Meet The Team

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.

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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Carol Fries helped launch the volunteer group that preceded HomeAhead and has been on the team ever since. She has more than a decade of experience volunteering with organizations that serve people experiencing homelessness, including Bridge House (Community Table and Path to Home), Mother House (The Lodge), and BOHO (Boulder Outreach for Homeless Overflow). A retired marketing communications professional, Carol loves reading, writing, running, and dark chocolate. She lives in Erie with her husband Tim.

Clair Minson is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Sandra Grace LLC. Clair is a non-profit leader, racial equity consultant, and theologian who leverages her decade-plus experience in workforce development and mental health counseling to maximize the impact of forward-thinking institutions across the United States. Anchored in her faith in the human capacity for change and propelled by a critical analysis of systemic and institutional racism, Clair works with clients in the public and private sectors to develop and implement sound strategies that address the root causes of social inequity. Clair is currently in seminary and serves as the Pastoral Intern at Atonement Lutheran Church in Boulder. She is from the Bahamas and lives in Westminster with her two daughters. 

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.

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.

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.

Jim was born in Boulder, attended public schools in Boulder Valley and graduated from CU with a degree in Finance. He moved to the Seattle area, raised two sons, worked for a large nonprofit, then enjoyed a business and finance focused career with The Boeing Company.  After retiring, Jim returned to Colorado where he volunteered and served on the board with Coal Creek Meals and local Rotary Clubs. Jim helped secure funding from Rotary for HomeAhead and also found himself on the opposite end of some furniture to be moved in assisting recently housed clients. 

Jim is pleased to serve on the HomeAhead board and help grow the resources needed to meet the increasing demand for helping those recently housed with furniture.

As a Colorado Native Christopher Melchi has a special place in his heart for the people who live in this beautiful state. Christopher has been in the Beauty industry for 22 years and works in a salon in Boulder. In addition, Christopher graduated from Metropolitan State University with a degree in Mental Health Counseling and a minor in Addiction Studies. He worked for nearly 6 years as a Case Manager for individuals experiencing homelessness in the Denver area, where he was able to focus his energy into helping people find stable housing, health care, food access, as well as counsel individuals who were using and in recovery from drugs and alcohol. Christopher currently lives in the small town of Lochbuie Colorado with his husband and toddler son. Christopher can talk to anyone and has a deep passion for helping others.

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.

Mary Gaylord has worked in the nonprofit sector for close to 10 years, and with HomeAhead since early 2022. Her background includes working in nonprofit leadership, strategic planning, and program development. A chronic idealist, Mary has a strong passion for supporting individuals and organizations that endeavor to make our world a better place. Mary enjoys living near Boulder with her husband and two teenagers, hiking, skiing, mountain-biking, camping, and hanging out with friends and family.

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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.