Jennifer Daniels
Co-Chair
Jennifer Daniels grew up in Western Colorado and has called Mesa County home for 27 years. She is the Coordinator of the Suicide Prevention Coalition and the Colorado-National Collaborative (CNC) for Mesa County.
Her undergraduate education is in human biology with a master’s in social work. Jennifer has volunteered with the Grand Junction Police Department as a Victim Advocate since 2012 with a special heart for suicide loss response.
She is a master trainer in ASIST, a certified trainer in Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid, QPR, NAMI Ending the Silence, and Soul Shop.
Jazmin Murguia
Co-Chair
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Jazmin Murguia is the Suicide Prevention Follow-Up Coordinator for the Office of Suicide Prevention with the CO Dept. of Public Health and Environment. She oversees the CO Follow-Up Project, an expansion of telephonic follow-up services to anyone discharged from an emergency department due to a mental health crisis.
She joined the Bridging the Divide Education Committee in Fall 2022, followed by joining the Board in Summer 2023. Previous to working in suicide prevention, she worked in student affairs assisting and advocating for students of color navigating higher education.
As a queer, midwestern Xicana living in Colorado, she has spent time building community across the state to be able to fully serve with empathy and solidarity. Jazmin dedicates her work to anyone living with premenstrual dysphoric disorder, PMDD, and all the Chicanxs who live with suicidality.
Erin Ivie:
Treasurer
she/her/hers
In 2007 I lost my best friend, Luke, to suicide. In the years surrounding his death 10+ other people that I knew in Eagle County also died by suicide. I joined SpeakUp ReachOut in 2012 and became the Executive Director in 2014. In 2015 I joined the Bridging the Divide Planning Committee for SPCC, followed by joining the Board. In 2017 I was elected co-chair of SPCC and currently serve as the treasurer. I do this work to show people that there is HOPE! And that no one is alone in this journey whether they are struggling with mental health, suicidal ideation or the loss of a loved one to suicide.
Kim Baca:
Secretary & Collaboration Committee Chair
she/her/hers
Kimberly Baca works for Living Works Education with the Innovation Team . A company that creates workshops that support identifying people with thoughts, intervention skills, & preparation to provide care. Her mission is that of the companies: Saving lives through the creation, development, and delivery of innovative training experiences that empower organizations, communities, and individuals to be safer from suicide. She strives to empower others through the natural solutions with the inspiration of essential oils, healthy lifestyle and the importance of life. Kim has been on the SPCC board since February 2017. She is a parent (dad) loss survivor and has many family, friend, and acquaintance losses as well. Kim serves on the Education and Collaboration Committees and is creating Suicide Awareness one training at a time.
Dan Adams:
Member At Large
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Dan Adams is the Director of Training for Sources of Strength, a National strength-based, upstream suicide prevention program. He is also a member of Faith Communities Task Force of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, and a board member of the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Colorado.
Dale Emme:
Member At Large
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Dale Emme is a founding member and former Vice Chair of SPCC. He and his wife Dar founded Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program/The Light for Light Foundation International after the loss of their son, Michael Emme by suicide in 1994. Dale was involved in creating the CO Office of Suicide Prevention and National Council for Suicide Prevention, and is part of the CO Suicide Prevention Commission.
Through Yellow Ribbon, Dale has created a comprehensive program which is offered worldwide through seminars, workshops, in-services and presentations. He has addressed and worked with over 550,000 youth. Dale is a strong advocate, speaking out for survivors and youth by raising awareness and empowering communities to help save lives. You can learn more about the Emmes here.
Brenda Gierczak:
Member At Large
Brenda Gierczak has been involved with the SPCC since 2003, when she became its Program Coordinator, and remained until 2008, when she joined the Board of Directors. As a suicide prevention advocate, Brenda is a member of the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention, Board of Directors. She also co-facilitated a Heartbeat group. Brenda worked with the American Association of Suicidiology as a psychological autopsy investigator, with the railroad, Marines, and a school system project. A Colorado native, Brenda lost her nephew, Matthew to suicide in 2001. She teaches at a local college, and enjoys spending time with her family, and traveling.
Shannon Harrison:
Member At Large
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Shannon Harrison has a Ph.D. in Social Work, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and is the Director of Evidence Based Solutions. She has served for twenty four years in acute care mental health settings, assessing and treating suicidal patients on a daily basis. Her valuable experience has inspired her to focus her clinical research in the area of suicide prevention.
Dr. Harrison is accredited as a School Suicide Prevention Specialist from the American Association of Suicidology . She sits on the Board of the American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work. She is a Board Certified Diplomat, an Accredited School Suicide Prevention Specialist, a Certified Psychological Autopsy Investigator, a Certified Advanced-Child, Youth, and Family Social Worker, and a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor.
Paul Henrion
Member At Large
he/him/his
Joining SPCC in 2015, he’s been involved in the advocacy and education committees.
Since coming to Colorado, Paul’s volunteer work also included: mental health support groups at the Samaritan House and Aurora Mental Health; City of Aurora Human Relations Commission adviser; Aurora NAACP as 2nd VP and represents the organization at Hate Free Colorado, Aurora Key Community Response team and Aurora Chamber of Commerce.
Paul’s volunteer work in Massachusetts included Aurora United Way board, ADL’s No Place For Hate program and League of Women Voters.
A retired attorney, Paul primarily worked at Digital Equipment, Compaq Computer and Hewlett Packard as a business, employment and privacy counsel.
Dr. Helen Littrell
Education Committee Chair
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Dr. Littrell’s interest in suicide prevention and crisis intervention started in 2012, when she was a volunteer for Lifeline in Australia for 2.5 years. Dr. Littrell holds Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and in Commerce from the Australian National University, and a Master’s and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver. Her doctoral dissertation focused upon optimal suicide prevention techniques for individuals experiencing chronic suicidality.
Dr. Littrell became a Licensed Psychologist in 2021 and since then has worked at Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners (RMCP) as the Crisis Services Director. During her time at RMCP she has helped facilitate the 988 launch successfully in Colorado, expanded hiring for the Colorado Crisis Line to be statewide, and launched an internship program so more new mental health professionals can learn how to help those in crisis.
Susan Marine, PhD:
Member At Large
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Susan Marine came to Colorado, with her new graduate degree (family and medical sociology), to join the faculty of the CU Health Sciences Center. She later worked for the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, where she became interested in legislative advocacy. Thereafter she worked as a consultant doing research and policy analysis related to health and mental health.
Her life changed dramatically in 2003 when her son, Kevin, died by suicide. Before that she knew little about suicide. In 2007 her daughter, Alice, took her own life – using the same means as Kevin did. These extraordinary losses resulted in Susan’s vow to do whatever she could to spare other parents this experience. She has found her voice advocating for suicide prevention legislation. Susan is the former chair of the Advocacy Committee.
Maranda Miller, BA, CPS II:
Advocacy Committee Chair
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Ms. Miller is the Prevention Services Program Manager for Centennial Mental Health Center and has over fifteen years of experience providing suicide prevention trainings in the communities of Northeast Colorado.
She is a certified trainer in the following evidence based curriculums: Mental Health First Aid (adult and youth version), Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (Master Trainer), Yellow Ribbon Youth Suicide Prevention, More Than Sad; Suicide Prevention for Youth and Educators, Question Persuade and Refer Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training, Working Minds; Suicide Prevention for the Workplace, Bridges out of Poverty and Psychological First Aid.
Ms. Miller is responsible for conducting Behavioral Healthcare Cultural Competency Trainings for Centennial staff and partner agencies.
She is currently a board member of the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Colorado and a member of the Bridging the Divide Suicide Prevention Conference Planning Committee.
William W. Porter, PhD:
Member At Large
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B.A. Hanover College – 1968
Officer in the US Navy – 1968 to 1970
Phd Clinical Child Psychology – 1976 – University of Denver
Psychologist – Northwest Mental Health Center – 1976 to 1978
Director – Mental Health – Cherry Creek Schools 1978 to 2003
Programs Developed
Wilderness Experience Program 1970 to 1986
Backpacking Program for youth from Jefferson County
Suicide Prevention 1978 to 1988 – Youth in Crisis
Suicide Prevention Coalition of Colorado – 1988 to Present
Board Member
Childrens’ Museum of Denver
Denver Mental Health
Minoru Yasui Volunteer Award Board – 2012