Debbie Pope, CEO
dpope@ywcaboulder.org 303-443-0419 x101
Debbie Pope has nearly 20 years of non-profit management experience. She has led efforts to expand and strengthen revenue development, strategic marketing, community engagement, advocacy, and services to expand and strengthen support for families battling the debilitating social and physical challenges of multiple sclerosis. Most recently, Debbie was the National Executive Vice President for the National MS Society, leading a diversified revenue plan and engaging donors, communities, and corporate partners to raise $172M in annual fundraising.
Prior to her work with the National MS Society and throughout her career, she was a strong advocate and personal supporter of critical social justice issues related to ending racism, empowering women, and tackling other injustices including poverty and homelessness of women and children. As a broadcast journalist for all three major network affiliates from 1994-2000, Debbie was recognized for tackling challenging community issues and bringing awareness to the rising number of homeless women and children, infringed rights for impoverished families and unjust laws and policies. She graduated with a B.A. in Speech Communication from the University of Minnesota. Debbie was accepted into the prestigious Washington political journalism internship program receiving credit for her work with the ABC news program, “This Week with David Brinkley”. She is a mother to four dynamic and energetic children. In her spare time, she enjoys painting, hiking “14ers” and enjoying time cooking with her husband, Chris.
Brianna Acostal, Persimmon Early Learning, Teacher
Born and raised in Colorado, Brianna has an extensive background in early childhood education including a Bachelor of Arts in Early Learning Studies from MSU Denver and has nearly ten years of experience in Early Childhood Education.
In her role at the YWCA, Brianna provides her Persimmon Early Learning students with the care they need to be successful and teaches them about being kind to the planet, learning through play, and getting creative with art and music.
In her free time, Brianna likes to going to concerts at Red Rocks, traveling, exploring, getting brunch, and spending time with her dog, Lip.
Danielle Baird, Persimmon Early Learning, Teacher
Sema Barley, Persimmon Early Learning, Teacher
Jacqueline Crespo , Persimmon Early Learning, Teacher
Aracely Diaz, Persimmon Early Learning, Office Manager
Robin Eastman, Persimmon Early Learning, Teacher
A Colorado native, Robin began working for YWCA Boulder County in the summer of 2020. Prior to joining the organization, she worked in Early Childhood Education for nearly ten years.
In her role at the YWCA, Robin enjoys teaching young children in a caring and supportive environment. She loves working with children, getting to know their strengths, and helping them to learn new things.
Robin holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. In her free time, she enjoys reading and going on vacations with her family.
Lisa Gills, Program Officer: Grants and Planned Giving
lgills@ywcaboulder.org 303-443-0419 x104
Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Virginia, Lisa has wide-ranging experience in the development field working for local, state and national organizations including National Wildlife Federation, National Museum of the American Indian/Smithsonian Institution, The Nature Conservancy of Colorado, and Flatirons Habitat for Humanity. She has more than 15 years of experience in grant writing and has worked as a contract grant writer or as a member of the staff for organizations including A Precious Child, SafeHouse Denver, Habitat for Humanity Metro Denver and East Boulder County Artists.
In her role at the YWCA, Lisa will be telling the story of the YWCA Boulder County’s impact in the community to motivate support and funding from foundations, corporations, government and other sources.
Lisa has a degree in Rhetoric and Communications from the University of Virginia. In her free time, she likes spending time with her family and friends, listening to music, singing, hiking, gardening and reading.
Linda Hamilton, Persimmon Early Learning, Teacher
Robyn Hazlitt, Marketing and Events, Director
rhazlitt@ywcaboulder.org 303-443-0419 x106
Raised in Salida, Colorado, Robyn has an impressive background in non-profit work. Prior to joining YWCA Boulder County, she worked for Community Foundation Boulder County, most recently as the Philanthropic Services and Communications Associate, where she provided logistical support to the Philanthropic Services and Communications teams, and assisted donors and fundholders in making a lasting difference in Boulder County. She also served as the Program Coordinator for Visionaria Peru and coordinated the logistics for a Leadership and Empowerment Program for young Peruvian women in the Sacred Valley of Peru.
In her role at the YWCA, Robyn will be working with the development and marketing teams to create efficient systems, enhance data-driven fundraising efforts, craft communications to engage our supporters, and plan events to connect our community with the YWCA’s work. Robyn graduated with honors from Colorado State University with a degree in International Studies. When she’s not crunching numbers or designing materials, you will likely find Robyn mountain biking on local trails or picking up a new hobby.
Kirsten Herman, Persimmon Early Learning, Teacher
Celina Hernandez, Persimmon Early Learning, Co-Director
chernandez@ywcaboulder.org 303-443-0419 x121
Originally from El Monte, California, Celina has an extensive background in early childhood education. Before becoming Senior Manager of Persimmon Early Learning, she received a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Cal Poly Pomona University, and held roles as assistant teacher, lead teacher, Infant Nursery Supervisor, and Office Manager at YWCA Boulder County.
In her current role at the YWCA, Celina helps to manage the Early Childhood Education Program.
In her free time, Celina enjoys different types of arts and crafts, especially doing DIY projects at home.
Susan Hirano, Marketing and Events, Coordinator
shirano@ywcaboulder.org
Lorena Lobato, Persimmon Early Learning, Teacher
Griffin McKeague, Persimmon Early Learning, Co -Director
gmckeague@ywcaboulder.org 303-443-0419 x102
Originally from Snowmass, Colorado, Griffin grew up in Northampton, Massachusetts. She relocated to CO in 2008. Prior to joining YWCA Boulder County, Griffin worked as a lead preschool – and sometimes toddler – teacher for seven years, as the assistant director of a non-profit preschool for two years, and briefly as a director before joining the team at YWCA Boulder County.
In her role at the YWCA, she supports the Persimmon Early Learning classroom teachers in developing and implementing a high-quality curriculum and providing support to individual children and families when needed. In her free time, Griffin enjoys baking, reading, playing board games with her family, and spending time outside enjoying the natural beauty of the mountains.
Crystal Navarrete, Human Resources & Organizational Development, Director
cnavarrete@ywcaboulder.org
Raised in Arizona and Texas, Crystal has wide-ranging experience in human resources, including talent acquisition, employee training, and employee relations. In her role at YWCA Boulder County, she oversees all human resource functions of the organization, creating systems, processes, and policies to ensure all employees are supported to achieve the goals of the organization. Crystal is also responsible for leading and supporting the assessment of organizational needs and the design, implementation and evaluation of programs that facilitate the professional development and continuous learning of employees, particularly executives and emerging leaders.
Crystal holds a Masters of Industrial/Organizational Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, music, yoga, and binge-watching TV shows.
April Norman, Persimmon Early Learning, Wellness Coordinator
Alexandra Madachy, Persimmon Early Learning, Nutrition Educator
Ali Randall, Media & Communications
arandall@ywcaboulder.org 303-443-0419 x102
Raised in New Jersey, Ali has nearly 25 years of public relations and media relations experience. Prior to joining the YWCA Boulder County, she worked at the YWCA Princeton in Princeton, New Jersey, as well as several PR firms in the Bay Area, Denver and Boulder.
In her role at the YWCA, she will be planning and implementing marketing and PR campaigns as well as overseeing media relations and social media marketing.
Ali graduated from Lehigh University with a bachelor’s degree in English and History. In her free time, she enjoys hiking in open space with her husband and dogs, baking, and absorbing as much pop culture trivia as humanly possible.
Emily Raznick, Persimmon Early Learning, Teacher
Krystal Riley-Llamas, Persimmon Early Learning, Teacher
Christina Rudosky, Development Donation Specialist
Linda Siptroth, Individual Giving and Grants, Director,
Linda moved to Colorado late in 2021; she joined the YWCA team in February 2022. During her non-profit career in Southern CA, upstate NY, and NYC, she led fundraising efforts for performing arts organizations, literary arts organizations, artists’ communities, community arts centers, hospice, and state parks. While raising her family, she also worked as a fundraising consultant, grant-writer, event planner, and copywriter for arts and environmental protection organizations.
In her role at the YWCA, she has primary responsibility for developing strategies to increase the engagement of supporters, and for growing individual giving and grant revenue.
Linda graduated from Wellesley College with a bachelor’s degree in Art History and earned her MBA at the UCLA Anderson School of Management. She enjoys long walks and podcasts, visiting museums and galleries, attending concerts, reading, and conversations about books and food.
Amber Smith, Persimmon Early Learning, Teacher
Paloma Stern, Finance, Manager
Vicki Tiedeman Bookkeeper
vtiedeman@ywcaboulder.org 303-443-0419 x107
Born and raised in Fargo, North Dakota, Vicki’s background is in elementary school level teaching, massage therapy and volunteering. She began volunteering at the YWCA in 2006, and that led to her current role with the organization.
In her role at the YWCA, Vicki oversees accounts payable and receivable, data entry, payroll, and staff orientations.
Vicki graduated from Valparaiso University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. In her free time, she enjoys playing the fiddle in a band that plays for Contra Dancing and volunteering as a storyteller for the Louisville Library and Spellbinders.
Selena Vissar, Persimmon Early Learning, Assistant Director
Shiquita Yarbrough, Community Engagement and Equity, Director,
syarbrough@ywcaboulder.org 303-443-0419 x103
Originally from Chicago, Shiquita has an extensive background in the nonprofit sector. Before joining YWCA Boulder County, she worked for Community Foundation Boulder County, The Austin Housing Authority as a Property Manager, and was a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) case manager for Hurricane Katrina evacuees and a property manager for Austin Housing Authority.
In her role at the YWCA, Shiquita directs core programs like Reading to End Racism (RER), Latina Achievement Support (LAS), and STEM,.
Shiquita serves as a Longmont City Council member; is an EFFA Program Committee member; and is the host of KGNU ‘s radio show, “Victorious Single Parents”. Additionally, she co-founded Families of Color Colorado, and served as a YWCA Boulder County board member.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling, learning about new cultures, and cooking.