Meet the Localworks Staff

Kate Cooke
Executive Director

Kate Cooke • Executive Director

Kate comes to us from her current role as Capital Projects, Outreach and Engagement Program Manager for Alameda Connects/Alameda Corridor Business Improvement District . Many of you will recognize her from her work in the region, as she has over 15 years of experience in the development and implementation of programs that increase economic vitality and build a sense of community. Her formal education includes both a Masters of Public Administration and a Masters of Urban Planning. In addition, she’s lived in Jefferson County for over 20 years, served on Edgewater City Council, acted as the Chair of Edgewater’s Urban Renewal Authority and spent 12 years on the County’s Community Development Advisory Board.

You can reach Kate at kcooke@wearelocalworks.org

Carolyn Doran
Director of Events

Carolyn Doran • Director of Events

Carolyn Doran has been working in the nonprofit and public sector for over 20 years with experience in event management, volunteer coordination, public relations and community outreach. Before starting her work with Localworks, Carolyn was a Program Director for Tesoro Cultural Center, a small cultural center that develops programming related to Colorado History. Carolyn managed numerous events including a historic lecture series, silent and live auctions, fundraising events and two large public art markets–an Indian Market & Powwow and a Spanish Colonial Art Market & Rendezvous. Carolyn earned her BA in Communications from the University of Colorado at Denver. She returned to school in 2005 and earned another BA in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Painting. Carolyn is excited to be working in Wheat Ridge. She and her husband live close by and can often be found enjoying Crown Hill with their dogs or on their bikes. During her free time, Carolyn spends time oil painting, reading, gardening and camping.

You can reach Carolyn at cdoran@wearelocalworks.org

Ashley Holland
Marketing and Communications Manager

Ashley Holland • Marketing and Communications Manager

Ashley Holland is originally from Akron, Ohio, and attended Denison University. While in college, she worked for her campus’s women’s center which sparked her scholastic and professional interest in nonprofits. During her career, Ashley has worked or interned for nonprofits in Ohio, South Africa and Colorado. Most recently, she finished an AmeriCorps VISTA year as the Marketing Associate for Community Resource Center in Denver. Ashley has a passion for community development and is thrilled to join the Localworks team. If she is not in the office, she is probably hiking, running, reading or dreaming up future travel plans.

You can reach Ashley at aholland@wearelocalworks.org

Jenny Snell
Community Programs Manager

Jenny Snell • Community Programs Manager

Jenny brings a true passion for alternate transportation and community building. She is a firm believer in the perspective change that happens when you walk or ride a bike-the way we see our community, each other, and life in general, changes. She enjoys getting to know people and bringing them together. Raised in a small town in Texas, knowing and helping neighbors was a way of life from early on. These habits certainly carry over to her current life here in Wheat Ridge; Jenny adores her neighbors and community.

Jenny holds a BS degree from the University of Houston in Sports Administration, with a minor in Health. She has years of experience working in the cycling community, from running bike shops, to planning and volunteering at various events and races. She enjoys cycling of all types, and getting outdoors in general with her family. She may also be found at one of Colorado’s many craft breweries, or an outdoor concert.

You can reach Jenny at jsnell@wearelocalworks.org

Malachi Goodman
Operations Manager

Malachi Goodman • Operations Manager

Raised in the conglomerate of Chicago, Illinois, administration comes second-nature to Malachi. Through all of his ventures, he managed offices for law firms, telecommunications, an academic publisher and a website company. Intuitively, Malachi endorses neighbors getting involved and sharing with the local populace, which led him to Localworks. He joined the Localworks team because he strongly supports what Localworks stands for: Building a lively community with neighbors and bringing growth to a small city.

Seen as a professional student during his time, Malachi merited his B.A. and two Associates degrees in Theater, English writing, and computer programming. When he’s on hiatus from things Localworks, he’s either watching movies with his family, playing Cards Against Humanity, or contributing to the arts with music production, digital illustrations and web design.

You can reach Malachi at mgoodman@wearelocalworks.org

Robin Baker
Program Coordinator

Robin Baker • Program Coordinator

While originally from Michigan, Robin has lived in many places including Alaska, California, Nepal and Turkey. Most recently, Robin lived and worked in rural Northern California where she served as the Chief Operations Officer at Family Resource Center. She brings experience in community building, mental health, child development, equity, inclusion and program management. She is passionate about building connections between people and places, and is thrilled to be part of the Localworks team. Outside of work, you might find Robin riding her bike, running on the nearby trails, climbing or practicing yoga.

You can reach Robin at rbaker@wearelocalworks.org

Krista Lewis
Executive Director

Krista Lewis • Executive Director

A seasoned fundraiser, Krista has had the privilege of working and/or volunteering with many wonderful nonprofits in the Denver metro area over the last 20 years—8 of which were in Jefferson County. She places high priority on making a positive impact through her work and has a passion for establishing new partnerships and discovering innovative and creative ways to collaborate across agencies and fields.

Before joining Localworks, Krista was the Director of Development at Jefferson Center for Mental Health—the community mental health center serving Jefferson, Gilpin and Clear Creek counties. She is thrilled to continue the good work she began at Jefferson Center and do her part to ensure the vitality, strength, and health of Wheat Ridge and its citizens.

Krista earned a BFA in Theatre at the University of Colorado in Boulder and remains a proud supporter of arts and culture in our community. She also enjoys spending much of her time in nature—walking, hiking, and contemplating, as well as checking out the latest culinary offerings.

You can reach Krista at klewis@wearelocalworks.org

Chelsea Bunker
Community Engagement Coordinator

Chelsea Bunker • Community Engagement Coordinator

Chelsea Bunker, a fourth generation Colorado native and a Wheat Ridge High School graduate, holds a B.A. in Communications from University of Colorado at Denver. Her diverse professional background includes public and private sector procurement, government contracting, supplier diversity, as well as sales, marketing and communications.

Passionate about building positive relationships within the community and living local, joining Localworks was a natural fit. When she is not working or volunteering, Chelsea devotes her time to being a mother, enjoying local restaurants and breweries with family and friends and being a self-proclaimed “crazy dog lady.”

You can reach Chelsea at cbunker@wearelocalworks.org