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

  • Vanessa Maddux

    Chief Program 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, College and Career

  • Victor Nellum

    Director, Parent & Family Engagement

  • Mike Riley

    Senior Ambassador & Director of Alumni Engagement

  • Inez Robinson

    Director, Community Partners Engagement

  • Abraham Urbina

    Director, Adventure

  • David Ubaldo

    After School Programs Manager

North Region

  • Robert Sanchez

    Site Operation Manager - North

  • Tanya Martinez

    Teacher Mentor, Master & Site Administration Manager

  • Carlos Montoya

    Teacher Mentor, Expert

  • Mariah Garcia

    Teacher Mentor, Expert

  • Olivia Dunbar

    Teacher Mentor, Practitioner

  • Carlos Guzman

    Teacher Mentor, Practitioner

East Region

  • Victor Nellum

    Site Operation Manager - East

  • Zhivonne Armstrong

    Teacher Mentor, Expert

  • Ryan Dellos

    Teacher Mentor, Expert

  • Josh Cox

    Teacher Mentor, Practitioner

  • Aqiylah Wise

    Teacher Mentor, Practitioner

  • My'Kael Harvard

    Teacher Mentor, Practitioner

Aurora Region

  • Lemule Pulley

    Site Operation Manager - Aurora

  • Dominique Bargaineer

    Teacher Mentor, Expert

  • Thang Li

    Teacher Mentor, Practitioner

  • Razalia Salazar

    Teacher Mentor, Practitioner

  • Tamaya Williams

    Teacher Mentor, Practitioner

South Region

  • Bernadette Torrez

    Site Operation Manager - South

  • Elsy Martinez

    Teacher Mentor, Expert

  • Joey Rasmussen

    Teacher Mentor, Practitioner

  • Richard Leyva

    Teacher Mentor, Practitioner

  • Brayden Van Meter

    Teacher Mentor, Practitioner

  • Sheri Mestas

    Teacher Mentor, Practitioner

UpLift Board

Executive Committee

Walt Rakowich, Chairman of the Board, retired Prologis

Ivan Anaya

Dave Beaver, Beaver and Associates Consulting, LLC

Bret Berglund, Enoch Holdings, LLC

Ken Harrison, WaterStone Foundation

Clifford Hickey, Anschutz Investment Company

Dick Lewis, Consultant

Erik Olson, SERVPRO Team Olson

Bill Pauls, The Pauls Corporation

Joe Sanders, Colorado UpLift

Steve Sanders, Consultant

Jeff Vaughan, Trestle Energy Partners

Celso White, Celso & Maria White Family Foundation

Board of Directors

Tamiko Abo

Anthony Albanese

Gary Anderson

Bryan Bennis

Ryan Birnel

Patrick Blanchard

Corey Brown

Eric Buchanan

Jerry Berglund, Enoch Holdings, LLC

Chase Boswell, Boswell Investments, LLC

Rachael Boyko, Boyko Barn Studios

Kaye Lynn Fote, Community Volunteer

Paul Cooke

Michael Cuje

Nick Dolan

Tucker Erdmann

Alex Farren

Taylor Gitcho

Jeff Gott

Rob Keepers

Executive Committee, Emeritus

Bob Boswell

Steve James

Eric Koeplin

Jim Lightner

Dick Saunders

John Keith

Nick Lazzara

James Lobato

Matt MacFarlane

Jared Martin

Paul Murray

Joe Parkhill

Cody Phifer

Pierre Powell

Kelsey Sahli

Neville Teagarden

Rod Thacker

Zack Tolpen

Charlie Wham

Bert Williams

Boyd Williams