Our Team

Ryan Gensler is the Director of National Partnerships for CareerWise Colorado, working to expand modern youth apprenticeship across the US. His career in workforce began after his time as Marketing Manager and Director of Community Engagement for Intertech Plastics. Ryan was contracted by the Colorado Advanced Manufacturing Alliance to build workforce development programs across Colorado. This led Ryan to manage the startup of CareerWise Colorado, a systemic approach to youth apprenticeships, akin to the Swiss VET System. Additionally, he helped build Governor Hickenlooper’s Business Experiential Learning (BEL) Commission and organized the Governor’s apprenticeship delegation to Switzerland.

After helping run a gubernatorial campaign, Ryan went on to consult with various nonprofit and government organizations on workforce development initiatives, including raising over $4M for the State of Colorado to upskill retail workers and developing a 20-state network focused on skills in the digital economy, before returning to CareerWise to lead national growth efforts. Since rejoining CareerWise he has built a technical assistance and new community division, supported the launch of youth apprenticeship programs in New York City and Indiana and provides technical assistance to community organizations across the country.

He received his bachelor’s in entrepreneurial management and marketing from Creighton University and was the first recipient of the Creighton Entrepreneurial Student Leader of the Year Award. Ryan has been on the Boys Hope Girls Hope of Colorado Young Professionals Board since 2013 and is an appointed member of the American Swiss Foundation’s Young Leaders Conference. He enjoys traveling with his family and friends, skiing, cooking, and camping.

Shelley Banker is a visionary leader passionate about changing inequities, disrupting social injustice, and organizing and empowering communities. As the Director of the Office of Economic Security, Shelley leads a team working to improve policies, build support systems, and eradicate poverty. Shelley has over a decade and a half in nonprofit, private, and public sectors promoting educational equity and access in Colorado’s postsecondary systems, including through the implementation and expansion of the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI), and the establishment of the Colorado Department of Higher Education’s Educational Equity Office and Equity Champions Coalition. Shelley received her MSW from the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Colorado Denver. Shelley joined the Denver CASA board of directors in 2022 after volunteering as a CASA on two cases between 2015 and 2017. Shelley also serves as the co-chair of Polite Tumor’s annual fundraising committee and frequently volunteers in different capacities at McKinley Thatcher Elementary. Shelley is a second-generation Coloradan and enjoys introducing her daughter to everything nature offers.

Alex serves as the Board Treasurer for Denver CASA. After seven years in the Colorado oil and gas industry, where he gained a deep understanding of the unique needs of energy industry professionals, Alex joined UBS in 2015.

Alex is based in Colorado and is active in his community. Alex is dedicated to CASA programs and supporting the mission of providing a stable voice/advocate for foster children. He is also on the board of the Denver chapter of the University of Colorado Alumni Association, where he works to promote the university and raise money to provide children with scholarships.

Alex and his wife, Nicole—an elementary school teacher –have two young sons, Owen and Leo, and an equally rambunctious black lab, Chauncey. The family enjoys traveling, skiing, camping, and just being outdoors. Both avid sports fans, Alex and “Nic” met at the University of Colorado and still attend every home football game.

Natalia Arango is a general OB/GYN in the Denver community. She believes in patient centered, evidence based practice and places a strong consideration on her patient’s personal preferences and cultural beliefs. Having returned to Colorado after 5 years away, she is happy to be home. She was introduced to CASA through fellow board member, Bek Coelho-Shumskiy and her husband, in 2020, and was immediately drawn to the mission and values of CASA and is thrilled to be serving as a board member. Prior to her work with Denver CASA, Natalia worked with CU Peru and provided healthcare education in the Peruvian Amazon with local village health workers. While working with CU Peru, Natalia served on both their fundraising committee and education committee. When she isn’t taking care of women and helping deliver babies, Natalia enjoys spending quality time with her husband, 2 kiddos, and their Goldendoodle, Bruno.

Stefanie Brown is a leader with a passion for public service and child well-being. She brings over a decade of commitment to Denver CASA, where her journey began as a CASA volunteer.

She currently serves as the Associate Director of Finance for the University of Colorado’s College of Nursing. In this role, she oversees financial operations and is committed to fiscal stewardship and operational excellence. Her prior experience spans roles at Oregon Health and Science University, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, and UCLA.

Beyond her professional commitments, she participates in various community roles, including serving on the Department of Economics Advisory Board at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and previously mentoring youth through organizations like Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

Stefanie holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Denver and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Sociology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. When she’s not working, she enjoys traveling with her family and running the trails around Denver.

Bek Coelho has been closely involved with the CASA organization since 2014 – serving on a multi-child case with Boston CASA and as a Development Committee member with Denver CASA. Bek, a Colorado native, spent nearly a decade on the East Coast, working in research at Boston Children’s Hospital and leading an early stage biotech company through various clinical trials and FDA submissions. Bek currently works as the Senior Director of Commercial Strategy at DispatchHealth in Denver, focused on bringing all components of healthcare into the home.

Personally, Bek is a first generation Brazilian-American, who is committed to the work of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Bek and her partner, Igor, are very proud foster parents to a six month old boy and spend most of their time with him, their large families and their six year old Bernese Mountain Dog.

The mission of Denver CASA is very personal to Bek as the work of child advocates bridge all of her passions – improving long term physical and mental health outcomes for children, advocating for the cultural nuances of children and families of all backgrounds and providing a voice to the most vulnerable members of our society. Bek is grateful and enthusiastic to be a part of the Denver CASA team!

John Galloway is a real estate professional and small business owner with a passion for helping children. He owns and operates several real estate businesses including a Denver based brokerage, Toprock Real Estate. Toprock Real Estate is a service based business committed to helping each individual find their community. The brokerage donates 3% of all annual profits, strongly encourages all employees and brokers to participate in monthly volunteer opportunities, and provides a down payment assistance program to underserved Colorado residents.

Despite his busy schedule, he is committed to serving his community and living his values. He has served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) with Denver CASA since May of 2020 and most recently as an Older Youth Program (OYP). He has volunteer history with Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) and is currently a DUG participant through the Morey Middle School Garden.

Ramiro Jimenez is a Senior Vice President with FirstBank, a privately held bank out of Lakewood. He started his career in 2013 in the California Market where he focused largely on Mortgage lending and business development. Currently, Ramiro works at the bank’s headquarters in the Treasury Management department. There he specializes in business development, commercial banking, treasury management product development, and project management.

Ramiro was raised in the Coachella Valley of Southern California and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Management from the University of California, Merced. Ramiro also serves on the board of Scholars Unlimited an organization that focuses on providing afterschool care for children in vulnerable communities in the Denver Metro area.

A graduate of SMU Dedman School of Law, Alexandra leverages her transactional training to deliver clients customized guidance on complex tax and estate planning matters. Juxtaposing this skill set with her research in the fields of behavioral finance and consumer psychology while earning her Bachelor’s Degree from Tulane University, Alexandra is uniquely positioned to understand sophisticated clients.

Alexandra was a Vice President, Private Banker with J.P. Morgan. In addition to her work there with private business owners and families navigating the dynamics of multi-generational wealth, she also developed her passion for working with non-profit organizations, endowments, and foundations. She has extensive experience supporting the needs of these clients, and appreciates the customized approach that must be taken when working with the fiduciaries of an Investment Committee or Board of Trustees.

Alexandra has been a competitive equestrian since grammar school. She enjoys spending time with her husband and their two dogs, as well as skiing and cooking. Alexandra holds her FINRA Series 7, 63, and 66 licenses.

Judge Donna Schmalberger was appointed to the Denver Juvenile Court bench in October 2007, and served until her retirement in April 2020. During that time, she established the Denver ICWA Court in January 2017, for which she was awarded the Impact of the Year Award from the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges in 2018. She also chaired Denver Juvenile Court’s Best Practice Court Team for over a decade. Before being appointed to the bench, she was an Assistant County Attorney in Arapahoe County, prosecuting Dependency or Neglect cases, from 1997 until 2007. She was in private practice specializing in juvenile law from 1983 until 1997. She received her J.D. degree from the University of Colorado in 1982, and graduated magna cum laude from Lafayette College in 1973.

In addition to the NCJFCJ award, Judge Schmalberger is the recipient of the Speaking Up for a Child Award from Advocates for Children and the Raymond Frenchmore Juvenile Law Award from the Arapahoe County Bar Association. She has been supported in all her endeavors by her husband, attorney David Lichtenstein, and her sons, Max and Vaughn.

Ann Tinnin is currently employed at Empower where she is holds the role of VP HR Business Partner.   Ann partners with leaders across the organization as a strategic adviser in the development of strategic company objectives related to human capital management, organization design and effectiveness and change management. Ann has been at Empower for almost 19 years and has held various roles in Human Resources during her tenure with the company.

Ann is a native of Wisconsin, but has been in Colorado for the past 25 years.   Ann is passionate about giving back and is active in the community volunteering her time at various organizations.  While Ann enjoys being outdoors taking advantage of Colorado’s amazing hiking trails she also enjoys quiet time at home reading books and spending time with family and friends.

Chris Vandall is an Associate Principal and Sr. Project Manager at OZ Architecture where he has worked since 2005.  At OZ, Chris is a leader in the Resort/Hospitality/Mixed Use Practice Area, leads Social Responsibility and OZ Gives initiatives, and serves on the Sustainability Committee.

Chris has been serving on the Denver CASA Board of Directors since 2017 and served as an Advocate Volunteer on two cases prior to joining the Board.  He is currently serving as Chair of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee.  Chris has been passionate about the mission of CASA since his parents served as foster parents for 40 children in his adolescence.

When not in the office, Chris volunteers in the community, travels with his husband, and explores cooking new cuisines.  He enjoys spending time with his friends and trying new experiences.

Colin Ware is a seasoned professional with more than 20 years of experience working in the arts, higher education, academic medicine, and non-profit consulting. Colin holds an M.B.A. from UCLA and served as a major gift or planned giving officer for University of Washington and University of Montana prior to moving to Denver. He is currently the gift planning officer for Intermountain Health Foundation.  Colin is not new to CASA, having served on the board of CASA in Missoula Montana.  He is engaged with the Colorado Planned Giving Roundtable and is an active member of the Denver Curling Club.

Altruism, Courage, and Legacy … These are the core values that guide Shabana Walker both personally and professionally.

Ms. Walker is a technology executive and people leader who is committed to employee growth and collaborative success. As the vice president of Customer Experience in Comcast’s West Division, she has a proven track record as a dynamic, collaborative leader who transforms and enhances the customer experience with thoughtful strategies and innovative programs.

Ms. Walker practices data-driven decision-making to identify and prioritize department efforts; works to improve operations with greater efficiency and quality; partners with cross-functional leadership to align projects with the strategic goals of the company; and improves employee culture and turns around underperforming teams through meaningful change, empathetic oversight, and an emphasis on high performance.

A champion for children, Ms. Walker is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging; and reducing food insecurity. She is a proud supporter of organizations including the Autism Society of Colorado and the Food Bank of the Rockies. Shabana sits on the board of directors for ACE Scholarships.

Ms. Walker holds a master’s degree in Organization Development and Change from Pennsylvania State University and is pursuing her doctorate in Education from the same institution. She is also a graduate of the Wharton Women’s Executive Leadership: Business Strategies for Success program. In 2023, Shabana was named one of the Power 100 by Diversity Woman magazine.

Karen Silverman has over 20 years of experience working in non-profit organizations with a background in children’s issue including child welfare, early childhood education, teen prevention and mentoring programs. From 2009 to 2014 she was the Executive Director of Smart Girl. Most recently, she was the Director of External Affairs at JEWISHcolorado. She is passionate about helping children get an equal start in life no matter their circumstances. Karen volunteers at the South High School Food Bank and sits on the advisory board of a new project focused on educating adults about adolescent development.

When not working, Karen enjoys hiking, reading and exploring new restaurants in Denver. Karen earned her BA from the University of Colorado in International Affairs and her JD from the George Washington University School of Law.

Vonia Adams serves as the Program Director for Child Advocates-Denver CASA. Vonia has a background with the foster care system and CASA through her previous position as the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program Manager with Lutheran Family Services, including serving as a CASA volunteer. Vonia graduated from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts in 2019 with a Masters in International Development and Social Change. Vonia spent time in the Peace Corps and two AmeriCorps programs, working with youth of all ages in some capacity for the majority of her career.

Vonia is a Colorado native and loves reading, anything that has to do with water, and spends free time geeking out over Disney, Dr. Who, and Harry Potter.

Theresa joined the CASA team in March 2022. Driven by a passion for service to others and social justice, she has more than 20 years’ experience in the non-profit sector, previously working for Children’s Hospital Colorado, The Denver Preschool Program, and Catholic Charities of Denver. She earned a B.A. in Journalism from MSU Denver and an M.S. in Organizational Leadership from Regis University. She is active in the community by volunteering at various organizations in the Denver Metro Area.

Theresa enjoys spending time with her family, telling stories, enjoying time outdoors, and brunching on the weekends.

Favorite quote: Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud – Maya Angelou

Sam Carwyn is dedicated to community and has worked in various roles during her twenty years in the non-profit sector. She’s focused on youth, families, reproductive justice, and supporting individuals who have experienced violence consistently centering the most marginalized. She is dedicated to authenticity, bringing forward others’ voices, artivism, dispelling myths, building connections and speaking truth to power. She enjoys dystopian content, baking, cultivating belonging, and analyzing diverse representation in pop culture.

She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Child, Youth, and Family Studies. Then went on to obtain a MA in Teaching. She graduated in May 2023 from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities earning a Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in Social Transformation. She is in care for ordination with the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. Grounded in her faith, she works toward equity, creating a legacy that honors her ancestors and makes her kids proud.

Nicole joined Child Advocates – Denver CASA in June 2022 as the Volunteer Retention and Data Specialist. She graduated from Front Range Community College with an Associate’s degree in American Sign Language Interpreting in 2014. She has a passion for child advocacy and her career in the child welfare system began when she became a foster (and later adoptive) parent in 2004. She then worked as the China Program Coordinator for an international adoption agency for over a decade. Prior to joining CASA, she worked as the Foster Care Recruiter and Trainer for Lutheran Family Services. Nicole also volunteered as a CASA in Larimer County.

In her free time, Nicole enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and taking road trips.

Savanna joined Child-Advocates- Denver CASA in March 2022. She is originally from Fort Collins, Colorado, and she received her bachelor’s degree in Studio Art from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2018. Savanna has a background working in suicide prevention, and currently serves as a Commission Member of the Colorado Suicide Prevention Commission.

Savanna is passionate about serving her community, social justice, and empowering youth and adults. In her free time, Savanna likes to cook, hike, garden, travel, and spend time with her dog, Onyx.

Drea Froehle joined Child Advocates-Denver CASA as an intern in 2018. Upon graduating from the University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Psychology with a minor in Spanish, Drea worked with Denver CASA as a Volunteer & Administrative Coordinator. Drea spent the last two years on the intake team with Douglas County Human Services before returning to Child Advocates-Denver CASA as an Advocate Supervisor in July 2021.

In Drea’s free time she enjoys spending time in the community, reading, cooking, skiing, and exploring outdoor dining spots in her home state of Colorado.

Jess Batt joined Child Advocates Denver CASA in March 2024. She is born and raised in Boulder Colorado and just recently moved to Denver after getting married November 2023. Jessica’s work has always focused on serving children and their families. She served as an advocate supervisor at Voices for Children CASA of Boulder County. She also worked with families impacted by domestic violence, helping them secure housing in Boulder County at the Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence. Jess is working on her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in health from Metropolitan State University.

In her free time Jess loves to play with her new golden labradoodle Ellie. She loves to hike in beautiful Colorado, read for fun and make delicious and unique chocolate covered strawberries which she posts on TikTok.

Holly joined Child Advocates-Denver CASA in June of 2023 as an Advocate Supervisor. She was born and raised in Colorado and recently moved back! Holly Graduated from Creighton University with a BA in Social Work and Medical Anthropology and a minor in Healthy Lifestyle Management. She previously worked as a Child and Family Service Specialist on the Alterative Response intake team in Omaha, Nebraska.

In her free time, Holly enjoys playing with her dog, hiking, and trying not to kill her house plants.

Mila joined Child Advocates-Denver CASA in February 2024 as the Volunteer Coordinator. She is originally from Colorado and recently moved back after living in Utah for a few years. Mila has a background organizing and volunteering with organizations such as the Brown Berets, raising awareness in gentrification and the displacement of BIPOC. In Mila’s free time, she enjoys trying out different coffee shops, making jewelry, reading, and hiking.

Evan joined Child Advocates-Denver CASA in October of 2023 as the Development Associate. He is originally from the California Bay Area and graduated from Colorado College in 2023 with a BA in Political Science. Evan has a background working in positive youth development and mentorship, and has experience working with both children and older youth. In his free time, Evan enjoys playing volleyball, reading, and exploring Colorado nature.