Our staff
Emily Brady
Emily's bio
Emily (she/her) oversees all of NAMI’s supportive services and educational programs. She actively works to destigmatize mental health conditions and frequently engages in conversations and efforts surrounding mental health reform. A licensed clinical social worker, Emily embraces systemic change, prioritizes collaboration to address community needs, and brings a trauma-informed lens and strengths-based approach to her work.
Kirk Woundy
Kirk's bio
Kirk (he/him) leads foundation fundraising, supports community outreach and event planning, and handles external communications and operational needs for NAMI. He started working with NAMI as a consultant in 2016 and joined the staff as communications and grants manager in 2018. He first learned of NAMI’s mission while at the Colorado Springs Independent, where he spent 10 years, including 2½ years as editor-in-chief.
Lori Jarvis-Steinwert
Lori's bio
Lori (she/her) started volunteering with NAMI after taking Family-to-Family in 2010 and was named its first-ever executive director in 2012. She served in that role until taking a first step toward retirement in 2025. Prior to joining NAMI, Lori spent 30 years in professional communications, public relations and government relations positions.
Kat Lilley
Kat's bio
Kat (she/her) has more than a decade’s experience in non-profit leadership and is well versed in resource connection and navigation. Kat combines her lived experience, as someone who walks the mental health recovery journey, personally and with loved ones, with her work experience to support the Peer Team and volunteers in building and facilitating an empowering community within NAMI Colorado Springs, centered in meeting folks where they are.
Emma Skelton
Emma's bio
Emma (she/her) is a licensed social worker but is also known as NAMI’s “data guru” — the person who makes sure databases and systems in the background are working properly. Emma co-supervises social work interns, is a coordinator and instructor for Mental Health First Aid, and coordinates NAMI presentations as part of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for law enforcement. Emma and her family have been involved with NAMI for many years.
Jennifer Woody
Jennfer's bio
Jennifer (she/her) joined NAMI Colorado Springs as Office Manager in 2025 after interning with the organization in 2024. With a strong commitment to mental health advocacy, Jennifer is excited to support the team’s mission and contribute to creating a welcoming and efficient office environment.
Angela Sweeten
Angela's bio
Angela (she/her) is honored to help family members and friends whose loved ones live with a mental health condition find resources, support and hope. Angela holds a professional teaching license in Colorado. Before joining NAMI, she enjoyed teaching elementary students for 20 years. She is the spouse of a veteran and parent of three adult children. Her favorite self-care activity is hiking in beautiful Colorado.
John Mullin
John's bio
John (he/him) worked in the newspaper industry for several years as a pressman followed by a progression of warehouse/general labor work. After being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), midlevel major depression and panic disorder, he decided to take his experiences and what he’s learned to help people walk the path of recovery. He enjoys the outdoors, hiking, listening to audiobooks and spending time with his wife and two cats.
Liz Rife
Liz's bio
Liz (she/her) supports and trains the facilitators who lead Family Support Groups. She connected with NAMI several years ago, when searching for support for herself as a family member of siblings living with mental illness. Liz is passionate about helping people in our community, has a B.A. in advertising and journalism, and enjoys making words look stylish with her calligraphy hobby.
Shy Foeppel
Shy's bio
Prior to joining NAMI in 2024, Shy (any/all) was a strong advocate for taking mental health into account during her six years working as a nurse. Now, she performs the administrative duties for NAMI peer groups and provides support for group facilitators, whom she considers “the backbone of our success.” Shy walks with ADHD, potentially autism, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideations and disordered eating.
Rayna Serrato
Rayna's bio
Rayna (she/her) supports NAMI’s outreach efforts, manages digital content, and helps amplify the voices of program participants and volunteers. She is currently pursuing degrees in communications and journalism at Pikes Peak State College and has a background in public speaking, content creation and web editing. As someone who walks with anxiety, depression, complex PTSD (C-PTSD) and bipolar disorder, Rayna is deeply committed to fostering authentic, stigma-free conversations around mental health.
Natalie Varnado
Natalie's bio
Natalie (she/her) is excited to help support NAMI’s commitment to mental health advocacy and peer support. She is currently a Master of Social Work student at UCCS and hopes that her lived experience with mental health recovery will help support the community. When not studying social work, she enjoys finding new outdoor adventures.