Meet the Staff

Alyssa Kopf was named CEO of Community Shares of Colorado in March of 2008. Since joining the staff of Community Shares in 2002, Alyssa has led the annual Community Giving Campaign and developed My Colorado Project. Alyssa currently represents Community Shares as a board member of Colorado Association of Funders, a member of Colorado Funders for Inclusiveness and Equity, and a participant in the Colorado Generosity Project.  Alyssa graduated from the inaugural class of Impact Denver through the Denver Chamber Leadership Foundation in 2006 and completed a fellowship with the Center for Progressive Leadership in 2008. In 2011, Alyssa was named a Livingston Fellow by the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation.

Alyssa leads numerous local and national training workshops each year and is committed to introducing innovative communication and e-philanthropy strategies to nonprofit organizations. She is the former chair of the National Alliance for Choice in Giving's Technology Committee and has led the development and launch of several custom online giving tools and websites.  She graduated from the University of Washington with a B.A. in History and cordially welcomes CU to the Pac-10.

 Erin Atwell has more than 10 years experience in the nonprofit sector, working with a variety of organizations and causes. Prior to joining the Community Shares team in 2008, she managed the Sales Departments for group and tourism attendance at the Denver Art Museum and historic Ford’s Theatre in Washington, DC.  A native of Colorado and 2010 graduate of the Impact Denver civic leadership program, she is excited to be introducing and connecting individuals to the diverse nonprofits serving our communities.  Erin holds a Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame.  She and her wife, Amy, plan to one day travel through Europe surviving only on wine and cheese, but are currently focusing on home improvement and local community investment projects.

Diana Esguerra joined Community Shares in September 2009.  Her professional background is in small business management in the private sector.  Diana holds a Masters degree in Management from the University of Colorado and a Certificate in Entrepreneurial Studies from the Bard Center for Entrepreneurship.  Almost-a-native of Colorado, Diana enjoys all the natural wonders this state has to offer, and spends much of her free time doing so with her dogs Trelo and Tutter.

Yolanda Innis is a Colorado Native who after attending college on the east coast returned to Colorado in 2003 where she began supporting the local nonprofit community. She is a new mother with interests in human advocacy, social and cultural diversity, and community leadership. Yolanda is the primary contact for member agencies and is especially focused on preparing members for the annual community giving campaign. She enjoys spending time with family, the beautiful Rocky Mountain outdoors, photography, and exploring new baking recipies.

Jason Manke has over 10 years of experience in Colorado's nonprofit sector. With a rich background in communications, community building, and e-philanthropy, Jason drives the traditional and social media outreach for Community Shares. Jason is a team member for a new and exciting social enterprise, which won the Tomorrow’s Wealth Prize in Europe’s largest business plan competition, the Oxford University 21st Century Challenge.  He's a former board member of the Young Nonprofit Professional Network and serves on the speakers committee for TEDxMileHigh. In addition to his nonprofit professional pursuits he has climbed mountains around the world and owns a nature photography company.  You’ll frequently find him climbing and touring Colorado with his 4x5 wooden field camera when he isn’t in the office. He is a graduate of Colorado State University with a B.S. in Natural Resources.

Joseph McNeill came to Community Shares as a recent graduate of University of Colorado Boulder and assists with campaign processing and data management. He holds degrees in Psychology and Sociology. As a Colorado native, Joseph enjoys the plethora of outdoor activities the state has to offer and believes he would really enjoy traveling the world and seeing new sights.

A position formerly held by Paycheck the Bear, the CSC mascot plays an important role in inspiring philanthropy - grabbing the attention of casual observers and making them want to learn more about Community Shares.  Duff is also the head of security at the Community Shares office and a key member of the safety team.  Duff's mascot heroes include Rocky from the Nuggets, Dinger from the Rockies, and the magnificent Mariner Moose.