Senior Leadership Team

This leadership team is made of dedicated men and women who make serving the most vulnerable possible.

Dennis Van Kampen

President/CEO

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
– Micah 6:8 (NIV)

Contact Dennis

Tracy Brooks

Chief Programs Officer

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”
– Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)

Contact Tracy

Seth Forewood

Vice President of Programs, Northern Colorado

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV)

Contact Seth

Josh Geppelt

Chief Strategy Officer

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”
– Micah 6:8 (NKJV)

Contact Josh

Ashley Irwin

Vice President, Operations

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”
– Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)

Contact Ashley

Brad Jessen

Vice President of Development

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no greater commandment than these.”
Mark 12:29-31

Contact Brad

Kirk LaPoure

CFO/Vice President of Finance and Administration

”This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.“ 1 John 4:10-11 (NIV)

Contact Kirk

Rene Palacios

Vice President of Programs, Denver

“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.’” Isaiah 57:15 (ESV)

Contact Rene

Lili Tran

Chief People and Culture Officer

“With God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

Contact Lili

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors includes business and community leaders who are dedicated to ensuring that Denver Rescue Mission continues to serve our community well and steward the donations that are given to us in the best way possible.

Other Leadership Team Members

  • Kevin Baker, Director of Denver Food Services
  • Jason Bryant, Director of Community Life, Shelters
  • Deb Butte, Director of Homelessness Resolution
  • Seth Forwood, Senior Director of Fort Collins Rescue Mission
  • Alexxa Gagner, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications
  • Sarah Hood, Director of Volunteer Services
  • Jeffrey Huckabee, Senior Director of Information Technology
  • Cale Johansson, Director of Custodial Services
  • James Kamb, Senior Director of Facilities
  • Rachel Lopez, Clinical Director
  • Michael McCarthy, Director of The Crossing and Community Life Administration
  • Jay McKinley, Director of Ministry Outreach Center
  • Kyle McPherson, Director of Residential Programs at Harvest Farm
  • Blake Nauman, Director of Philanthropy
  • Paula Ordaz, Director of Fort Collins Rescue Mission
  • Rene Palacios, Director of Chaplaincy & Community Care
  • Jeremy Sanchez, Director of Organizational Development
  • Jonathan Soweidy, Director of Housing Stability
  • Mary Vivo, Director of Philanthropy, Northern Colorado
  • Jessica Winslow, Director of Community Life, Shelters

Meet Our Development Team

Our team of dedicated staff are here to help connect supporters like you with the life-changing ministry that happens every day at the Mission.