Kavitha Kailasam is the Director of Community Partnerships and Capacity Building at Rise Above Colorado. She has worked in youth development programs for the last 12 years in a variety of capacities and locations, spanning the private and public sectors. At Rise Above Colorado, Kailasam is responsible for supporting community partners in implementing youth engagement and Rx drug misuse prevention strategies. Prior to joining Rise Above Colorado, she directed a youth violence and substance misuse prevention funding program for the State of Colorado. Kailasam received undergraduate and graduate degrees in international development from the University of Denver.