Our Team
Ben Ralston
Chief Executive Officer & President
Ben leads the Sachs Foundation's overall strategy, governance, and financial management. He oversees the foundation's staff and programs, guides fundraising and external partnerships, and ensures the Foundation remains accountable to its 95-year mission of advancing educational opportunity for Black Coloradans.
Before joining the Foundation in 2018, Ben worked in higher education development in the U.S. and the U.K. Ben holds a BA in Economics from Davidson College and an MBA from Wake Forest University. In his free time, you can usually find Ben on a hike, listening to a great album, or reading a book at a local coffee shop.
Pamela Roberts-Mora
Pamela oversees the planning and execution of the Sachs Foundation's core programs: Elevated, Sachs Scholars, and Teacher Development. She leads the programmatic team, develops program policy, and ensures that students, scholars, families, and educators receive consistent, high-quality, and holistic support.
Pamela brings a background in social services, having worked across youth development and senior care before joining the Foundation. She holds a BA in Sociology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and a Master of Social Work from the University of Denver. When she's not working, Pamela loves to travel, read, and spend time with her husband, two kids, and two dogs.
Chief Operating Officer
Brook supports the Foundation's programs and staff across daily operations. Her work spans scholar and student logistics, participant data management, and mentor support, ensuring the Foundation's programs run smoothly for everyone they serve.
Brook started her career in volunteer coordination at organizations including Girl Scouts of Colorado and Goodwill of Colorado. She holds a BA from the University of Arizona. Born in Idaho but raised as an Air Force brat living in Guam, Japan, Hawaii, Colorado, and Arizona, Brook has called many places home. Brook can be found spending time with her husband and two dogs, finding new food spots, and cheering from the sidelines as her girls play basketball and softball.
Program Coordinator
Brook Sklenar
Jazmin Lopez
Jazmin works directly with Elevated students and Sachs Scholars to help them navigate higher education and career pathways. She leads college preparation and career exploration, provides individual advising, and supports scholars in accessing internship and professional opportunities.
Jazmin holds a BA in Psychology with a minor in Business from Colorado State University and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership. Jazmin's work focuses on creating systems and removing barriers so students and their families can reach their aspirations.
Director of College and Career Programs
Katie Parvin
Katie cultivates the relationships that sustain and grow the Foundation’s work. She leads philanthropic strategy, partnership development, grant submissions, and connects supporters directly to the scholars and programs their contributions make possible.
After three years in the classroom, Katie spent seven years at Teach for America Colorado shaping fundraising infrastructure and funder strategy before joining the Foundation. Born in England and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, Katie became a U.S. citizen in 2013 and graduated with a BS in Sociology from the College of Charleston. Katie loves to travel, cook, connect with friends, and spend time with her husband, son, and two cats in the wonderful city of Denver.
Managing Director of Partnerships
Ruth leads the Foundation's storytelling across digital platforms, social media, newsletters, and print, and serves as the primary contact for press and media. She also oversees alumni relations, managing the alumni community, supporting the Alumni Board and external grantmaking.
Ruth was a Princeton fellow in Guatemala supporting Indigenous women-led justice initiatives after spending time doing marketing and communications at DSST Public Schools in Denver and Aurora, Colorado. She holds dual degrees in International Affairs and Ethnic Studies with a Spanish minor from the University of Colorado Boulder. When she’s not crafting a story, she’s probably reading a book or planning her next trip.
Director of Communications and Alumni Engagement
Ruth Woldemichael
Obinna Onyeali
Obinna deepens the Foundation's roots in community by building the relationships, partnerships, and support systems that help Sachs Scholars and Elevated Students thrive beyond the classroom. His work spans scholar wellness and career support, mentor and family engagement, and the development of community partnerships that extend the Foundation's reach while creating spaces where students feel seen, supported, and connected.
Born and raised in Colorado, Obinna previously served as an Admission Counselor at CU Boulder and as a college advisor with the Denver Scholarship Foundation before joining the Sachs Foundation. A graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder with a BA in Communications, Obinna is also a speaker, podcaster, and home chef who finds joy in storytelling, dancing in the kitchen, and bringing people together.
Community Engagement Officer
Our Programs
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Elevated Program provides pre-collegiate mentoring to Black students in grades 8 through 12, empowering them to access and succeed in higher education.
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Sachs Scholarships minimize the financial burden of higher education, allowing Black Coloradan students to earn their degrees with minimal debt and access elite universities.
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Teacher Development is powered by partnerships with Teach For America Colorado and MSU Denver's Call Me Mister, which identify and engage Black students considering a career in education.
