About the Collective

We want to see deep rooted nonprofit leaders animated by the Way of Jesus.

Deep Roots Collective is an initiative of Sacred Place for the health of nonprofit leaders and organizations in our city. Our origin is a group of local nonprofit leaders who were passionate about encouraging leaders navigating the challenges of our cultural moment.

What aligns our work is we are leaders animated by the Way of Jesus. We lead a spectrum of nonprofit organizations serving the city and around the world. What we share is a commitment to serve others because of our common Christian faith.

Strategic Outcomes

Leader Development

We prioritize spiritual, personal, and professional growth, emphasizing identity formation and practical skills for nonprofit leaders.

Leader
Longevity

We are committed to care for leaders’ long-term health and celebrate the longevity of leaders in the nonprofit sector.

Leader Community

We cultivate shared social capital and generously share with each other to combat isolation and the lie of scarcity in philanthropy.

Advisory Board & Executive Director

The Advisory Board of Deep Roots Collective provides shared wisdom, accountability, and advocacy to ensure the mission flourishes. Board members guide strategic direction, steward financial health, and serve as ambassadors within Denver’s nonprofit community. Each leader is committed to the daily work of leading a nonprofit organization and following the Way of Jesus.

The Executive Director of Deep Roots Collective provides the spiritual, relational, and organizational leadership to cultivate the personal and professional development, peer community, and longevity of nonprofit executive leaders animated by the Way of Jesus. Jared Mackey currently serves as the Executive Director of Deep Roots Collective.

  • Executive Director, CrossPurpose

    Jason co-founded CrossPurpose in 2008, influenced greatly by spending his childhood and adolescence in poverty. Jason’s passion for social entrepreneurship and serving the poor is satisfied through his role as CEO where he builds our staff team, sets the organizational culture, and raises funds.

    When he is not working, Jason enjoys bike riding and hanging out with his wife and four boys.

  • Executive Director, Hope House Colorado

    Lisa has more than 28 years of experience working with teen moms. In 2003, she co-founded Hope House Colorado and has served as the founder & executive director ever since. Under Lisa’s leadership, Hope House has reached new levels and growth that, with a budget of over $4.7 million, puts the organization in the top 10 percent of nonprofits in the United States. Lisa and her team led two successful capital campaigns to open a 15,000-square-foot resource center in 2019 and an 11,000-square-foot early learning center in 2024, both debt-free buildings due to the generosity of so many amazing champions.

    Hope House also received the Governor’s Service Award for Outstanding Nonprofit Organization in Colorado in 2015 and was named the Arvada Nonprofit Organization of the Year in 2018. Lisa is a co-founder of the Colorado Teen Parent Collaborative (TPC), served on the board for the Arvada Chamber from 2021-2025 and participates on the leadership team for Deep Roots Collective, a group that exists to cultivate development, community and longevity among nonprofit leaders.

    In 2013, Lisa was named the Arvada Woman of the Year for her contributions to the community. Lisa co-authored the Teen MOPS Handbook and worked with MOPS International on their strategic plan for expanding the ministry of Teen MOPS.

    Lisa is the author of A Place To Belong, a book that shares the miracle of Hope House while encouraging women in their leadership journey. A former teen mom, Lisa is committed to empowering teen moms in her community and across the world.

  • Executive Director, Inner City Health

    Charles is a proud Colorado native and advocate for change and innovation. He serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Inner City Health a Christ-centered based non-profit in Denver that provides healthcare to the underserved with consistent, high quality treatment in an atmosphere of genuine respect. He has a vision for Inner City Health to be a beacon of service, access, education, and empowerment for the community; a health center that is a large collaborative partner with grassroots connections and a family practice feel.

    Prior to his current role, he worked for Fortune 2 ranked company Amazon and Fortune 26 ranked COMCAST in the private sector. His professional experience spans into government as well where he served as an appointee for Mayor Michael B. Hancock in the City and County of Denver. His scope included being a bridge between governmental branches and Denver metro regional partners. He drove projects that impacted $3.65B of capital expenditures, was the co-site Director for the COVID19 unhoused shelter operations, and many other duties.

    Charles serves on several boards, is a gubernatorial/mayoral appointed commissioner, and is an Associate Pastor for ONE a Potter’s House Church. Charles’ beloved alma mater is the University of Colorado at Boulder where he studied Business Administration and Leadership.

    Most importantly, Charles is a proud husband to Rikki and loving father to Liliana and his son Charles IV. His hobbies include listening to Presidential Primaries, reading, learning foreign languages, and volunteering on ranches working with horses.

  • Executive Director, Save Our Youth

    Russel provides strategic leadership for Save Our Youth by working with the board of directors and the executive leadership team to establish long-range goals, strategies, plans, and policies. Russel has over 12 years of experience with national mentoring not-for-profit organizations and over 20 years of experience in youth development. Russel also served the broader mentoring community by serving on the MENTOR: Colorado Advisory Council and delivering a variety of trainings and workshops at mentoring/youth development conferences across the country. Russel graduated from Colorado Christian University with a B.A. in Biblical Studies.

  • Executive Director, Whiz Kids

    Elly serves as Executive Director of Whiz Kids, a nonprofit providing one-to-one tutoring and mentoring for elementary students struggling in reading and math. Driven by her faith in Jesus and a deep commitment to justice, she is passionate about creating access and opportunity for students and families. She previously spent 11 years as Regional Director for YoungLives (Young Life’s ministry to teen parents), 12 years as the owner of an event planning company, and began her career as a public school teacher in a multilingual school.

    Elly is married to Chad, has raised five children, and is now joyfully embracing life as a grammy.

  • Executive Director, Sacred Place

    Jared is the founder and Executive Director of Sacred Place. He is a concierge for the Kingdom. His deep joy is connecting individuals, organizations, and ideas. He served as clergy in Denver for over 30 years and on various faith, civic, and nonprofit advisory boards. Jared, and his family live in the Washington Virginia Vale neighborhood, walking distance from The Bull & Bush, the best pub in Denver.

Rooted Leaders, Real Impact

  • "Being part of the Deep Roots Collective has given me an amazing chance to learn and grow alongside other like-hearted, passionate leaders. I not only feel less alone but also see Denver's nonprofit ministry landscape as more alive and beautiful than ever. "

    Matt Wallace | Dry Bones

  • “It was my first time to attend and I left feeling encouraged by the network of professionals I got to connect with and with some new leadership insights!”

    Molly Soderstrom | The Brook

  • "As a young leader, it is so encouraging to be in a room of folks with a lot more experience and life lived than myself. Thank you for cultivating this space."

    Avery Rikard | Lovewell Colfax

  • "Leadership in faith-based non profit work has unique challenges. The support, growth, and relationships I have gained here have been invaluable."

    Derek Kuykendall | Providence Network

  • "The Deep Roots Collective began just as I was hired as Executive Director.  Although I was terrified to be in the room with so many pillars in the non-profit community, I felt nothing but warmth and belonging from my first luncheon. This space has not only been a place of great wisdom and resource for me, but a safe haven as well."

    Elly Conant | Whiz Kids Tutoring

  • "This thoughtful, faith-filled group of people became my refuge in my most trying season of leadership. I am grateful to have a place to be transformed at the heart level as a leader in this city that I love."

    Adrienne Tafilowski | Mile High WorkShop

  • The Deep Roots Collective has been a huge encouragement to me as a new Executive Director. Every meeting is filled with wisdom and support that helps me navigate the challenges of leadership. I prioritize attending because I leave not only with practical tools I can immediately implement, but also with my soul deeply encouraged. It has become an invaluable space for growth and connection."

    Kayla Horne | Jesus On Colfax