Current Staff

Karyn Browne

Director of Finance and Operations

kbrowne@girlsincdenver.org

With Girls Inc. Since: 2011

School(s)/Degree(s): BA Economics, Duke University
MBA University of Colorado Denver

Hometown: Wichita Falls, Texas

Favorite Thing About Living In Denver/Colorado: The Weather. After growing up in Texas, Colorado weather is heaven!

I Am Most Proud Of: My beautiful daughter

Pets: Dogs, spoiled rotten dogs.

Coffee or Tea: I am an ice tea fanatic-lots of ice!

If I Could Have One Super Power/Talent It Would Be: I would love to fly-then I wouldn't have to enter an airplane

Melissa J. Flores

Business Manager

mflores@girlsincdenver.org

With Girls Inc. Since: 2008

School(s)/Degree(s): B.S. Accounting.

Hometown: El Paso, Texas

Favorite Thing About Living In Denver/Colorado: Mountains, mountains and mountains.

What I Wanted To Be Growing Up: A cowgirl singer, or a cop.

When I'm Not At Work I Like To: Hang out with my dog Pinon, ride motorcycles and watch movies.

I Am Most Proud Of: My family.

Girl or Woman Who Has Had A Positive Impact On My Life: Dolly Parton & Annie Leibovitz.

If I Were A Crayon, I Would Be: Banana Mania

Words To Live By: Never bend your head. Hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye. -Helen Keller

Favorite Food: Chocolate and Greek

Favorite Board Game: Monopoly

Pets: 1 furry son

Coffee or Tea: Anything with caffeine.

Worst Job: Hot dog sales cart vendor

Job(s) I Wouldn't Do In A Million Years: Doctor or hospital employee

If I Could Have One Super Power/Talent It Would Be: Invisibility

My Motto: Wisdom is the best guide and faith is the best companion. –Dalhi Lama

The Last Time I Challenged Myself: Taking my dog on his first camping trip.

Sarai Godoy

Community Educator

With Girls Inc. Since: 2010

School(s)/Degree(s): University of Northern Colorado, Bachelor of Arts in Chicano Studies and Psychology

Hometown: Pico Rivera, CA

Favorite Thing About Living In Denver/Colorado: The feeling of accomplishment after a good hike.

What I Wanted To Be Growing Up: Flight Attendant

Girl or Woman Who Has Had A Positive Impact On My Life: Noemi Godoy, she always keeps me going.

Favorite Food: Enchiladas (mouth begins to water)

Elizabeth Green

Volunteer Coordinator

egreen@girlsincdenver.org

With Girls Inc. Since: 2006

School(s)/Degree(s): University of Colorado at Boulder, B.A. Women's Studies, Minor -Ethnic Studies.

Hometown: Denver, Colorado

Favorite Thing About Living In Denver/Colorado: Being close to my family & friends; eating at Chubby's!

What I Wanted To Be Growing Up: Paleontologist, astronaut or a writer.

When I'm Not At Work I Like To: Avoid working out.

I Am Most Proud Of: The work I did with the female youth in my village when I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Tonga.

Girl or Woman Who Has Had A Positive Impact On My Life: My mama!

Words To Live By: "Only the strong go crazy. The weak just go along." -Assata Shakur

Favorite Food: Chili cheese fries from Chubby's , posole and Indian food.

Pets: 2 cats that scratch everything up with their claws and a pug who pees on everything.

Coffee or Tea: Peppermint tea & a dark chocolate latte, please. Yum.

Pet Peeves: Driving in rush hour and poor communication skills.

Caitlin Long

Teen Community Educator

clong@girlsincdenver.org

With Girls Inc. Since: 2010

School(s)/Degree(s): University of Colorado Boulder, B.A. in Cultural Anthropology and a certificate in Peace & Conflict studies.

Hometown: Fort Collins, CO

What I Wanted To Be Growing Up: Professional Soccer Player

I Am Most Proud Of: My unwavering ability to have faith in the process

Girl or Woman Who Has Had A Positive Impact On My Life: My soul sister and best friend Bronwyn Hockersmith, she is truly strong, smart, and bold.

If I Were A Crayon, I Would Be: Turquoise

Words To Live By: "…as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same". - Marianne Williamson

If I Could Have One Super Power/Talent It Would Be: My talent would be able to speak every language and dialect around the world.

My Motto: "go slowly, breath, and smile." – Thich Nhat Hanh

Jessica Manzanares

Manager of Youth Programs

jmanzanares@girlsincdenver.org

With Girls Inc. Since: 2006

School(s)/Degree(s): B.A., Fine Arts and Minor in Education K-12.

Hometown: Denver, Colorado

Favorite Thing About Living In Denver/Colorado: Accessiblity to the Rockies and close proximity to mine and my husband's family.

What I Wanted To Be Growing Up: Marine Biologist.

When I'm Not At Work I Like To: Hang out with my family and do outdoor activities.

If I Were A Crayon, I Would Be: Electric Blue

Coffee or Tea: Fruffy coffee (with lots of ceamer and sugar).

Pet Peeves: When you are driving and there are signs telling people to merge into one lane because of construction ahead, and instead they continue. And of course when they get to the end they have this look of disgust because no one wants to let them over.

Worst Job: Working at Claire's and piercing children's ears. Especially, when the earing gun would get stuck!

Lakeysha Molock

Manager of Outreach and Training

lmolock@girlsincdenver.org

With Girls Inc. Since: Off and on since 2003

School(s)/Degree(s): University of Colorado at Boulder, B.A., English Literature & Secondary Education.

When I'm Not At Work I Like To: Hang out with family and friends, read, SLEEP, all while enjoying the simple pleasures in life.

Girl or Woman Who Has Had A Positive Impact On My Life: It's the combination of my Mom, Grandma, and Auntie Ann!

Pets: Currently I have two dogs: a Boxer pup named Tyson & a black Pug, Bernie Mac

Worst Job: It definitely would have been telemarketing in college.

If I Could Have One Super Power/Talent It Would Be: I'd probably be invisible.

Lizzeth Nevarez

Community Educator

lnevarez@girlsincdenver.org

With Girls Inc. Since: 2009

School(s)/Degree(s): Regis University, B.A., Communication; Minor in Politics.

Hometown: Born In El Paso, Texas, but spent most of my life in Denver, Colorado.

I Am Most Proud Of: My value for education which has led me to work with a great variety of people, and to enjoy helping others.

If I Were A Crayon, I Would Be: White, because it's my favorite color and it blends in with all the others.

Words To Live By: Expect the unexpected.

Worst Job: Server at a sushi restaurant. I don't even like seafood. Plus, people can be rude.

Patricia Brijida Ramirez

Programs Administrative & Evaluation Coordinator

pramirez@girlsincdenver.org

With Girls Inc. Since: 2005

School(s)/Degree(s): San Jose State University, B.A., Sociology/Criminology; University of Colorado at Denver, M.P.A., Public Administration.

Hometown: Salinas, California

Favorite Thing About Living In Denver/Colorado: The snow.

What I Wanted To Be Growing Up: A veterinarian.

I Am Most Proud Of: Myself!!

If I Were A Crayon, I Would Be: Brown

Words To Live By: "Si se puede!"

Favorite Food: Menudo

Pets: Parakeet

Coffee or Tea: Both

The Last Time I Challenged Myself: Every day!

Jeslin Shahrezaei

Development Manager

jshahrezaei@girlsincdenver.org

With Girls Inc. Since: 2009

School(s)/Degree(s): Florida State University B.A. Political Science and International Affairs; University of Denver M.A. International Affairs and Development

Hometown: Orlando, Florida

Favorite Thing About Living In Denver/Colorado: My view of the mountains every morning when I drive into work.

What I Wanted To Be Growing Up: Garbage man and princess (simultaneously)

When I'm Not At Work I Like To: Be outdoors as much as possible, read, travel, play with my dog.

I Am Most Proud Of: My education. I worked hard and have accomplished a lot even when I wasn't sure how I was going to do it.

If I Were A Crayon, I Would Be: Burnt Sienna

Words To Live By: "Our Similarities bring us to a common ground; Our Differences allow us to be fascinated by each other."

Favorite Food: Tacos!!!

Favorite Board Game: Scrabble

Pets: One very mischievous Border Collie named Kitty.

Coffee or Tea: Yes Please!

Brenda Stewart

Director of Development

bstewart@girlsincdenver.org

With Girls Inc. Since: 2007

School(s)/Degree(s): Oregon State University, B.A., Sociology/Political Science.

Hometown: Grand Junction, Colorado

Favorite Thing About Living In Denver/Colorado: Being closer to my nephew.

What I Wanted To Be Growing Up: A rabbit trainer in the circus.

When I'm Not At Work I Like To: Watch movies, volunteer, hang out with my dog and husband.

Girl or Woman Who Has Had A Positive Impact On My Life: My Grandma and Mom and Madeline Albright.

If I Were A Crayon, I Would Be: Periwinkle

Favorite Food: Chocolate

Favorite Board Game: Yahtzee, Trivial Pursuit, Scattergoriese - Any! I love board games.

Pets: Jack Russel Terrier dog (big animal lover of all kinds).

Coffee or Tea: Tea, decaf

Worst Job: Fry cook at the college dorm - beware of Chicken Nuggets.

Job(s) I Wouldn't Do In A Million Years: I'm up for almost any challenge.

Lupe Tapia

Manager of Teen Programs

With Girls Inc. Since: 2006

School(s)/Degree(s): Currently attending Metro State College (Denver), candidate for a bachelors degree in Sociology, Westwood College of Technology, Medical Assistant diploma.

Hometown: Greeley, Colorado

What I Wanted To Be Growing Up: Teacher

Girl or Woman Who Has Had A Positive Impact On My Life: My mother Melecia Tapia, my mentor Dr.Priscilla Falcon and any woman who stands up for social injustice.

Words To Live By: To tell a woman everything she may not do is to tell her what she can do. -Spanish Proverb

History is herstory, too. -Unknown

Sonya Ulibarri

President & CEO

sulibarri@gidenver.org

With Girls Inc. Since: 2012

School(s)/Degree(s): University of Colorado at Denver - Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Psychology

Hometown: Thornton, CO

What I Wanted To Be Growing Up: A Mexican folkloric dancer

Girl or Woman Who Has Had A Positive Impact On My Life: My mother, sister, and daughter – all three strong, resilient, loving, and authentic women.

Words To Live By: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." ~ Margaret Mead

Coffee or Tea: Coffee with lots of milk, sugar, and whipped cream!

Pet Peeves: Political attack ads and people who cut in line.

Worst Job: Scrubbing stains on the cement at Water Word when I was fourteen.