Our Team • The Connection Project

The Connection Project leadership is focused on furthering our mission to strengthen connection to ourself and others. Our team’s combined professional and lived experience make them uniquely qualified to serve and guide our efforts.

Jason C Hopcus, CLC

Founder and President

In the effort to effect change, Jason Hopcus openly shares his personal story of the struggle with mental health. He battled his own king of hell to climb from the darkest semblance of human self-struggle. As a result, Jason fully acknowledges the amount of work it takes, how necessary it is to share each other’s journeys and why we as a society need to move the needle towards unashamed conversation. Jason is a catalyst for a powerful, cultural shift because everyone, directly or indirectly, is affected by mental health.

“The stigmas of mental health cannot be unraveled unless we begin to celebrate those who have pulled themselves back up… and then some. It’s time to acknowledge recovery success.”

Jason’s mission is to advance human connection by embracing the conversation of fighters; the folks whose journeys from black to light give hope to those that deserve a 2^ndor even a 3^rdchance to be the ambassadors of conversation. The present narrative about mental health is often perpetuated through sad, scary, or traumatic events, which typically overlooks individuals who are simply struggling with functional life issues. The Connection Project takes a fresh approach by focusing on those who have turned their personal struggle around to champion for a community-driven cause. Through the raw focus on the individual, Jason nourishes honest conversation to birth a system of ‘next level’ social responsibility.

Jason Hopcus is a motivator and catalyst for cultural change within organizations. He believes that connection to one’s self, one’s transparency and one’s passion to connect, allows individuals to live a wholly authentic, full life. He creates systems of people working to deepen their relationships to their work, their play, and ultimately our world. He presently serves as non-profit President/CEO of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Arapahoe/Douglas Counties and is Founder of the Connection Project, a for-profit company.

Dr. Jean Miller, PhD, LPC, NCC, AC

Vice President

Dr. Jean Miller is the Associate Dean of Social Sciences in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences with University of Phoenix.

She is also actively involved in mental health advocacy and education, and is the Board Vice President of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Arapahoe Douglas Affiliate. She is a Social Sciences researcher, with a focus on mindfulness, holistic wellness, and counselor education.

Her extensive experience includes roles in the higher education and human services fields, including nonprofit organizations, government programs, and private practice. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), and an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS).

Beckie Watson

Treasurer

Beckie has served at the VP and C-level for several companies and brings extensive Information Technology Management and leadership skills to The Connection Project Board.

As a passionate mental health advocate, she has volunteered with NAMI Arapahoe/Douglas Counties as treasurer, volunteer, and membership coordinator. She holds a B.S. in Computer Science and is a founding member of the Executive Girlfriends Group.

Amy Staley, LCSW

Secretary

Amy is the Director of Outpatient at Denver Springs. Additionally, Amy is an Adjunct Professor at University of Denver School of Social Work.

She brings a passion for increasing awareness around the prevalence of Mental Health. She also carries expertise in Vicarious Trauma and works in the community offering support to individuals who are supporting others. Her professional credentials within the mental health field make her an excellent addition to the board and will allow us to continue our expansion efforts within the community of mental health.

Jesse Huebner

Member at Large

Jesse is a mental health counselor in our community and he operates a private practice in the Denver Metro area. He is also the Manager of Clinical Learning and Development at Aurora Mental Health Center. 

Prior to this role, he was the Quality Improvement Clinical Trainer at AllHealth Network. He has been in the mental health field for several years and brings a passion for counselor education, mental health advocacy, and creating better access for mental healthcare for working professionals.