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Meet Our Staff (en Español)

Stacie Gilmore, Executive Director

Stacie Gilmore is a fourth generation Coloradoan, born and raised in Brush, Colorado. She graduated from Brush High School and earned a Bachelors of Science degree in zoology and chemistry from Metropolitan State College of Denver in 1994. In December 2003, she graduated summa cum laude from Regis University with a Masters degree in non-profit management as a Colorado Trust Fellow. She has been involved in environmental and conservation education since 1990 and has worked for the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the Colorado Department of Natural Resources before co-founding Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK) with her husband, Scott Gilmore in 1996. Stacie has dedicated her life to diversifying the face of natural resources, most recently through anti-oppression work that aligns with her strong commitment to inclusivity and equity around environmental and educational rights. Stacie has extensive experience in designing curricula for science educational programs for Denver Public Schools and wildlife and natural resource agencies, along with 16 years as Executive Director of ELK. Currently, Stacie serves on the Board of Directors for the Center for Diversity and the Environment and Montbello 20/20 along with serving on various other community committees. Stacie, Scott and their three children reside in the Montbello community of Denver and she is often in nature, engaging and educating youth around science and careers.

Contact Stacie at sgilmore@elkkids.org or 303-371-8658.

Kimberly Weiss, Education Coordinator

Kim received her Master of Arts in environmental education and conservation from Rowan University, in Glassboro, NJ in May 2004. Previously, she was an Angler Education Assistant for the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Before moving to Colorado, Kim was a camp director for YMCA Camp Onyahsa in western New York. There she was responsible for directing all programs as well as supervising staff. As a part of her Masters thesis she developed a year-round environmental education program for Camp Onyahsa. She implemented the program during the summer of 2004. Kim maintains her First Aid/CPR for the professional rescuer certification.

Contact Kim at kweiss@elkkids.org or 303-291-7554.

Jolynn Crownover, Development Director

Jolynn received her bachelor's degree in Mass Communications-Public Relations at Colorado State University-Pueblo. She is currently working on her Masters in Nonprofit Management from Regis University to enhance her skills and talents in the art of philanthropy. Prior to coming to ELK, Jolynn worked in Pueblo, Colorado in marketing, fund raising and managing special events for a nonprofit organization serving troubled adolescents. Jolynn is excited to continue to work for youth and is committed to ELK's vision and mission.


Contact Jolynn at jcrownover@elkkids.org or 303-291-7503.

 

 

Syrena Johnson, Bilingual Student Coordinator

Syrena, a Colorado native, missed the Rocky Mountains too much and decided to return to Colorado after spending 11 years on the east coast. She received her Bachelors of Science from the Pennsylvania State University in Wildlife and Fisheries Science. In the near future, Syrena will pursue a Master of Science in conservation biology. Prior to joining ELK, she was gaining various science-based experiences, including international internships in Greenland, China, and Spain. In her free time, Syrena enjoys outdoor recreational activities, photography, scrapbooking, and knitting. Yes, knitting!

Contact Syrena at sjohnson@elkkids.org or 303-291-7693.

 

Deborah Purce, Education Coordinator

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Deborah earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology and Latin American studies from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR and a Master of Science degree in marine biology from Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA. For the past 10 years she has been involved in research, management, and education related to marine science and natural resources, including spending a year conducting research on marine protected areas as a Fulbright Scholarship recipient to Chile where her passion for hiking in the Patagonia region of Chile and Argentina foreshadowed her love for Colorado’s magnificent Rocky Mountains. Deborah’s personal identity as a “scientist,” “global citizen,” “social justice advocate,” and “western woman of color” make her particularly passionate about ELK’s mission and very excited for this opportunity to serve Denver’s diverse community of young people.


Contact Deborah at dpurce@elkkids.org or 360-927-3303.