised in the small logging communities of Riddle and Myrtle Creek in southwestern Oregon with 3 sisters and a brother. John went to Optometry school in Forest Grove, Oregon, which was during the Viet Nam conflict.  John was commissioned into the USAF as second lieutenant in 1972 and served for six years. 
In June of 1978, with my military obligation fulfilled, we left the Air Force and shortly after John took the opportunity to buy a small practice in Prescott, and has never looked back. 
All three of John’s children attended the Prescott schools and now are pursuing their own careers. John and his wife, Priscilla have been blessed with twelve grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren, all in Arizona but one who is serving in the US Army in Germany. 
I still enjoy seeing patients two days each week, playing a little golf with best friend, Chuck Schwartz, and flying my 66 year old airplane which has been completely restored, along with participating in family oriented activities. We have also traveled extensively around the world and plan on doing more. 

Hi! My name’s Elle Long. I operate as a member of TAC (Teen Advisory Council) and a board member here at The Launch Pad. I am currently a senior at Prescott High School. I enjoy staying active so if you’re ever looking for me, you can probably find me on the soccer field, badminton gym, softball fields, or even at Crossfit. I’m also a big Chiefs and Arsenal fan. Over the years I have found that most of my enjoyment and purpose is fulfilled through volunteering. Being an active part of The Launch Pad and its happenings allows me to project this. I hope everyone in our community has the ability to see and join all the amazing things we are creating everyday. Can’t wait to meet all of you at The Launch Pad!

Hello. My name is Nash Dimaano-Simmons, I jopined the board in 2020 when I was 14 years old as a student at Prescott High School.  I am a two year member of the Student Council at Prescott High School and Student Board Member with The Launch Pad. The Launch Pad has given me a phenomenal platform into being a leader for my peers. It has been a great experience and opportunity to watch the vision, the planning, and assist in the execution of The Launch Pad’s new building on Sixth Street. Outside of The Launch Pad, I like to workout, cook, attend Youth Group at The Heights Church and hangout with my friends. I believe The Launch Pad is creating the next generation of Future Leaders and I’m glad to be a part of it!

I have lived in Prescott all my life and I’m currently a student at Yavapai College taking general studies courses. I enjoy community involvement and taking action like being a part of the Teen Advisory Council for 2 years and on the board for 2 years. Outside of The Launch Pad I also work at the Prescott Farmers Market to help spread the importance of supporting local food systems.

Cindy spent her early childhood moving a lot, attending thirteen schools by age fourteen in multiple countries over three continents. This sparked a love of traveling and interacting with new people but also made her aware of the importance of good self-care practices. Cindy also recognized early on in her life that she was passionate about helping others and has been involved in service work throughout her life such as soup kitchen volunteer, Big Sister youth mentor, Girl Scout leader, nonprofit board member, and youth sports coach.  She currently works as a Child and Adolescent Psychologist and enjoys promoting mental health and emotional wellness in her community. She is an avid reader, a board game nerd, and a Star Trek geek. In her free time, Cindy enjoys traveling, hiking/trailing running, and attending live theater productions