Staff and Board

Staff:

Denise (Dede) de Percin, Executive Director | dede@cohealthinitiative.org
Ms. de Percin has over twenty-five years of involvement with nonprofit organizations at the local, state, and national levels. She holds a B.A. from Cornell University and a Masters of Nonprofit Management from Regis University. Ms. de Percin is the recipient of numerous awards, including a National Energy Commendation from the Urban Consortium, Community Advocate from the Denver Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, Business Woman of the Year from the Colorado Business Council, and Consumer Advocate of the Year from Families USA. 

Ms. de Percin has served on many local, state, and national boards and commissions related to both her work and interests: Denver Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender (GLBT) Commission (Vice-Chair), Denver Human Rights and Community Relations Advisory Board, Colorado Whitewater Association (Secretary), Colorado Division of Insurance Consumer Insurance Council, National Association of Insurance Commissioners (consumer representative), Health Facility Acquired Infections Advisory Committee, Consumer Engagement subcommittee of the Center for Improving Value in Health Care (CIVHC), and the board of the Colorado Regional Health Information Organization (CORHIO).

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.

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. 

Ashley Mayo, Strategic Engagement Fellow | amayo@cohealthinitiative.org 
Ashley Mayo joined the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative in June 2012 as a fellow through Colorado College’s Public Interest Fellowship Program. She focuses on strategic engagement, and will be helping to develop and expand CCHI’s story bank. Ashley graduated from Colorado College in 2012 with a BA in sociology and a Spanish minor. Originally from Oklahoma, she is excited to live in Denver and to work with CCHI. Ashley hopes to ultimately pursue a Masters in Social Work.

Matthew Valeta, Health Policy Fellow | mvaleta@cohealthinitiative.org 
Matthew Valeta joined the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative in June 2012 as a fellow from Colorado College’s Public Interest Fellowship Program. At Colorado College Matthew graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He previously interned with Senator Mark Udall’s office in Washington D.C. and at the National Conference of State Legislatures in their health program. Matthew gained an interest in health care policy from these experiences and was inspired to write his senior thesis on health care cost control and the Affordable Care Act. At Colorado College Matthew was captain of the club baseball and debate teams and played jazz/funk trombone. In his free time Matthew enjoys going to Rockies games, biking, and playing golf.

Board of Directors:

Anne Smith, Board Chair | Evolve Communications
Anne Smith has been working in the Denver media community for over 20 years. After securing her first media job in 1988 as a Promotions and Marketing Director for a group of Denver area radio stations, Anne learned the business from the ground up. Parlaying extensive knowledge gained in marketing and promoting radio stations and directing business development efforts for television, Anne turned her skills to advertiser- and grant- funded public outreach, developing a vast array of initiatives. Some of these initiatives include Start Smart for KWGN-TV, The Safeway Kitchen and Parents Are The Power for KUSA-TV, and Una Boca Saludable and El Poder de la Prevencion for Univision, Telefutura, and the Entravision radio properties. Anne has established relationships with a range of foundations and funders, including The Daniels Fund, The Colorado Health Foundation, The Piton Foundation, The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and others. She has designed and executed public health awareness campaigns on behalf of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, the American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen, the American Diabetes Association, Colorado Easter Seals, and the CDPHE. Anne Smith left broadcasting to start Evolve Communications, LLC in July of 2007.

Chris Crigler, Treasurer/Secretary | CAP Management

Chloe Benson, Board Member | Nursing Student 
Chloe Benson received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Colorado College in 2009. Chloe joined CCHI in June of 2009 as a Public Interest Research Fellow (PIFP). After completing one year in that position, Chloe transitioned into the role of Project Coordinator for the Colorado Voices for Coverage initiative. Her work focused on education and outreach for health care reform efforts in Colorado and Colorado’s Health Benefit Exchange. Chloe left CCHI in January of 2012 to attend nursing school at the University of Colorado Denver and will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in May 2013. She hopes to always work as an advocate for access to affordable, quality health care for underserved populations. Chloe joined the CCHI Board of Directors in June of 2012.

Chloe grew up in Idaho and enjoys hiking, running, good food, and lounging around with her old dog.

Becky Long, Board Member | Conservation Colorado

Debra Thomas, Board Member | Advocate
Debra Thomas began her career in communications and public policy as a broadcast news reporter and anchor.  She covered local and state government in West Virginia and was the first woman to anchor a major newscast in that market.  Debra moved to Denver to work for KMGH-TV and then moved to US WEST, where she worked in communications and public policy. She specialized in regulatory and legislative communications during the telecommunications industry’s transition from a regulated monopoly to a competitive industry and was the company’s liaison with many consumer groups. In 1996, Debra was named Assistant Vice President of College Communications at Metropolitan State College of Denver (now Metropolitan State University), where she headed the department responsible for marketing, media relations and internal/external communications.  Debra was part of the team that convinced the state legislature to grant Metro independent status.  In 2004, Debra became Vice President of Programs at The Colorado Health Foundation, where she helped the organization grow into the state’s largest foundation. During her time at the Foundation, she was responsible for internal and external communications, marketing and operations. She also oversaw the Foundation’s five medical residency programs, adult day care centers, lactation and milk bank programs. Debra retired in 2010 and has continued her involvement in health care policy, as well as teaching English as a Second Language to recent immigrants.

Barb Yondorf, Board Member | Yondorf & Associates
Barbara Yondorf is president of Yondorf & Associates, a Denver-based, health-policy consulting firm. Yondorf & Associates researches health policy issues, conducts feasibility studies, provides strategic planning and facilitation services, drafts legislation and prepares grant proposals. She regularly speaks to national groups and has written numerous health policy reports, studies and white papers. Most recently, she completed a series of 13 health care cost containment briefs for the National Conference of State Legislatures. Before starting her own company, Barbara served in senior positions at a Denver-based community foundation, the National Conference of State Legislatures, Colorado Division of Insurance and Colorado Department of Health. She also was a budget analyst for the Colorado General Assembly. Barbara has been a member of numerous board and commissions including, most recently, the national Advisory Board on Consumer Operated and Oriented Plans, the Consumer Participation Board of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and the boards of Colorado’s Center for Improving Value in Health Care and Colorado Consumer Health Initiative. Barbara has a BA with Honors from the University of Chicago and a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.