What is a Board of Directors
A Board of Directors is a group of individuals elected to oversee an organization’s operations, strategy, and finances. They serve as our governing body and ensure we meet legal and ethical standards.
Our nonprofit has a policy and governance Board of Directors that partner with our leadership team to ensure we serve our community by emphasizing values, vision, and empowerment while remaining accountable to our mission.
Did you know?
Nonprofits are corporations that are not owned by anyone. Instead, they are the responsibility of a board of directors who share a duty to support the agency’s mission.
Board Commitments
In support of our vision and mission, the board is committed to:
- Ensuring all individuals with disabilities in our community receive support.
- Joining our community in the innovation and implementation of person and family-centered practices.
- Being a customer-service focused agency, both internally and externally.
- Actively and transparently collaborating with federal, state, and local partners.
- Optimizing mission resources by diversifying revenue streams and cultivating our talents, interests, and abilities.
Board Duties
All nonprofit board members are committed to meeting these three primary board duties:
- Duty of Care: A director must act with the care that a person in a like position would reasonably believe appropriate under similar circumstances (business judgement rule).
- Duty of Loyalty: Requires directors to act in good faith for the benefit of the corporation and its shareholders, not for their own personal interest.
- Duty of Obedience: A director must ensure that the nonprofit obeys applicable laws and regulations, follows its own bylaws, and that the nonprofit adheres to its stated corporate purposes/mission.
Our Board of Directors
- Under current board bylaws, our board membership ranges from 7-15 persons serving staggered terms.
- Roughly 40% of our Board of Directors includes individuals in service and/or family members of those in services.
Chris Erickson
President
Chris Erickson is President of Banc of California’s Colorado Region, where he leads regional growth with a focus on commercial real estate finance, business banking, and treasury management. He brings more than 20 years of banking leadership experience, including prior roles leading commercial real estate banking teams and executive leadership positions with Guaranty Bank & Trust. He began his banking career with U.S. Bank’s Real Estate Banking Group. Chris supports DP’s mission through strategic and financial governance that promotes long-term organizational sustainability. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with an emphasis in Finance from Central College in Pella, Iowa. A Colorado resident since 2004, Chris lives in Lone Tree and enjoys golf and motorcycle riding in his free time.
Jenn Conrad
Vice President
Jenn Conrad has spent more than 20 years working alongside individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, many with co-occurring behavioral health needs. She currently serves as the Vice President of Clinical Services with Signal Behavioral Health Network, overseeing safety-net behavioral health services, including crisis response, substance use treatment, recovery services, and programs for children, youth, and families. Jenn’s work is grounded in advancing access to high-quality, whole-person care, service coordination, and health equity. She holds credentials as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Case Manager and actively participates in local and statewide behavioral health initiatives, including the Denver START Program Advisory Council. Jenn lives in Douglas County with her family and enjoys hiking, outdoor activities, and cheering on her children at their sporting events.
Mike Abramovitz
Treasurer
Mike Abramovitz brings more than 30 years of financial and tax leadership experience to the DP Board. His background includes work with a Big Four accounting firm and senior leadership roles within public companies, with expertise spanning mergers and acquisitions, SEC financial reporting, corporate finance operations, and tax strategy. Mike supports DP’s mission through strong fiscal oversight and responsible governance. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Accounting from the University of Michigan and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Mike and his wife have twin sons and value family time and supporting their children’s pursuits.
Rebecca Cordes
Secretary
Rebecca Cordes retired after a 45-year career in banking, during which she held leadership roles in internal auditing, lending, private banking, and human resources. In her final professional role, she served as Executive Vice President and Director of Human Resources at Pacific Western Bank. Rebecca brings extensive expertise in organizational governance and people leadership to the DP Board. She has previously served on the boards of Rocky Mountain Junior Achievement and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. She enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, and working on her golf game.
Carrie Warren-Gully
Commissioner
Commissioner Carrie Warren-Gully represents District 1 on the Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners. A lifelong Arapahoe County resident, she brings a unique blend of public service, business leadership, and education experience to her role. Prior to her election in 2020, she served 8 years on the Littleton Public Schools Board of Education, including a term as president of the state-wide organization of School Boards, where she focused on student achievement, fiscal responsibility, and community engagement. She is also a small business owner and former corporate leader, providing her with a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing employers in today’s economy. As a county commissioner, she is committed to strengthening the regional economy, investing in workforce development, expanding housing options, improving transportation and infrastructure, and fostering collaborative partnerships that support a thriving South Metro community.
Kevin Van Winkle
Commissioner
Commissioner Kevin Van Winkle represents Douglas County and brings a deep background in public policy, fiscal oversight, and regional collaboration. His experience includes service in the Colorado State Senate and House of Representatives, where he focused on budget oversight, transportation, economic development, and taxpayer accountability. Kevin contributes a strong governmental and policy perspective to DP’s governance and community partnerships. A lifelong Douglas County resident, he lives in Highlands Ranch with his family and remains actively involved in local volunteer efforts, his church community, and recreational ice hockey.
Rick Newell
Rick Newell is a self-advocate, public speaker, thespian, musician, Eagle Scout, and community leader who brings lived experience and policy advocacy to the DP Board. He holds certificates in event and meeting management and hotel management from Metropolitan State University of Denver. He has worked with Colorado legislators on disability-focused legislation, including laws that support transparency and promote employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Rick’s advocacy reflects a deep commitment to inclusion, leadership development, and self-determination. He enjoys music, performance, travel, and staying actively engaged in his community.
Sheriff Rasheed
Sheriff Rasheed is an advocate for inclusive education and disability equity whose career centers on advancing access and opportunity for students with disabilities. His professional background includes leadership roles in higher education accessibility and disability services, including serving as Director of the Office of Disability and Equity at the Community College of Aurora. Sheriff holds a bachelor’s degree in special education and political science from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria and a master’s degree in special education from Grand Valley State University. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and is an avid soccer fan.
Robin Ennis
Robin Ennis, DSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Professional Coach, and lifelong Denver resident who brings clinical, advocacy, and leadership experience to the DP Board. She provides therapeutic services through her private practice and serves as the LEND Self-Advocacy Discipline Director at JFK Partners. Robin’s work is rooted in ensuring that individuals of all abilities have an equal voice through mental health support, education, advocacy, and access to resources. She serves on the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council and other statewide networks, utilizing both her professional and lived experiences to empower others.
Ida Cossitt-Glesner
Ida Cossitt-Glesner brings extensive public sector, nonprofit, and fundraising experience to the DP Board. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and works with the University of Colorado, supporting fundraising initiatives across all four campuses. Her background includes roles with state government, higher education, and numerous human services and mental health organizations. As a parent of a child previously served by DP, Ida’s connection to the mission is both personal and professional. She lives in Denver with her family and enjoys fitness classes and community involvement.