Creating communities of character and compassion through connection.

Colorado UpLift is powered by a dedicated team of educators, mentors, and leaders committed to long-term relationships and lasting impact. Guided by experience, compassion, and a shared belief in our students' potential, our staff brings consistency, care, and character-building into every classroom, adventure, activity, and community we serve. Together, we’re working to shape the next generation of leaders and our communities.

Administration

  • Dr. Joseph Sanders

    Chief Executive Officer

    https://www.drjoesanders.com/

  • Brian Stamer

    Chief Operations Officer

  • Nicole Wirtz

    Director, Revenue & Strategic Communications

  • Jackie Jackson

    Director, Human Resources

  • Ramona Lewis

    Sr. Executive Assistant

  • Emily Smith

    Development Officer

  • Dana Naudain

    Research & Data Manager

  • Liliana Castillo

    Operations Support Specialist

  • Adriana Romero

    Operations Support Coordinator

Program Staff

  • Ross Curington

    Director, Advanced Leadership & Post Secondary

  • Vanessa Maddux

    Director, Student & Staff Development

  • Victor Nellum

    Director, Parent & Family Engagement

  • Mike Riley

    Senior Ambassador & Director of Alumni Engagement

  • Inez Robinson

    Director, Community Partners Engagement

  • Abraham Urbina

    Manager, Adventure

  • David Ubaldo

    After School Programs Manager

  • Dominika Herzog

    Curriculum Coordinator

North Region

  • Robert Sanchez

    Site Operation Manager - North

  • Tanya Martinez

    Site Administration Manager

  • Olivia Dunbar

  • Carlos Montoya

  • Mariah Garcia

    Teacher Mentor

  • Carlos Guzman

    Teacher Mentor

East Region

  • Victor Nellum

    Site Operation Manager - East

  • Zhivonne Armstrong

    Teacher Mentor

  • Ryan Dellos

    Teacher Mentor

  • Josh Cox

    Teacher Mentor

  • Emma Padilla

    Teacher Mentor

    Description goes here

  • Aqiylah Wise

    Teacher Mentor

Aurora Region

  • Lemule Pulley

    Site Operation Manager - Aurora

  • Zhivonne Armstrong

    Teacher Mentor

  • Thang Li

    Teacher Mentor

  • Razalia Salazar

    Teacher Mentor

  • Tamaya Williams

    Teacher Mentor

  • Josiah Lopez

    Teacher Mentor

South Region

  • Bernadette Torrez

    Site Operation Manager - South

  • Macayla Garcia

    Teacher Mentor

  • Elsy Martinez

    Teacher Mentor

  • Joey Rasmussen

    Teacher Mentor

UpLift Board

Executive Committee

Walt Rakowich, Chairman of the Board, retired Prologis

Dave Beaver, Beaver and Associates Consulting, LLC

Jerry Berglund, Enoch Holdings, LLC

Bob Boswell, Laramie Energy, LLC

Chase Boswell, Boswell Investments, LLC

Dick Lewis, Consultant

Jim Lightner, Beacon E&P Resources

Erik Olson, SERVPRO Team Olson

Bill Pauls, The Pauls Corporation

Joe Sanders, Colorado UpLift

Dick Saunders, Saunders Corporation

Jeff Vaughan, Trestle Energy Partners

Celso White, Celso & Maria White Family Foundation

Board of Directors

Tamiko Abo

Anthony Albanese

Ivan Anaya

Gary Anderson

Bret Berglund

Ryan Birnel

Patrick Blanchard

Eric Buchanan

Carla Buretz

Rachael Boyko, Boyko Barn Studios

Kaye Lynn Fote, Community Volunteer

Ken Harrison, WaterStone Foundation

Clifford Hickey, Anschutz Investment Company

Steve James, Telecom Consultant

Paul Cooke

Michael Cuje

Nick Dolan

Brady Dolsen

Tucker Erdmann

Alex Farren

Taylor Gitcho

Jeff Gott

Rob Keepers

John Keith

Nick Lazzara

Matt MacFarlane

Jared Martin

Paul Murray

Cody Phifer

Pierre Powell

Steve Sanders

Talia Schuster

Neville Teagarden

Rod Thacker

Zach Tolpen

Bert Williams

Boyd Williams