Growing up with a younger sister with Angelman Syndrome and Prader Willi Syndrome, Katie Svihlik-Burpo experienced the many challenges families face every day in the world of disabilities. She began working with individuals with disabilities in 2001 in private practice settings, schools and interdisciplinary centers. After acquiring a degree in speech language and hearing sciences in 2006, Svihlik-Burpo worked in the field using a holistic approach.

 

“In each setting, it was clear how each entity had opportunities to improve when working with families who are impacted with developmental needs,” said Svihlik-Burpo.

 

Setting out to make those improvements, Svihlik-Burpo launched GoldStar Learning Options in 2011. “The choice to begin GoldStar was to create a facility with passionate therapists and caregivers who work collaboratively to design unique and personalized care for those with developmental, intellectual and physical disabilities,” said Svihlik-Burpo.

 

The vision of the company is to obtain a “Forever Home,” or accessible facility for all ages in one location and to have the ability to adapt in purposeful programming. Goldstar Learning Options, Inc. is  committed to expanding services and plans to open a second facility in the south end of Denver for additional access to support for families as well as a place for employees to access the resources they need to accomplish their goals.

 

The company has gained recognition for its work, including a nomination for the Small Business Awards by the Denver Business Journal in 2018, as well as a nomination for Denver’s Top Employers from the Denver Post. Goldstar Learning Options, Inc. also received the ARC Community Advocate award in 2015.

 

Svihlik-Burpo believes that with the right support, each and every individual can learn and grow at any stage of life. That is why she has continued to dedicate her life to setting up programs to ensure ongoing progress in each individual with appropriate differences so that they can lead a purposeful, fulfilling life.

 

“My greatest lesson learned from being a leader is to have initiative and take action and demonstrate passion in the cause,” she said. “It’s crucial to establish a strong leadership presence in your team to carry out your mission.”

 

Moving forward, Svihlik-Burpo said she plans to continue to adapt, learn and apply these lessons to the ever-changing world. “I also intend to create strong relationships with those in the professional world around me to gain experience and knowledge to push business in my industry to the next level,” she said.

 

For her tremendous commitment to helping those with disabilities and her strong leadership to raise the bar of personalized care, Svihlik-Burpo has been named a Titan of industry.