COPPeR STAFF and
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
_________________________
Christina McGrath, Executive Director
Christina has lived in Colorado Springs for over 20 years and says that her passion for the arts started as a toddler when she was first sprinkled with Mary Mashburn fairy dust. In addition to the typical run of music lessons, Christina grew up taking classes at the Bemis School of Art. As a student at The Colorado Springs School, she was exposed to and participated in all aspects of fine arts thanks to the strong arts curriculum.
After receiving a scholarship based on the merits of her entering portfolio, Christina chose to attend Miami University. She graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and a Minor in Arts Management. While at Miami, she played Baritone in the Marching Band and was an active member of the Kappa Kappa Psi Service Fraternity. Additionally, she was a grant recipient in the Miami University Summer Scholar program. Visiting museums across the country, she researched and then architecturally designed an arts center for youth.
In 2007, Christina was selected to join El Pomar Foundation’s leadership and professional development fellowship. She worked on the Ackerman and Hambrick Funds, the Empty Stocking Fund, and oversaw the compliance program.
Christina has participated in Leadership Arts, a nonprofit arts and cultural board training program hosted by the Colorado Business Committee of the Arts and is a 2010 graduate of the Center for Creative Leaderships Community Leadership Program. She also serves on the board of Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity.
“At El Pomar I’ve had exposure to hundreds of outstanding nonprofits, I am excited to now be working for one,” said McGrath. “The vitality of a city depends on its arts and cultural scene and having grown up in this community I know we have a lot to offer.”
Brett Garman, Program Manager: PeakRadar.com
Raised in the small town of Pagosa Springs, CO, Brett came to Colorado Springs in 2005 to pursue her BA in English at UCCS. She completed that degree, along with a BA in Communication, only to continue to get her Master’s in Communication from UCCS in May 2011. Previous work with the AmeriCorps program has made her passionate about nonprofit work and volunteerism. In her spare time, she loves to read, make music videos, and play outside.
But, if there is anything that Brett really loves, it’s going to arts and culture events around the Colorado Springs area. Now, she gets to help others stay in-the-know about just such events through PeakRadar.com! She works hard to keep PeakRadar.com the most comprehensive guide to arts and culture, because she fears boredom when she knows there is so much going on. Hopefully you’ll spot her at a gallery opening or concert.
Kelly Whitcombe, Administrative and Development Assistent
Kelly is a longtime resident of Colorado Springs, and is very excited to share her adoration of all things artistic in the Pikes Peak region. After graduating from Cheyenne Mountain High School, Kelly received her Bachelor's degree at the University of Denver with a major in International Studies and minors in Asian Studies and Japanese. While a student at DU, Kelly experienced a semester long internship in Osaka, Japan, and was a loyal member and officer of the University's Anime Club and Latin Dance Group.
Kelly is passionate about volunteer work and the nonprofit community, and is eager to apply her experience as an intern for Citizens Project and the Japan America Society of Colorado toward her adventure with COPPeR. A frequent visitor of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and avid fan of the Pikes Peak Derby Dames, Kelly also enjoys reading, video games, and hiking with her family in Colorado Springs' beautiful local parks.
Board Chair
Jenny Stafford
Development Officer, Pikes Peak Community College
Past Chair
Amanda Mountain
Regional Director, Rocky Mountain PBS
Treasurer
Deborah Muehleisen
Pikes Peak United Way
Secretary
Jana Hyde
Special Projects Analyst, College of Business and Administration, UCCS
Governance Chair
Susan Edmondson
Executive Director, Bee Vradenburg Foundation
Board Members:
Lisa Amend
President, Wild River Public Relations
Aimee Cox
Senior Analyst, City of Colorado Springs
Toby Gannett
Executive Director, Palisades at Broadmoor Bluffs
Lara Holman Garritano
Citizen At Large
Christopher Jenkins
Vice President, Nor’wood Development
Laura Long
Bristol Brewing
Glena M. McPeters
Director of Marketing, Bronco Billy's Casino
Donna Nelson
Economic Vitality Specialist, Office of the Mayor
Nathan Newbrough
President/CEO, Colorado Springs Philharmonic
Cyndi Parr
Employment Consultant, Community Outreach, Inc.
Mike Selix
Medicare Enrollment Specialist, Kaiser Permanente
Joshua Waymire
VP of Investments, Colorado Wealth Management of Raymond James
COPPeR Advisory Board
Joe Barrera
Steve Blazer
Nancy Lewis
Matt Mayberry
Chuck Murphy
Judy Noyes
Deborah Thornton
Eve Tilley
