I'm a homeschooling mom of five, and if you know me for very long, you'll quickly learn a few things about me. 

I absolutely love learning new crafts, I'm always up for a great board game, and my brain is almost always dreaming up new ideas—usually for MindForge!

I'd describe myself as an extroverted introvert. I genuinely love gathering people together, meeting new families, and creating memorable experiences, but after a busy week, I'm just as happy spending a quiet afternoon learning something new or working on my latest creative project.

Some of my favorite moments are the simple ones: watching a child light up because they figured something out, seeing new friendships begin around a LEGO table, hearing adults laugh together while creating something beautiful, or watching multiple generations of a family gathered around the same game. Those moments remind me that creativity and connection aren't just for kids—they're something we all need.

MindForge was born because I wanted a place like this for my own family. I wanted somewhere that felt welcoming the moment you walked through the door—a place where toddlers, kids, teens, parents, grandparents, and friends could all find something they genuinely looked forward to. A place where families could make memories together, adults could rediscover their own creativity, and everyone who walked through the doors felt welcomed, valued, and like they truly belonged.

I'm incredibly grateful that what started as a dream for my own family has become a place where so many wonderful families—and friendships—have grown.

If there's one thing I hope people remember about me, I hope it's that they felt welcome. 

My favorite moments at MindForge are hearing a child say, "Can we stay a little longer?" watching teens lose themselves in a great game, seeing adults proudly hold up something they created, and hearing parents say, "That was exactly what I needed." If those things are happening, then I know we're building exactly the kind of community I always hoped MindForge would become.

💛 Favorite LEGO Color: Yellow—because everything is just a little happier with a pop of sunshine!

🎲 Favorite Board Game: It changes all the time, but right now it's Sagrada.

🎨 Current Creative Obsession: Resin! If there's a new resin project to try, I'm probably already planning it.

🍂 Favorite Season: Fall! Give me all the pumpkin patches, corn mazes, caramel apples, and cozy weather... even if Arizona doesn't always cooperate.

🥭 Favorite Drink: Bloom Sparkling Energy (Peach Mango)

🍮 Favorite Treat: If it's salted caramel... I'm probably going to love it.

🎲 Favorite Way to Spend a Free Day: Learning a new craft or gathered around a table playing board games with family and friends.

✨ Random Fun Fact: I had three kids in three years, and I'm a mom of five! One of my favorite things is seeing how incredibly different each of their personalities are.

💭 If you see me around MindForge... please come say hi! I'd love to hear about your favorite board game, a creative project you're working on, or an invention you've always dreamed of—or wished existed. You never know... it might inspire our next adventure!

If you've visited MindForge, chances are you've met Sariah! As our Assistant Manager, she's one of the friendly faces helping make sure every family feels welcomed and every visit runs smoothly.

Sariah loves creativity in all its forms. Whether she's watercolor painting, trying a new baking recipe, getting lost in a great book, or spending time with her puppy, she's always excited to learn something new. 

In fact, when asked what hobby she'd most like to become an expert in, her answer was, "None—the fun is in learning!" That curiosity and love of discovering new things is something she brings to MindForge every day.

One of Sariah's favorite parts of working at MindForge is watching families and friends come together through creativity and play. 

She especially loves seeing someone's face light up after completing a LEGO build or accomplishing something they didn't think they could do. 

She hopes every child leaves feeling proud of their creativity and knowing there are many different ways to solve a problem.

Before joining MindForge, Sariah earned her nursing license and even interned with the National Park Service—two experiences that reflect both her caring nature and her love of learning. 

She believes what makes MindForge truly special is that people don't just create here—they inspire one another. 

Watching families, friends, and complete strangers share ideas, learn from each other, and build genuine community is what makes coming to work each day so rewarding.

💜 Favorite LEGO Color: Lilac

🎲 Favorite Board Game: Abducktion

🎨 Favorite Creative Activity: Watercolor Painting

🍂 Favorite Season: Fall

🍋 Favorite Drink: Lemonade

🍫 Favorite Treat: Peanut Butter M&M's

🐶 Favorite Way to Spend a Free Day: Playing with my puppy

✨ Random Fun Fact: I interned with the National Park Service!

😊 If you see me around MindForge... come say hi! I'd love to hear about your favorite book, game, or creative project!

If you've ever been to D&D at MindForge, there's a good chance you're enjoying something Brianne helped create.

As MindForge's Event Director, Brianne believes fun isn't just entertainment—it's one of the best ways people learn, connect, and discover who they are. 

Creating experiences where families can laugh together, kids can be themselves, and complete strangers leave as friends isn't just her job... it's something she genuinely feels called to do.

Outside of MindForge, Brianne is an indie game developer who designs her own video games and interactive experiences. She loves storytelling in all its forms, from tabletop role-playing games to narrative design, and she's always exploring new creative mediums. 

Whether she's beadweaving intricate jewelry, brainstorming her next game, or spending time with her goofy dog and wonderfully judgmental cats, creativity is never far away.

One of Brianne's favorite things to witness at MindForge is watching strangers sit down around a tabletop game and leave as friends. She believes collaborative storytelling has a remarkable way of helping people connect, laugh, and discover confidence they didn't know they had.

Her hope is that every child leaves feeling like they got to be completely themselves—and that every parent leaves knowing their child felt seen, welcomed, and appreciated. 

She believes one of the greatest gifts we can give children is the confidence to love what they love without worrying about what anyone else thinks.

Brianne believes MindForge is special because it's built on a simple but powerful idea: fun matters. Kids deserve places where they can explore their interests, express their creativity, and know they belong exactly as they are. 

Creating spaces where people feel safe to imagine, play, and connect is meaningful work—and she's grateful to be part of it every day.

🎲 Favorite Board Game: Dungeons & Dragons

🎨 Favorite Creative Activity: Beadweaving—especially brick stitch and peyote stitch jewelry and charms

🎮 Current Creative Obsession: Designing and developing my own indie video games

💜 Favorite Colors: Purple and Blue

🌸 Favorite Season: Spring

🍪 Favorite Treat: Cookie Dough

🍵 Favorite Drink: Chamomile & Lavender Tea

💻 If I Could Instantly Learn One Skill: Every coding language! (Programming is much easier when you don't have to wrestle with syntax!)

🐾 When I'm Not at MindForge: You'll probably find me making games, crafting, or hanging out with my goofy dog and wonderfully judgmental cats.

🎲 Favorite Thing to Do at MindForge: Playing Dungeons & Dragons—or honestly, spending the day learning every board game on our shelves!

✨ The Best Days at MindForge Are When... everyone—kids, grown-ups, and me included—leaves just a little lighter than when they came in.

😊 If you see me around MindForge... come say hi! I'd love to hear about your favorite game, the best story you've ever experienced, or a world you've always wished existed.

If you've been to one of our camps, there's a good chance you've met Alissa! 

As MindForge's Camp Director, she loves creating unforgettable experiences where kids can explore, laugh, make new friends, and discover something new every day.

Born and raised in Sahuarita, Alissa has always enjoyed working with children. Whether she's leading a science experiment, cheering campers on through a challenge, or laughing through a game of Would You Rather?, she loves creating moments that kids will talk about long after camp is over.

Outside of MindForge, Alissa enjoys spending time with friends, playing soccer, singing, building LEGO sets, creating with resin, and making friendship bracelets. 

She's always excited to learn something new—especially trying new recipes in the kitchen. 

(And here's a fun fact: she's also a State Champion!)

One of Alissa's favorite parts of MindForge is watching campers who arrive as strangers become friends by the end of the week. She loves seeing kids build connections with each other and with the MindForge team, and there's nothing better than watching their faces light up when something amazing happens. 

Her favorite sound? A camper shouting, "OH MY GOSH, THAT'S SO COOL!"

Her hope is that every child leaves camp feeling just a little sad it's over—but even more excited to come back. 

She wants every family driving home to be thinking, "My kids were so engaged today. They had so much fun!"

Alissa believes MindForge is special because it's more than just a place to have fun. It's a place where people discover new interests, learn new skills, build confidence, and become part of a welcoming community. 

She loves that MindForge gives families of all ages an exciting place to learn, create, and belong together.

⚽ Favorite Way to Spend a Free Day: Hanging out with friends

🎲 Favorite Board Game: Blood on the Clocktower

🎨 Favorite Creative Activity: Making friendship bracelets

🧪 Favorite MindForge Activity: Paint bombs during Explode & Experiment Camp

😂 Favorite Camp Game: Would You Rather? The younger campers always come up with the funniest answers!

🍦 Favorite Treat: Ice cream

🥤 Favorite Drink: Dr Pepper

🔵 Favorite Color: Blue... although dark red is a close second!

🍂 Favorite Season: Fall

🎹 If I Could Instantly Learn One Skill: Playing the piano

🧱 Favorite Thing to Do at MindForge: Building LEGO creations and making resin projects

🏆 Random Fun Fact: I'm a State Champion!

😊 If you see me around MindForge... come say hi! I'd love to hear about your favorite game, the coolest thing you've ever built, or what you're most excited to create next.