Human Rights and Community Relations

 

The Agency for Human Rights & Community Relations Staff Biographies:

 

Derek Okubo (not pictured) the Executive Director for the Agency for Human Rights & Community Relations is a Colorado native and was raised in Littleton, Colorado graduating from Arapahoe High School. Derek then attended the University of Northern Colorado and graduated with a degree in Psychology and double minors in Communications and Sociology in 1982. Immediately upon graduating, he was hired by Big Brothers of Metropolitan Denver as the services coordinator for Denver County. In 1985, Derek started the Big Brothers High School Program where he utilized high school students as mentors and tutors to the 500 children on the waiting list. The program drew national attention and demonstrated that young people could not only be rsponsible volunteers, but continue to be solid contributors because of an awakened spirit of volunteerism that would grow as the young people grew older in life.

In 1990, Derek was appointed to the staff of Colorado's governor Roy Romer as a community liasion to northeast Colorado. Derek worked with communities on developing collaborative partnerships on issues such as substance abuse prevention and intervention, youth violence and community health. In 1992, Derek was hired by the National Civil League (NCL, the nation's oldest "good government" organization) as the Assistant Director of Community Services.

Through July 2011, Derek rose through the NCL ranks becoming the Senior Vice President where he oversaw NCL's projects and programs. A main focus was his work with neighborhoods, communities, counties and regions on issues with strategic planning and community problem-solving on a variety of issues such as diversity and inclusion, economic development, sustainability, education, health and wellness and government structure.

 

Rosalind Alston (not pictured) is the Special Projects Coordinator for the Agency for Human Rights & Community Relations. She previously worked in the Office of Mayor Michael Hancock when he was the Denver City Council member for District 11. Roz has worked for the City since 2006 and currently serves on the Tony Grampsas Youth Services Board.

            

 
Dale Coski works in the Denver Office of Disability Rights (DODR) as the Program Administrator for the Disability Parking Enforcement section. As the administrator of this program Dale leads the effort to get volunteers trained to enforce disability parking laws. Her role includes education, responding to requests/complaints and addressing any handicap parking abuse or misuse. Dale was one of the first people to receive a Service Dog and currently has a very loyal and helpful service dog named JerGen (pictured above). JerGen has become a member of her family and of the working staff at the Agency for Human Rights.  Dale also serves on the advisory board for the Canine Partners of the Rockies and is a lifetime member of the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

 

 

Linda Keenan, is the administrative support for the Agency and her primary responsibilities are invoice processing, payroll and benefits for our agency. She work in administration for the Agency for Human Rights & Community Relations.  She is a prime example of delivering the highest level of customer service whether face-to-face or over the phone. She has an energetic personality and a compassionate heart for the disabled or disenfranchised people we serve. She has spent many hours helping walk-in or phone clients to find a viable resource to help with their situations. Linda has been with the agency for over eight years and also provides administrative and technical support to the Anti-Discrimination and Commission for People with Disabilities Offices.  Her educational background consists of three years of Undergraduate work on a Degree in Human Services, Paralegal Courses, a Certificate in Mediation and a wide variety of trainings and workshops on Civil Rights Law.

 

 

 

Loretta Martinez is the Director for the Denver Office on Aging. She has been with the City & County of Denver for over 20 years and has worked in various city agencies. Her current position or role is to manage the Office on Aging as it relates to the Denver aging population.  Her key focus is on the issues and concerns of the elderly community and the Baby Boomers. Her office offers information and referral assistance. She also works with the non-profit organizations, state departments and private instituations on various topics such as; housing, transporation, elder abuse awareness, civic engagement, financial resources, and volunteer opportunities. She is also the staff liasion for the Commission on Aging and the Latino Commission. Loretta is also a board member of the Denver Employees Emergency Program (DEEP). She received her Bachelor's Degree from Regis University where she graduated with honors. Loretta is a Denver native.

 

Ed Neuberg is the Director of the Denver Office of Disability Rights and the City's American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance officer. He has been in this position for seven years. Prior to that he was an ADA City Inspector. Ed has a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Colorado State University.

 

  
Chaer Robert has been Director of the Denver Women’s Commission since 1985.  She has served on the Women's Lobby of Colorado board for 14 years, serving as board president from 1998-2000. She served as a Co-chair of the Annual Legislative Breakfast on Women's Issues from 1995-2006,and still serves on the planning committee.. She serves on the executive committee of the All Families Deserve a Chance (AFDC) Coalition which advocates on welfare and poverty issues. From 2002 –2005, she has served as President of the Colorado Social Legislation Committee, a coalition interested in legislation related to human needs and human services. She was a founding board member of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative. Chaer is a Denver native.

 

 
Darius Lee Smith serves as the Director of the Denver Anti-Discrimination Office within the Agency for Human Rights & Community Relations where he facilitates resolution of civil rights discrimination complaints by assisting individuals; he does this by utilizing the Indigenous form of “Peacemaking” ~ resolving conflict/disputes by using common sense principals and encouraging ethical settlements. Darius holds a Masters of Nonprofit Management and a Certificate of Graduate Studies in American Indian History and Culture from Regis University and the University of Denver, respectfully.  Professionally, Darius has served the American Indian community since 1992 in various positions with Habitat for Humanity International, Denver Public Schools and several local American Indian nonprofits.