Sue Bevins sue@soallmayeat.org
she/her
Board Chair
Sue Bevins joined the board in fall of 2022. She loves living in Denver, CO and enjoys hiking with friends, spending time in the mountains with family, impromptu gatherings with the magical people in her neighborhood, going out to dinner as often as possible with friends, and local theaters and events. Sue has volunteered with SAME since 2016, and she joined the SAME board to make a difference. The organization is clearly making a tangible contribution to society by caring for people and creating community for any and all who would like to join the SAME table.
Maggie Kates maggie@soallmayeat.org
she/her
Joined the board last Fall 2022. Co-owner of her second catering business, “ViDa Eats Catering in Denver, with partner Tyler Clare. We attribute the majority of our success in the first year to SAME, having a space to use as our commissary after hours and also for hosting cooking classes. Honored to join the board, to help continue the outreach to those who do not know about the amazing space that not only serves incredible healthy meals but also supports people in local businesses and entrepreneurship, in creative hobbies (artwork and writing groups to name a few), and in creating their dreams and opening their potential in this lifetime! I firmly believe that food is the equalizer (something everyone needs) for bringing people together and then opens doors to beautiful connections that we might have not seen otherwise.
John Olander john@soallmayeat.org
he/him
John Olander joined the Denver Board of Directors in 2022. John is a Denver native, a Graduate of Denver East High School, where Angels always rise. He is interested in concepts that are visionary and have multi-generational impact on the greater good of all. This explains his interest in contributing to the Mission of Same Cafe’
Candice Rae Vigil candice@soallmayeat.org
She/Her/Winyan
I am a Colorado Native. I am a Colorado Peer and Family Specialist certified with Colorado Providers Association, Vocational Project Coordinator with WellPower's NextChapter Culinary Program, Instructor/Proctor/Manager with ServSafe. In my spare time I love to dance, hike, sing, fish, bead, digital create on social media, create connections in community, helping my reservation which is a food desert, and advocating. My passion is DEIB, hospitality and philanthropy. I believe that everyone deserves access to healthy food with dignity and respect even if the can not pay that is why I believe in the mission of SAME Cafe. My top strengths are Achiever, Responsible, Relator, Learner, and Analytical.
Erin Hameroff erinh@soallmayeat.org
she/her
Secretary
Erin Hameroff joined the board in fall of 2022 after being an admirer of the work of SAME Cafe for the last few years. Erin has spent the last 4 years of her career working with people struggling with addiction as a nurse practitioner. Through this work, she has witnessed how social determinants of health outside of an individual’s control can deeply influence an individual’s well-being—a big one being food insecurity. SAME Cafe aligns with her value of seeing humanity and dignity in all, and her involvement at the Cafe feels like a meaningful avenue to create impact within the Denver community.
Chris Young chris@soallmayeat.org
he/him
Chris has called Denver home for over 20 years has a background in Corporate Finance, Strategy and Operations Management ranging from start-ups to Fortune 200 companies. He fuels his passion for serving the community through his role as as a non profit executive and serving on non profit boards. The opportunity to contribute to offering everyone access to healthy meals with a large side dish of dignity is what brought Chris to Same Café. Chris also enjoys learning about people and cultures through food and travel.
Jay Posner jason@soallmayeat.org
he/him
Treasurer
Jay Posner joined the board in the fall of 2023 and is a New York native who moved to Colorado in 2013. Currently Jay lives in Golden and works as a strategic and management consultant for small and mid-size companies helping them grow and develop and is hoping to use those skills to help SAME Café grow and expand its mission as well. Jay enjoys road tripping around the country to see the national parks (33 so far!) and getting out to hike in nature as much as possible. He joined the SAME board to help give back to the community and support the amazing mission of SAME Café and food security for all!
Ty Maestas ty@soallmayeat.org
I am a multi-generational Colorado Native orignally from the San Luis Valley, and have been living in Denver for 14 years. I am a technology professional, and have been serving my community in a public sector capacity for the last 4 years. I enjoy traveling and exploring all of the amazing outdoor activities that Colorado and the western US offer. I also love playing softball. My family is my passion, and coaching my two youngest nephews on a traveling team the past two summers has been a huge source of joy and inspiration. I joined the SAME Café Board because I realize the tremendous importance of community and my sincere passion for the SAME Café mission and values.
Caitlin Lapinel caitlin@soallmayeat.org
she/her
Caitlin Lapinel joined the board in fall 2023. She has been in Denver for 7 years and currently runs two restaurants - Osaka Ramen and Sushi-Rama - when she isn’t enjoying time with her partner, dog, and kitties! She is passionate about inclusion, respect, and belonging, and loves the mission that SAME Café embodies. She is happy to have shared goals with other SAME Café board members in providing healthy and delicious food to anybody that needs it.
Katie Colton katie@soallmayeat.org
Katie lives in Lakewood, Colorado where she is an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Co. She has volunteered in causes related to homelessness and affordable housing for over a decade and is passionate about supporting others in ways that provide a sense of dignity, safety, and wellbeing. Katie joined the SAME Café Board because she believes access to healthy food is a basic human right.
Elizabeth Morales elizabethm@soallmayeat.org
she/her
Elizabeth Morales joined the board in early 2023 after having volunteered in the kitchen at the cafe for 3 years. She found SAME during the pandemic when she was seeking deeper community connection and a more meaningful way to spend her time. Elizabeth grew up in Florida where she developed a love of the outdoors and the built environment before moving to Denver in 2015. Fascinated by how humans interact and how our environments play a part in shaping our health and who we are, Elizabeth went on to study architecture. This led her from working for 6 years as an architectural designer to a transition to local government and advocacy where she is now focused on helping create a safer, easier and more equitable city for people to move around in. Elizabeth loves connecting with people over a fantastic home cooked meal or a lunch at SAME and she feels most at home with her friends and family in her chosen community of Denver.
Zac Blackwell zac@soallmayeat.org
he/him
Zac Blackwell joined the board in the fall of 2022. Prior to being on the board, he volunteered and worked as the Outreach Manager with the organization since 2018. He has a background in culinary operations and business strategy and has been interested in supporting food equity in Denver for most of his life. In 2018, Zac discovered SAME Cafe and fell in love with its mission to build community around access to healthy, farm-to-table, food. Since he has been involved with the organization and works to ensure everyone has access to quality food, regardless of financial status.