About Us
Advancing The Common Good In Routt County
Routt County United Way (RCUW) creates solutions that advance the common good in Routt County. We’re improving education, strengthening financial stability, and making our community healthier. Our community-led solutions focus on four goals to make the greatest impact in our community: giving children a strong start through early childhood education, providing youth a safe, healthy and nurturing environment to promote successful youth, improving the financial stability of all Routt County citizens, and promoting access to mental health and crisis services. We mobilize change by funding local nonprofits through grants, encourage ideas and connection through partnerships, and foster initiatives that directly support RCUW’s values in the community through our programs.
RCUW is the leader in health and human services. We are a community builder, leader, unifier, and champion.
OUR VISION
We envision a county where all individuals and families achieve their human potential through access to education, opportunities to improve financial stability, and support to lead healthy lives.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to unite people, ideas, and resources to advance the common good in education, financial stability, and health.
The Team That Makes It Possible
Kate Nowak
Executive Director
Kate started with Routt County United Way in October 2013. Previously her 11 years of nonprofit work included Yampa Valley Data Partners and the International Erosion Control Association. Kate and her husband, Jim, have been in the Yampa Valley for 20+ years. Kate is passionate about serving people through United Way.
Jennifer Bruen
Community Impact Coordinator
Jen is a native Michigander. With an education in cultural anthropology, regional planning, and historic preservation, she’s built a 20-year career heavily focused on equitable, inclusive, and sustainable community and economic development. She’s worked with communities nationally and internationally on innovative projects in collaboration with universities, regional planning organizations, non-profits, businesses, and local governments. She loves the outdoors, traveling, volunteering and spending time with her family.
Sarah Lundahl
Marketing and Communications
Sarah recently moved to Steamboat following her graduation from the University of Utah with degrees in Marketing and Arts Technology. Her time as the digital marketing intern for the University of Utah’s Sustainability Office developed her devotion to bettering her community and the environment. Sarah is thrilled to be living in Steamboat and is taking full advantage of the mountain biking trails.
Our Board of Directors
We are governed by a Board of Directors, whose responsibilities include: reviewing and guiding organizational direction, ensuring effective management and financial stewardship, representing RCUW in the community, bringing the community’s voice to our decision-making, and maintaining the community’s trust in the organization.
Ciara Bartholomew
Finance/Business Manager, South Routt School District
Andrew Czysz
Director of Operations at Alpine Insurance Brokers
Anamaria Flores
Yampa Valley Bank Operations Officer
Leslie Gibson
Sales & Marketing Special Projects Supervisor, Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation
Karen Goedert
Director of Employee Engagement, Big Agnes/BAP
Eron Haubert
Assistant Principal, Strawberry Park Elementary
Carrie Helmcamp
14th Judicial District Family Court Facilitator for Routt and Moffat counties
Dave Kinnear
Community Member
David Lundeen
Community Member
Debra Sauermann
Community Member
Alan M. Sidman
Community Member
Maggie Taylor
Director of Youth and Connectional Ministry, Heart of Steamboat
Marci Valicenti
Broker Associate | Partner, The Group Real Estate
Adam Wilson
Market President, Vectra Bank
Lynn F. Zinn
Co-Chair Women United
Financials &
Policies

Annually, all United Ways certify their adherence to standards that include comprehensive requirements for financial reporting, governance, ethics, diversity and operations.

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