Kendra Appelman-Eastvedt
Outreach & Technical Assistance Unit Manager
Kendra joined CDPHE in 2016 and currently leads the Outreach and Technical Assistance Unit. Prior to joining CDPHE, Kendra worked for the State of Colorado Community College System, and spent many years in the financial services industry. Kendra earned a Master’s degree in Political Science from Colorado State University in Fort Collins where her areas of study were public administration and policy and American environmental policy. Kendra is excited to be a part of the Colorado Circular Communities team and is looking forward to helping the program grow.
Kathleen Hynes
Outreach & Technical Assistance Specialist
Kathleen joined the C3 team in 2024 as an Outreach and Technical Assistance Specialist. Prior to joining C3, Kathleen spent ten years in the private sector supporting strategy, business development, and consulting operations. With a background rooted in Systems and Design Thinking, Kathleen’s expertise is in combining analytical problem solving with collaborative, empathetic approaches. She excels in developing partnerships and engaging stakeholders to achieve common goals by building a deep understanding of people’s needs and problems. In her current role, she collaborates with communities and provides personalized technical assistance to support their circularity goals. Kathleen is dedicated to driving forward solutions that maximize impact through innovation and sustainable behavior change.
Liz Kuhn
Outreach & Technical Assistance Unit Work Lead
Liz joined the C3 team in 2023 as a Waste Diversion Grants Specialist, and has since transitioned to a Circular Economy Outreach and Technical Assistance Specialist. In her role, Liz engages stakeholders and provides technical assistance, focusing on fostering sustainable behavior change and inclusive communications to ensure diverse voices are represented. She is passionate about advancing circularity initiatives that prioritize equity and environmental justice. With hands-on experience in fieldwork and community engagement, Liz collaborates on innovative projects that promote a circular economy while fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility. She is dedicated to creating meaningful change and empowering communities through effective and sustainable strategies.
Cary Ruble
Household Medication & Sharps Takeback Program Coordinator
Cary Ruble joined CDPHE in 2014 as a rule author for the Division of Environmental Health and Sustainability. Prior to joining CDPHE, Cary spent 30 years in the private sector as a consulting hydrogeologist specializing in the remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater. In September 2024, following two years in the Environmental Agriculture Program at the division, Cary began his new role as the coordinator of Colorado’s Household Medication and Sharps Takeback Program. Cary will also be assisting the Grants and Enterprise Management Unit with the implementation of C3.
Shauna Sorensen
Grants & Enterprise Management Program Specialist
Shauna joined CDPHE in 2024. After receiving her BA in studio art, she spent over a decade as the Development Director at a non-profit arts organization in New York City and a writer for a variety of contemporary artists. While in this position, she managed public programs while pursuing funding through fundraising and private, federal, state, and city grants. She is proud to have worked with hundreds of artists, foregrounding the importance of making art accessible and meaningful for the general public, social engagement, sustainability, and fair wages for artists and arts workers. As part of the C3 team, Shauna is excited to bring her passion for the environment together with her first-hand knowledge of funding practices to promote equity and accessibility in grantmaking while pursuing circularity in Colorado.
Jeff Stalter
Colorado Circular Communities Enterprise Program Manager
Jeff joined CDPHE in 2015, first with Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division as the Administration Program Manager, then assumed his current position as the program manager for the C3 Enterprise, the Environmental Public Health Tracking unit, The Toxicology and Environmental Epidemiology Office, and the fiscal services unit. He has served in multiple roles within state government over his twenty-five years of service, which include the Chief Financial Officer of the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the Budget Director for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and the Conservation program Manager for the Colorado Army National Guard. Jeff holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice and Criminology, a B.A. in History, and a Masters in Public Policy.
Megan Vinet
Grants & Enterprise Management Unit Manager
Megan joined CDPHE in 2018 and currently leads the Grants and Enterprise Management (GEM) Unit. Megan originally joined CDPHE as a Contract Administrator in the Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division and then joined the Division of Environmental Health and Sustainability in 2020 under the Waste Diversion team. Megan has 25 years of contract, project, and grant management experience in travel and sustainability programs. Megan was born and raised in Colorado and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University Global.
Brenda Semerenko
Grants & Enterprise Management Program Specialist
Brenda joined CDPHE and C3 in 2024, bringing a strong foundation in grant writing, nonprofit work, and community service. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Brenda joined the Peace Corps in 2019 as an Education Volunteer in Ukraine, where she worked closely with local communities to teach English as a second language. Brenda’s international experience extends to Uganda, Kenya, and Jerusalem, where she volunteered and interned with various nonprofits, focusing on community development and education. In 2021, Brenda moved to Denver to pursue a Master’s in International Development from the University of Denver, further honing her expertise in global development, program management, and research. With experience in refugee resettlement, grant writing, and program implementation, Brenda transitioned from the nonprofit sector to CDPHE, where she is dedicated to applying her skills to support the circular economy of Colorado. Brenda is passionate about her work and enjoys the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in her local community.
Hannah Hurt
Grants & Enterprise Management Program Specialist
Hannah Hurt is a passionate sustainability and outreach professional with expertise in environmental engagement, community empowerment, and program development. With experience in data-driven outreach and grant acquisition in the food banking sector, hands-on conservation experience with the Forest Service and National Parks Service, and work conducting waste audits, the development of recycling databases, and the creation of recycling education programs with the State of Indiana's Department of Environmental Management, Hannah brings a well-rounded approach to advancing sustainability and fostering meaningful partnerships.
Outside of work, Hannah enjoys a good cup of coffee, supporting her local library, visiting farmers markets, and beekeeping!
Alia Alsaif Spiers
Outreach & Technical Assistance Specialist
Alia has been with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) since 2023, initially serving as an Equity Resource Specialist and Contract Monitor. In 2025, she transitioned to the C3 team as an Outreach and Technical Assistant. In her current role, Alia collaborates with diverse stakeholders to advance equity, sustainability, and community-driven initiatives. Her professional expertise spans environmental justice, regenerative design, and inclusive community engagement strategies. With a background rooted in psychology and environmental stewardship, Alia is dedicated to co-creating sustainable, holistic communities through community-led approaches. Her work focuses on bridging systemic gaps and empowering local voices in environmental and social planning.
Outside of work, Alia enjoys outdoor activities like paddleboarding, writing poetry, exploring nature with her dogs, and collecting gems and minerals.