Staff Spotlight: Vanessa Trujillo, Floor Lead
Have you ever spoken to someone about their job and thought, “Wow, this job is perfect for them!” That’s exactly how I felt after chatting with Vanessa about her role as Floor Lead here at Keystone. With four years at Keystone and a year and a half as a Floor Lead, Vanessa’s passion for the work is truly contagious. I’m excited to share more about her journey and what makes her such a standout member of our team.
A Colorado native, Vanessa has always known she wanted to work with kids. Growing up, her dream job was to be a pediatrician, but by high school, she was considering teaching. But that didn’t feel quite right either. Eventually, she found ABA—and it was the perfect fit. Something about it spoke to her perhaps, in some ways ABA is a good middle ground between teacher and pediatrician, incorporating the clinical with the relational and educational all while getting to work with students one on one.
When I asked Vanessa why she chose to stick with ABA, she pointed to two key reasons. First, the joy of seeing students grow and progress. “It’s amazing and so fun,” she says, explaining that witnessing a student’s development over time—from one day to the next, or over months and years—makes her feel like she never wants to leave. The second reason? The supportive work environment. From upper leadership to fellow RBTs, Vanessa feels part of a collaborative, helpful team where everyone is invested in each other’s success. This culture has played a huge role in her growth, particularly since stepping into her Floor Lead role which has allowed her to blossom and open up.
Outside of work you will find Vanessa hanging out with her family. Whether it’s attending basketball games, driving up to the mountains to take pictures with the changing leaves, or just enjoying time together, family is the most important part of Vanessa’s life. She and her husband Brandon have a daughter named Kehlani who just turned 10 months old and is starting to stand up and learn how to walk. They also have a Huskey/Pitbull mix named Bella who has a lot of energy and a big personality.
When asked what traits make for a successful RBT, Vanessa emphasized patience, positivity, and determination. This job requires time and repetition. It can be challenging, but staying calm, consistent, and patient is key to making progress. But perhaps equally important is the ability to be playful and have fun. The best connections with students happen when you match their energy, be silly with them, and bring enthusiasm to the table.
As we wrapped up our conversation, I asked Vanessa what the most rewarding part of her job is. She said that while watching students’ progress is incredibly fulfilling, it’s the little moments—like seeing their smiles each day—that truly brighten her day. She’s also proud of how the relationships between staff and students evolve over time. Every child is unique and seeing the different ways staff connect with them throughout their time in the center is something Vanessa deeply values.
We’re incredibly grateful to have Vanessa on our team. Her passion, dedication, and the love she has for both the students and her colleagues are truly inspiring. Keystone is lucky to have a Floor Lead like her!