Staff and Board

Staff:

Denise (Dede) de Percin, Executive Director | dede@cohealthinitiative.org
Dede de Percin has served as the executive director of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative (CCHI) since September 2006. With over 30 years of involvement with nonprofit organizations including 15 years of senior management experience, she has been instrumental in establishing and developing programs in diverse areas: alternative transportation fuels, energy efficiency, HIV/AIDS education, human rights, women’s reproductive health, anti-violence advocacy and health policy.  Ms. de Percin is a graduate of Cornell University, with a B.A. in History of Science, and is currently pursuing a Masters of Nonprofit Management at Regis University. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including a National Energy Commendation from the Urban Consortium, Community Advocate from the Denver Domestic Violence Coordinating Council and Business Woman of the Year from the Colorado Business Council. She was also named one of “Seven Who Make a Difference” by the Jackson Hole Guide.

Ms. de Percin has served on many local, state and national boards and commissions related to both her work and interests. She was a mayoral appointee to the Denver Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender (GLBT) Commission, where she served as vice chair, and was formerly secretary for the board of the Colorado Whitewater Association. Since joining CCHI, Ms. de Percin has also been appointed to the Colorado Division of Insurance Consumer Council, the Colorado Regional Health Information Organization (CORHIO) and the Health Facility Acquired Infections Advisory Committee, among others.

Debra Judy, Policy Director | djudy@cohealthinitiative.org
Debra Judy joined CCHI in September 2010 as Policy Director. In that capacity, she is working to promote policies that facilitate access to quality and affordable health care for all Coloradans. Debra received a B. A. in Political Science from Williams College, a J. D. from the University of Virginia School of Law, and, in June 2010, a Masters in Social Work from the University of Denver. For many years, Debra worked first as a lawyer and then as a consultant advising clients on various environmental issues, primarily involving the cleanup of complex hazardous waste sites. More recently, she has been active in her community, particularly in the local public schools. Her social work training concentrated on community and organizational practice, including program administration and evaluation, community organizing, and policy analysis and advocacy.

Ann E. Werner, Director of Finance and Operations | awerner@cohealthinitiative.org
Ann joined the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative in February 2011 as the Director of Finance and Operations. In this position she works closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to oversee issues of capacity and accountability for the organization as it works toward its mission. Ann is also responsible for resource development. 

Ann has worked and volunteered within the nonprofit sector in positions of management and leadership for nearly twenty-five years. She has worked on behalf of organizations whose missions advanced their communities’ needs and interests related to the arts, environment, civil rights, literacy, youth, the GLBT community, people with disabilities and health. 

Ann earned a BS in Cognitive Psychology from Carnegie-Mellon University.

Serena Woods, Director of Strategic Engagement | serena@cohealthinitiative.org
Serena Woods joined the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative in April 2011 as the Director of Strategic Engagement. Serena has spent the last 5 years developing and implementing strategic communications plans for a variety of non-profit organizations and campaigns in Colorado. In 2010, Serena served as Campaign Manager on Cary Kennedy's campaign for reelection as Colorado's state treasurer.  

Serena was born and raised in Evergreen, CO.  She is proud to call Colorado her home state and is passionate about working to continue to make it a better place to live. Serena holds a B.A. in Public Relations from the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication.

Adam Fox, Membership Coordinator | afox@cohealthinitiative.org
Adam joined the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative (CCHI) in July 2011. As the Membership Coordinator, he facilitates communication and coordination between CCHI and its Members, and engages Members on important policy initiatives. Adam works to make being a member the most valuable experience possible through excellent communication and accessibility.

Adam has worked with a variety of non-profit and volunteer organizations both in the U.S. and abroad to help youth, rural communities and facilitate processes among diverse stakeholders. Before coming to CCHI, Adam worked with the Boys & Girls Clubs to promote access to public health programs and implement health education programs with youth.

Adam earned his M.A. in International Policy Studies from the Monterey Institute of International Studies in 2009 and his B.A. in International Studies, Anthropology, and Spanish from Pacific University in 2007. Adam grew up in Wyoming, and was happy to return to the Rockies and call Colorado home after completing his graduate studies.

Ashley Wheeland, Health Policy Attorney | awheeland@cohealthinitiative.org
Ashley Wheeland joined CCHI in November of 2010. She is part of CCHI's policy team and oversees the Boomers Leading Change in Health Project.  A Colorado native, Ashley received her undergraduate degrees from Colorado State University in journalism and political science, as well as a Master's degree from CSU in political science with an emphasis in American government and public policy. After finishing graduate school Ashley moved to Washington D.C. and worked for Ken Salazar as a legislative assistant on health care and education issues. Ashley graduated from DU Law and passed the Colorado Bar Exam in 2010. Her goal is to work on health care issues and policy in Colorado. In her spare time Ashley likes to run and spend time with her family and friends. 

Britt Landis, Consumer Advocate | blandis@cohealthinitiative.org 

Britt Landis joined the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative in June 2011 as a fellow with Colorado College’s Public Interest Fellowship Program. She graduated from Colorado College in May 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. Britt also studied language and culture for a semester in Dakar, Senegal. Britt is interested in public health as well as other issues that affect communities. She previously worked at Children’s Hospitals of Wisconsin in the Clinical Data Management Department and at the National Conference of State Legislatures as a Higher Education Policy intern. She also led a mentorship program for underserved boys in Colorado Springs, and conducted thesis research on Latina access to intimate partner violence response agencies in rural Colorado. She is excited to live and work in Denver. 

Maggie Dunham, Policy Intern | mdunham@cohealthinitiative.org Maggie is a Master of Social Work Candidate with the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work.  She is focusing on policy analysis and advocacy, as well as administrative practice and program development through the Leadership for Community and Organizational practice track.  Maggie received her BA in Political Science and then was awarded a national scholarship by the Department of State to serve as a Junior Ambassador to Germany for one year through the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX).  While abroad, Maggie interned with the German Institute for Human Rights.  Her work there was published in a shadow report to the United Nation’s Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).  Maggie lives to travel and is always eager to learn new things.   As for this academic year, she is looking forward to the new challenges and learning experiences with CCHI. 

Tiffany Carlyon, Program Administrative Assistant | tcarlyon@cohealthinitiative.org Tiffany joined the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative in April 2012. A graduate of Northern Arizona University she received Bachelors of Science in Sociology, Merchandising, and Advertising. Upon graduation she began employment with a small law practice and then worked for adult probation. Tiffany has always been active in her community. While living in Flagstaff she was involved with Girls on the Run of Northern Arizona as a volunteer and research assistant helping expand the program throughout northern Arizona. She also volunteered with Flagstaff Shelter Services organizing fundraising events. Continuing her community involvement in Denver she volunteers with the Denver Rescue Mission. Tiffany is excited to live and work in Denver helping people come together to reach common goals. In her free time Tiffany enjoys biking, hiking, and running. 
 

Board:

Carrie Curtiss, Board Chair
Colorado Environmental Coalition

Anne Smith, Vice Chair
Evolve Communications

Chris Crigler, Treasurer/Secretary
CAP Management

Andrew Crain
University of Colorado, Boulder

Carol Breslau
Mercy Housing

Barb Yondorf
Yondorf & Associates