Raquel’s childhood was shaped by outdoor experiences on her family’s farm in Venezuela. After moving to Denver six years ago and realizing that nature was not as accessible as she was used to, she fell in love with the mountains and found purpose in connecting her community with the outdoors. She is passionate about bridging communities from different backgrounds and creating inclusive, intentional, and welcoming spaces that empower people to explore the outdoors as their own.

Conor, who hails from the mountains of Southwest Colorado, graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Earlham College with a degree in Politics. From 2015-2019, he served in the administration of Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, holding a number of roles including Manager of Special Initiatives, Director of External Affairs, and Senior Advisor to the Governor. He served as a Senior Advisor on Climate and Conservation on Michael Bloomberg’s 2020 presidential campaign. Until recently, he worked for The Trust for Public Land as the Director of Conservation Strategies & Policy Advocacy for the West, working to create tens of billions of dollars in funding for conservation. In early 2022, he was appointed by Governor Polis to lead the Colorado Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry. He is an avid outdoorsman and proudly serves on the nonprofit boards of First Descents and Stand for Courage. 

Ashton is a Colorado Springs resident, Computer Science student at Colorado State University, and passionate advocate for the outdoors. As a member of the LGBTQIA2+ community, they believe the most meaningful part of nature is the opportunity to experience it together. With experience in youth development, outdoor recreation, and software development, Ashton is most fulfilled when sharing and stewarding outdoor spaces with their community.

Mackenzie Maher is a Ph.D. candidate in Applied Developmental Science at Colorado State University. Her research examines how physical activity affects motor and cognitive development and underscores the importance of equal access to healthy environments for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Mackenzie brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her advocacy for inclusive outdoor recreation, adaptive physical activity, and equitable access to nature. She is committed to supporting community-based programs that expand outdoor opportunities for youth with disabilities and their families across the state of Colorado.

Modesta McGrath-Martínez has nearly a decade of experience working in nonprofits focused on education, the environment, and outdoor equity. Her work centers on increasing equitable access to outdoor recreation and strengthening environmental policy through community-driven approaches. She has previously worked in environmental education with Colorado Trout Unlimited and in public lands policy with the National Wildlife Federation. Modesta has also spent several years leading and organizing with the Colorado chapter of Latino Outdoors, where she continues to support outdoor and environmental programming for the Latine community. In addition, she serves as Co-President of the Community Roots Art Festival, which works to expand access and visibility for creatives of color across Colorado. She is currently a Senior Project Manager with the Keystone Policy Center and is based out of Westminster, CO. 

Dawson Metcalf (he/him) is the Director of Enterprise for the Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources at Colorado State University, where he leads initiatives advancing workforce development, strategic partnerships, and inclusive practices across the conservation and outdoor recreation sectors. With over a decade of experience at the nexus of conservation leadership, global development, equity, and community engagement, Dawson brings a unique perspective rooted in both his professional expertise and his lived experience as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. He has held leadership roles and committee positions with a number of organizations, including Friends of Lory State Park, the City of Fort Collins’ Natural Resources Advisory Board, the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable’s Outdoor Workforce Consortium, the Diversity Joint Venture for Careers in Conservation, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Partners in the Outdoors Conference. Dawson’s work is grounded in the belief that equitable access to the outdoors is essential to building a resilient and just conservation future – one that ensures all Coloradans, especially those from historically marginalized communities, have the opportunity to meaningfully engage with and benefit from the state’s natural resources.

As GOCO’s Executive Director, Jackie is a convener who is passionate about facilitating partnerships across organizations, developing strong and supportive teams, and connecting people with opportunities that will help them grow personally and professionally. Over the course of nearly two decades in the grant-making industry, including 15 years at Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), Jackie has created, managed, and directed initiatives to impact others’ lives. In 2015 she spearheaded the launch of Generation Wild, an unprecedented movement in Colorado to connect youth and families with the outdoors. Collaborating with the GOCO Board, stakeholders, partners, and constituents across the state has provided Jackie with a ground-up perspective of program development and grant management as well as in-depth strategic planning and direction experience. Jackie received her bachelor’s from Saint Michael’s College in Vermont.
 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Hilda Nucete's journey is a tapestry woven with threads of advocacy, leadership, and a profound love for the outdoors. Born in a Venezuelan oil camp and raised amidst the bustling streets of Caracas, Venezuela, Hilda's path was shaped by the complexities of her homeland's political landscape. In 2007, she embarked on a life-changing move to Colorado with her family, where her awareness expanded to encompass social, racial, and environmental justice. Professionally, Hilda's passion for positive change led her to roles such as the Protégete Program Director at Conservation Colorado, where she orchestrated impactful environmental initiatives. Currently, as the Senior Director of Civic Engagement at League of Conservation Voters, she leads voter registration programs in marginalized communities, registering over 1.5 million voters. Hilda's commitment extends beyond her professional endeavors. She served as the Co-Chair for the Health Equity Commission and chaired the Best Practices for Community Engagement Subcommittee of the Colorado Environmental Justice Action Task Force, driving transformative recommendations. Outside of her advocacy work, Hilda finds solace and joy in Colorado's breathtaking landscapes. Her love for the outdoors not only rejuvenates her spirit, it fuels her commitment to environmental conservation and justice.

Benny Samuels is a seasoned multicultural, multi-lingual leader in health, human service, and non-profit. In her 30-year career, she has led transformational programs that have increased access, equity, voice, and power (in the form of self-sufficiency) for children, families, and communities, with an intentional emphasis on supporting communities of color and those living in poverty and furthest from opportunity across Colorado and nationally. Her accomplishments include the Statewide Colorado Family Planning Project, which reduced unintended pregnancies in Colorado by 40% in 4 years. Benny also implemented the W.K. Kellogg Foundation multi-million-dollar grant investment and flagship national demonstration project, Community Voices, enrolling thousands of children in the Child Health Plan Plus and uninsured adults into Medicaid and the Colorado Indigent Care Program. Most recently Benny led the operations of a $56M investment for Nurse-Family Partnership to scale the model by making it accessible to thousands of first-time mothers living in poverty.

Born and raised in Denver, Krystal is passionate about sharing accessible green spaces in urban areas with her community members through environmental educational programs. In 2022, she graduated from Colorado State University in Environmental Science and Sustainability, Environmental Affairs. She hopes to continue addressing environmental disparities and recognize programs that have the same passion for environmental justice. In her free time, she loves to thrift, explore local businesses in the city, and take care of all her house plants. 

Ida, born and raised in Colorado, is a member of the Santee Dakota, Oglala Lakota, Northern and Southern Cheyenne, and Ojibwe Tribes. Ida studied Accounting and Finance at University of Colorado, Denver, as an undergrad before getting her MBA at Gonzaga. She has worked across many industries throughout the state but now supports community-led philanthropic projects across Colorado through her work at Trailhead Institute. Before joining Trailhead, Ida worked with American Indian organizations and local entrepreneurs to build financial capacities and better boards of directors. Ida is deeply connected and invested in the nonprofit community, especially those serving urban American Indian Families and Youth. She also owns her own small business beautifying Coloradans. From hairbrushes to power tools, Ida loves learning and trying out new skills and crafts. When she’s not working on something, Ida can be found spending time with her big family or outdoors enjoying our own Colorful Colorado.