POSADA OF PUEBLO - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Treasurer
Born in Brentwood, a hamlet on Long Island New York, Carolyn relocated to Pueblo in 2003. A former police officer with New York Police Department, she retired to engage full time with her Gaga obsession. This music fan when not listening or watching all things Gaga, supports Posada with assisting with snow removal, and food and clothing deliveries. Carolyn serves as Posada's informal onsite security for the agency's Hudson Homes for Heroes housing development.
Originally from Pretoria, South Africa, I moved to Pueblo in 2002 to find a caring community that welcomed me. I completed a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and have enjoyed working for local Non-Profits such as the Nature and Raptor Center of Pueblo, the Pueblo City-County Library District and the Sierra Club - Sangre de Cristo Group. My passion is in empowering community members to be healthy and resilient through education and environmental conservation efforts. As Youth Program Director, I assisted homeless youth with basic needs, education and housing so they could learn the skills they needed to get off the streets and become self-sufficient. I now work as Posada's Grant Manager. In my free time I am enjoying weekends with my husband and daughter growing vegetables in our greenhouse or exploring the many wild places Colorado has to offer!
"Strong like an ox, healthy like a horse, smart like a tractor" is a favorite saying and apt description of Posada's newest board member, Dale Tesmer.
Born in Altoona, Manitoba, this Canadian transplant now US citizen calls Pueblo his forever home. He resides at Posada's Homes for Heroes and welcomes every opportunity to volunteer for the agency.
Dale can be found most days parked outside his apartment equipped with box cutters, moving dolly, and coffee in hand ready to meet the challenges of the day volunteering happily and supporting Posada in any and every day he is prevailed upon.
Gina, a Pueblo native (East '76), is the corporation Secretary-Treasurer, purchasing agent, and office manager at Precision Hydraulics, Inc. She graduated from CSU-Pueblo in 1979 with a BA in Interdisciplinary Elementary Education and a minor in Reading. Gina retired from the Pueblo Post Office in 2016 with 36 years employment. While at the Post Office, she served as the Combined Federal Campaign coordinator for 25 years and was awarded the Regional CFC Hero for the Combined Federal Campaign of the Pikes Peak Region in 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005. She was honored as one of the National CFC Heroes in 2006. Her commitment to volunteerism is best expressed in this quote by Jeff Warner, "We are not put on this earth for ourselves, but are placed here for each other….." Gina works alongside her husband, Ken, and has one daughter.
I have been part of the Posada family since January 2012. Throughout the years I have worked closely with all clients and the services Posada has to offer. Recently I accepted the position as Posada's Program Manager. My 8 years with the team has allowed me to bring an uncanny aptitude for streamlining operations and logistics of the Posada programs. I am dedicated to the Posada mission and work daily to ensure that each person is provided the highest quality service possible.
I am grateful for all the folks I have met along the way. I have a passion and dedication for Pueblo's homeless community and am proud to say I work for such a great organization.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Senior Community Affairs Manager for Black Hills Energy
Julie currently works as the senior community affairs manager for Black Hills Energy and joined the team in 2013. In her role, she works with 24 communities across the electric service territory. Her duties include serving as the company's public information officer, community relations, charitable giving, community engagement, development of strategic communications and economic development. Julie was raised in Pueblo, Colorado and is a proud alumna of Pueblo Central High School and Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Her diverse background and experience spans over 20 years in marketing, communications, fundraising and nonprofit management for organizations including the Steelworks Center of the West, Colorado State University - Pueblo Foundation, the Democratic National Convention, City of Denver, Colorado School of Mines and Metropolitan State University of Denver.
She is a graduate of numerous leadership programs including the Harvard Kennedy School of Government Executive Leadership Program, Center for Creative Leadership, Bighorn Public Policy Leadership program, Colorado Oil and Gas Association (COGA) Leadership Program and Leadership Pueblo.
Julie is very committed to serving the Pueblo community and currently serves as a board member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County, Parkview Foundation, CASA of Pueblo and Posada of Pueblo.
Job Titles:
- Leasing and Property Manager
- Leasing and Property Mgr
I returned to my home town of Pueblo, CO after many years of working on the west coast. I began my higher education in Fort Collins earning my Marketing Certificate at Front Range Community College then going on to earn my Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications with a minor in Marketing from Colorado State University- Pueblo. I have brought to Rio Sacramento my 13 years of experience in the Real Estate industry as well as my excellent interpersonal skills from working in marketing. I bring pride and passion to the Rio Sacramento community where I truly enjoy interacting with all of the tenants. I take pride in the complex not just being a housing development, but a wonderful community of homes. I am a true and proud Colorado native. During my free time my son and I enjoy everything from yoga, hiking, wake-boarding on the Pueblo Reservoir during the summer and my biggest hobby of all, spending time in the mountains during the winter snowboarding.
I joined Posada in October 1991 as a volunteer. When I passed the heartiness test which included cleaning UFO's from the 112 W. D Street closing, Posada welcomed me as a staffer. Fast forward 30-years, I am a strategically focused housing developer with a comprehensive understanding of community and non-profit development. I develop multi-tiered LIHTC funding packages, ensure ROI, and manage rezoning, land acquisition, housing development, redevelopment and construction management. Through my tenure with Posada, I am well-versed in asset, portfolio and financial management, corporate governance and compliance.
In 2018 I stepped into the world's largest shoes and took the reins of the organization serving in the capacity of Executive Director. I'm excited to continue moving this highly respected and HARD WORKING organization forward. We'll be more focused on creating long-term housing solutions for families, Veterans and homeless youth aged 18-25. I'm excited to embrace a new housing model that we are developing that will serve homeless and low-income seniors in a single-room occupancy (SRO) housing model.
Job Titles:
- Supportive Services and Elko Case Manager
As part of the Supportive Services Team at Posada, I work to link the homeless to emergency services provided by Posada and the greater Pueblo community. I coordinate the intake process and evaluate the needs of individuals and families in crisis and offer referrals to appropriate community agencies. I am responsible for program management of the Elko Family Shelter and assist families in the successful transition from emergency shelter to permanent housing. I work to coordinate the annual Homeless Memorial, the Community Picnic and Take Care Fair, and the Homeless Stand Down. I coordinate a grant with Pueblo Veteran's Services for Homeless Veterans. I joined the staff of Posada in 1999 and since that time have worked tirelessly to ensure that the needs of the homeless are sustained through fair housing opportunities. I maintain a positive attitude and do my best to foster optimism in all who walk through my door. When I am not wrangling children at the family shelter, I keep track of my own happy and successful family of five children and seven grandchildren and in this stage of my life also care for my mother in my own home.
I joined Posada in February 2015 after being recruited to oversee their accounting and payroll functions. I graduated from Colorado State University-Pueblo with a BSBA degree in Accounting and bring over 20 years of accounting expertise with me. In addition, I ensure Posada is adhering to accounting principles and procedures, manage the year end close process and coordinate the annual audit. I believe it's very important to be involved with your community. Being a part of Posada and as a member of the Junior League of Pueblo affords me this opportunity first hand. I value time spent with my husband, of 29 years, and my two children, both active, busy young adults. We all share a passion for the beach and music. We love to go to concerts together and are fortunate to attend a variety of them each year, the last one being AltJ at Redrocks (pictured).
Lili joined the Posada staff in December 2017 as the Business Grants Manager and became the Program Grant Manager in July 2018. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Business Management from CSU-Pueblo and her Masters in Organizational Management from University of Phoenix in Colorado Springs. Lili worked for the 10 th Judicial District for 30 years where she gained most of her grant experience. She also has worked as a Community Advocate, Department of Social Services Case Manager, and Housing and Human Services Grant's Monitor. Lili has over 15 years of grant management experience. She also monitors our HMIS reports for data quality and assists with donor acknowledgments. She is a Part-time staff member.
Job Titles:
- Rental Assistance Case Manager
- Rental Assistance Case Mgr
Bringing more than 20 years of health care experience assembled from both private and corporate settings, I look forward to dedicating my skills to enhancing the policies, visions and objectives of Posada. A consistent theme in my work resume is my longstanding commitment to working with diverse spectrums of faith based organizations across the country ensuring communities are served in times of need. Joining Posada's Supportive Services team in June 2020, I am fast-tracking the development and rapid initiation of a tenant based rental assistance program (TBRA). This program will provide financial supports to Pueblo's most at-risk populations to ensure long-term housing stability.
My favorite quote is from the late Fred Rogers. "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." Joining this dedicated team of professional helpers provides a canvas for me to create a culture of meaningful and empowering opportunities for families and individuals in crisis. I seek to paint a portrait of hope.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Vice President
Pamela Graham, a Pueblo native, is a current business owner of a full-service beauty salon and cosmetology instructor at Pueblo Community College. Pamela has been a self-employed business owner, working as a nail technician for the past 25 years. Pamela views volunteer work as a way to connect with the members in the Pueblo community and feels as though it offers multiple individual benefits in the form of health, building strong relationships, and providing herself with a sense of purpose. Pamela believes by being part of the Posada foundation, it has provided her with the spiritual boost that could never be matched by money or fame, an experience of knowing you did something good for someone has been emotionally uplifting and led to her own emotional growth. She is a dedicated mother and deems family as one of the most important aspects of life.
Rachel Shulman is a Senior Vice President at PB&T Bank. She has been in banking for over twenty years, and has served the Pueblo community for ten years. She was born in Pueblo and graduated with honors from University of Southern Colorado with a dual degree in History and Political Science. After graduation she worked as a middle school teacher, then a sales executive and coach for AOL Time Warner before eventually finding her career in banking. Rachel has a husband named David and a son named James. When she isn't focused on the local community, Rachel can be found hiking and admiring nature, or at home watching RuPaul's Drag Race
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Secretary
- Senior Vice President at PB & T Bank
After 20 years in the military I retired and started working in construction. I've been a general contractor for 20 years. Specializing in garages, kitchens and bathrooms. Also doing property maintenance for rentals and homeowner's. Started doing contract property maintenance for Posada in 2017. Joined the Posada team in January 2022.
Job Titles:
- Housing Stability Manager
- Housing Stability Mgr
I began my education at Pueblo Community College and obtained my Associates of Arts degree in 2012. I then transferred to Colorado State University - Pueblo immediately after and graduated with a Bachelor's in Social Work. While working on my degree, I completed my internship with Posada and this is where I discovered my passion for helping. I initially joined Posada as a part time staff member in 2014 and became full time in 2015. I administer Posada's Rapid Rehousing and Permanent Supportive housing programs. In doing so, I provide the case management needed to help individuals and families accomplish their goals and draw on their strengths so that they can be self-reliant and sustain independent living. I have focused my career on providing an environment of compassion, empathy and support. My heart is focused on helping individuals and families overcome obstacles so that they may thrive and move forward in their lives. I currently represent Posada and Pueblo as a member of the Balance of State Continuum of Care Governing Boar d and aid in the decision making process to improve the delivery of supportive housing and supportive services across our state and within our community. I assist and participate in Pueblo's Coordinated Entry Committee to help the most vulnerable populations access adequate and stable housing. I strongly believe that making a difference in someone's life is only defined by having a caring heart, compassion, and empathy. My experiences have taught me that change happens when people have access to the guidance and resources they need to entice on their own strengths and recognize their potential to live a fulfilling, happy life. I hold my family close to my heart, especially my three children and husband. We enjoy camping and fishing, watching the Denver Broncos, and hosting Sunday dinners for extended family.