Ron Ludwig, BA  
Executive Director

• Received his Bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Colorado at Denver
• Completed a leadership training program with Center for Creative Leadership in Colorado Springs
• Gained teaching and training experience through instructing a class on Non-profit Management and Accounting at Metro State College of Denver
• Performed trainings in non-profit accounting for various leadership programs
• Has received training and attended conferences on Social Norming
• Presented on The Conflict Center’s Social Norms Anti-Bullying Campaign at the Colorado Council of Mediators 2006 Fall Conference
• Has provided accounting and business management services to both small business and non-profits since 1980 ;
• Served on the board of low income housing development and several non-profits and church organizations ;
• Demonstrated cultural competency and has worked with diverse populations ;
• Trained in restorative justice in schools
  

Ronnie Weiss, MSW   
Manager of Resource Development

• Received a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland
• Has extensive experience in the non-profit arena that includes working for the United Way of Central Maryland and acting as director of the Gateway Battered Women’s Shelter in Colorado
  
• Has held a number of leadership positions, including acting as co-chair of the Colorado Domestic Violence Coalition
  
• Helped pass Colorado legislation to set up a system for perpetrator treatment standards
  
• Has 24 years of grant writing experience
  
• Demonstrated cultural competency and has worked with diverse populations
  
• Trained in restorative justice in schools

Ray Broscovak  
Administrative Assistant

• 30 years of experience in customer services.
• Experience working with diverse population.
• Trained in Conflict and Anger Management programs.

Rose Kauffman, MBA  
Volunteer Coordinator

• Received Master of Business Degree from the University of Colorado at Denver
• A progressive career with over 17 years of experience in healthcare and nonprofit management and administration that includes Director of Lutheran Medical Center Hospice Care, Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Stroke Association, and senior management positions at Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital.
• Extensive experience in program development, business planning, financial management, marketing and team building.
• Nonprofit board experience including board recruitment, governance, fundraising and strategic planning. Currently the Board Chair of The Woman’s Wilderness Institute, an organization dedicated to strengthening the courage, confidence and leadership qualities of girls and women.
• Actively involved as a volunteer in local nonprofits dedicated to improving the health and well being of the community.
  

Mitzi Hicks   
Fund Development & Government Contracts Specialist

• Currently pursuing her Masters in Public Administration with emphasis in Nonprofit Management at University of Colorado in Denver, School of Public Affairs.
• Received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Colorado Denver.
• Received her Associate of Arts degree from Red Rocks Community College
• Former Conflict Center intern.
• Taught Anger Management and Conflict Management classes at TCC

Jaci Yesquen, BA.
Enrollment Coordinator.  

• Received her BA in Music with a  minor in Spanish from the University of New Mexico;
• Gained experience in low-income and diverse communities through two years of coordination and teaching experience in a federal music project designed to help underprivileged children and at risk youth in Brazil;
• Experienced in volunteer training and supervision, administrative coordination, costumer services, recruitment and enrollment.

Diana Higuera, MA   
Marketing and Communications Manager

• Received a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Andres Bello Catholic University in Caracas, Venezuela
• Received her Master’s degree in International and Intercultural Communication from the University of Denver in 2007, with emphasis in Conflict Resolution and International Politics.
• Demonstrated cultural competency and has worked with diverse populations.
• Experienced in group facilitation.
• Experienced in organizational development as a founder for the Graduate Student Association for Internationalization at the University of Denver.
• Experienced in marketing, public relations and community relations.
  

Maggie Helseth, MA  
Garden Tour Coordinator

• received her Bachelor’s Degree in psychology from Minnesota State University, Moorhead in 2002
• completing her Master’s thesis in conflict resolution
• serves on the board of directors for the Colorado Council of Mediators and has diverse leadership experience that includes serving on multiple organizational boards
• received a certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from the University of Denver in 2005
• acts as a volunteer mediator for a local restorative justice organization
• gained multidisciplinary teaching experience through acting as music instructor and school tutor
• demonstrated cultural competency and has worked with diverse populations

Terry Gale  
Manager of Operations

• Currently working on his BA in Human Services from the University of Phoenix with an emphasis in marriage and family counseling.
  • Former AmeriCorps staff member
  • One year experience as a Group Living Counselor with behaviorally challenged youth ages 11 to 18.

Vickie Samland, M. Div.   
Schools Programs Coordinator
(Reading for Peace and Playground Conflict Managers Coordinator)

• received her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Bridgewater College in Virginia
• received her Professional Teacher’s License in Colorado in 1974
• received her Master of Divinity from Iliff School of Theology in Denver
• trained in mediation through the University of Denver and is a member of the Colorado Council of Mediators
• is an experienced facilitator and mediator
• developed leadership skills serving on the national board of directors of a church denomination
• has 30 years of experience in the education field and as a teacher
• demonstrated cultural competency and has worked with diverse populations