The Park People's work is a team effort of residents, volunteers, supporters, and community partners. Leading the charge, our staff works tirelessly every day to support and improve our parks, city trees, and neighborhoods, and a dedicated Board of Trustees guides our organization's strategy and development.
Our Staff
Kim Yuan-Farrell
Executive Director
A “Park Person” of 16 years, Kim guides The Park People’s vision and strategic development, oversees the organization’s activities, and develops partnerships in the community.
Kim has 20+ years of nonprofit experience, a master’s degree in Environmental Management from Yale University’s School of The Environment and bachelor’s degrees in Anthropology and Environmental Studies from Santa Clara University. Kim directed The Park People’s urban forestry programs before transitioning to Executive Director.
She sits on Denver’s Urban Forestry Strategic Plan Steering Committee and on the Steering Committee of the national Sustainable Urban Forests Coalition, is an alum of the Denver Community Leadership Forum, and has served on Community Shares’ Board of Directors, the national Arbor Day Foundation’s Alliance for Community Trees Advisory Committee, the Trust for Public Land’s Climate Smart Cities Denver Technical Advisory Team, and the City of Denver’s Emerald Ash Borer Steering Committee.
A Colorado kid raised on the Front Range, Kim lives with her family of four in northwest Denver, near where her father grew up after immigrating to Denver from Taiwan. Her mom was raised in Cameroon, Africa, and it’s with a sense of global family that Kim first became concerned about environmental and social issues. Kim is passionate about climate action and the power of parks, urban forestry, and community-driven efforts to cultivate resilient, sustainable communities.
Favorite Tree: Kentucky Coffee Tree! - No! Bur Oak. - No! ...
Kim Yuan-Farrell
Executive Director
Lindsay Cutler
Program Director
Lindsay is a friendly plant nerd with a talent for turning vision into reality. She has worked at the intersection of plants and people for over 24 years, with a drive to bring good ecology to the built environment to create vibrant and verdant places. In 2001, after graduating UCLA with a degree in Geography and Environmental Studies, she packed up her car with only $800, a turtle, and a cat and moved out to Boulder to be closer to the mountains and the snow. She lucked out, landing a job as a field ecologist, collecting botanical data on coal mines throughout the windswept west. Colorado’s beauty and welcoming community drew her in and she settled here, receiving her Masters in Landscape Architecture in 2008 from CU Denver. Thus launched 11 years running a Garden Design/Build company, straddling all elements of the business from budgets, staffing, and scheduling to design, client relationships, and contractor management (not to mention having three children along the way).
As Program Director, Lindsay puts all these skills to work, shaping and implementing the strategic direction of our urban forestry work and collaborating daily across all Park People teams, industry partners, and the Denver community.
In 2019, after 11 years in business, Lindsay took a leap. She moved from founding partner at a for-profit to Program Associate at TPP. She wanted to work with a supportive community of people working locally to make a difference. It couldn’t have turned out better.
Favorite Outdoor Spaces: Lindsay enjoys concerts at Levitt Pavillion, civic action and festivals at Civic Center, that section of the Cherry Creek Path in between Confluence and Larimer and the gorgeous (and threatened) Ash trees lining Monaco Parkway in the fall.
Lindsay Cutler
Program Director
Sandra Kohl
Operations Manager
Jillian Patton
Development Director
Jillian Patton is the Development Director for The Park People, leading the organization’s efforts to raise funds to advance its vision for a healthier, greener Denver. Jillian has nearly 15 years of fundraising experience and has had the privilege of working at several parks and green spaces throughout her career. Her passion for urban parks and community greening began as a member of the fundraising team at New York City’s High Line park, where she learned firsthand the transformative power of green public spaces in creating more livable, healthy, and thriving communities.
Jillian’s love of fundraising comes from the relationship-driven nature of the work. She finds great joy in connecting people with opportunities to support their communities and projects that they are passionate about. She has worked with a diverse range of organizations, from New York University School of Law to Laumeier Sculpture Park in St. Louis, MO, and is grateful to have had the chance to engage with and learn from people from all walks of life.
Jillian is thrilled to be part of The Park People team, and was particularly drawn to their commitment to taking local action to create global change. She is deeply inspired by this community of Park People, and is proud to support its work in the Denver community. In her free time, you can often find her running, hiking, or enjoying a good book in one of Denver’s beautiful city parks.
Favorite Tree: the flowering dogwood (which also happens to be the state tree of Missouri, where she grew up).
Jillian Patton
Development Director
Mackenzie Sanders
Communications Manager
Mackenzie found The Park People while looking for ways to help conservation efforts in the Southwest and Rocky Mountain regions of the US after receiving her MFA in creative writing. She brings years of experience working with nationwide nonprofits, and is excited to focus her energy on something local: Denver's communities and green spaces. Blending fine arts with forestry, she is particularly proud of tripling The Park People's new donor base, making the Denver Digs Trees program more interactive, and spotlighting The Park People's work through Rocky Mountain PBS and other news outlets. As Communications Manager, Mackenzie supports The Park People's fund development, marketing, public relations, and event planning.
Favorite Park: Cheesman Park, as well as Denver's mountain parks, where she likes to visit the bison herds
Favorite Tree: any and all oak trees (she does not discriminate)
Mackenzie Sanders
Communications Manager
Jane Smith
Workforce Development Manager
Jane joined The Park People with an M.A. in Secondary Education from Arizona State University and over ten years of experience teaching public high school. She continues her education work here with The Park People by developing the TreeForce pre-apprenticeship program which provides aspiring tree care professionals with training and on-the-job, field-based experience in urban forestry.
Favorite Park: Chatfield State Park, where Jane enjoys hiking and paddle boarding.
Jane Smith
Workforce Development Manager
Amanda Westendorf
Arborist
Amanda grew up in a small farming community in Illinois and then moved to Indianapolis where she received a degree in English from Indiana University. While living in Indiana, she briefly volunteered with another urban forestry non-profit, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, as a Tree Tender. Then, after deciding the office life was not for her, she found herself volunteering with the Master Gardener program back in Illinois, which led to enrollment in horticulture classes and a job selling and working with trees and woody plants at a garden center.
She moved to Colorado in 2021 and had started working in landscaping and growing plants when she came across The Park People in one of her urban forestry textbooks. She signed up for their Community Forester program, which led to her being hired as the first Field Crew Supervisor for their soon-to-be launched TreeForce program. Soon after, she became the staff arborist, getting her official certification in 2024.
Amanda has had many great experiences during her time at The Park People and, really, has so much to take pride in, whether that's helping to teach people how to work with plants and trees to assisting with the growth of the urban canopy at DPS school campuses.
Favorite Tree: if she had to narrow down her (current) favorite tree in Denver, it would have to be an Osage Orange because she thinks it's an up-and-comer in the urban landscape.
Amanda Westendorf
Arborist
Brenda Negrete
Community Engagement Manager
Brenda Negrete is the Community Engagement Manager at The Park People where she brings creativity and a strong sense of purpose to the work she does. Originally from Los Angeles, Brenda moved to Denver at a young age and has been shaped by the people and neighborhoods around her. Her experience while growing up in Denver has encouraged her passion for bringing communities together and creating opportunities for growth and connection for all.
Brenda is bilingual in English and Spanish and is known for her warm, thoughtful, and resourceful attitude when working with neighbors from all walks of life. She coordinates TPP’s Community Connector team, ensuring that outreach and programming run smoothly and meaningfully. Brenda also coordinates the Community Forester program, making sure TPP's Community Forester's feel engaged and informed during each workshop in the series.
Favorite Park: Barnum and Cheesman, as she loves walking through Denver’s parks and spending time in green spaces that bring people together.
Brenda Negrete
Community Engagement Manager
Morgan Wolfe
Program Manager
Morgan is a lifelong learner, botanical enthusiast ( i.e. Plant Nerd) and believes that every new experience has a lesson to offer. She was introduced to The Park People by a neighbor who recommended Denver Digs Trees to get a low-cost tree for her front yard. Feeling inspired by the program and the organization’s mission, she soon jumped in with both feet; taking Community Forester workshops, volunteering for neighborhood canvasses, tree distributions, fall health checks and plantings. These volunteer experiences led Morgan to pursue a career change, and she headed back to school and obtained a degree in Horticulture & Sustainable Landscaping. After working for the Denver Department of Parks & Rec and in the private sector, a staff position became available with The Park People. Since 2021, Morgan has grown with the organization and now is the Program Manager for Denver Digs Trees and Mile High Tree Champions. It all started with a neighbor, and Morgan brings that sense of community to her work every day. Morgan’s favorite aspect of working with The Park People is getting out into all areas of Denver, and working with people from all walks of life in neighborhoods and parks across our beautifully diverse city.
Favorite Park: If she had to pick one favorite outdoor space in Denver, it would be City Park. The site holds a special place for Morgan because it has been host to some very special memories and experiences, both personal and professional. From crossing the finish line of her first Half Marathon, to watching former president Barack Obama speak, to enjoying a Sunday at Jazz in the Park, working at the Greenhouse and planting trees with Tree Champion sponsors or just walking her dogs around the lake: Morgan has countless memories at this beautiful site, and feels lucky to play a part in helping it remain a thriving Denver park destination.
Morgan Wolfe
Program Manager
Allie Runne
Community Engagement Coordinator
Allie joined The Park People in 2023 as a Field Crew Supervisor with the TreeForce program. She brings years of experience in sustainable agriculture and horticulture, having spent several years managing hydroponic greenhouses in the non-profit urban agriculture sector, as well as working in the public sector as a horticulturist. With a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Appalachian State University—where she focused on Sociology and Sustainable Development—Allie has always been drawn to the sweet spot where environmental work, social impact, and community connection meet. Allie is excited to continue deepening her knowledge of tree care and urban forestry while supporting others in building meaningful careers in green industries. She’s passionate about creating opportunities for people to connect with nature, their communities, and the kind of work that leaves both hands—and hearts—a little fuller.
Favorite Park: Central Park or Great Lawn Park in East Denver, where you may find Allie enjoying a walk with her beloved doggies.
Allie Runne
Community Engagement Coordinator
Jessica Morales
Program Associate
Jess holds a degree in Forestry with a specialization in Wildlife Conservation and Preservation. She supports large-site tree planting events with Mile High Tree Champions and keeps the gears turning behind the scenes for Denver Digs Trees. Known for her hands-on experience and positive outlook on all things environmental, she stays current by diving into the latest research on trees and their role in shaping healthy landscapes.
Her proudest TPP moment is helping distribute and plant thousands of trees, growing Denver’s urban forest and tackling a warming planet one tree at a time.
When she’s not planting trees, Jess loves exploring the outdoors through hiking, camping, and traveling. She’s excited to share her love of trees and inspire others to embrace their inner tree nerd.
Favorite Tree: while it’s hard to pick a favorite tree, she LOVES a tulip poplar; its unique leaf shape, butter yellow flowers, and the fact that it’s pollinated not just by bees, but also by beetles, make it a top pick for her.
Jessica Morales
Program Associate
Laura Prickett
Field Crew Supervisor
Laura is a proud cat mom and outdoor enthusiast! She first came to The Park People as a volunteer, eventually becoming the Office Manager before transitioning to the TreeForce team shortly afterwards. She spent over two years concurrently managing the Park Legacy program, returning from long days in the field with TreeForce crews to then ensure that all of The Park People’s Tribute Trees received proper care and attention in order to grow into beautiful legacies! As the Field Crew Supervisor for TreeForce, Laura enjoys learning about trees and urban forestry herself and loves that as she expands her knowledge and skills, she gets to spread her knowledge, share her skills, and help grow the tree care industry workforce with enthusiastic TreeForce pre-apprentices.
Favorite Outdoor Spaces: Laura loves going to the mountains, seeing shows at Red Rocks, and hiking local parks in the foothills - including Green Mountain and Matthews/Winters Park.
Favorite Tree: Some of Laura’s favorite trees include American elms, bur oaks, and eastern redbuds.
Laura Prickett
Field Crew Supervisor
Ryker Washer
Program Associate
Ryker is a TreeForce graduate, and loved the program so much that they never left. They were hired on as the Field Crew Assistant shortly after graduating in the Fall of 2024, where they then shifted into the role of Program Associate. Throughout the year, Ryker assists The Park People's in-house Arborist with stewardship opportunities. They also continue to support the TreeForce team during active programming every Spring and Fall. Outside of work, you can find them dressed in their tree costume advocating for meaningful tree care while teaching tree identification to anyone who will listen.
Favorite Tree: they have a soft spot for the London Planetree and the Bigtooth Maple.
Ryker Washer
Program Associate
Abigail Johnson
Office Assistant
Abby was born and raised in Tempe, Arizona and received her degrees in Business Economics and Environmental Sustainability Studies from Northern Arizona University. She moved to Colorado after graduation and joined The Park People in 2024. Her passion for sustainability and community building was solidified during a study abroad program in New Zealand around permaculture and Māori culture in 2023 and she knew she wanted to pursue a career with a nonprofit focused on sustainability.
Outside of work, she enjoys yoga, crocheting, painting, traveling, and spending time with her cat Juniper.
Favorite Tree: Western Catalpa, because it was the first tree she was able to reliably identify on her own.
Abigail Johnson
Office Assistant
Board of Trustees
Lynne Brown
Vice President & Urban Forestry Committee Chair
Daniel Burcham, PhD
Tate Carpenter
Laurie K. Chahbandour
Past President
Laurie Choi-Brochu
Jolon Clark
Ex Officio, Executive Director of Denver Parks & Recreation
Teddy Douglass
Susan Eslick
Chris Fisher
Gates Tennis Center Committee Chair
Sue Fry
Advocacy Committee Chair
Bonnie Gross
Development, PR & Marketing Committee Chair
David Hammond
President
Mark Lauriha
Past President
Caroline Rassenfoss
Hank Saipe
Treasurer & Finance Committee Chair
Victoria Venzor
Secretary
Linda Wackwitz
John L. (Larry) Wiberg, MD
Alex Zaslavsky
Community Connectors
Erika Orozko
(Montbello)Blanca Idolina
(Barnum and Barnum West)Leah Logan
(Valverde)Evon Lopez
(Valverde)Tesla Flores
(Mar Lee)
Amanda Morian
(Globeville)Kim Ramirez
(Villa Park)Leah Rounds
(West Colfax)Irma Diaz
(Westwood)
