Meet Our Leaders
Amy Chato
Amy Chato
Sr. Manager of Early Learning, Youth Power 365
Region: Northwest
Cohort: 14
Becky Edwards
Becky Edwards
Edwards Early Childhood Consulting
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 14
Caitlyn Russell
Caitlyn Russell
LCO Regional Specialist, State of Colorado
Region: Front Range
Cohort: 14
Ceriss Blackwood
Ceriss Blackwood
Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy
Region: Southwest
Cohort: 14
Duren Walters
Duren Walters
Founder and Program Director, Mongolian School Of Colorado
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 14
Ericka Arciniega Baxter
Ericka Arciniega Baxter
Early Childhood Special Education Teacher, Jefferson County Public Schools
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 14
Jackee Ballesteros
Jackee Ballesteros
Manager, Early Childhood Initiatives, Harris County TX Office of County Administration
Region: Out of State
Cohort: 14
Jeni Palmer
Jeni Palmer
Senior Policy Specialist, National Conference of State Legislatures
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 14
Jenna Bannon
Jenna Bannon
Associate Director, Children and Families Program, National Conference of State Legislatures
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 14
Julio Alas
Kath Courter
Kath Courter
Head Preschool & Early Childhood Education Extended Day and Summer Programs, Boulder Country Day School
kcourter@bouldercountryday.org
Region: Front Range
Cohort: 14
Lana Athey
Lana Athey
Gunnison-Hinsdale Early Childhood Council
Region: South Central
Cohort: 14
Liz Berube
Liz Berube
Center Director, Boulder County Head Start
Region: Front Range
Cohort: 14
Naomi Esquibel
Naomi Esquibel
Owner, The Goddard School in Arvada
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 14
Nicole Lamb
Nicole Lamb
Instructional Coach, Thompson School District
Region: Front Range
Cohort: 14
Sarah Romack
Sarah Romack
Director, Chaffee County Early Childhood Council
Region: South Central
Cohort: 14
Theresa Clements
Theresa Clements
Assistant Director Early Childhood Education, Boulder Valley School District
Region: Front Range
Cohort: 14
Allison Alexander
Amy Carlough
Amy Carlough
Professional Development Program Manager, Early Childhood Council of Boulder County
Region: Front Range
Cohort: 13
Bethanne Rodriguez
Chantal Fae Rukundo-Karaara
Chantal Fae Rukundo-Karaara
Assistant Director CHS Harrisburg, Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 13
Dani Petz
Diane Gomez Garibay
Diane Gomez Garibay
Arapahoe County Public Health
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 13
Edurne (Nune) Artazcoz
Edurne (Nune) Artazcoz
Teacher, Maxwell Elementary (DPS)
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 13
Elise DeKraai
Joseph John Anderson
Joseph John Anderson
Director of Scuttle Bugs Child Care Center
Region: Front Range
Cohort: 13
Kenia Pinela
Kristen Wagner
Lindsey Mohatt
Maria de los Angeles Ross
Maria de los Angeles Ross
Student Coach, Florida State University International Programs
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 13
Meghan Leclerc
Meghan Leclerc
State Systems Building Initiatives Unit Program Access Administrator, Colorado Department of Early Childhood-CDEC
Region: Front Range
Cohort: 13
Mindy Tipton
Natalie Magnatta
Natalie Magnatta
Early Learning Department - Library Program Associate, Denver Public Library
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 13
Rebecca Gartner
Rebecca Gartner
Healthy Steps Program Manager- ABCD
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 13
Robert McMullen
Robert McMullen
Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 13
Rosie Evans
Serena Romeo
Serena Romeo
Enrollment & Screening Clerk, St. Valley School District
Region: Front Range
Cohort: 13
Steve Otter
Steve Otter
San Juan Board of Cooperative Education Services
Region: Southwest
Cohort: 13
Zainab Emdadian
Zainab Emdadian
Teacher. Sandra Todd-Williams Academy, DPS
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 13
Britney Hicks
Britney Hicks
Boulder Valley School District
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 12
Cathy Doetkott
Dorothy Day
Dorothy Day
Council Coordinator, ECHO & Family Center EC Council
dorothy.day@canoncityschools.org
Region: South Central
Cohort: 12
Jackie Cordova
Jackie Cordova
HIPPY Program Director, Parent Possible
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 12
Joanne Shudell
Juanita Puga
Kathryn Redhorse
Lisa Schell
Mariah Hofmeister
Mariah Hofmeister
Self - Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Region: Front Range
Cohort: 12
Martha Teien
Michele Ebendick
Mira Killmeyer
Mira Killmeyer
Pre-K Teacher (ECE-4), Centennial a School for Expeditionary Learning
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 12
Miranda Mast
Sarah McManus
Savannah Valdez
Susana Ramirez
Tyler Woodman
Tyler Woodman
Family Specialist, Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth of America (SAFY of Colorado)
Region: Front Range
Cohort: 12
Vani Tangella
Vani Tangella
Race and Equity Specialist, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment-CDPHE
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 12
Amy Harman
Cassie Sorrells
Cassie Sorrells
University of Tennessee Knoxville
Region: Front Range
Cohort: 11
Chris Miller
Chris Miller
Sr Director of Quality Initiatives, Denver Preschool Program
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 11
Claudeth Castellanos
Claudeth Castellanos
Loveland Public Spanish Services Librarian, Library
Region: Front Range
Cohort: 11
Crystal Redner
Crystal Redner
HignPointe Academy of Castle Pines
Region: South Central
Cohort: 11
Elena Bacmeister
Erin Gager
James Stetson
Jennifer Sanchez Yates
Jennifer Sanchez Yates
Coordinator, Huerfano-Las Animas Counties Early Childhood Advisory Council
Region: Southeast
Cohort: 11
Julia Pfitzer
Julia Pfitzer
Emerald Elementary School- BVSD
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 11
Katherine (Katie) Narvaez
Katherine (Katie) Narvaez
Early Head Start Program Operation Coordinator, Eagle County Government
Region: Northwest
Cohort: 11
Kathryn Harris
Kristin Davidson
Liliana Flores Amaro
Liliana Flores Amaro
Alternative Licensure Instructor, University of Colorado Denver
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 11
Mary Nelson
Mary Nelson
Executive Director, Denver Cooperative Preschool
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 11
Pam Kage
Rachel Hansard
Sarah Beisner
Stacy Fujieda
Stacy Fujieda
Education Services Manager, Boulder County Head Start
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 11
Stephanie Martin
Stephanie Martin
Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance
Region: Northwest
Cohort: 11
Callan Quiram
Christina (Chrissy) Simmons
Cristal Cisneros
Erika Grimes
Eva Hathaway
Jamara Knight
Joan Scheuerman
Joan Scheuerman
Early Childhood Special Educator, Thompson School District
Region: Front Range
Cohort: 10
Katie Danna-Poston
Kelley Rodriguez
Kelly Wilson
Lauren Freemire
Lauren Freemire
Colorado League of Charter Schools
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 10
Lauren Jassill
Lesa Nesbit
Lesa Nesbit
Senior Program Officer/Supervisor, Buell Foundation
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 10
Matt Hill
Meri Nofzinger
Niki Gill Adams
Niki Gill Adams
Director of Equtiy, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility, Colorado Department of Early Childhood-CDEC
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 10
Sherri Valdez
Sherri Valdez
Director, San Luis Valley Early Childhood Council
Region: South Central
Cohort: 10
Stephanie Gianneschi
Stephanie Gianneschi
Philanthropy Director, Aspen Community Foundation
stephanie@aspencommunityfoundation.org
Region: Northwest
Cohort: 10
Barb Wacker
Beth Phillips
Beth Phillips
Mentor Coach, Clayton Early Learning
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 9
Connie Zabalaga (Haberman)
Connie Zabalaga (Haberman)
Colorado Department of Early Childhood
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 9
Diana Herrera
Emily Adams
Jace Holden
Jennie Christoffel
Lauren Augusta
Lea White
Linda Richardson
Lisa Matter
Lisa Matter
Infant/Toddler Care Systems Consultant, IFC
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 9
Lisa Sadar
Lisa Sadar
Assistant Director of Early Care and Education, United Way of Weld County
Region: Front Range
Cohort: 9
MacKenzie Young
Melissa Jewell
Melissa Jewell
Education Coach, Clayton Early Learning
mjewell@claytonearlylearning.org
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 9
Nichole Villa
Nichole Villa
Coordinator for Equity and Community Engagement, Boulder Valley School District
Region: Front Range
Cohort: 9
Nicole Machallister
Nicole Neufeld
Nicole Neufeld
Early Childhood Council of the San Luis Valley
Region: South Central
Cohort: 9
Nicole Ortiz
Nicole Ortiz
Learning and Belonging Manager, Denver Zoological Foundation
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 9
Rebecca Browning-Floyd
Rebecca Browning-Floyd
Colorado Department of Education
Region: Front Range
Cohort: 9
Adella Arredondo
Adella Arredondo
Colorado Department of Human Services
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 8
Ame Guilfoil Jennings
Andrea Laser
Casey Myers (formerly Badger)
Casey Myers (formerly Badger)
Child Care Partnerships Specialist, Early Learning Ventures
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 8
Dawn Sweeney
Dorothy Fredrick
Eryn Weber Kaczka
Folashade Adebayo
Hanna Nichols
Kimberly Sowell (formerly Homuth)
Kimberly Sowell (formerly Homuth)
Licensing Specialists, Red Rocks Community College
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 8
Lorendia Schmidt
Lorendia Schmidt
Self - Meaningful Collaboration LLC AND Community Engagement Director, Assuring Better Child Health & Development
lorendia@meaningful-collaboration.com
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 8
Michelle Maestas
Nicole Brady
Nicole Rudman
Nicole Rudman
St. Vrain Valley School District
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 8
Pedro Mendez
Pedro Mendez
City and County of Denver, Office of Children's Affairs, Early Head Start School Readiness Director
Region: Front Range
Cohort: 8
Sheri Hannah-Bennet (formerly Hannah-Ruh)
Sheri Hannah-Bennet (formerly Hannah-Ruh)
UPK Director, Early Childhood Council Boulder County
Region: Front Range
Cohort: 8
Tami Foth
Tami Foth
Preschool SpEd Teacher, Instructional Coach, Moffat School District
Region: Northwest
Cohort: 8
Tami Havener
Taran Schneider
Taran Schneider
Executive Director, Healthy Child Care Colorado
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 8
Amy Carr
Carla Blue-Norton
Carla Blue-Norton
EC Special Education Teacher, Westminster Public Schools
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 7
Geoffrey Byerly
Geoffrey Byerly
Pinon Project Family Resource Center
Region: Southwest
Cohort: 7
Holly Paulman
Jasmine Bailon
Jasmine Bailon
BVSD, Manager for Child Care Programs; Community Schools
Region: Front Range
Cohort: 7
Jenna Augustine
Jenna Augustine
Healthy Food for Denver Kids Early Childhood Program Coordinator, City and County of Denver
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 7
Katherine Beyer
Kathleen Kearns
Kelly Schultz
Kelly Schultz
Systems Specialist, R8 Training and Technical Assistance Program
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 7
Kimberly Cassady
LaShawn Love
Liane Martinez
Liane Martinez
School Readiness and Disabilities Director at Denver Great Kids Head Start, City and County of Denver
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 7
Linda Franklin
Lydia McKinney
Madelene Williams
Madelene Williams
Cherry Creek School District
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 7
Matthew Delumpa
Olivia Luna
Priscilla Patti
Tiffiny Pieper
Tiffiny Pieper
Teller Park Early Childhood Council
Region: South Central
Cohort: 7
Victoria Wimbish
Amber Gardner
Brett Dabb
Dayna Wortham
Deana Hunt
Gretchen Davidson
Gretchen Davidson
Executive Director, Arapahoe County Early Childhood Council
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 6
Heather Tritten
Heather Tritten
President and CEO, Colorado Children's Campaign
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 6
Holly Grossman
Holly Grossman
Region: South Central
Cohort: 6
Jessica Carroll
Jessica Carroll
Jessica Carroll Consulting, LLC
Region: South Central
Cohort: 6
Joan Holtz
Johanna Kugler
Johanna Kugler
Early Childhood Options logo Child Care Resource & Referral Manager, Early Childhood Options
Region: Northwest
Cohort: 6
Judy Weaver
Kathleen Brendza
Lindsay Sherman
Lindsay Sherman
Retired / Owner of Furn Consignment
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 6
Matthew Hebard
Matthew Hebard
Denver Forest School & Thread Alaska
Region: Out of State
Cohort: 6
Ray Mondragon
Shana Martin
Soren Gall
Soren Gall
Early Childhood Education Specialist, STG International
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 6
Valerie Gonzales
Valerie Gonzales
Denver City and County
Valerie.Gonzales2@denvergov.org
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 6
Amber Stowe
Amber Stowe
Children and Young Program Supervisor, Foothills Parks and Rec
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 5
Brenda Atencio
Cassandra Johnson
Cassandra Johnson
President/CEO, Hope Center Inc
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 5
Darlene Bermudez
Darlene Bermudez
Pueblo City Schools
darlene.bermudez@pueblocityschools.us
Region: South Central
Cohort: 5
Deirdre McDonald (Dee)
Deirdre McDonald (Dee)
FasTracKids
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 5
Diana Romero Campbell
Donna Briones
Donna Briones
Executive Director of the Del Norte Head Start and the Rio Grande Child Development and Family Services.
Region: South Central
Cohort: 5
Dorothy Shapland Rodriguez
Dorothy Shapland Rodriguez
Associate Professor, Metro State University
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 5
Elizabeth Edgar
Elizabeth Edgar
Summit School District, Physical Health Coordinator
Region: Northwest
Cohort: 5
Hema Visweswaraiah
Joseph Ziegler
Joseph Ziegler
Education Director, The Family Center/La Familia
Region: Front Range
Cohort: 5
Kimberly Steele Snyder
Kimberly Steele Snyder
Director, St. James Perschool
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 5
Linda Carlson
Linda Carlson
Early Childhood Education Instructor, AIMS Community College
Region: Front Range
Cohort: 5
Lori Cohn
Mary Alice Gruenberg
Mary Alice Gruenberg
Arapahoe Community College
mgruenberg@cherrycreekschools.org
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 5
Michelle Carroll Carpenter
Michelle Carroll Carpenter
Program Consultant, Invest In Kids
Region: Southwest
Cohort: 5
Robin Levy
Robin Levy
Pyramid Coordinator, Healthy Child Care Colorado
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 5
Sena Harjo
Sena Harjo
Tribal Liaison and Community Engagement Lead, Colorado Department of Early Childhood-CDEC
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 5
Shant'a Johnson
Shant'a Johnson
Director of Family and Community Vitality, MAIKER Housing Partners with Adams County
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 5
Sonia Bauduy
Angela Fedler
Anne Fitzpatrick
Becky Anderson
Becky Anderson
Coach and Early Childhood Special Education Teacher, Douglas County School District
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 4
Becky Keigan
Catherine Jackson
Catherine Jackson
Region X Program Specialist, Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
catherinejackson.biz@gmail.com
Region: Out of State
Cohort: 4
Claudia Mann
Jody Berg
Jody Berg
Early Intervention Evaluations Manager, CDEC
Region: South Central
Cohort: 4
Johnnie Romano
Johnnie Romano
Retired/St. Mary's Academy Englewood
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 4
Kimberly (Kim) Desmond
Kimberly (Kim) Desmond
Chief of Race and Equity to Mayor Todd Gloria, City of San Diego
Region: Out of State
Cohort: 4
Leota Moya
Lisa Young
Maggie Swonger
Maggie Swonger
Director of Operations, Children's Garden of Learning AND Adjunct Faculty, Colorado Mountain College
Region: Northwest
Cohort: 4
Michelle Bender
Michelle MacKin Brown
Michelle MacKin Brown
Colorado Department of Human Services
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 4
Molly Rankin
Molly Rankin
Retired, Kindergarten Teacher at East Grand School District
Region: Northwest
Cohort: 4
Patsy Bruce
Patsy Bruce
Child Care Manager, Illuminate Colorado
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 4
Shelley Smith
Shelley Smith
Director ECE Department, Eagle County School District
shelley.smith@eagleschools.net
Region: Northwest
Cohort: 4
Shelly Anderson Stegall
Shelly Anderson Stegall
Clayton Early Learning
sanderson@claytonearlylearning.org
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 4
Stacy Buchanan
Brian Conly
Brian Conly
Executive Director, Parent Possible
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 3
Devra Altman
Elise Angell Cohen
Eva Jankovsky
Eva Jankovsky
Colorado Department of Early Childhood - EQIT
Region: Northwest
Cohort: 3
Gerie Grimes
Gerie Grimes
Passed
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 3
Ilona Witty
Jennifer Ingerman (Hall)
Jennifer Ingerman (Hall)
Wake County Public Schools
Region: Out of State
Cohort: 3
Karen Weaver
Kathy Dinges
Kelsey Muellner
Lorrel Esterbrook
Lorrel Esterbrook
Clayton Early Learning
lesterbrook@claytonearlylearning.org
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 3
Marie Hueston
Marilyn Rome
Nancy Almond
Nancy Almond
Retired, Director, Estes Valley Investment in Childhood Success
Region: Front Range
Cohort: 3
Stephane Tillman
Susan Flood
Susan Flood
Licensing Specialist, Child Care Innovations At Red Rocks Community College
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 3
Susan Mauro
Susan Mauro
Passed
Cohort: 3
Tere Keller
Ty Johnson
Ty Johnson
Early Education Manager, Early Learning Ventures
tjohnson@earlylearningventures.org
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 3
Vail Shoultz-McCole
Vail Shoultz-McCole
Faculty, Colorado Mesa University
Region: Northwest
Cohort: 3
Barbara Benn
Isebel Arellano
Jennifer Rosendo
Jennifer Rosendo
Early Learning Ventures
jrosendo@earlylearningventures.org
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 2
Joyce Johnson
Joyce Johnson
Home Visiting Program Supervisor, Colorado Department of Early Childhood
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 2
Judy Russell
Judy Russell
Community Based Program Manager, Fort Carson Child Youth and School Services
Region: Out of State
Cohort: 2
Kathi Wagoner
Kathy Sutherland
Kathy Sutherland
Arapahoe Community College
kathleen.sutherland@arapahoe.edu
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 2
Kristin Habicht
Lucinda Burns
Lynn Meek
Marian Kolker
Melisa Jaen
Melisa Jaen
Senior Training and Technical Specialist, National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 2
Noemi Aguilar
Noemi Aguilar
Supervisor, Office of Migrant Education, CO Dept Education
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 2
Patricia Tubin
Rachel Richter
Shela Blankinship
Shela Blankinship
Director of Early Childhood Education, St. Vrain Valley School District
Region: Front Range
Cohort: 2
Sherri Amen
Sherri Amen
HealthySteps Specialist, Common Spirit
Region: Northeast
Cohort: 2
Tamar Taylor
Tamar Taylor
Region: Out of State
Cohort: 2
Tracy Doig
Tracy Doig
Program Manager, Department of Community & Behavioral Health Rocky Mountain Prevention Research Center, UCS Anschutz
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 2
Becky Ward-Smith
Becky Ward-Smith
Preschool Teacher, Poudre School District
Region: Front Range
Cohort: 1
Cathrine Floyd
Cynthia Neale-Downing
Jane Walsh
Jane Walsh
Early Education Coordinator, Denver Public Schools
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 1
Jennifer Luke Rodriguez
Joni Goodwin
Kristy Johnson
Lenita Hartman
Lenita Hartman
Colorado Department of Human Services--Early Intervention
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 1
Mary Delemar
Nancy Burdic
Nancy Burdic
Retired
Region: Denver Metro
Cohort: 1
Nikkie Felix
Pat Mitchell
Sheila Groneman
Sheila Groneman
Retired, Program Director, Early Childhood Options
Region: Northwest
Cohort: 1
Sheryl Shushan
Sheryl Shushan
Director of Global Family Services, Patagonia
Region: Out of State
Cohort: 1
Sofia Esteve
Terry Hotz
Vangi McCoy
Vangi McCoy
Coordinator, Montelores Early Childhood Council
Region: Southwest
Cohort: 1