Board & Staff

A victory at a Spelling Bee fundraiser introduced me to the Aspen Youth Center. A loss on the air hockey table to a talented 6th grader on a subsequent visit enamored me with the place and convinced me to support the mission as a Board Member. I am dedicated to strengthening AYC as an organization so it can continue to provide essential services to Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley for generations to come. 

Teddy grew up in Snowmass, CO and came back in 2007 to settle here in the valley. Teddy’s involvement with Aspen Youth Center began when he was an attendee back in the 90’s when AYC was located by Rio Grande Park in town. Attending AYC as a youth and now serving as a Board member, Teddy has special insight and believes that AYC’s biggest impact is “providing a free, fun and safe place for students to gather, play and learn when school or other extracurricular activities aren’t an option”. His favorite thing about AYC is the profound impact that the organization has had on so many young people over the 30 year history, many thanks to the tremendous support of the community. As a youth, Teddy enjoyed playing sports and being outdoors with friends. Fun fact: Teddy is secretly sad over the fact that he is now too old to participate in AYC dodgeball.

Andrew is originally from Longmont, CO and has been living in Aspen since 2018. He first became involved with Aspen Youth Center after hearing about the mission through Executive Director, Michaela, when they both served on the board of another nonprofit. Andrew believes that Aspen Youth Center’s biggest impact is helping the kids have a safe place to go. He believes that it not only provides a very unique resource for kids, but that it also provides an excellent resource for parents, given the continuous rise of childcare costs. A fun fact about Andrew is that he is attempting to do 1.5M human powered vertical feet in 2021 between backcountry skiing and biking!

Anne is originally from Aspen, CO and has lived in Aspen for 54 years. She was originally connected to Aspen Youth Center through her work with the Pitkin County Sheriff with regards to other kid related discussions in the valley. Anne loves AYC because it gives kids a safe place to be themselves, all while having fun. Her favorite thing about AYC is seeing how excited the kids are when they reach 4th grade and can finally come to hang. A fun fact about Anne is that she first played dodgeball at the Red Brick back when the Red Brick was still a school!

Kevin Hagerty moved to Aspen in 1986 from Westchester County, New York. Kevin was on the Board of Directors for Aspen Elks Lodge and noticed that the Elks often gave money to Aspen Youth Center. Wanting to further contribute, Kevin then joined the board for Aspen Youth Center. Kevin appreciates Aspen Youth Center because of the fact that it allows kids to be in a safe space that encourages learning and exercise, while also being supported by amazing adult staff. Kevin’s daughter was able to attend AYC as a youth, and if Kevin could have participated as a kid, he would have enjoyed the cooking classes, dodgeball, kickball, and rafting and skiing field trips. A fun fact about Kevin is that he never thought that he would have a career in the ski business considering he did not know how to ski when he first moved out here!

Originally from Philadelphia, PA, Emery moved out to Aspen in 2011 right after college and never left! She was connected to AYC through a friend, fellow board member Spencer McKnight, and immediately wanted to get involved and help. She believes AYC’s biggest impact is providing a safe space for kids in our valley who would otherwise have nowhere to go. Emery’s favorite thing about AYC is the staff because of their dedication towards serving AYC’s youth. A fun fact about Emery is that she played squash for the US Team.

Olivia was born and raised in Aspen and served as a part of the AYC Student Board when she was in high school. After moving back to Aspen with her now husband, she was reintroduced to the AYC through the annual fundraising events. With Olivia’s event planning background, and love for the Aspen community, she knew she wanted to get involved. Olivia believes AYC’s greatest impact is that it is a fun, safe and easily accessible place for youth to go in the Roaring Fork Valley. Olivia grew up competitively ski racing and loved spending her days out on the mountains. Fun fact about Olivia is that she is now married her highschool sweetheart.

Lynn was born in Evansville, IN and grew up there until moving to Aspen after she graduated from Indiana University in 1971. Anne saw that this community was in much need of a place for kids to hang and have a safe place to be, and quickly became involved since she also had two daughters who were of the age to enjoy a place like AYC. Anne enjoyed all the outdoor activities as a kid, and a fun fact about her is that she used to teach synchronized swimming at a YMCA camp!

Julie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Colorado at Boulder, Masters of Arts in Teaching from the University of Southern California, Special Education Credential, and Elementary Education Credential from the University of Southern California. She is certified as a general education teacher and special education teacher in California and Colorado. She has over 15 years of experience in Educational Therapy and in the public school setting. Julie is the owner and founder of Aspen Learning Lift, in Aspen, CO which provides academic support and executive functioning support to students in the Roaring Fork Valley. Julie joined the Aspen Youth Center board of directors in 20222 because she is dedicated to the growth and development of youth in the valley. She believes in the mission and wants to contribute to helping the youth center be successful. 

Spencer is from Aurora, CO and has been living in Aspen for 16 years. Spencer first became involved with Aspen Youth Center by helping to produce the annual fundraiser, Family Feud. During this involvement, he witnessed how important the mission of AYC is to the valley and was inspired to join the board immediately. Spencer’s favorite thing about AYC is the organization’s impact on the community through its offering of a safe place for kids when they aren’t in school. He mentioned that “the fact that we can raise enough money to make it free for our kids and their families in the same community is amazing”. He appreciates the family it creates through youth and staff involvement and interaction. If Spencer were to have attended AYC as a youth, he would have participated in all the sports activities, both organized and pickup. A fun fact about Spencer is that he likes pizza more than he likes most people 😉

Eric is originally from Montreal, Canada and has lived in this valley since 1989. He was recruited to be a part of the Board for Aspen Youth Center and believes that AYC’s biggest impact is providing activities and lightly structured supervision to kids who might otherwise be home alone. His favorite thing about Aspen Youth Center is the inclusive, nonjudgmental attitude of the entire program. Eric’s favorite childhood activity was skiing, and if he attended AYC as a youth he would have enjoyed playing dodgeball. A fun fact about Eric is that he can recite the original BigMac promotional ad backwards.

Laura Umansky, Founder and Creative Director of Laura U Design Collective, integrates her passion for community into her professional and personal life. With degrees in Studio Art (BA) and Architecture (M.Arch), Laura has built a career and firm that merge artistic vision with practical design solutions. Laura’s commitment to the Aspen Youth Center is particularly personal as her twin daughters have grown up participating in the center’s programs. This involvement has deepened her appreciation for AYC’s significant role in the community, inspiring her to support initiatives that empower kids in Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley. Through her work with AYC, Laura is dedicated to fostering a nurturing and creative environment for kids and our larger community.