A core group of West Colfax residents volunteer their time, skills and passion to be on WeCAN’s Board of Directors, as Committee Chairs and Event Coordinators to ensure WeCAN runs smoothly behind the scenes. These neighbors also help maintain partnerships with area businesses and non-profits and bring events to West Colfax that supports WeCAN’s core mission of “Bringing Neighbors Together to Build Community.”
Board of Directors
Shantelle Mulliniks
Co-President & Affordable Housing Committee Chair
Shantelle and her husband, Chad, have lived in Denver for over 20 years and in West Colfax since 2012 with their 4 bio kids, who currently attend North High School and Colfax Elementary. They have also housed numerous other kids and families informally and through foster care. They are involved in several organizations in the neighborhood, including Family Motel, Confluence, the local schools, and volunteer as other opportunities arise. In 2017, they completed a 9 unit affordable for-sale housing townhome project on Raleigh Street and in 20222, they completed a 20 unit affordable housing apartment building on Stuart. They are dedicated to gathering and supporting neighbors and creating equitable housing opportunities in the West Colfax Community through their non-profit, West Colfax Lampstand.
OPEN
Co-President
WeCAN is currently seeking a diverse candidate to fill the role of the second Co-President. This neighbor would work directly with Shantelle (the current Co-President), Tony (the Vice President) and the WeCAN Board of Directors to help plan and run general and board meetings, be involved in a committee and be a city contact for WeCAN. If you are a long-time West Colfax resident or renter, or speak Spanish, please consider volunteering! Reach out to [email protected] if you are interested.
Tony Frey
Vice President, Business Outreach Committee Chair & Safety Committee Co-Chair
Tony is most interested in connecting with West Colfax Businesses and working on Safety. He is a runner and enjoys neighborhood clean ups. When he’s not in Denver he is usually in the mountains skiing or hiking.
Cindy Gallard
Treasurer
Cindy Gallard and her husband moved to Denver 30 years ago after retiring from the construction business in New Mexico. She has been involved with WeCAN since its inception and has served as treasurer almost as long. She is very grateful to be involved in the combined efforts of those who are working to make our neighborhood a great place to live.
Alicia Steen
Secretary & Clean-up Day Coordinator
Alicia has been a Colorado and West Colfax resident since 2019. She has worked in public schools as a School Psychologist for the last 18 years and enjoys staying active in her community. Alicia also enjoys exploring Colorado with her husband and dog and is an avid international traveler.
Jude Del Hierro
At-Large Board Member & Safety Committee Co-Chair
Jude is the Founder/Director of Confluence Ministries, located at 1400 Quitman St. since 2003. They renovated an old Jewish Synagogue/Yeshiva, transforming it into a center for empowering others through education, a place for gathering, and an open door to discuss issues related to our community. Confluence is a catalyst for collaboration in community development from a grassroots perspective. The monthly WeCAN board meetings and community meetings are hosted at Confluence Ministries.
Heidi Newhart
At-Large Board Member & Mobility Committee Chair
Heidi Newhart is a local realtor, gardener, composter, and active participant in her community. Her interests focus on advocating for an urban built environment that works for people. This includes topics such as regenerative processes, affordable housing, multimodal transit options and networks, building food networks, and helping to build cities that support a safe environment for people to move around, have access to the amenities they need, the resources they create, where they live, in their everyday life.
Jonathan Pira
At-Large Board Member & Land Use Committee Chair
Jonathan is a local Brew Culture aficionado and Sloan’s Lake regular. He serves as the chair of the WeCAN Land Use Committee, and is a member of our Affordable Housing and Mobility Committees. Outside of WeCAN, he also volunteers for Denver Streets Partnership and INC Transportation Committee events, and is a contributing member for the Parking Reform Network, YIMBY Denver, and the Denver Bicycle Lobby.
Leah Rounds
At-Large Board Member & Communications Committee Chair
Leah grew up in Colorado and has lived in West Colfax since 2009. She’s been involved with WeCAN from nearly its beginning, and currently serves as the Communications Committee Chair; helping write the newsletter, manage social media, the events calendar, and the behind the scenes operations for the organization. Leah is also very active with the neighborhood schools, Colfax Elementary and Lake Middle School, where her children attend school. When not volunteering for WeCAN, Leah runs her after-school enrichment program, Rooted Readers, spends time outside or in the mountains with her family and gardening.
Event Coordinators
Irene Glazer
Waste Warrior & Denver Digs Trees (The Park People) Coordinator
Steve Rounds
WeCAN Running Club Coordinator