Partners Staff

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 Executive Director: 

Lindsay is responsible for developing strong agency capacity, developing and maintaining effective community partnerships, planning for sustainable resource development, and ensuring quality programming and effective program evaluation. Lindsay originally joined the Partners team in 2009 as an AmeriCorps School-Based Mentor. She then worked in the Partners office as an AmeriCorps VISTA before spending four years as the Partners School-Based Mentoring Program Manager. Lindsay earned her Masters in social work from CSU and was most recently the school social worker for Hayden School District. Lindsay is thrilled to return to the Partners team and to continue supporting youth and families in this community.

lindsay@partnersyouth.org

970.879.6141 ext 308

 Mentoring Programs Director:  Erin oversees all aspects of Mentoring Programs - Community Based & School Based Programs and staff. Erin is a Steamboat local who moved back to the Yampa Valley in 2018. She has a BA in History from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. After graduating college Erin volunteered in youth programming for 7 years and then worked as an Area Director abroad for Young Life in Munich, Germany for 6 years. Erin is currently the Vice President of Routt County Youth Services Coalition, on the Mentor Colorado Advisory Board, the Program Quality Board for the Partners Mentoring Association and the local Brown Ranch Steering Committee.  Erin is passionate about assisting youth and adolescents in their holistic development by creating ways for them to have positive adult role models in their life. Email Erin to learn about how you can be a Mentor over a cup of coffee!   

erin@partnersyouth.org

970.879.6141 ext 305

Empowerment Program Director: 

Heidi joined the Partners team as the Routt County Youth Development Coordinator, and transitioned to the Education & Empowerment Program Director role in December 2021. She has experience working with families and youth of diverse backgrounds, and her passion lies in empowering youth to live fulfilling and engaging lives.  Heidi graduated from The University of Iowa with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies and Political Science. Prior to moving to the Yampa Valley, Heidi provided multi-generational, community-based programming for refugee and immigrant youth and their families through her position at Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning in Denver. Heidi currently serves as the Board Secretary for the Routt County Youth Services Coalition.

heidi@partnersyouth.org

970.879.6141 ext 311

School Based Mentoring Program Manager

Kate has a Master's degree in Social Work from Columbia University and over 20 years of experience in hospital, non-profit, and school settings, Kate brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Her journey in social work has taken her from directing a children’s home for orphaned kids in Ethiopia, where she witnessed firsthand the profound impact of adult

mentors in rural communities, to overseeing diverse programs as a former case manager and program supervisor.

Kate is deeply passionate about educational equity and youth development, firmly believing in the transformative power of mentorship, especially peer mentorship. Her move to Steamboat Springs last year has sparked a new enthusiasm for community involvement. Beyond her professional commitments, Kate finds joy in gardening, exploring the outdoors through hiking

and skiing, attending live music events, experimenting in the kitchen, and cherishing moments with her nieces and nephews.

kate@partnersyouth.org

970.879.6141 ext 303

CBM Bilingual Case Manager: 

 Gaby was born and raised in Venezuela. Although Spanish is her mother tongue, she has been improving her English since she became a part of the Steamboat Springs community four years ago. She graduated from Arturo Michelena University in Venezuela with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Gaby has always been passionate about serving children and adolescents, as she believes they often lack the necessary tools to lead a fulfilling life. However, she also believes that young people still have time to become great individuals for themselves and society. Gaby is also excited about the opportunity to bridge the language barrier between Hispanic families and mentors. 

gaby@partnersyouth.org

970.879.6141 ext 304

CBM Case Manager: 

Erica grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota where she loved spending time in and on the many lakes. She went to College of the Atlantic on the coast of Maine where she studied childhood development and psychology. While in college, she interned as a child and family advocate at a children’s advocacy center, and worked in talent operations at a digital marketing firm. Erica moved to the Steamboat Springs area last year where she lives on a ranch with her boyfriend, her dog, and lots of sheep and cows. On the weekend you can find her on a hike with her dog, cooking, or doing jigsaw puzzles while listening to her favorite tunes. Erica is excited to be a part of the Partners’ team and can’t wait to get to know all of the mentors, mentees, and their families.

erica@partnersyouth.org

970.879.6141 ext 301

Moffat County Empowerment Program Coordinator:

Mackenzie is our Youth Development Coordinator in Moffat County. She was born and raised in Craig and relocated to Wyoming for college where she earned her Associates of Applied Science Degree and Radiologic Technologist Licenses. She is a loving mother to two boys and hopes to show them and the youth she works with that they can do anything they set their minds to with encouragement and empowerment from a positive influence. Her goals are to make a positive impact on the youth in Moffat County and on her community. 

mackenzie@partnersyouth.org

Routt County Empowerment Program Coordinator

 Sarah has a variety of experiences working with youth, including teaching K-12 as a school librarian in Pennsylvania, followed by teaching in North Carolina. Sarah became the Site Coordinator at a middle school program that served students on virtual days throughout the pandemic. Once the program ended, she moved to Steamboat Springs to become the Teen Director of the Boys and Girls Club. 

Sarah graduated from Clarion University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s in Information and Library Science, and Master's of Science in Library and Information Science with a  K-12 teaching certificate. She loves anything involving water (swimming mostly), caring for animals, creating art, and hands-on projects. Sarah currently owns and operates a pet-sitting business out of Craig full-time. She is excited to join the Partners team and pursue her passion of empowering youth. 

sarah@partnersyouth.org

Administrative Assistant: 

 Laurie assists with grant management, requirements, tracking and reporting. She oversees and supports operational needs related to the Partners Alliance Center. Laurie is a Colorado native and has been in the Yampa Valley for over 20 years. She earned her BA in Sociology and Social Sciences from Western Colorado University.

laurie@partnersyouth.org

School Based Mentor: 

 Jenny moved to Colorado from Wisconsin over 5 years ago with her husband, 2 children and dog, Chalupa. She loves video games, a self proclaimed Trekkie, diehard Packer fan and a pop culture trivia nerd. She loves living in Colorado and the small town charm of Craig. Jenny looks forward to getting to know the Craig Middle schoolers this year and feeling extremely grateful for this opportunity!

jenny@partnersyouth.org

School Based Mentor: 

  Life started in Vermont for Cheryl and is where a huge chunk of her heart stays with family and friends, but at age 18 she left to check out the world a bit more. After traveling around the globe a little, living from coast to coast, she then took a job at a fly fishing lodge in Meeker, CO, which then landed her in Steamboat.  Cheryl has called Steamboat home now for 21 years and shares her life with her husband, 2 children and a handful of pets.  She worked in restaurants since age 17, but after having children and Covid, Cheryl's passions took a different turn. She focused on how she could be fully involved in her kids' lives, help protect them and their friends, and where she could be more of a service in this community for the youth as a whole.  Like most Steamboaters, Cheryl finds great peace when out in the nature surrounding us. She is grateful everyday she landed in this community and has the privilege to call it home! 

cheryl@partnersyouth.org

Youth Intern

Sunny is a senior at the Steamboat Mountain School and a four-year member of the Steamboat Springs Teen Council. She is passionate about empowering youth voices and creating positive change in the Steamboat community. Through the Teen Council, Sunny has worked on numerous projects which include training the school district staff on opioid overdoses and Naloxone, planning safe and sober events for teens, and working to execute the year-long Youth For Youth mental health campaign. 

Sunny grew up in Steamboat and loves to ski, hike, flyfish, and play lacrosse. She is excited to take on the role of the Partners Youth Intern and Teen Council President for the upcoming year!