MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jennaya Colóns, PTA, MS, CHES®
Founder of Highroots Wellness & Consulting
Jennaya has been a dedicated health professional and advocate for over a decade. Community health is her passion, and when she saw gaps in the city she loves, she founded Highroots Wellness & Consulting. Additionally, she is a clinician at Penrose Hospital (CommonSpirit) in outpatient physical therapy, helping people regain movement, reduce pain, and improve health. Previously, she was also as an outreach liaison for the Penrose Cancer Center, increasing access to information and care for the community. She holds various community leadership roles focused on improving health access and quality.
Jennaya is the chair of the Patient Navigation Taskforce for the Colorado Cancer Coalition and serves on the Advisory Board of Health Science and Nursing for Pikes Peak Business and Education Alliance. She received her Bachelor of Science in Allied Health with a Physical Therapist Assistant Emphasis from Northern Arizona University and her Master of Science in Health Education and Promotion with an emphasis in data analysis from Purdue University Global. Jennaya enjoys hiking with her family, volunteering, yoga, meditation, and live music.
As a speech language pathologist (SLP) for the past 26 years, Athena has made tremendous impact for patients in adult neurological rehab. She has worked in a variety of settings to help individuals thrive including acute care, outpatient rehabilitation, and home health. She now serves as an instructor in higher education at Worcester State University, where SLP students receive her invaluable knowledge around the importance of healthcare and sociopolitical advocacy when treating people with diverse social and economic backgrounds.
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Athena received her bachelor's degree from the University of Louisville, and her master's degree from the University of North Texas. She is a SLP clinical doctorate student at Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions with a focus on mental health challenges among people with brain injuries. She was recently selected as a mentor in the National Black Association for Speech and Hearing (NBASLH) Power to Empower Mentorship Program. Athena enjoys the outdoors, especially with her two standard poodles, Josie and Wyatt.
Athena Reese, SLP
Clinical Instructor Worcester State University
As a Registered Nurse of 30+ years, Laura has worked in a variety of roles in her career including a Charge Nurse position on an acute medical surgical unit which became a covid unit. Laura precepted new grads through the onset of the pandemic as their first Nursing job. She has worked in management as a House Supervisor, she has worked in ED, Home Care, Rehab, Bariatrics, Float Pool, Ortho, and currently works on a Cardiovascular Neuro/Stroke unit.
Laura is the President of the Colorado Council of Black Nurses, Inc. (CCBN) and has served as a mentor for the American Nursing Association (ANA). Laura is currently serving as the main contact of Social Action and Legislation for the CCBN to affect change positively for our healthcare needs by utilizing her legislative advocacy voice. Laura enjoys music, cooking, reading, and traveling.
Laura Howard, BSN, RN
Registered Nurse
Brittany Nash is a photographer, owner of Ebon Business Services, and founder of The Daily Adoptee, an online space where Black and Brown transracial adoptee voices are prioritized and celebrated. As a Black-adopted woman, small business owner, and racial justice advocate, she prides herself on being a strategic networker in pairing projects she consults on with racial justice education, event planning, and community revitalization.
Brittany graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Liberal Arts degree in Communications and has committed to using her knowledge of business, journalism, photography, and graphic design to leave an impact world in as many little ways as possible.
Brittany Nash
Owner Ebon Business Services
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Laura Hatler, MS, PT
Licensed Physical Therapist
Laura holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Phillips University and a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Colorado. She has professional experience spanning healthcare, education, and faith-based leadership. As a licensed physical therapist, she has experience in both clinical and school-based settings, supporting accessibility and whole-person well-being. She has also led faith-based youth and community programs, cultivating inclusive, relationship-centered spaces.
Laura is actively engaged in community equity work as a collective member of Unity Project. She also serves on their fundraising committee and as a co-facilitator for their Groundwork cohort, which focuses on education, connection and belonging. She is passionate about advancing equitable healthcare, increasing access, and supporting approaches that recognize the impact of cultural and historical context on individual and community well-being. Laura enjoys singing, traveling and spending time with her family and dogs.