Meet the team

Kimberly Carracedo

Kimberly is the daughter of two strong Panamanian immigrants who came to the United States in 1999. Raised in southern Colorado, she has grown up fighting for the issues affecting those with historically marginalized identities, accrediting her parents, siblings, and culture as the biggest reasons for her advocacy.

She received her bachelor's degrees in political science and international studies in the spring of 2023 at Colorado State University. In her professional career, she's been at the intersection of bilingual policy and community engagement. She has successfully managed cross-functional teams through complex organizing cycles, from mobilizing base building efforts during statewide elections to developing community driven localized campaigns.

Kimberly is passionate about growing the next generation of advocates through mentorship and peer to peer learning. In her free time, you can find her at the Denver Recreation Centers, hanging out with her dog, rooting for the Rockies, and spending time in Colorado's gorgeous outdoors.

Megan Ives

Megan is a community-serving problem-solver with Colorado legislative and policy experience. She has spent her career in a multitude of organizing, legislative, and research roles centered around advancing justice through systems-change. These roles include experience in criminal justice, behavioral health, affordable housing, labor, and education. She has both led and supported policy creation leading to the passage of multiple state laws. Some of her previous roles include service as an Americorps member at Skinner Middle School in Denver, Legislative Aide to Representative Leslie Herod in 2020, Coalition Coordinator for the 2022 Colorado Clean Slate coalition to automate criminal record sealing for eligible convictions, Senior Policy Analyst at the Colorado Children’s Campaign, and the policy and advocacy lead at Justice Reskill. Megan holds a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology from the University of Colorado, Boulder where she also captained the women's ultimate frisbee team. Outside of her professional roles, she believes her experience with grassroots organizing in the Denver community has shaped her immensely. She is guided by her belief that a better world is possible, and we all have a responsibility to create it.

Megan worked for Denver City Council in Councilmember Sarah Parady’s At-Large office from August 2023 to August 2026 as policy lead on issues of public safety, public health, labor, immigration, and youth wellbeing, before joining Councilwoman Gonzales-Gutierrez’s office to continue her work. This work has included supporting the creation and advancement of legislative priorities, oversight of the city’s budget process, participation in various councils and commissions, and interfacing with a broad range of stakeholders. In her time with the city, she is most proud of her involvement in helping city employees gain collective bargaining rights, supporting harm reduction organizations through the syringe access program ordinance update, educating and mobilizing Denverites to fight back against dangerous mass surveillance systems, and supporting multiple budget proposals to benefit working families in our city.

Sina Kholghy

Sina is a first-generation American who grew up in Denver with his parents and three siblings. His parents are Iranian immigrants, and every year Sina’s family would spend summer breaks and his grandparent’s house in Mashhad. His upbringing made him obsessed with international affairs and politics from a very young age. He attended Denver East High School and continued his education at the University of Colorado Boulder for a BA in International Affairs and the University of Denver for a MA in International Studies. He spent the early parts of his career working on a U.S. State Department professional exchange program called the “International Visitor Leadership Program” in both Washington D.C. and Denver. After the pandemic, he wanted to focus more on domestic issues, with a focus on addressing the widening gap in economic inequality. In 2022, he attended the London School of Economics to pursue a MSc in Comparative Politics, with a focus on how the economy affects politics. He’s passionate about fighting inequality and making Denver a better place for all its residents to live.

When Sina is not working, he loves to travel, spend time with family, listen to comedy & history podcasts, and try food from all around the world. His goal in life is to visit 100 countries and attend a World Cup final!

Photo of Sina Khayat Kholghy

Emily Ochoa

Emily Ochoa is a proud first-generation American with Guatemalan roots. Growing up in Mexico, she was immersed in Guatemalan culture at home and Mexican culture in her everyday life. Living as an immigrant in Mexico shaped her perspective and fueled her passion for social equity.

Emily earned her BA in International Relations from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City in 2019 before moving to Denver to work at the Guatemalan Consulate. She has extensive experience with the Office of Refugee Resettlement since she worked as a Case Manager for the Unaccompanied Children’s program. This inspired her next step to advocate with and for Immigrant and Refugee Communities at the State Legislature. In May 2024, she graduated from the University of Colorado Denver with a Master’s in Public Administration.

Emily is passionate about promoting social equity and has over seven years of experience working and volunteering with immigrant and refugee communities in Mexico and Colorado. When she's not working, you can usually find her at community events with her dog Kahlu, camping during the summer, hiking, taking photos, and reading at a local coffee shop.

Photo of Emily Ochoa