Meet Our Team

Amber is originally from Fort Collins, Colorado and was eager to join the Heart & Hand team in 2019 after working with various youth and after-school programs in the past. Amber is a Licensed Social Worker who holds a Bachelor’s in Social Work from Belmont University and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Denver. Amber has worked extensively within refugee resettlement organizations with youth and families in both youth programming and mental health capacities. She fully believes in the importance of building relationships with youth and their families and providing opportunities to learn and grow together. In her free time, Amber enjoys anything outdoors or adventurous and can often be found playing music or with friends and family.

​Kate started at Heart & Hand as an intern in 2018. After completing her MPA at CU Denver in 2019, Kate joined the team full time as Development Coordinator. Kate is passionate about ensuring all youth have access to enriching learning opportunities, academic resources, and relationships with trusting adults. In her free time, Kate enjoys hiking with her dog, reading, and sharing food with friends and family.

Nikki Cady attended York University in Toronto, Majoring in Psychology. After college, she spent time interning for Mental Health Canada working with adults suffering from mental illnesses, operating a retail store, as well as, owning and operating two restaurants until moving to Denver in 2005. Prior to becoming the Executive Director of HALO Denver, Nikki spent six years as an advocate for Denver's abused and neglected children through Denver CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). Mrs. Cady served on Colorado CASA's Board of Directors for two years, being the Fundraising Chair for both the Denver and Colorado CASA agencies for four years.

In 2008 Mrs. Cady opened Denver's branch HALO Foundation, which is committed to improving the lives of homeless, orphaned and at risk youth worldwide. In 2009, Mrs. Cady launched weekly art-mentoring programs working with homeless youth in the Metro Denver homeless shelters. She then opened The Heart & Hand Center and was instrumental in raising one hundred percent of the annual budget.

Mary Cipollone is passionate about empowering children and youth with the skills, information, and relationships they need to build successful futures. She has dedicated her career to improving educational and personal outcomes for students in low-income communities in Harlem, Detroit, Denver, and Latin America. Mary holds a BA from Dartmouth College and a Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Michigan. She loves hiking, listening to live music, and eating good meals with friends and family.

Gwen Farnsworth is a third-generation Denver native with strong ties to the Park Hill and Five Points Neighborhoods. A longtime development professional, Gwen believes in philanthropy as a vehicle for social justice and the promotion of the greater good, and that working with community for solutions is the best way to achieve impactful results. A graduate of Denver East and Metropolitan State University, Gwen is also a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and is working toward her Certified Fundraising Executive certification. In her time away from the office, she enjoys cooking, bingeing Netflix, and spending time with her family.

Blaine began working with the Heart & Hand Center as an intern in 2010 and is now the Chief Operating Officer.  She is a Colorado native who graduated from Colorado State University and is now pursuing a Masters Degree at Regis University. Blaine's favorite thing about working with Heart & Hand are the relationships she has developed with H&H families, youth and coworkers. She enjoys reading, creative writing and spending time outdoors.

Mateo started at Heart & Hand in 2019. After completing their undergraduate degree in Comparative Ethnic Studies at Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo, they joined the team as the Americorp VISTA Student Program Capacity Builder. They seek to enhance equity and opportunity vis a vis education and lived experience. With a background in Outdoor Education and Recreation, their focus is on hands on experience and the conceptualization of personal capability. In their free time, Mateo is a rock climber, cyclist, runner, and a writer who enjoys the making and sharing of quality food.

Sarah Krantz spent the first 22 years of her life in the heart of New York City, from which she is still recovering. After graduating from Barnard College, she moved to Denver to work at the Denver Art Museum. She first found Heart & Hand as a volunteer art teacher at Samaritan house before moving to the Columbine Elementary site to lead an archaeology program. She has since been with enamored with the organization and the incredible youth that it serves. When she’s not working, she likes to ride on her trusty steed (bike), spend time with her chosen family, cook healthful/colorful foods and craft things out of wood and other recycled materials.

Maya McDowell was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. She joined Heart & Hand in 2017 as a Program Leader, after serving a year as an AmeriCorps VISTA Development and Community Engagement Coordinator at a youth leadership and food justice nonprofit. Maya is also a certified yoga teacher, and a founding member/owner of Satya Yoga Cooperative, which focuses on offering accessible trauma-informed yoga for communities of color that may not otherwise have access to culturally aware and inclusive yoga. Maya has found a joyful and enlightening home in her time with Heart & Hand, and is continually moved by the power and spirit of the youth and families we serve. In her free time she enjoys growing nutritious food in her garden, dancing while cooking, reading and writing, and traveling by train.

Jennifer Rivera (known by Jenn) is our Family Development Program Manager, was born in Puerto Rico, and raised in Brooklyn, NY, and recently relocated to Denver to enjoy a change of pace and scenery. In NYC, she worked as a Career and Internship Coordinator at a non-profit school program for overage and undercredited high school students. She's incredibly passionate about the work that nonprofits accomplish, and the impact of trusted individuals in young people's lives.

Jenn is a music and nature lover, has a serious sweet tooth, and is a big fan of a daytime nap. In her free time, she is spending time hiking or at silly events with her rescue dogs, Zoe and Ellie, who are loving Denver too! Jenn is active in volunteer and animal rescue work, serving as a core coordinator for a NYC based animal rescue for the past year. Jenn loves how entrenched her life is in service work, and wouldn't change it for the world.

Cami has always been passionate about building relationships with youth and ensuring that youth in historically underserved communities are provided with the resources and supports needed to help create more of an equal opportunity to quality education. Having worked and volunteered for various after-school programs, Cami is excited about helping build the new High School Program and working with the youth at the Heart & Hand Center. Cami holds a BA in Psychology with a minor in Education Studies at the University of California, San Diego and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Denver. Originally from Richmond, California, Cami enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, being outdoors, reading, trying new foods, and sleeping in her spare time.