Staff

Kathleen (Cass) Cronan is the Executive Director of EarthLinks. She has a J.D. degree. Cass is a lawyer and has a background in working with non-profits. She practiced law for 30 years in the Metro-Denver area and has experience working with homeless and low income populations, as well as volunteer experience working on poverty and housing issues.

Mary Nelle Gage is a Sister of Loretto who joined us in May of 2003 working part-time as our Marketing Coordinator for the EarthLinks Workshop Program. You are likely to see her working at any one of the various booths and festivals where we display the EarthLinks product line of bookmarks, vases, bee boxes, rain barrels, and many other Earth-friendly products. Originally born a Texan, and a Graduate of Loretto Heights, she brings great energy and enthusiasm to the workshop.

Cody Meinhardt is EarthLinks’ Community Engagement Director, staying on staff with us after a year of service with the Colorado Vincentian Volunteers. Originally from eastern Kansas, Cody traveled to Chicago, where he earned a degree in French and Public Policy. Cody is passionate about social justice and empowering marginalized communities. You’ll find him coordinating sales, volunteers, social media outreach, and special community events at EarthLinks.

Emily Ashton, MSW, is EarthLinks’ Program Director. Originally from Southern New Mexico, she received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from New Mexico State University and just completed a Master of Social Work from the University of Denver. The focus of study for her Masters was Conservation Social Work on a Community Level, and she also has a Certificate in Animal Assisted Social Work. She has a passion for utilizing the human-nature connection in empowerment work and is honored to be among the staff at EarthLinks.

Kelly Ann Shinn is a Program Associate at EarthLinks. She has an undergraduate degree from Luther College, and is currently working on her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver. She grew up in Arvada, Colorado, and is glad to be back in the mountain air after twelve years away in Iowa, Washington state, and Washington, DC. With adoration for the sun and awe for the earth, Kelly can be found running EarthLinks’ Bee Works Soap & Lotion Workshop, or out in the EarthLinks garden tending to worms, weeds, and watering. She is honored to be a part of the EarthLinks community.

Kelly Ray Allen is a Program Associate at EarthLinks, coming to us from the Colorado Vincentian Volunteers. Growing up in Waterford, Michigan, Kelly is a graduate of Aquinas College (Grand Rapids, MI), where she studied Public Administration. Kelly’s love of nature comes from studying abroad in rural Ireland and spending several summers working for her hometown Parks & Recreation Department as a day camp counselor on a farm.

Dayna Tapp is a Program Associate at EarthLinks, coming to us from the Urban Servant Corps. She is a recent graduate from Linfield college in McMinnville, Oregon, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Although she loved the Oregon rain and coastal region, Dayna chose to return to her childhood roots in Colorado and spend a year in the big city. She is passionate about people and the value of their stories, and can be found hiking, biking, or enjoying the beautiful outdoors. She is very blessed to be a part of the EarthLinks community this year.