Armando is a long-time activist and community leader. He was a resident of 80216 for 40+ years. He is the Owner of Payan Realty with extensive experience in the residential and commercial real estate field. He attended the University of Colorado in Boulder where he obtained his BA. He also attended the University of Xalapa in Veracruz, México and has a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado at Denver. He speaks both Spanish and English.

Erika is well-known in the 80216 community and is a long-time resident of Globeville. She earned her BFA in Studio Art from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and an MA in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology from Naropa University.

Chris is a real estate agent and has been for many years. He is a resident of 80216 and very engaged in the community.

Jenny is a resident in 80216 and is well-known in the community.

Esther is a community leader and dedicated to igniting positive change in communities through financial literacy.

She is heavily involved in the community by serving as Co-Secretary of the District Accountability Committee of Denver Public Schools, Member of the Expanding Lending Opportunities Committee of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers, Member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Member of the Advisory Council of Accelerate National Climate Action and President of the DMHS Education Foundation. She founded Impulso Negocio - a networking group, in Spanish, for small business owners and professionals  through the Aurora Chamber of Commerce of which she is also a Member.

Esther has over 24 years of experience in the financial industry. She is a licensed Mortgage Specialist in CO, AR and FL (NMLS 693044) and a licensed Life Insurance Producer in CO.

Esther is the Founder of InfoCentral, a resource hub and platform for financial literacy. She is fluent in Spanish and English.

Topic on Community Change Grant: Citizen Science Technical Evaluation & Platform.

Dr. Newman is the Co-Founder and DIrector of CitSci, a Global Participatory Science Platform. He is a Research Scientist at the Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory and Coordinator of Engagement Technology, CSU System, at the Colorado State University.

Topic on Community Change Grant: Composting/Biochar for residents of 80216 & beyond.

Joe is the Chief Operating Officer at the National Western Center Authority. He has been working in the hospitality and entertainment industry for over 20 years making a strong focus the sustainability of those campuses. Working to create sustainable campuses has been a driver in his career, and he continues to work with other key organizations to create the best path forward and practices.

Mirna is the Founder of Upskilling U Consulting & Training. Through her passion for empowering others and her ability to develop innovative solutions, she contributes to the growth and success of organizations and individuals alike, paving pathways to achievement and equitable opportunities for all. She is bilingual (English/Spanish) and has an MA in Education and Human Development. She has spent more than 10 years developing workforce-focused programming across K-12 school systems, Career and Technical Education, non-profit organizations, businesses and post-secondary higher education institutions.

Topic on Community Change Grant: Environmental Action Plans for the residents of 80216 & beyond.

Sunny is the Executive Director of Accelerate Neighborhood Climate Action, a non-profit organization. She has facilitated 22 Neighborhood Climate Action Forums in Denver and Boulder, CO. She has over 30 years of experience in international community development, is an IAF Certified Professional Facilitator, Emeritus (Also Certified ToP Facilitator) and a Member of the International Association of Facilitators Hall of Fame Technology of Participation, Methods Mentor Trainer, Virtual Facilitation, Diversity Innovators and Senior Facilitator.

Frank is the Chief Executive Officer of Via Mobility Services, a non-profit organization committed to empowering people with limited mobility by offering comprehensive transportation solutions in 8 counties in Colorado. To Frank, mobility is about dignity and independence.

Frank is a Board Member and Chairman of Impact on Education, Via Mobility Services and the Boulder Economic Council.

He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies and Business from St. John’s University in New York City and a Masters of Science in Labor and Industrial Relations and Human Resources Management.