2025/2026
Volunteer Advisory Council
Hilltop Volunteers
I am a retired educator of 34 years. In my years as an educator, I was committed to collaboration among parents, families and other educators in support of every individual child’s needs.
In the last 10 years of my career, I was in a district curriculum position where I was responsible for system wide curriculum and professional learning.
After retiring from District 51, I wanted to be a part of something bigger. I am now a member of Hopewest’s Volunteer Services team.
I am passionate about volunteering and want to be part of a group who is committed to the spirit of volunteerism, growing and nurturing that spirit in our community and as well as continuing to build collaboration among organizations in our valley that support our citizens.
Meg Grett-Pratt, Hilltop Volunteer since 2022 – Latimer House Intimate Partner Violence, Sexual Assault Crisis Line and Hilltop Volunteer Advisory Council Member. 2023 Ken Kitzman Volunteer of Excellence Nominee.
I am a dedicated advocate, mom, speaker, and survivor, driven by my own experience with stalking and dating violence/abuse. For seven years, he threatened and stalked me, physically and digitally; During this time, I relied on victim advocates, safehouses, and Colorado organizations to help me stay safe from my ex-boyfriend.
I am now giving back in an assortment of avenues. I volunteer for Hilltop’s Latimer House crisis line a couple nights each week, offering support that once helped me. In 2020, when I transitioned from victim to survivor, I was inspired to take all I had learned from the experience to help prevent this from happening to others.
In 2021, I founded Dating Tips by Meg to help young adults recognize the early signs of abuse before it escalates to violence; information that I didn’t know about until it was too late. I raise awareness through speaking engagements at schools, colleges, conferences, and community events. I share toxic behaviors to be aware of and avoid and also offer practical safety tips when dating. In November, I shared my story on the TEDx stage “When Monsters Collide”.
Annie Kuehlhorn, Hilltop Volunteer since 2024 – Volunteer Services Administrative Support, Special Events, Birthday Card Writer, and Hilltop Volunteer Advisory Council Member.
I was born in the Midwest, and a love of the mountains brought me to Gunnison, CO to attend Western State University. Post college I lived in various places including New Hampshire, Crested Butte, and Belize. Various jobs were juggled as I lived the ski bum life, working as a massage therapist and barista, and volunteering with an adaptive sports program in Crested Butte. A short move to Montana brought much clarity that I wanted to return (with my husband, Matt) to Gunnison and pursue a career as a doula.
Being a mom is my most proud accomplishment, and I also support my husband, an entrepreneur. We are the co-owners of Kooler Garage Doors.
While juggling a career in birth work and attending over 60 births on the Western slope of Colorado, I worked with a company that provides business coaching to childcare centers across the world. I volunteered with the local hospice and took part in local dance productions with the Crested Butte Dance Collective, including a performance on roller skates!
Time near the ocean, Mt biking, and hiking in the desert are my favorite escapes.
Jane Lostumbo, Hilltop Volunteer since 2021 – Meal Delivery to The Cottages, Supporting Our Seniors Driver and Ride Scheduler and Hilltop Volunteer Advisory Council Member. 2024 Ken Kitzman Volunteer of Excellence Awardee.
I served 20 years in the Air Force in
information management, 15 years in healthcare administration and most recently
took care of my mom for 6 ½ years.
My mom was in Hilltop’s Senior Daybreak
program for Alzheimer’s/dementia patients for 6 years.
I have volunteered for several years at Kids Aid and felt strongly about also giving back to Hilltop. I started with delivering lunch meals to those in independent living, then driving for Supporting our Seniors (SOS) and now I am an SOS scheduler. I always said when I had time, I would seek out volunteer opportunities and I thoroughly enjoyed giving back to our wonderful community.
Cindy Neal, Hilltop Volunteer since 2021 – Afternoon Activities Ambassador at The Commons, Special Events and Hilltop Volunteer Advisory Council Member. 2023 Ken Kitzman Volunteer of Excellence Awardee.
I’ve lived in the Grand Valley for 45 years, starting out in Molina, at the original town site, in a 4-room cabin.
During my professional life as a Family and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, I worked at Mesa County Health Department, Marillac Clinic and retired from the Grand Junction VA where I was the primary care provider for women veterans and Women’s Health Medical Director.
Throughout my career, I interfaced with many of Hilltop’s programs. This included referrals of clients and serving on the Advisory Council of the Young Parents Program. I volunteered with the Grand Junction Junior Service League and was part of the founding team for Walk 4 Life to raise money for breast cancer screening. Other volunteering experience has been with United Way, American Cancer Society and Mesa County League of Women Voters. I began volunteering with Hilltop in 2021, helping with activities and special projects at the Commons. I love getting to know the residents and hearing their stories.
I love spending time with my family that includes my husband, son and his family and my mother, who lives at the Commons. I love to be outdoors, hiking and spending time at our mountain cabin, traveling and attending music events. I also like hanging out in my garage working on stained glass projects.
Hilltop Community Partners
Valerie Herrera, Mesa County RSVP, Volunteer Manager
I am at least fifth generation native Coloradoan on both my mother and father’s side. We think our family was in Colorado before it was part of the United States. I was born and raised in the Denver area and was the oldest of three children.
I married for the first time in April of 2022. I never thought I would marry but I am so happy to be married to the love of my life. I moved to Grand Junction 10 years ago after my mother passed away to be closer to my youngest brother and his family. It was a great move for me, and I am grateful to be living in Grand Junction.
I have had a diverse job history. I worked for the phone company when it was Mountain Bell/US West, worked as a Medical Biller/Coder, a Meeting Planner, Manager in multiple different areas, an Executive Director of a local non-profit organization, and now a Volunteer Manager for Mesa County RSVP.
Megan Weaver, Grand Junction Police Department, Victim Services Coordinator
Volunteerism is in my blood as I grew up watching my parents donate their time and talents to so many organizations in our community.
I have the privilege of leading over 30 volunteers in the Victim Services Unit at the Grand Junction Police Department as the Victim Services Coordinator. I began my service as a volunteer starting in 2011 and was hired as the coordinator in January 2020. Our volunteers serve our community in a very unique way and do so with such compassion for their roles. I truly am honored to work alongside such amazing folks.
I also serve as the president of the Western Slope Volunteer Management Association, a local organization that supports volunteer managers from across the Valley.
I am also the proud mom to 4 amazing young men and the wife to a wonderful man who supports all my dreams. Baseball is our life as it truly began when JUCO 1994 rolled into town and that is where I met Andrew, my husband of 28 years. My oldest son Dylan played 5 years of college ball. Jacob, my second son is completing his last season playing college ball and my third son Lucas also plays college ball for Cowley Community College (they are often here for JUCO). My 4th son is a junior at FMHS and looks to also play college ball. So, we definitely have a passion for baseball. We are often on the road following the boys wherever they may be playing. I am a hot weather fan and enjoy the outdoors, reading a good book, binge-watching shows or series on the various streaming platforms and being with family and friends.
Hilltop Employees
Madison Hadley, Coordinator, Aging and
Disability Resources for Colorado (ADRC)
I’ve been involved with Hilltop since I was 18 and have grown up within this community for the past eight years. I’ve had the opportunity to work with several different programs before finding my place with the Aging and Disability Resources for Colorado (ADRC), where I now supervise more than 20 volunteers for the Supporting Our Seniors (SOS) Transportation Program.
Outside of Hilltop, I spent several years working as a paramedic and now balance a part-time serving job with my passion for creative pursuits. I’ve always been drawn to service, and my volunteer history reflects that: I’ve served as a CASA for Mesa County, volunteered at St. Mary’s in various capacities, supported programs for the chronically unhoused, and, for the past several years, have served as Secretary of the Western Colorado Writers’ Forum.
In my free time, I’m a writer and avid reader, and I love video gaming as a way to decompress. At home, I share a life with four cats and a garden of wildflowers and native plants. When the weather is decent, I pull my group of friends out camping or you can find me on the lake—often falling off my paddleboard.
Alicia Lopez-Haukaas, Activities Manager, Hilltop’s Life Adjustment
Program
I have been a Hilltopper for 2 years, and the journey here has been very liberating! Being a part of a community that takes pride in valuing others is important to me. Throughout my childhood I looked for a mentor and discovered being one was what I really wanted.When my Hilltop journey started, our Fitness Center was closing at 8:30pm. This meant our residents had no extended entertainment later in the evening. We quickly adjusted and allowed the building to be accessible all day long. It was a small change, but it meant a lot to the residents. This too was just the start of something wonderful. What our department was a year ago is no more. A new culture has been created, and it continues to adapt to what people want. We are here to listen, to grow and support each other.
At 12 I started to volunteer. I was an advocate for education and supported teachers with their lessons. As I continued to develop my values only got stronger. In high school they did an annual fundraiser, for an out-of-state trip. I was able to raise $5,000. Enough for 10
students to participate. My youth accomplishments laid precedent for my future. Pushing me to want to do more for others. I was filled with empowerment every time I was able to
be there for someone, regardless of the task.
The opportunity to serve on the Hilltop Volunteer Advisory Council, collaborate and extend our resources is exciting. I look forward to seeing what we can do for our community and our people.
Will Hays, President, Hilltop Community Resources, Inc.
I have served Hilltop for over 25 years, bringing more than 30 years of experience working in mental health and human services to my role as President of Hilltop Community Resources, Inc. Under my leadership, Hilltop, a 550-employee health and human services organization, continues to innovate and grow to better serve the community.
I earned a B.A. in Philosophy and Religion and Social Science from Flagler College in St Augustine, FL and I hold a Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Professional and Community Leadership including:
· Named President for Hilltop in 2024
· Appointed by Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper to the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Council in 2012 and served as Chair from 2015 until 2024.
· Appointed by Governor Hickenlooper to the Improving Outcomes for Youth Taskforce in 2018.
· Past Chair of the statewide Division of Youth Services Provider Council. PasMy Chair of the Board for the Grand Junction Business Incubator, Riverview Technology Center, Mesa County Board of Health, Mesa County Partners, and the Family and Adolescent Partnership.
My wife Shawn and I have called Grand Junction, CO home for over 30 years, drawn by its spirit of collaboration and vibrant community. Outside of work, they enjoy exploring the Western Slope through running, biking, fly fishing, and camping.
Rachelle Horner, Hilltop Volunteer Administrator, Hilltop Community Resources, Inc.
I am the proud mom of 4 fantastic, beautiful,
busy kids and the wife of a hardworking man named Joseph. I gained a
passion for volunteerism from the generations of volunteers who came before me
– from my grandparents and parents who were active volunteers in multiple
capacities in our community and gave their time to causes that they cared about
with the goal of creating connections and building our community.
While my educational background is in social work, I credit my work as a volunteer for what put me on my career path. Hilltop has offered me the amazing opportunity to combine both social work and volunteerism into one amazing role, guiding volunteers on their pathway to supporting all the amazing work done in our programs.
While I grew up on an onion farm in Oregon, I have lived all over the country and have called Grand Junction home for the past 10 years. Fun fact! I have lived in every state that starts with the letter O.
I love to read, travel (only six more states to visit until I have been to all 50!), sing, sleep, and chase my children in my spare time.
I’m a Chicago, Illinois native who headed west after marrying my college sweetheart, Matt. Having lived in Illinois, California, The Front Range of Colorado, and Idaho, we are thrilled to call Grand Junction home.
I earned a bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University and over the years I’ve earned certificates from community colleges and universities. Throughout my career I’ve had the honor and pleasure of working with amazing colleagues, leaders, volunteers and students at healthcare, academic and human service organizations.
I began volunteering as a young child with my family and have been at it ever since! From manning games at fundraisers to being the Easter Bunny assistant (Mom was the Easter Bunny) at our local Easter Egg Hunt, to Candy Striping and chauffeuring 2010 Democratic National Convention dignitaries to their destinations, I’ve had rewarding and fun volunteer experiences.
Hilltop is a special place with a powerful mission, “we create connections to build a community where everyone belongs.” I look forward to connecting and collaborating with Hilltop Volunteer Advisory Council members, Hilltop staff, volunteers and community partners.
Derek Seyler, Grant Writer, Hilltop Community Resources, Inc.
I’m a Southern California native. An avid outdoorsman, my love for hiking led me to Grand Junction, where I continue to explore the beauty of the Western Slope. When I’m not on the trails, I’m at home with his three rescue dogs—Ava, Maverick, and JD—who keep me on my toes.
I’ve has always been deeply committed to community engagement and service. With over 20 years of volunteer experience in special events, fundraising, and nonprofit partnerships, I have dedicated much of my time to making a tangible impact.
My professional background began in hospitality management, where I honed my skills in organization, relationship-building, and service excellence. However, driven by a desire to create meaningful change, I transitioned into the nonprofit sector as a grant writer, using my expertise to secure funding and resources for vital community programs.
Passionate about fostering connections and strengthening communities, I bring my experience and enthusiasm to the Volunteer Advisory Council, ensuring that Hilltop and volunteers alike thrive in their shared mission of service.
We Are Stronger Together
Every minute and every hour of time and talent donated makes a significant impact in western Colorado and the communities we serve. To all our Hilltop volunteers, partners, and employees – thank you for generously sharing your time and talent to support our mission and enhance our volunteer services program.
