DENVER— The Colorado Health Foundation is thrilled to announce Juana Bordas, Lauren Y.Casteel, Sarah EchoHawk and Garrison Ortiz as the newest members of its Board of Directors. The Foundation also thanks Cedric Buchanon, Jerome Davis and Eileen Byrne for their service on the Board until their terms ended in December 2023.
Juana Bordas is the president of Mestiza Leadership International, a company that works to support an inclusive society by developing diversity and leadership resources. She is a long-time leader in diversity, leadership development and the advancement of Latinos. Bordas founded Denver’s Mi Casa Women’s Center and is the bestselling author of “The Power of Latino Leadership.” Serving others has been a lifelong path for Bordas; she brings her lived experience, global perspective, and dedication to creating positive change to The Colorado Health Foundation’s Board of Directors.
“I look forward to having a positive impact on the excellent work The Colorado Health Foundation is doing,” Bordas says. “Serving others is a part of who I am. I’m proud to work with a foundation I know is building the capacity of health and equity organizations across Colorado.”
Lauren Y. Casteel is the president and CEO of The Women’s Foundation of Colorado (WFCO), the only statewide community foundation focused on gender, racial and economic equity. She’s helmed WFCO since 2015, making her the first person in Colorado to have led three separate foundations; she previously led The Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation and was a vice president at The Denver Foundation. Casteel has also been recognized on the state and national level for her leadership, excellence and dedication to inclusivity in philanthropy. In 2014, she was inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame; in 2024 she was honored with the Governor’s Citizenship Medal.
“Joining the board is a way I can support The Colorado Health Foundation and their dedication to centering equity and justice in their philanthropic practices,” Casteel says. “I am excited to collaborate with other Colorado leaders doing their part to create health equity in our state.”
Sarah EchoHawk is the president of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), an organization dedicated to advancing Indigenous people in STEM. Echohawk is also a member of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma and has spent 20 years of her career working on behalf of Indigenous people. She’s previously held roles at First Nations Development Institute, American Indian College Fund, and taught Native American studies courses at Metro State University of Denver. In addition to working in Colorado, EchoHawk also served on the national level advocating for more opportunities for historically underrepresented groups in the tech industry as well as on the Obama Administration’s Ambassador for the U. S. Department of Energy’s Minorities in Energy Initiative.
“The Colorado Health Foundation is making an impact across the state,” EchoHawk says. “I look forward to connecting with organizations that partner with the Foundation to serve their communities.”
Garrison Ortiz is the chief financial officer of Colorado State University Pueblo. Ortiz has spent much of his career serving his community with his financial expertise and passion for the power of education. He has served as the Pueblo County Commissioner, on the State Board of Community Colleges and Occupational Education, and as an educator. Ortiz is responsible for bringing the first diversity, equity, inclusion program in the Pueblo County government and will bring this experience to The Colorado Health Foundation Board of Directors.
“There are many ways to serve our fellow community members,” Ortiz says. “As a member of The Colorado Health Foundation Board, I look forward to supporting organizations doing hands-on work to create health equity in our state.”
“Juana, Lauren, Sarah, and Garrison are all experienced professionals with careers that illuminate their dedication to creating a more equitable Colorado,” said Karen McNeil-Miller, president and CEO of The Colorado Health Foundation. “I look forward to the unique perspectives and passion they will bring to our Board as we work together to improve the health and well-being of our state.”