BOARD + STAFF + PARTNERS

Meet our people

Attachment to the High Line Canal spreads far and wide, as evident through the overwhelming support from friends and partners. Due to this deep connection and other planning efforts, today the Conservancy benefits from these strong partnerships. It is the efforts of these organizations and partnerships that have set the stage for successful long-term planning for the Canal.

The broad coalition of partners listed below are an indispensable part of the future success of the Conservancy’s planning, leadership and future vision of the Canal.

Jump to: Board of Directors | Staff | Council of Advisors | Funding Partners | Canal Collaborative | Founding Partners

Board of Directors

Steve Coffin
Steve Coffin
Board Chair
Steve Coffin Strategies
Suzanne White
Suzanne White
Board Vice Chair
Community Leader
Dessa Bokides
Dessa Bokides
Board Treasurer
Executive Leader
Josh Tenneson
Josh Tenneson
Board Secretary
Great Outdoors Colorado
Greg Austin
Greg Austin
Retired Lawyer
Kendra Black
Kendra Black
Co-Founder and Board President
Denver Park Trust
Leslie Brown
Leslie Brown
Northeast Advisory Commitee Member
Evan Ela
Evan Ela
Cockrel Ela Glense Greher & Ruhland, P.C. Partner
Dominique Gomez
Dominique Gomez
Colorado Energy Office and Denver Water
Paula Herzmark
Paula Herzmark
Former Board Chair
Community Leader
Graham Hollis
Graham Hollis
Retired Executive
International Telecommunications
Debi Hunter Holen
Debi Hunter Holen
Community Leader
Craig Jones
Craig Jones
The Colony Group,
Denver Water Board
Jim Lochhead
Jim Lochhead
Retired Denver Water CEO
Carrie Warren-Gully
Carrie Warren-Gully
Arapahoe County Commissioner
Mike Rosser
Emeritus
Community Leader
Nina Beardsley Itin
Ex Officio
Diana Romero Campbell
Ex Officio

Staff

Suzanna Fry Jones
Suzanna Fry JonesChief Executive Officer
With a background in architecture, design and marketing communications, Suzanna’s keen aesthetic eye for details plays a pivotal role in shaping the vision of the High Line Canal Conservancy. Born and raised in Washington D.C., she earned a B.A. from Duke University. Her architectural education led her to work in the resort, hotel and open space industries in San Francisco, Brazil and now, Denver. As Chief Programs & Impact Officer at the High Line Canal Conservancy, Suzanna is able to combine her dedication to enhancing urban environments while providing leadership to achieve the community vision for the transformation and enhancement of the 71-mile greenway. Suzanna loves exploring Colorado’s outdoors (including the Canal!) with her husband, two kids and pup.
Tracy Young
Tracy YoungChief Planning and Projects Officer
Tracy is a proven professional and talented manager with leadership in local and regional community planning, natural resource protection and inclusive community engagement. She comes to the Conservancy after serving as the Planning, Design and Construction Manager for Aurora Parks, Recreation and Open Space. Tracy will be integral to support the nonprofit’s expanding role to improve and protect the 71-mile High Line Canal.
Lindsay Moery
Lindsay MoeryDirector of Development
Born in Denver, Lindsay grew up riding her bike and training for cross country on the High Line Canal. Passionate about the arts and environmental design, she received her B.A. from the University of Colorado and her M.A. from the Université Paris-Sorbonne. Having returned to Denver after three years abroad, Lindsay is inspired by the community’s passion for the High Line Canal and excited to continue to connect with others from the region as the Director of Development at the High Line Canal Conservancy. When she’s not thinking about the Canal, she enjoys traveling, writing and fly fishing.
Josh Phillips
Josh PhillipsSenior Director of Planning & Implementation
Josh is an urban planner with a passion for conservation, equity and improving the quality of life in the Denver Metro Area. He brings a diverse background in planning, community organizing and nonprofit management to the Conservancy. Josh started with the Conservancy working part-time on public engagement and program development and he has spent hundreds of hours on the Canal engaging community members and partner organizations. Born in Boston, MA and raised outside of Burlington, VT, Josh received a dual undergraduate degree in Political Science and Political Communication from The George Washington University and a Masters of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Colorado Denver. As Director of Planning and Implementation, Josh uses his boundless energy to collaborate with our jurisdictional partners along the Canal and ensure The Plan for the High Line Canal becomes a reality.
Crystal Cota
Crystal CotaAccounting and Systems Coordinator
As the Accounting and Systems Coordinator, Crystal combines her professional expertise in finance with a lifelong love for Colorado’s outdoor spaces. A Littleton local, Crystal lives right on the Canal, where she has spent the last 10 years making memories with her husband and son. An avid fan of live music and comedy, Crystal also enjoys exploring the local food scene and hosting gatherings for her large family.
Fiona Farrer
Fiona FarrerPrograms Coordinator
Fiona hails from Kentucky, where her love for the natural world began as a child. To continue fostering this appreciation and to become a better advocate for accessible sustainability, Fiona attended Loyola University Chicago for her BA in Environmental Studies and MS in Sustainable Assessment and Planning. Since moving to Colorado in early 2025, Fiona has greatly enjoyed exploring the beauties of the West. She’s excited to practice integral ecology at the precious High Line Canal and ensure that each bug, bird, plant, and human can fully experience our shared resource!
Emma Jacobs
Emma JacobsPhilanthropy and Donor Engagement Manager
Growing up in coastal Connecticut, Emma had a nearby “canal” of her own where she spent countless hours exploring the banks, playing in the tall marsh grasses and digging up fiddler crabs. Her interest in understanding and celebrating the natural world led her to the University of Colorado Boulder, where she earned degrees in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and Film.

Emma joined the Conservancy in 2022 on the programmatic side and serendipitously found both a passion and skill for fundraising. In her current role, she supports the development team through database management, grant writing, events and campaign coordination and donor engagement.

In her free time, Emma enjoys leisurely mornings at her favorite coffee shops, hiking local trails and antique shopping.

Miriam Morrison
Miriam MorrisonPhilanthropy and Administrative Coordinator
Anna Paradiso
Anna ParadisoPrograms Assistant
Anna’s passion for the environment started as a young girl with day trips around Massachusetts with her grandfather. Her curiosity brought her to Colorado to study Geographic Information Science at the University of Denver. In addition to her academic studies, she discovered her love for community engagement and environmental education while advocating for sustainability on campus. Anna is now the Programs Assistant at the High Line Canal Conservancy, and she enjoys getting to spend time with people that love the Canal as much as she does.
Nick Piché
Nick PichéProject Manager
Nick is a licensed landscape architect with over 6 years of experience in the field. He joins the Conservancy as a Project Manager to oversee the execution of trail improvements spearheaded by the Great Lengths campaign. Nick has been in the Denver area for over 15 years after coming here from Minnesota to attend the University of Colorado.
Keely Quinn
Keely QuinnMarketing and Communications Manager
Keely is a skilled communications and marketing professional and a life long lover of the High Line Canal. Growing up near deKoevend park she has countless memories of mornings walking with her dad to see the baby foxes and riding her bike with her sisters. Keely is excited to be a part of the High Line Canal Conservancy team to be a part of preserving this beloved linear park for years to come. And she’s even more excited to get to bike the Canal to the office!
Graciella Saucedo-Rivera
Graciella Saucedo-RiveraCommunications Associate
Gracie is a natural challenger who lives for empowering people-powered communities. Through her work, she aims to build the capacity of individuals on the grassroots level.

Honoring her lived experience growing up multicultural in a colorful immigrant community in St. Paul, Minnesota, she holds space to celebrate diverse cultures, faiths, and languages. She recently graduated from DePaul University in Chicago, IL with a B.S. in Business Marketing and a beloved minor in Theology.

As an organizer, Gracie loves bringing together people to exchange ideas, build momentum, and create change. Gracie is at her best when she has her hands in the garden dirt, is feeding her family, cruising on her bike, or is alongside her elders in conversation.

Krystal Tran
Krystal Tran Conservation Field Coordinator
Born and raised in Far Northeast Denver, Krystal is passionate about providing access to the outdoors and connecting with her community. She is a first-generation college student with a Bachelors in Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Environmental Affairs from Colorado State University. Post graduation, Krystal focused on environmental education and introduced youth to greenspaces along the South Platte River in urban areas. Krystal hopes to continue working towards climate justice in her career and bridging the disparities between marginalized communities and natural spaces. In her free time, she enjoys eating at local restaurants throughout Denver, paddle boarding, and embroidering.
Samantha Wilber
Samantha WilberPrograms Manager
Upon moving to Colorado, Sam quickly found the Canal a perfect place to run, bike and go birding. Sam is a naturalist, originally from Florida and relocating most recently from Arizona, with a background in volunteerism, environmental education and zoology. She brings over ten years of experience working for conservation organizations, including zoos, museums and wildlife research projects to the Conservancy. Sam received her B.S. from the University of Florida in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation and her M.S. in Ecology and Evolution from the University of South Florida. As the Programs Manager for the High Line Canal Conservancy Sam provides fun and impactful program opportunities for community members to explore, care for, and learn about nature. Sam loves exploring Colorado with her two dogs and volunteering with several local wildlife conservation projects outside of work.

Council of Advisors

Pam Beardsley
Bruce Beckman
Susan Beckman
Jim Bolt
Dan Brogan
Shan Burchenal
Leslie Cavness
Laura Christman
Mike Coffman*
Stacie Gilmore*

Tom Gougeon
Anthony Graves
Happy Haynes
Alan Leak
Rodney Milton
Jim Petterson
Tony Pickett
Eliza Prall
Sarah Rockwell
Tom Roode

Lorie Sadler
Nancy Sharpe
Jeff Shoemaker
Linda Strand
Kathy Turley
Klasina VanderWerf
Tom Waymire
Dean Winstanley
Marty Zeller

Funding Partners

Arapahoe County

Arapahoe County

The Open Spaces Department of Arapahoe County works to preserve natural and heritage areas, enhance neighborhood and regional parks and build and maintain trails. Since 2003, Arapahoe County’s Open Space program has conserved more than 31,000 acres of open space, built more than 51 miles of new trails and created and enhanced 157 neighborhood and regional parks.

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Denver Water

As Colorado’s oldest and largest water utility, Denver Water proudly serves high-quality water and promotes its efficient use to 1.3 million people in the city of Denver and many surrounding suburbs. Established in 1918, Denver Water acquired the Canal in 1924 and to this day continues to manage the entire length of the Canal as a water utility.

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Gates Family Foundation

Gates Family Foundation

The Gates Family Foundation makes philanthropic investments statewide that contribute to the quality of life in Colorado, create opportunities for youth, and support stewardship of this extraordinary place, particularly the state’s natural inheritance. The Foundation has been promoting self-sufficiency, excellence and innovation in Colorado communities since 1946.

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Great Outdoors Colorado

Great Outdoors Colorado

GOCO invests a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds to help preserve and enhance the state’s parks, trails, wildlife, rivers and open spaces. Created by voters in 1992, GOCO has committed more than $825 million in lottery proceeds to more than 4,500 projects in all 64 counties without any tax dollar support.

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Kaplan Kirsch Rockwell

Public officials and corporate executives with high profile public and private projects that must get planned and completed, call Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell. Whether the project is a public project, has a nexus with a government entity, or merely requires deep knowledge of how government works, KKR attorneys are sought after – because they’ve seen it and done it before.

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Canal Collaborative

MHFD Logo
SEMSWA Logo

ADAMS COUNTY

Byron Fanning, Director, Parks, Open Space & Cultural Arts 

ARAPAHOE COUNTY

Gini Pingenot, Director of Open Spaces, Arapahoe County Open Spaces

Rhonda Fields, County Commissioner

AURORA

Brian Green, Director of Parks, Recreation and Open Space

CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE

Chris Cramer, City Manager

Karen Fisher, City Councilmember

CITY OF CENTENNIAL

Jenny Houlne, Community Development Director

Amy Tharp, City Councilmember

DENVER

Mark Bernstein, Chief of Staff

Diana Romero Campbell, City Councilmember

DENVER WATER

Tom Roode, Chief Operations & Maintenance Officer

Alan Salazar, CEO

DOUGLAS COUNTY

Steve Shoultz, Assistant Director of Park, Trails & Building Grounds

Kevin VanWinkle, County Commissioner

GREENWOOD VILLAGE

Suzanne Moore, Director of Parks, Trails and Recreation

Anne Ingebrestsen, City Councilmember

HIGH LINE CANAL CONSERVANCY

Suzanna Fry Jones, Chief Operating Officer

Steve Coffin, Board Chair

HIGHLANDS RANCH

Ken Standen, Director of Maintenance & Operations

Nancy Smith, Board Member

LITTLETON

Kathleen Osher, Deputy City Manager

Pam Grove, City Councilmember

MILE HIGH FLOOD DISTRICT

Laura Kroeger, Executive Director

SOUTHEAST METRO STORMWATER AUTHORITY

Dan Olsen, Executive Director

Bart Miller, Board Chair

SSPRD

Cullen O’Brien, Director of Parks & Open Space

Pam Eller, Board Chair

Founding Partners

71 Miles Supported by 71 Founding Partners

These partners, among others not listed, have committed $25,000 or more to the Conservancy

Anonymous Donors
The Addy Family
Albion & Birch Street Neighbors
Liz & Bill Armstrong
Bailey-Stanford Family Foundation
Pamela Beardsley & the Beardsley Family
María L. García Berry
Carol W. Bieging Trust
Dessa Bokides & William Fay Family
Bolt Family
Virginia Brown & Cody Smith
Chip & Trish Brunk
Laura Christman & Bill Rothacker Family Foundation
Conservancy Board of Directors
Fast Enterprises
Kathie & Keith Finger
Joe & Jennifer Freeman (3 miles)
Karl & Barbara Friedman Family Foundation
Al Galperin
The Garnett Family
Marjorie & Thomas Gart
Michelle & Larry Harmsen

David Herbaly (2 miles)
Zack & Melissa Holland
Graham & Cathy Hollis
Jennifer & Mark Hopkins
The Humes Family
Mike & Joan Iseman
Nina & Tim Itin
The Jornayvaz Family & the LARRK Foundation
Christopher & Alisa Kennedy
Kareen & Jim Kimsey
Bill & Georgeanna Klingensmith
Sherri & Buz Koelbel
Harriet & Michael LaMair Family
Shari Leigh & Martin Greer
John & Polly Loewy
MacDonald Hardwoods
Sharon & Greg Maffei
Dirk & Carol McDermott
Katherine & Steve Meier and Raymond & Suzanne Satter
Moses Taylor Family
Heather & James Mulvihill (2 miles)
Robert & Judi Newman

Denise O’Leary & Kent Thiry (3 miles)
Tami Paumier & Glen Warren
Mike, Keren, Kevin, & Wil Rosser (2 miles)
Roundup Riders of the Rockies Heritage and Trails Foundation, Inc
Kathryn & Tim Ryan and Martha Records & Rich Rainaldi
Peter & Julie Savoie
The Schovee Family
Scott-Kearney Family
Southgate Water & Sanitation Districts
Mary Laird & Russell Stewart
Mrs. Thomas Taplin
Seth & Jennifer Terry
Jeanne & Glenn Tubb
Debra & Ken Tuchman (2 miles)
Klasina VanderWerf & Tom Thomas
The Walking Group
Cille & Ron Williams, in honor of Pam and George Beardsley
Amy Halperin Wood – The Marcus Foundation

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