Our team

Our team

Megan Karschner

Executive Director

Megan began as CCCC’s Executive Director in April, 2024. Megan has lived and worked in the Yampa Valley for the past 15 years, most recently as an adjunct faculty member for Sustainability Studies at Colorado Mountain College.  A graduate of Colorado Mountain College’s Outdoor Education and Sustainability Studies programs, Megan earned a master’s degree from Western Colorado University in Environmental Management.

Over the years, Megan has served as Naturalist and Director of Youth Programs for Yampatika, has taught at Steamboat Montessori, and has been a professional tutor, instructing college students in topics such as sustainability, biology, ecology, and environmental science. She has served as a 4-H leader, taught beekeeping workshops, provided educational and service-learning programming at the Bear Park Permaculture Center, and created a business, Meg’s Eggs, that sells eggs, honey, and jam to consumers.

  • meg@coloradocranes.org

Deanna Simonsen

Events & Marketing Coordinator

Deanna joined CCCC as the Events and Marketing Coordinator in December 2024. Originally from the East Coast, she has called the Yampa Valley home for the past 30 years, where she raised her family and found inspiration in the region’s ever-changing natural beauty. A graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology, Deanna holds a BFA in Graphic Design.

Throughout her career in the Yampa Valley, Deanna has built a diverse professional portfolio, including roles as a Newspaper Production Manager and as a freelance graphic designer. In addition to her work in marketing and design, she is the owner and designer of, My Muse Jewelry, a successful handmade jewelry business, offering one-of-a-kind pieces to a growing base of online customers.

When she’s not busy with work, Deanna enjoys an active lifestyle, including tennis, skiing, hiking, photography  and exploring her creative side through art projects.

  • deanna@coloradocranes.org

CCCC Board

President:
Nancy Merrill, Hayden, CO

Vice President:
Barry Kaplan, Steamboat Springs, CO

Secretary:
Karen Whitney, Steamboat Springs, CO

Treasurer:
Harvey Goertz, Steamboat Springs, CO

Directors:
Karl Mayer, Steamboat Springs, CO
Pam Rolfes, Steamboat Springs, CO
Katie Weeks, Steamboat Springs, CO

Directors Emeritus:
Van Graham, Grand Junction, CO
Abby Jensen, Steamboat Springs, CO
Sharon Jost, Hayden, CO
Gail Kellogg, Chicago, IL
Laura Shindler, Steamboat Springs, CO

Co-Founders:
Barbara Hughes, Steamboat Springs, CO
Nancy Merrill, Hayden, CO

 

In Memory of Gary Pickens:
Gary served as CCCC’s board treasurer from 2023 – 2024 and we are forever grateful for his service to the organization.