Staff and Board of Directors

Kathleen (Cass) Cronan

Executive Director
Cass has extensive experience working with Denver’s nonprofit community, specifically organizations serving homeless and low-income populations, both as a volunteer and in various leadership roles. She has practiced law for more than 30 years in the Denver area.

Alix Midgley

Program and Garden Director
Alix is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been working alongside people experiencing homelessness and displacement for over a decade in various capacities. In addition to her direct service experience, Alix previously worked on a small organically cultivated vegetable farm in Mancos, CO, and earned her Master Gardener Certification in La Plata County, CO. She is passionate about restoring a sense of belonging and self-worth among those who have been marginalized through earth-based engagement and connection.

Carolyn Thornton

Community Engagement Director Carolyn, a Baltimore native, received a Bachelors of Science degree, focused on Art Education and Visual Communications from Towson University in Maryland. She coordinates sales, the EarthLinks’ Volunteer Program, online and print outreach, social media and community events.

Laura Schneiter

Marketing and Special Events Coordinator
Laura is a Colorado native and graduated from UC Denver with a Bachelors in Psychology and a minor in Environmental Science. During school, Laura began to realize the need for nature and community in people’s lives in order to build resilience. She also participated in AmeriCorps NCCC in the Pacific Northwest Region where she traveled to various communities and learned skills in trail building, construction, gardening and environmental restoration. Laura began volunteering with EarthLinks back in 2013, and moved onto staff in 2015.

Mary Nelle Gage, SL

Marketing
Mary Nelle is a Sister of Loretto who joined us in 2003. Originally from Texas, and a graduate of Loretto Heights, she brings unmatched energy and enthusiasm to EarthLinks, and can be found staffing any number of our booths at festivals where we sell products from the EarthLinks Workshop Program.

Jay Reszka

Case Manager
Wisconsin born and raised, Jay has a Master’s of Divinity from Notre Dame and has spent his entire working life employed by human service non-profit organizations; much of this time with several metro Denver agencies or churches working with lower income populations. Most recently, he was the Case Manager for a small homeless shelter in Thornton, CO. His passion is helping marginalized and isolated individuals re-discover their unique gifts and talents and regain their place in community.

Andrea Bowerman

Administrative Assistant
Andrea was born and raised in Englewood, Colorado and graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a BA in History and a minor in Women and Gender Studies. She has always felt the call to help those around her ever since she was a kid. Growing up in a low-income area helped her to realize that her calling was to work with marginalized peoples in her own state. Working with EarthLinks she hopes to be able to ease some of the hardships that those marginalized in the Denver Metro area are suffering. As Administrative Assistant, Andrea works with payroll, external and internal sales, bookkeeping, office organization and management, and acts as in-house IT when needed.

Sydney Hunter

Colorado Vincentian Volunteer
Sydney is a proud Kansas City, Missouri native who graduated from Rockhurst University with a BA in non-profit leadership and fundraising. She is passionate about environmental justice, economic justice, and walking alongside those experiencing homelessness. Sydney came to EarthLinks to pursue these passions and learn more about gardening and food justice. As a program assistant, she helps with workshop, cooking meals, and just about anything else to keep things running smoothly.

Eliana Durante

AmeriCorps/VISTA
Eliana is a Kansas City native who also experienced living in Northern Florida until her college career. She graduated with a BA in International Studies with a minor in Environmental Studies from Utah State University. After experiencing a summer position of trail building and environmental restoration with the Utah ConservationCorps through AmeriCorps, she found a passion in serving the community. As an AmeriCorps/VISTA member at EarthLinks she continues to embrace the goal of sustaining the environment by expanding aspects of fundraising and marketing.

ML

AmeriCorps/VISTA
ML is a non-binary genderfluid artist from Iowa. They received their BFA in Painting from the Kansas City Art Institute in 2016. They love being at EarthLinks because it is the intersection of their passion for people, environment and craft. In their free time, they can be found weaving, reading books, lifting weights and going to live music shows.

Kayla Boyle

AmeriCorps/VISTA
Kayla is Denver born but NC raised. She graduated with a degree in Interdisciplinary Art and a minor in Graphic Design from Appalachian State in Boone, NC. Kayla has been working as a graphic artist for printing and promotional companies since then. She is excited to use these skills in a meaningful way to assist Earthlinks with communications and marketing. In her free time she loves being in nature and reading with her cat.

Johnna Glover

AmeriCorps/VISTA
Johnna is a Florida native who graduated from Boston College with a BS in Biology and Environmental Studies. She's excited to connect her scientific roots with her passion for social justice here at Earthlinks! Joining the team as an AmeriCorps VISTA, she's here to help develop the workshop program and it's products to new heights. During her free time she loves going on mycological hunts, searching for vintage clothing, and drinking way too much coffee!

Salem Blair

MSW Intern
Salem is a North Carolina native who graduated from Western Carolina University with her Bachelors in Social Work. Currently, she is working on obtaining her Masters in Social Work, with a focus in Sustainable Development and Global Practice from the University of Denver. Salem is excited and eager to work alongside community members and participants at EarthLinks while building deep-rooted connections. Outside of school and EarthLinks, you can find Salem exploring all that Colorado has to offer, skiing, chatting, and indulging in the sweeter things in life.

Caroline Rapp

MSW Intern
Caroline grew up in Colorado and graduated with a BS in Biology from the University of Colorado Denver. She is now pursuing a Masters in Social Work from Metropolitan State University of Denver. She is passionate about equity and social justice, especially within housing services. As an intern with EarthLinks, she is excited to engage with the community and explore the healing impacts of connection. In her free time, she enjoys wandering in nature, listening to music, writing, and cooking.

Sara Harris

MSW Intern
Born and raised in rural Wisconsin, Sara is currently at the University of Denver, working towards her Master’s Degree in Conservation Social Work. To better understand how diversity and difference shape individuals' life experiences, she spent six months engaging in a South African community. This experience sparked her passion for helping to create a world where all people, animals, and the planet can co-exist and succeed in possessing the rights they deserve. In her spare time, she loves to go on runs, paint, and cook!

 

Board of Directors

Mike Boggs, Board President
Retired Wells Fargo Private Bank

Merri Mattison, Ph.D., Board Vice-President
Associate Professor of Sociology
Red Rocks Community College

Carol Maclennan, Board Secretary
Retired Tri-County Health Department

Robert F. Hayes, CPA, Board Treasurer
Financial Consultant

Susan Goldbach
Retired UPS Executive

Chrissy Robinson
EarthLinks’ Workshop Program Participant

Vanita Bellen 
Principal, True North Consulting

Sean Harkin
Participant

Deborah Bomyea, OP,
Teacher, St. Francis De Sales

Janet McIntyre 
Health Care Consultant

RoseAnn Sanchez, CPA
Senior Accounting Manager
Anton Collins Mitchell

Dara Palomino
EarthLinks’ Program Participant

Wendy Handler
Broker Associate
LIV Sotheby’s International Realty

Julia Mecklenburg, MSW
Community Engagement Liaison
Community Engagement & Inclusion Department Colorado Access 

Marisa Westbrook
PhD Candidate, Metropolitan State University

 

Advisory Board of Directors

Jacqueline Leech, SC
Sister of Charity of Cincinnati

Nancy Hoffman, SC
Former Board President
Sister of Charity of Cincinnatie

Cathy Mueller, SL
Co-Foundress, EarthLinks
Sister of Loretto

Bette Ann Jaster, OP,
Co-Foundress, EarthLinks
Dominican Sister of Hope

Kathleen (Cass) Cronan

Executive Director
Cass has extensive experience working with Denver’s nonprofit community, specifically organizations serving homeless and low-income populations, both as a volunteer and in various leadership roles. She has practiced law for more than 30 years in the Denver area.

Alix Midgley

Program and Garden Director
Alix is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been working alongside people experiencing homelessness and displacement for over a decade in various capacities. In addition to her direct service experience, Alix previously worked on a small organically cultivated vegetable farm in Mancos, CO, and earned her Master Gardener Certification in La Plata County, CO. She is passionate about restoring a sense of belonging and self-worth among those who have been marginalized through earth-based engagement and connection.

Carolyn Thornton

Community Engagement Director Carolyn, a Baltimore native, received a Bachelors of Science degree, focused on Art Education and Visual Communications from Towson University in Maryland. She coordinates sales, the EarthLinks’ Volunteer Program, online and print outreach, social media and community events.

Laura Schneiter

Marketing and Special Events Coordinator
Laura is a Colorado native and graduated from UC Denver with a Bachelors in Psychology and a minor in Environmental Science. During school, Laura began to realize the need for nature and community in people’s lives in order to build resilience. She also participated in AmeriCorps NCCC in the Pacific Northwest Region where she traveled to various communities and learned skills in trail building, construction, gardening and environmental restoration. Laura began volunteering with EarthLinks back in 2013, and moved onto staff in 2015.

Mary Nelle Gage, SL

Marketing
Mary Nelle is a Sister of Loretto who joined us in 2003. Originally from Texas, and a graduate of Loretto Heights, she brings unmatched energy and enthusiasm to EarthLinks, and can be found staffing any number of our booths at festivals where we sell products from the EarthLinks Workshop Program.

Jay Reszka

Case Manager
Wisconsin born and raised, Jay has a Master’s of Divinity from Notre Dame and has spent his entire working life employed by human service non-profit organizations; much of this time with several metro Denver agencies or churches working with lower income populations. Most recently, he was the Case Manager for a small homeless shelter in Thornton, CO. His passion is helping marginalized and isolated individuals re-discover their unique gifts and talents and regain their place in community.

Andrea Bowerman

Administrative Assistant
Andrea was born and raised in Englewood, Colorado and graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a BA in History and a minor in Women and Gender Studies. She has always felt the call to help those around her ever since she was a kid. Growing up in a low-income area helped her to realize that her calling was to work with marginalized peoples in her own state. Working with EarthLinks she hopes to be able to ease some of the hardships that those marginalized in the Denver Metro area are suffering. As Administrative Assistant, Andrea works with payroll, external and internal sales, bookkeeping, office organization and management, and acts as in-house IT when needed.

Sydney Hunter

Colorado Vincentian Volunteer
Sydney is a proud Kansas City, Missouri native who graduated from Rockhurst University with a BA in non-profit leadership and fundraising. She is passionate about environmental justice, economic justice, and walking alongside those experiencing homelessness. Sydney came to EarthLinks to pursue these passions and learn more about gardening and food justice. As a program assistant, she helps with workshop, cooking meals, and just about anything else to keep things running smoothly.

Eliana Durante

AmeriCorps/VISTA
Eliana is a Kansas City native who also experienced living in Northern Florida until her college career. She graduated with a BA in International Studies with a minor in Environmental Studies from Utah State University. After experiencing a summer position of trail building and environmental restoration with the Utah ConservationCorps through AmeriCorps, she found a passion in serving the community. As an AmeriCorps/VISTA member at EarthLinks she continues to embrace the goal of sustaining the environment by expanding aspects of fundraising and marketing.

ML

AmeriCorps/VISTA
ML is a non-binary genderfluid artist from Iowa. They received their BFA in Painting from the Kansas City Art Institute in 2016. They love being at EarthLinks because it is the intersection of their passion for people, environment and craft. In their free time, they can be found weaving, reading books, lifting weights and going to live music shows.

Kayla Boyle

AmeriCorps/VISTA
Kayla is Denver born but NC raised. She graduated with a degree in Interdisciplinary Art and a minor in Graphic Design from Appalachian State in Boone, NC. Kayla has been working as a graphic artist for printing and promotional companies since then. She is excited to use these skills in a meaningful way to assist Earthlinks with communications and marketing. In her free time she loves being in nature and reading with her cat.

Johnna Glover

AmeriCorps/VISTA
Johnna is a Florida native who graduated from Boston College with a BS in Biology and Environmental Studies. She's excited to connect her scientific roots with her passion for social justice here at Earthlinks! Joining the team as an AmeriCorps VISTA, she's here to help develop the workshop program and it's products to new heights. During her free time she loves going on mycological hunts, searching for vintage clothing, and drinking way too much coffee!

Salem Blair

MSW Intern
Salem is a North Carolina native who graduated from Western Carolina University with her Bachelors in Social Work. Currently, she is working on obtaining her Masters in Social Work, with a focus in Sustainable Development and Global Practice from the University of Denver. Salem is excited and eager to work alongside community members and participants at EarthLinks while building deep-rooted connections. Outside of school and EarthLinks, you can find Salem exploring all that Colorado has to offer, skiing, chatting, and indulging in the sweeter things in life.

Caroline Rapp

MSW Intern
Caroline grew up in Colorado and graduated with a BS in Biology from the University of Colorado Denver. She is now pursuing a Masters in Social Work from Metropolitan State University of Denver. She is passionate about equity and social justice, especially within housing services. As an intern with EarthLinks, she is excited to engage with the community and explore the healing impacts of connection. In her free time, she enjoys wandering in nature, listening to music, writing, and cooking.

Sara Harris

MSW Intern
Born and raised in rural Wisconsin, Sara is currently at the University of Denver, working towards her Master’s Degree in Conservation Social Work. To better understand how diversity and difference shape individuals' life experiences, she spent six months engaging in a South African community. This experience sparked her passion for helping to create a world where all people, animals, and the planet can co-exist and succeed in possessing the rights they deserve. In her spare time, she loves to go on runs, paint, and cook!

 

Board of Directors

Mike Boggs, Board President
Retired Wells Fargo Private Bank

Merri Mattison, Ph.D., Board Vice-President
Associate Professor of Sociology
Red Rocks Community College

Carol Maclennan, Board Secretary
Retired Tri-County Health Department

Robert F. Hayes, CPA, Board Treasurer
Financial Consultant

Susan Goldbach
Retired UPS Executive

Chrissy Robinson
EarthLinks’ Workshop Program Participant

Vanita Bellen 
Principal, True North Consulting

Sean Harkin
Participant

Deborah Bomyea, OP,
Teacher, St. Francis De Sales

Janet McIntyre 
Health Care Consultant

RoseAnn Sanchez, CPA
Senior Accounting Manager
Anton Collins Mitchell

Dara Palomino
EarthLinks’ Program Participant

Wendy Handler
Broker Associate
LIV Sotheby’s International Realty

Julia Mecklenburg, MSW
Community Engagement Liaison
Community Engagement & Inclusion Department Colorado Access 

Marisa Westbrook
PhD Candidate, Metropolitan State University

 

Advisory Board of Directors

Jacqueline Leech, SC
Sister of Charity of Cincinnati

Nancy Hoffman, SC
Former Board President
Sister of Charity of Cincinnatie

Cathy Mueller, SL
Co-Foundress, EarthLinks
Sister of Loretto

Bette Ann Jaster, OP,
Co-Foundress, EarthLinks
Dominican Sister of Hope