About Us
Advancing The Common Good in the Yampa Valley
United Way of the Yampa Valley (UWYV) creates solutions that advance the common good in Northwest Colorado. We’re improving education, strengthening financial stability, and making our community healthier. Our community-led solutions focus on four goals to make the greatest impact in our community: giving children a strong start through early childhood education, providing youth a safe, healthy and nurturing environment to promote successful youth, improving the financial stability of all Northwest Colorado Citizens, and promoting access to mental health and crisis services. We mobilize change by funding local nonprofits through grants, encourage ideas and connection through partnerships, and foster initiatives that directly support UWYV’s values in the community through our programs.
UWYV is the leader in health and human services. We are a community builder, leader, unifier, and champion.
OUR VISION
We envision a county where all individuals and families achieve their human potential through access to education, opportunities to improve financial stability, and support to lead healthy lives.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to unite people, ideas, and resources to advance the common good in education, financial stability, and health.
The Team That Makes It Possible

Kate Nowak
Executive Director
Kate started with UWYV in October 2013. Previously her 11 years of nonprofit work included Yampa Valley Data Partners and the International Erosion Control Association. Kate and her husband, Jim, have been in the Yampa Valley for 20+ years. Kate is passionate about serving people through United Way.

Jennifer Bruen
Associate Director
Jen is a native Michigander. With an education in cultural anthropology, regional planning, and historic preservation, she’s built a 20-year career heavily focused on equitable, inclusive, and sustainable community and economic development. She’s worked with communities nationally and internationally on innovative projects in collaboration with universities, regional planning organizations, non-profits, businesses, and local governments. She loves the outdoors, traveling, volunteering and spending time with her family.

Deanna Sanchez
Marketing and PR Manager
Deanna was born and raised in a small mountain town in southern New Mexico. She graduated with a non-profit-focused business degree at Colorado State University. For most of her career, she has been working and volunteering at various non-profits in Routt County. Her love for community, passion for storytelling, and dedication to human services attracted her to United Way of the Yampa Valley.

Michele Barkal
Business Operations Manager
Michele has been in the Valley for 20+ years, relocated from Connecticut and started working with Vectra Bank as an AVP, Commercial Lending Officer. Raised a son while owning a restaurant and working with the South Routt School District. Have volunteered for several organizations in Routt County throughout the years and am thrilled to be able to have impact from within.

Marco Borja
Moffat County Community Impact Manager
Marco (He/Him/El) was raised in the Yampa Valley, immersed in a Mexican-American household where English was limited. This upbringing instilled in him a deep understanding of the significance of accessible healthcare services, not just for his own family, but for the entire community. Marco’s unwavering passion lies in advocating for those whose voices are often disregarded or silenced. Recognizing that everyone has a unique story, regardless of their background, he dedicates his time to championing the rights of the Hispanic/Non-English-Speaking Community, and Sexual Assault Survivors. Marco finds joy in connecting with loved ones through outdoor activities and cooking, cherishing these moments as opportunities to strengthen bonds and create lasting memories.

Kelsey Spahr
Routt County Community Impact Manager
Kelsey is a Colorado native, born and raised on the Front Range, she recently relocated to the Yampa Valley after getting married. With an education in Social Work and passion for serving people, she comes to the Yampa Valley with a wealth of experiences and excitement to become immersed in this new (to her) community. Kelsey has worked with a wide variety of organizations and populations since graduating college in 2017 and obtaining her master’s in social work in 2021. She has spent time living in Uganda serving the community, working in foster care and adoption, working with youth and adults, and is excited to combine all of her experience and knowledge to serve the Yampa Valley community. She loves spending time with family and friends, reading books, traveling, and trying new restaurants/coffee shops.
Our Board of Directors
We are governed by a Board of Directors, whose responsibilities include: reviewing and guiding organizational direction, ensuring effective management and financial stewardship, representing UWYV in the community, bringing the community’s voice to our decision-making, and maintaining the community’s trust in the organization.
Ciara Bartholomew
Finance/Business Manager, South Routt School District
Andrew Czysz
Director of Operations at Alpine Insurance Brokers
Jim Feree
Previous Craig City Manager
Chick Corrado
One of the founders of Applied Physical Sciences
Cuyler Meade
Director of Communications and Grants at the Moffat County School District
Anamaria Flores
Yampa Valley Bank Operations Officer
Leslie Gibson
Sales & Marketing Special Projects Supervisor, Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation
Olivia Goldsworthy
Consulting Professional Almora Advisors
Nate Browning
Tri-States Corporate Chemistry Manager
Carrie Helmcamp
14th Judicial District Family Court Facilitator for Routt and Moffat counties
Dave Kinnear
Community Member
David Lundeen
Community Member
Debra Sauermann
Community Member
Alan M. Sidman
Community Member
Maggie Taylor
Director of Youth and Connectional Ministry, Heart of Steamboat
Marci Valicenti
Broker Associate | Partner, The Group Real Estate
Lynn F. Zinn
Co-Chair Women United
Ashly Shipman
Tri-State Human Resources
Financials &
Policies

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