What is a Board of Directors
A Board of Directors is a group of individuals elected to oversee an organization’s operations, strategy, and finances. They serve as our governing body and ensure we meet legal and ethical standards.
Our nonprofit has a policy and governance Board of Directors that partner with our leadership team to ensure we serve our community by emphasizing values, vision, and empowerment while remaining accountable to our mission.
Did you know?
Nonprofits are corporations that are not owned by anyone. Instead, they are the responsibility of a board of directors who share a duty to support the agency’s mission.
Board Commitments
In support of our vision and mission, the board is committed to:
- Ensuring all individuals with disabilities in our community receive support.
- Joining our community in the innovation and implementation of person and family-centered practices.
- Being a customer-service focused agency, both internally and externally.
- Actively and transparently collaborating with federal, state, and local partners.
- Optimizing mission resources by diversifying revenue streams and cultivating our talents, interests, and abilities.
Board Duties
All nonprofit board members are committed to meeting these three primary board duties:
- Duty of Care: A director must act with the care that a person in a like position would reasonably believe appropriate under similar circumstances (business judgement rule).
- Duty of Loyalty: Requires directors to act in good faith for the benefit of the corporation and its shareholders, not for their own personal interest.
- Duty of Obedience: A director must ensure that the nonprofit obeys applicable laws and regulations, follows its own bylaws, and that the nonprofit adheres to its stated corporate purposes/mission.
Our Board of Directors
- Under current board bylaws, our board membership ranges from 7-15 persons serving staggered terms.
- Roughly 40% of our Board of Directors includes individuals in service and/or family members of those in services.
Dr. Michaela McDonnell
President
Dr. McDonnell is from Iowa and has called Denver home for almost 30 years. She is a Board Certified Dermatologist, operating her private practice in Lakewood since 1988. Dr. McDonnell’s professional interests include skin cancer screening, Mohs Micrographic Surgery, acne, eczema, psoriasis, alopecia, and various cosmetic and surgical procedures. She is a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Academy of Dermatology, Colorado Dermatologic Society (past President), Iowa Dermatologic Society, Arapahoe Medical Society, and Colorado Medical Society.
Dr. McDonnell has four teenage children: three daughters and one son, who is served by Developmental Pathways. She enjoys spending time with her family skiing, hiking, traveling, and being a huge supporter of her children’s athletic and academic endeavors. In her spare time, she is also an avid runner competing in the Boulder Bolder and several other local races alongside her family.
Jenn Conrad
Vice President
Jenn Conrad’s career started over 20 years ago, serving those with I/DD who often had co-occurring behavioral health needs. As the Vice President of Clinical Services with Signal Behavioral Health Network, Jenn oversees regional safety net behavioral health services contracted through the state Behavioral Health Administration. This includes oversight of care coordination and quality management of crisis services, substance use treatment, recovery services, and programs serving children, youth, and families. As an LCSW and CCM, Jenn’s career is dedicated to ensuring access to high-quality whole-person care, coordination of services, and health equity. She is an active participant and leader in behavioral health initiatives and committees in both Arapahoe and Douglas Counties and across the state. Jenn is a member of the Denver START Program Advisory Council, a nationally recognized program providing mental health crisis care specifically for individuals with I/DD.
Jenn is married with two teenage youths in the Douglas County School District. When not supporting her kids in swimming and basketball, Jenn enjoys time with loved ones, hiking, and other outdoor activities.
Chris Erickson
Treasurer
Chris Erickson is the President of Banc of California’s Colorado Region. He leads the bank’s expansion throughout the greater Rocky Mountain region, with an emphasis on commercial real estate finance, business banking and treasury management.
Mr. Erickson is an accomplished banking executive with more than 20 years of experience. Before becoming President of the Colorado Region, Mr. Erickson led the Commercial Real Estate Banking team in the Denver area. Prior to that, he was an Executive Vice President at Guaranty Bank & Trust Company, where he led real estate lending. Mr. Erickson began his banking career with U.S. Bank’s Real Estate Banking Group.
Mr. Erickson has lived in Denver since 2004 and is active in the local community. He is on the board of Developmental Pathways, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals who have developmental disabilities and delays, as well as their families. The organization serves those in Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas and Elbert counties.
Mr. Erickson earned his bachelor’s degree in business management, with an emphasis in finance, from Central College in Pella, Iowa. He lives in Lone Tree, Colorado, and enjoys playing golf and riding motorcycles in his free time.
Rick Newell
Secretary
Rick Newell is a self-advocate, Eagle Scout, thespian, musician, and public speaker. He graduated from the Metropolitan State University of Denver with certificates in event and meeting management and hotel management.
Rick testified for the Colorado State legislature and worked with Senators Irene Aguilar and Owen Hill on Senate Bill 16-038, “Transparency Of Community-centered Boards,” and John Kefalas, on Senate Bill 16-077, “Employment First For Persons With Disabilities.” Both bills have now been signed into law.
Rick served as the governor-appointed youth member of the Statewide Independent Living Council for three years and represented Colorado at the National Council on Independent Living Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. where he met fellow self-advocates from all over the world. During his term, Rick had the opportunity to help create the inaugural Youth Leadership Forum at a university campus in Colorado, where students with disabilities learn about leadership skills.
For fun, Rick enjoys socializing, traveling, writing and performing music, singing in his church choirs, performing with the puppet ministry, acting with the Wesley Players, and doing activities like bowling, swimming, and exercising. Rick is excited to serve on the Developmental Pathways Board of Directors as an I/DD community representative and affect positive change, now and into the future.
Kevin Van Winkle
Commissioner
Commissioner Kevin Van Winkle was sworn into office on December 17, 2024, and began his first full term on January 14, 2025, representing Douglas County District III. In addition to County Commissioner responsibilities, Commissioner Van Winkle serves on several boards and committees, including the Douglas County Board of Health, Chatfield Basin Watershed Authority, Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), Developmental Pathways Board of Directors, Douglas County Housing Partnership, Highline Canal Conservancy, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Forfeiture Board, Unified Forensic Crime Lab, Denver South Economic Development Partnership Board of Directors, E-470 Public Highway Authority Board, and Denver South I-25 Urban Corridor Transportation Management Authority.
Additionally, Commissioner Van Winkle shares in the board’s responsibility for the county’s presence on the Partnership of Douglas County Governments, Metro Area County Commissioners, Douglas County Economic Development Corporation, Denver South Economic Development Partnership, and Denver Regional Council of Governments – Subregional Transportation Committee. He also serves on the following Colorado Counties, Inc. (CCI) Steering Committees: Taxation and Finance, Tourism and Economic Development, and Transportation & Telecommunications, and the National Association of Counties (NACo) Transportation Policy Steering Committee.
Prior to serving as a County Commissioner, he represented Douglas County in the State Senate since June 2022. As a State Senator, he was the Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, providing oversight on legislation impacting the state’s budget and defending hardworking taxpayers and Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR). He also served on the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Committee on Legal Services, and the Legislative Audit Committee, and created the PERA Oversight Committee, which helped move Colorado from 39th in the State Business Tax Climate Index in 2017 to 21st in 2023.
Commissioner Van Winkle served Douglas County for nearly eight years as a State Representative, championing school safety improvements, passed several tax cuts, created Colorado’s first new Judicial District since 1960 in Douglas County, which takes effect in January 2025, and was elected by fellow House members as the Assistant House Republican Leader.
A lifelong Douglas County resident, Commissioner Van Winkle lives in Highlands Ranch with his wife, Kelly, and two children. He serves on the Douglas County Community Foundation board, volunteers at his children’s school, is an active church community member, and enjoys playing ice hockey in his free time.
Carrie Warren-Gully
Commissioner
Carrie Warren-Gully is serving her second term as Commissioner, representing District 1 of Arapahoe County. She serves as the Board’s Chair for 2023. As Commissioner, Carrie is the internal liaison for the Attorney’s and Commissioners’ offices and the Human Services department. Carrie represents the County’s interests on various boards and committees, including the Arapahoe County Board of Social Services, Boundary Control Commission, Housing Authority, and the South Metro Denver Chamber Board of Directors.
Carrie’s goals are to represent all the citizens of her district and listen to their individual, diverse, and collective needs because the decisions made today will impact our quality of life for generations to come. Arapahoe is one of the fastest-growing counties in Colorado, and while that growth means increased economic opportunity, it also presents a host of challenges.
Carrie will focus on continuing to promote the expansion of access to mental health care, from our teens to our families to our more mature citizens; supporting our local businesses to grow and compete in an ever-changing world; encouraging new and forward-thinking transportation infrastructure; and working on creating more affordable and accessible housing for all residents of Arapahoe County.
Carrie has a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado Denver and a Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences and Political Science from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts. Her career path has involved working in a behavior studies lab at Denver University, running a bed and breakfast, and eventually landing in the conservation non-profit arena. Carrie served on the Littleton Public Schools Board of Education for seven years, and she started Books to Life, an audiobook production company, in 2014.
Born and raised in Englewood, CO, Carrie is passionate about the great outdoors. She and her husband, Jim, have three boys that attended Littleton Public Schools, and they spend much of their family time skiing, hiking, backpacking, and camping.
Mike Abramovitz
Mike has spent over 30 years in tax, a Big Four accounting firm, as well as leading public company tax departments. He has years of experience in the aerospace and defense industry, as well as managing tax reporting for SEC financial statements. He has experience taking companies public, mergers and acquisitions, running accounting and finance departments, stock options and equity issues, and tax provisioning (ASC740). He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and has a BBA and MAcc from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Mike has been with his wife Tammy for over 30 years, and they have twin boys, Harry and Isaac, who are making their way in the world. Harry, a huge train fan, photographer, and videographer, is starting his own welding business, and Isaac, graduating from the United States Air Force Academy, is off to pilot training.
Katiah Scisum
Katiah Scisum is a newly appointed parent advocate. In August of 2022, she packed up her family and moved from Washington State to Colorado – a place she had previously lived and always wanted to return to. Katiah currently works as a parent caregiver for her young daughter who receives services through Developmental Pathways.
Katiah graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Public Relations and has also been awarded a minor in Journalism and a Leadership Certificate. She previously presented a rhetorical analysis at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research and has worked/interned as an event coordinator; communications assistant; social media manager; and website designer. After moving to Colorado to seek the best medical care and support system she could find; Katiah joined a local non-profit support group (Colorado Mama Tribe) for parents of children with varying disabilities and support needs. She currently volunteers as an active member of the fundraising committee with Colorado Mama Tribe and has found respite and connection that was otherwise missing from her life before.
Katiah is looking forward to learning all there is to know about DP and the services and resources they have continued to provide the I/DD community. She is excited to be able to offer her own direct insight and to be a part of a life-changing group of people.
Rebecca Cordes
Rebecca grew up in Nebraska but has called the Denver metropolitan area home since the early 1980s. She recently retired from a 45-year career in Banking, where she was involved in many different aspects, including Internal Auditing, Lending, Private Banking, and Human Resources. In her last role as a Banker, she was with Pacific Western Bank and was the Executive Vice President and Director of Human Resources for the Company.
In addition to serving on the Developmental Pathways Board of Directors, Rebecca previously served on the Board of Directors for Rocky Mountain Junior Achievement, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation.
In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her friends and family, and working on her golf game.
Robin Ennis
Robin Ennis, LCSW, is a native of Denver, Colorado. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, providing therapeutic services within her private practice. In addition, she is the LEND Self-Advocacy Discipline Director at JFK Partners. Professionally, it is Robin’s mission to make sure everyone of all abilities has an equal voice through mental health support, trainings, offering of social work clinical supervision, advocacy, and the allocation of resources. She serves on the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council, AUCD LEND Self-Advocacy Discipline Network (LSDN) and was the past co-chair of the JFK Partners Advisory Council. She uses her professional and lived experience to assist others.
Two mottos to live by: Disability does not mean inability and Empowering voices, amplifying abilities.
Ida Cossitt-Glesner
Originally from Virginia, Ida Cossitt-Glesner has called Denver home for over eight years. She has a Masters in Public Administration and works for the University of Colorado, supporting fundraising campaigns across the University of Colorado’s four campuses. Ida brings extensive public sector experience to the Developmental Pathways Board of Directors, having worked with the Office of Colorado Governor Jared Polis, the Colorado State Senate, the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade, the Health District of Northern Larimer County, and the National Conference of State Legislatures, as well as with numerous human service & mental health nonprofits.
Ida is married and has two children, one of whom was served by Developmental Pathways. She loves spending time with her family and attending Zumba & other fitness classes. She is also an active member of the Junior League of Denver.
Sheriff Rasheed, M.Ed.
A passionate advocate for inclusive education, Sheriff Rasheed has dedicated his career to ensuring equal access to education for students with disabilities. Born in Nigeria, Sheriff developed a fascination with the American education system, particularly the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Sheriff earned his bachelor’s degree in special education and political science from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He later pursued his master’s degree in special education at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, graduating in 2014. During his time in Michigan, Sheriff volunteered at Disability Advocates of Kent County, further solidifying his commitment to disability advocacy.
Professionally, Sheriff has held various roles, including Disability Specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and Accessibility Coordinator at Metropolitan State University of Denver. In 2023, he assumed the position of Director of the Office of Disability and Equity at the Community College of Aurora.
Outside of his professional pursuits, Sheriff enjoys spending time with his family and is an avid soccer fan. He supports the Colorado Rapids and looks forward to attending matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US.