MENTEE

My name is Annie Goyanes, and I was born and raised in Miami, Florida, before moving to Colorado three years ago.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences and currently serve as a Volunteer Services Specialist with Jefferson County Parks & Open Space. I am also an active member of the Junior League of Denver and a cohort member of the Conservation Leadership Series with Colorado Open Lands.

I love exploring the outdoors, especially hiking with my husband, Gianni, and our puppy, Archer.

MENTOR

Robbin was born and raised in Miami and has spent over a decade working across nonprofit sectors, including health, workforce development, environmental, and immigrant justice. His work focuses on equity-centered leadership, community engagement, and building systems of collective care.

He currently serves on the board of a Colorado immigrant rights organization and has contributed to local and national review panels for arts and scholarship programs.

Outside of work, Robbin finds joy in slow mornings, good food, and exploring the outdoors with his dog, Usnavi.

MENTOR

Hi, I’m Veronica! I’m originally from San Antonio, Texas but made my way to Denver about 3.5 years ago. I’ve been in the environmental education world for around 6 years now, and got my start working in zoo-based education. I recently completed my graduate program in Conservation Biology with a focus in Inquiry Based Learning.

I am passionate about connecting others with nature through empathy-building and curiosity. When I’m not teaching, you can usually find me outdoors exploring new places, playing with my dog Berry, or relaxing with a good book and coffee.

MENTOR

I grew up in Southern Colorado and my family has been there since the 1700s. My extended family is an important part of my life and they live from Denver to Albuquerque. I grew up singing in church choirs and play several instruments; music is an important part of my life.

My finance career has allowed me to immerse myself in financing public infrastructure and all of the public policy issues that go with that. I enjoy mentoring students, and I am serving on three Boards in addition to my CFO role at Denver Water.

MENTEE

Kendra Mullins has spent half her life in South Georgia and the other half in Nebraska, where she graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University. She finds joy in bringing people together from different backgrounds and recently discovered a love for tent camping, especially the peaceful connection that comes from sharing stories around a campfire.

Kendra is passionate about community, nature, and creating spaces where people can connect through shared experiences.

MENTOR

I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, where the mountains meet memory and community runs deep. This land is my home, my heart, and the rhythm that guides my work and wonder. For over three decades, I’ve been part of Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, connecting people to animals, nature, and each other.

I’ve been honored to stitch moments of my work in Colorado with threads of collaboration in Peru. My joy lives in family, casting a line into a quiet stream, birds in flight, and the bridges we build between communities that remind us we’re part of something greater.

MENTEE

My name is Raquel Cabeza-Lemus, I am an immigrant from Venezuela, living in Denver since 2019. I currently work with Colorado Mountain Club as the program manager for Outdoor Unidos, a new initiative created in partnership with ViVe Wellness through Belonging Colorado. Our mission is to bring people from different backgrounds together and break cultural barriers through outdoor recreation.

I spend my free time olympic lifting, swimming or anything active, in the outdoors, with family and friends or reading. I am passionate about language, cultures, people and my work.

MENTOR

Modesta has nearly a decade of nonprofit experience in education, outdoor access, and environmental policy, and currently manages community engagement projects at Keystone Policy Center.

She is also a leader with the Colorado chapter of Latino Outdoors, an organizer with Boricuas Unidos en la Diáspora, and serves as Co-President of the Community Roots Art Festival (CRAFt).

Originally from Maryland, she loves dancing, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with her cat and dog.

MENTOR

Land has always been the foundation of Hannah’s work, with previous experience in wilderness restoration, outdoor education, private land conservation, and agriculture.

Currently as programs manager at Keep It Colorado, she supports a wide range of land conservation coalition activities from grant making to training to policy.

Additionally, Hannah is an affordable housing advocate, backcountry adventurer, and community builder.

MENTOR

When my parents migrated from Mexico, they chose Montbello to be the place they planted their roots, so I was born and raised in Denver.

Even though I am from Colorado, I didn't necessarily grow up doing the "traditional" outdoorsy activities. My passion for the protection of natural resources and health came much later in life, but I would never look back. I have my MSc in Global Health, and I have extensive international research experience exploring the intersections of climate change and health. I currently work for the Energy and Carbon Management Commission, where I am an Environmental Justice Community Liaison.

If I didn't have to work, I would honestly spend all my time traveling to new countries just eating the delicious food!

MENTOR

Manny Almonte is a nationally recognized advocate for men’s mental health, outdoor equity, community and leadership development. He is the founder of Camping to Connect, a nonprofit organization that uses immersive outdoor experiences to mentor young men of color in America. The program addresses the rising loneliness epidemic by helping youth build strong connections with nature, community, and themselves.

Born in the Dominican Republic, made in Brooklyn, and now shaking up Denver, Manny brings a grounded, culturally responsive lens to his work. Through school partnerships, national collaborations, and backcountry expeditions, he helps redefine what access, wellness, and leadership can look like for the next generation.

MENTEE

Although my love for the outdoors didn't prosper until I attended the University of Colorado Boulder in 2020, sights such as the Flatirons along with my studies in Psychology, Ecology, and Evolutionary Biology broadened my perspective for my engagement and impact in the outdoors.

Since then, I have continued to work in outdoor and environmental education to help different communities become more involved and educated in the wonders that exist in our own backyards.

In my free time, I enjoy climbing indoors and outdoors, reading, bird watching, and spending quality time with friends and family.

I look forward to connecting with you all!

MENTOR

My name is Christian Vargas, and I was born and raised in Costa Rica before moving to the United States, where I’ve lived for nearly 25 years. I’m a CU Boulder alum and currently work with Thorne Nature Experience and the NKJN collaborative, focusing on creating equitable opportunities for youth and families to connect with nature, outdoor activities, and community.

Coaching youth soccer, basketball, mountain biking and spending time outdoors bring me a lot of joy, as do building relationships and empowering young people to see their potential.

MENTEE

My name is Elisabeth Rios-Brooks, and I’m originally from Puerto Rico. I work at Boulder County Parks and Open Space, where I get to help care for and share the diverse stories of our community.

My sweet cat, Papa, brings me so much joy, and on weekends I love volunteering with Longmont Food Rescue to help share free groceries with neighbors.

One of my favorite hobbies is rowing—even if those 4:30 a.m. wake-ups are a challlenge.

MENTEE

I'm a Colorado native who is passionate about providing new beginner experiences for participants who may not have ventured outdoors.

I enjoy all aspects of nature and strive to carve out a presence for citizens who may not know where to begin or have a community to engage in activities with regularly.

You can often find me walking, hiking, and trying new things regularly.

MENTEE

Celina is a Colorado native, herbalist, and nature lover who is committed to strengthening connections between people and the land.

She serves as an associate for the Outdoor Equity Grant Program at Colorado Parks and Wildlife, where she supports initiatives that expand access to outdoor spaces for diverse communities.

She is also the founder of Earth's Elements Apothecary, where she focuses on integrating, herbal medicine, education, and mindful living, into practices that promote wellness and a deeper relationship with nature.

Originally from Mexico City, Bren immigrated to Colorado as a teen and fell in love with the state's stunning landscapes—a passion that now drives her work as Director of Communications and Advocacy at Justice Outside.

With over a decade of experience crafting compelling narratives across nonprofit, government, and healthcare sectors, she's dedicated to making nature accessible to all through powerful storytelling.

When she's not advancing Justice Outside's mission, you'll find her exploring Colorado's trails with her family, hunting for hidden gems in the local food scene, or tending to her many, many house plants.

I am a first generation, international final-year doctoral candidate in the Dryland Ecology and Management Lab at Colorado State University. I grew up in Pakistan in a dryland irrigated farming family and developed love for nature and conversations very early on. I came to the US in 2017 on Fulbright Foreign Degree Program in Rangeland Sciences at the University of Arizona.

In my doctorate research, I focus on improving the adaptation and resilience of native plants by enhancing early-stage seedling success in degraded dryland systems. Some of my hobbies include spending outdoor time with my friends, crafting, elaborate cooking and one thing I am currently excited about is that I am learning how to swim (finally).

MENTEE

Andrew is from Chicago and has lived in Denver since 2024.

His relationship with the outdoors began at an early age and has been a significant part of his life ever since.

His favorite outdoor activities are biking, snowboarding, swimming, and hiking. He currently works at SOS Outreach as their Front Range Program Coordinator and is excited to be part of this cohort!

MENTEE

Hey all, my names David but I prefer to go by my last name Portilla.

Outside of work I like to bike, hike, fish and am a beginner hunter.

Lastly, I love to engage in the arts in as many ways as possible but rarely contribute myself.