Meet the Team

Cheryl and her husband John relocated to Colorado in 2019 and both began volunteering with
HomeAhead shortly thereafter. Cheryl’s background is in advertising and marketing, in addition
to having owned her own small business. She is passionate about keeping usable furniture out
of landfills and often repairs, refinishes, and/or updates pieces for HomeAhead. When not
working on furniture, Cheryl may be found on the ski slopes, in her sewing room, or travelling.
Baking and working on crafts with her grandchildren are another favorite pastime.

Laura works for the Family Emergency Assistance Association as a Housing Resources Navigator, assisting families with housing and other resources toward a more secure and stable life. Prior to EFAA Laura worked many years in older adult care as a leasing counselor, director of memory care, and executive director of a large memory care facility. Laura has also completed programs in legal studies and paramedic training. Laura is a native Spanish speaker and enjoys interacting with people in a positive and meaningful way to support life balance and wellness. When she’s not working, Laura enjoys spending time with family, watching football, and hanging out with her dog.

Loren Donaldson spent many years in finance. During his early career Loren managed a number of college and high school food service programs. Later Loren managed one grocery store in a chain of six stores then moved into his own business selling, installing and maintaining cash registers and point of sale equipment for grocery stores and restaurants. He is grateful for the opportunity to serve HomeAhead as Treasurer.

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Jennie Watson moved to Colorado to attend Fort Lewis college and loved it so much, she stayed after graduation and has lived around the Front Range ever since. Jennie has served in government and non-profit agencies for 20 years. Jennie currently works for Boulder County Housing and Human Services as a Housing Support Specialist, supporting families and individuals experiencing homelessness find and maintain housing. Jennie worked with Home Ahead as a referring partner before joining the board, and understands the critical service that the organization provides to the community from a unique perspective. Jennie lives with daughters, dogs and cats in Arvada. Jennie enjoys art, music, spending time with friends and family, camping and all things outdoors in Colorado.

Since moving to Boulder in the late 1990s, Joe Pickett has devoted much of his life to helping organizations that support people experiencing homelessness. This includes Boulder County Cares, Bridge House (Community Table and Path to Home), and BOHO (Boulder Outreach for Homeless Overflow). He is retired from IBM and lives in Boulder with his wife Barbara to whom he has been married for more than 50 years. Joe was a competitive triathlete and marathon runner. These days he loves running with his dog Riley and doing Murphys (a CrossFit workout).

After moving to Colorado in 2013, Lew Miller jumped right into community service work, driven by a passion to make a difference in people’s lives. Lew has been active with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Meals on Wheels, the YMCA/YWCA, Rotary, Erie Chamber of Commerce, and Marshalltown (Iowa) Community College Foundation. He’s a member of Congregation Har HaShem and chair of the men’s organization at JCC Boulder. A retired plumbing distributor, Lew founded the Iowa BBQ Society, a unique nonprofit that combines love of barbecue with random acts of kindness.

Marty Noonan and his wife moved to Colorado in 2021 when they both retired. Marty had a 35-year career in the insurance industry. Marty is active in the Erie CO Rotary club, and this is where he learned about HomeAhead. He has been a volunteer with
HomeAhead for over two years - most of that time is spent driving the truck picking up donations and making deliveries to our clients.

Marty very much enjoys meeting our clients and helping make their apartments feel like a home.

In his spare time Marty can be found on the local hiking trails or traveling about the country.

Since obtaining her degree in social work, Tina has worked in both government and non-profit settings with families, children, and adults of all ages.  She currently works at All Roads as a permanent supportive housing case manager working with homeless individuals providing intensive case management services tailored to each individual’s needs to stabilize, thrive, and maintain housing.   Tina and her husband moved to Arvada in 1999 and have raised two kids.  She enjoys spending time outdoors, quilting, reading, and watching old movies when not battling the ever-present weeds in the garden.  

Bob McCool brings a strong commitment to community service and practical problem-solving to HomeAhead’s board. He has spent much of his career supporting mission-driven organizations and strengthening local communities through volunteerism and civic engagement. Bob is the owner of Areil IT, where he helps nonprofits and small businesses build reliable, secure, and effective technology systems. He is especially drawn to HomeAhead’s work because it combines dignity, compassion, and environmental stewardship—keeping usable furniture out of landfills while helping neighbors create stable, welcoming homes. Bob is glad to contribute both his community focus and professional expertise in support of HomeAhead’s mission.

Bryan brings more than 30 years of experience across marketing, sales, licensing, operations, and technical service, with a strong track record of leadership in industries ranging from petrochemicals to renewable fuels. He spent seven years in international executive roles, helping companies expand their global reach and impact. A proud graduate of the Colorado School of Mines with a degree in Chemical Engineering, Bryan also holds an MBA from DePaul University and a Certificate in Business Excellence from the University of Colorado Boulder. Bryan is excited to support HomeAhead’s mission by bringing strategic insight and a passion for practical solutions that lift up communities.

Hal started volunteering after he made a donation to HomeAhead and was impressed by HomeAhead’s mission and the compassion and grass roots spirit of the organization. Prior to joining the Board in 2026, Hal volunteered taking donations on Saturdays and over
time also assisted the executive director on various projects. While practicing law, he helped initiate a model pro bono program in the bankruptcy court system that is ongoing over twenty years later. Hal is
excited to now be involved in HomeAhead at the board level to help the organization achieve its full potential as a furniture bank for individuals and
families coming out of homelessness while also reducing landfill waste in Boulder County. He and his wife have lived in Boulder for more than 45 years and love the community and the opportunities it offers.

Mary has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 10 years and joined HomeAhead in early 2022 as the organization’s first employee. As Executive Director, she has helped guide its growth from a largely volunteer-run organization into a community nonprofit serving hundreds each year.

Her background includes nonprofit leadership, strategic planning, program development, facilitation, and community engagement. A trained mediator and chronic idealist, Mary is drawn to work that brings people together around practical solutions.

Mary sees HomeAhead as an especially fitting social enterprise for the Boulder area, connecting a community that cares deeply about its neighbors with one that values conservation. She loves that HomeAhead can make an immediate difference in someone’s home while putting community resources to good use.

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Eilene Spear joined the team in early 2023. Her background includes managing operations for an emerging business law website and working with at-risk youth through the Department of Labor's JobCorps program.

Eilene has an unshakeable belief that smart, concerted action can make the world better and she is determined to use her experiences to be a part of that effort. Eilene spends her free time reading,  running, and spending way too much time at the gym.

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Her debut novel, Worth Waiting For, is coming out in 2027 from RogueHeart Press.

Red joined HomeAhead with a background in environmental sustainability, community food systems, and nonprofit work. After moving to Colorado in 2021 to attend the University of Colorado Boulder’s Master of the Environment program, Red became involved in the local food and farm community, including work with a regenerative farm, food cooperatives, and organizations supporting local producers and food access.
At HomeAhead, Red focuses on operations, inventory, and building practical systems that make it easier for staff and volunteers to get furniture where it needs to go. They are particularly interested in finding ways to make HomeAhead’s work more efficient while keeping dignity, community, and reuse at the center.
Outside of HomeAhead, Red loves reading, hiking, and swimming.