“Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public.”

– Cornel West

As Deputy Director, Desiree manages UNE’s finances and fundraising to resource local power-building for justice. She also leads special projects for UNE in the areas of narrative, policy analysis, strategic research, and coalition development.

Desiree grew up in Adams County, and since her childhood, she has held an unwavering belief that a more just world is possible. Both of her grandfathers were veterans who built lives for their families in Adams County with the benefits of VA loans and good paying union jobs. As she grew older, Desiree learned that these advantages and many others were not available to women, people of color and immigrants, a fact that inspired her to do social change work.

Desiree previously held organizing roles with Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, Service Employees International Union Local 105, and Together Colorado. In her decade working at UNE, she has also developed skills in the areas of policy development, legal compliance, and grant writing.

Desiree ensures UNE’s operations are not only compliant, but that they align with UNE’s mission. Due in part to her work in the areas of operations and fundraising, UNE has expanded its impact by serving as a fiscal sponsor and providing back office support for smaller projects led by women of color, including Transformative Leadership for Change and Colorado Homes for All.