Our Board

Bill Patterson is the CFO of Via Mobility Services, a 40-year-old nonprofit transportation agency serving the elderly, people with disabilities, and others with limited mobility options. The agency is based in Boulder and provides services throughout the Denver metro region. Prior to working at Via, Bill spent over 30 years as an owner and operator of successful manufacturing and distribution businesses. His nonprofit experience also includes many years on the Board of the Colorado Chautauqua Association, a National Historic Landmark. Bill believes financial sustainability is critical for nonprofits to fulfill their long-term mission.

Julie Schilz holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Master of Business Administration from Regis University. Julie is a Senior Director at Primary Care Development Corporation. She focuses on technical assistance in the areas of Health Care strategy, Care Delivery Transformation and Community engagement and Integrated Care. Julie held several executive leadership roles with community, provider and payer organizations developing and implementing strategy focused on equity, value, delivery system reform and primary care transformation. Julie has dedicated her career to working on innovative solutions within health care and communities that are person and family centered with a focus on equity. She currently serves as an Executive Member Liaison for Primary Care Collaborative, on the Advisory Board of The Center for Professionalism and the Board of Colorado Center for Primary Care Innovation.

A native of Denver, Dale previously served as the President/CEO of the Denver/Boulder Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the BBB Foundation’s Executive Director.  Prior to the BBB, Dale enjoyed a successful career of nearly 23 years at FirstBank Holding Company. Since 1985, Dale has served on advisory committees and boards for more than 50 philanthropic, community-oriented organizations including multiple Chambers of Commerce, educational institutions, Mile High United Way, the Aurora Public Schools Bond Accountability Committee, and Hispanic Annual Salute. Dale completed the Pacific Coast Banking School graduate banking program at the University of Washington and the Center for Creative Leadership in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  He and his wife Teri have two children: Addison and Ticen.

Dr. Tonia Lopez is an accomplished educator who has spent her career serving school districts throughout the Denver Metropolitan area. She is energized by connecting ideas and people. Her desire is to solve the biggest issues in our communities by empowering all members of the community. Dr. Lopez grew up in Commerce City and is a Colorado Native. She earned her BA in secondary education and MAE in Linguistically Diverse Learners from Regis University. She earned her PhD from Colorado State University; her research focused on the levers needed in schools to support Teacher Leadership in turn-around schools.

She has served as an English Language Development teacher, high school instructional coach, teacher leader coordinator, middle school leader, and as the Director of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE). While the Director of (CLDE), she worked with the Office for Civil Rights to craft a language plan that honored the culture and values of the community and resulted in the district launching a two-way dual language program. She currently serves as Director of Professional Learning in Jeffco Public Schools.

Dr. Lopez is married and has three children. Her family also includes 2 fainting goats, squints and smalls, and a flock of chickens that keeps growing.

Gabriela Chavez currently serves as Chair of Rocky Mountain Partnership’s Civic Influencers. Civic Influencers are young people who address challenges that directly impact them alongside decision-makers and practitioners, and drive education and awareness efforts across the community. Through this role, she was an instrumental part of helping 27J Schools, her alma mater, secure a $17.7+ million dollar in additional funding in 2022, and now serves on the Mill Levy Oversight Committee for these funds.

Gabriela was born and raised in Colorado, and attended 27J Schools from first grade through her senior year of high school. She is a proud Latina who is in her third year at the University of Denver studying Sociology and Languages, Literatures, and Culture with a concentration in Italian. She is bilingual in Spanish and currently learning Italian as her third language.

Gabriela is very passionate about advocating for others and herself, and making a difference wherever and wherever she can. This is illuminated by her leadership within RMP’s Civic Influencer network and through her engagement on the Board of Directors for Kids First Health Care.

Tania Baxter, Founder of Baxter Enterprises, provides Fractional COO services to nonprofits and mission-driven businesses. A seasoned operations leader, she brings deep expertise in team development, organizational strategy, and equitable access initiatives.

Fluent in Spanish, Tania has a strong connection to the communities served by Kids First Health Care. She has designed and led programs that build partnerships between local farmers and food justice initiatives, helping expand access to nutritious food and essential services for underserved families. Her leadership has been recognized with the 2020 Leader of the Year award and the Business of the Year award from the City of Northglenn, Colorado.

Tania also serves on the advisory board for the UCCS Executive Women in Leadership program, helping to shape curriculum that supports the next generation of diverse leaders.

In 2024, she summited Mount Kilimanjaro, an experience that reflects her adventurous spirit, commitment to personal growth, and belief in the importance of work-life balance. For Tania, the climb was more than a challenge—it was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when you push beyond perceived limits.

Polly Anderson is the Vice President of Strategy and Financing at the Colorado Community Health Network, the association for Colorado’s Community Health Centers.

Polly has more than 30 years experience in health policy, nonprofit management and communications. Polly believes health care is a right and is very passionate about health care access and coverage. 

She lives in Wheat Ridge with her husband and daughters and has a menagerie of pets and animals on her urban farm.

Eddie Valdez is a dedicated public servant with over 20 years of experience in local government, serving communities across Arapahoe and Adams Counties. As Division Director of Operations & Community Connections at the Adams County Human Services Department, Eddie leads initiatives that strengthen community partnerships, improve operational effectiveness, and ensure responsible stewardship of public resources.

His professional background includes leadership development, contract and grant management, case management, and business and economic development. Eddie is deeply committed to advocating for the most vulnerable populations, working to ensure that services are accessible, compassionate, and responsive to real community needs. His values are rooted in public service and civic engagement, and he consistently supports efforts that build trust and collaboration between government and the people it serves.

In addition to his role at Adams County, Eddie serves on the volunteer board for the Local Government Hispanic Network (LGHN) Juntos Colorado Chapter and contributes to the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Value Committee, helping guide long-term investments that reflect community priorities.

A Colorado native, Eddie earned his bachelor’s from Colorado State University–Pueblo. He and his wife, Vanessa, are raising three daughters, and he remains passionate about creating a stronger, more connected future for families across the region.