Board of Directors

Karen Adkins, PhD, is Professor of Philosophy at Regis University. She teaches and publishes on feminist and gender issues, including sexual assault. As a sexual assault survivor herself, she has spoken publicly at awareness events. She lives in Denver with her spouse and two kids. She joined the Board because she believes in their mission of supporting survivors and working to end sexual assault.

Alicia Bennett is a neurologist with Blue Sky Neurology where she cares for patients at multiple Denver area hospitals. She completed her training including a vascular neurology fellowship at the University of Utah and has a passion for treating patients who are having a stroke.  At Blue Sky Neurology she serves as the Program Director for the vascular neurology fellowship, she is one of the regional medical directors for their telemedicine division, and she is the medical stroke director at the Medical Center of Aurora and Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Hospital. Alicia joined the Blue Bench to help facilitate relationships between the medical community and the organization.

Tracie Cantu’s incredible tale of resilience and unwavering determination exemplifies her remarkable character. Despite encountering a life-altering injury and the loss of both of her professional careers, she tenaciously forged ahead, reconstructing her life. It is genuinely inspiring to learn that she not only achieved complete physical rehabilitation but also did so without encountering any limitations.

Moreover, her unyielding inquisitiveness in the realm of personal development effortlessly showcases her unwavering hunger for continual growth.

Tracie’s introduction to Mindpower proved to be a turning point for her. Strengthening her emotional resilience and mental toughness has further empowered her to excel as a Master Mindpower Coach. With over a decade in the Real Estate Industry, Tracie has passionately helped people build wealth through real estate.

A native of Denver, CO, and a devoted mother to two sons, Justin and Alex, Tracie cherishes spending her free time with family and friends. She finds joy in traveling, outdoor activities, and attending live music events. Tracie is deeply passionate about making a positive impact on her community, guiding people to live abundantly with mental clarity.

After living over 25 years in Denver, Erin (she/her/hers) has adopted the city as a home away from her hometown of Pittsburgh, PA. She is a “Ram” at heart receiving her M.B.A. from Colorado State University. She previously received her undergraduate degree in English Writing and Literature at St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN. 

Inspired by the generous spirit of the city, she has worked as a fundraiser in the non-profit community in higher education, healthcare, youth development, and most recently in educational equity. Ending sexual and domestic violence is a personal passion that brings Erin to the Board of The Blue Bench. She is the single mom of a 16-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old pup. In her free time, she enjoys music, art, and literature.

Jennifer Peper, PhD, is a Data Scientist at Vertafore. Rooted in her training as a chemist, she brings scientific rigor and an analytical, data-driven approach to problem-solving. She lives in Denver with her husband, Dave, and their dog, Opal, and enjoys spending time outdoors with them. She joined the Board of The Blue Bench to take meaningful action against systemic injustice and to support survivors of sexual assault.

Dave Thomas is a strong advocate who has parlayed his lived experience as a blind person into a career focused on research, curriculum design, teaching, and supporting others. He has taught at the college level, works in a support capacity for people with learning and other disabilities, and has conducted extensive research on the ethics of eugenics as well as bolstering the health, safety, employment, and overall well-being of those with disabilities.