Emily Kleeman
Executive Director
A lover of mountains, hiking, skiing, and anything water related, Emily moved to Colorado in 2001 when she attended Colorado State University for a Bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies. During her time there, Emily grew her passion and love of human service and in 2005 started a journey working with vulnerable populations. Following graduation, Emily relocated to Baltimore, Maryland to be closer to family and worked within the disability and homeless sectors of social services. In 2007, to further her education, Emily enrolled in University of Maryland's School of Social work with a dual concentration in Clinical Social Work and Management of Community Organizations, receiving her MSW in 2011 followed by her LCSW 2014. Following graduation Emily worked for 5 years outside Washington D.C., as a leader in non-profit homeless sector services specifically for women transitioning from shelters to stable housing. Following the Feddie Gray Baltimore Uprisings in 2014, Emily saw a great need for criminal justice reform nationwide and in 2015 was offered the opportunity to return to Colorado to begin a new journey in reform practices. During a training through another employer, Emily ran into TRI's Founder, Deborah Simmons, and a connection was made that would change the trajectory of not only Emily's life, but TRI. Founded in 2016, TRI was still a small grassroots organization when they asked Emily to become the Director and help grow TRI into the agency it is today. Since 2018, Emily has worked diligently to expand our funding to support unique and inclusive programs and services that meet the needs of TRI Members. Emily's accomplishments in the last 6 years have allowed TRI to become a leading program in reentry statewide, growing attention from local Media, Newspapers and even Women's Health Magazine. The notoriety has amounted in more visibility on what works for reentry and is paving the way for more organizations to follow our model of care. Emily's main goal is to ensure that Deborah's legacy and vision of criminal justice reform efforts continues until the warehousing of humans in no longer the leading model in justice reform. "it is an honor to serve TRI, our Founder and Board of Directors. I am deeply passionate about dismantling the criminal justice system and replacing it with gender responsive trauma informed practices that heal our community instead of punishing them."
Welcome Back Center Team
Dominique Vodicka
Program Manager & Peer
Dominique is a Boulder Native. Her background includes Accounting, Lead Server, Master Dog Trainer, and Cosmetologist. The not so pretty parts of her background also include addiction and time in prison. Dominique first became a part of TRI in 2016 when she was accepted to be a participant in the first TRIumph class, offered at the Denver Women’s Correctional Facility. The last stint in prison caused Dominique to really take a look at herself and make some changes. She took every class possible to better herself; including Therapeutic Community, CDOC k-9 companion program where she trained service dogs, Cosmetology, and TRIumph pre-release program. Dominique has her Peer Support Specialist Certification and runs the Welcome Back Center in the TRI HQ. Through lived experience she is able to relate to members of TRI and be supportive in all aspects. Dominique is celebrating 10 years of sobriety!
James Moore
Peer Mentor
Originally from California, James has lived in Colorado since 2015, when he was just passing through and got arrested. While in jail he obtained his GED and received multiple other certificates. When he got released to the halfway house in 2020, he found his way to TRI. He met members and staff that welcomed him with open arms. TRI helped James with resources to reintegrate successfully into society. After he finished his parole he was invited to join the team as a Peer Support and has been giving back to his community ever since. James has said his passion comes from his past and bad decisions. Hurt people, hurt people but healed people, heal others.
Wellness Center Team
Anita Lewis
Therapeutic Care Manager
Anita Lewis is a therapist at The Reentry Initiative. Anita is a believer of second chances and helping her community heal by providing a safe and authentic therapeutic environment. Anita recognizes the impact that trauma has had on the lives of TRI’s Members and it is her calling to honor her Members by working collaboratively with them to discover their sobriety, resilience, and sense of self. Anita has a passion for working with folks who struggle with mental health and substance use challenges. For this reason, Anita holds her Social Work License and is Licensed Addiction Counselor Candidate. Anita has worked with justice-involved individuals with co-occurring disorders for 7 years, and will continue to be an advocate for normalizing therapy and making it accessible for all who want it. Anita is a program manager that oversees funding for housing as well as providing tangible support for folks on probation. In addition, Anita also provides individual and group therapy to TRI’s Members. Outside of the office, Anita enjoys hiking and exploring Colorado, listening to podcasts, walking her dog and spending time with her kiddo. And of course, cheering for the Denver Nuggets!
Hannah Hughey
Therapeutic Care Manager
Hannah is a therapist at The Reentry Initiative. She was born and raised in Boulder County and has lived experience in the juvenile and adult justice systems in Colorado. It was in these systems that Hannah discovered her calling, to reenter the criminal justice system as a professional, rather than a client. Hannah received her Bachelor of Science in Social Work in 2023, followed by her Master of Social Work in 2024. Throughout her education, Hannah focused on Criminal Justice as well as Mental Health. Hannah interned as a Deputy Probation Officer in Boulder, where she came full circle, returning to the County that she was on probation in as a juvenile. Next, she set her sights on providing therapeutic intervention to incarcerated youth in the Division of Youth Services (DYS). Through these experiences, Hannah decided to switch gears and focus on reentry services for those on Probation and Parole. She joined The Reentry Initiative in September of 2024. As a therapist, Hannah strives to provide a safe and collaborative space for her clients. She believes that every client already has the answers within them and focuses on cultivating self-discovery and self-growth to produce results that last. Her passions include social justice, crafting, exercising, and spending time with her family.
Interns
Brandi Wagoner
Peer Mentor Intern
Brandi is a Longmont native. Growing up along the Front Range has given her an appreciation for nature, the outdoors, and especially the mountains. She enjoys camping, trail walks, and even just sitting outside enjoying a sunset. Participating in 4-H as a child, Brandi developed a deep love for horses, which contributed to her love of the Equine Coaching Program offered through The Reentry Initiative. For years Brandi struggled with substance use and mental health challenges. It wasn’t until she found TRI in early 2023 that her path began to change for the better. Through The Reentry Initiative she has since graduated from probation, regained custody of her son, and completed the Peer Support Mentor training. She began her internship with TRI this winter. Because of her love of family and her deep ties to the community, Brandi is eager to support others in recovery as they navigate the judicial system.
Office and Back End Management
Maureen Buckner
Office Manager
Maureen first started with TRI as a volunteer managing the TRI shop in summer of 2020. She is now also the Office Manager, greeting members and doing whatever needs doing. Maureen retired after more than 40 years in the retail industry. She keeps busy playing with her dog, reading, spending time with her family and discovering new and old hobbies.
Christie Maurais
Accounting and Bookkeeping
Christie was first introduced to The Reentry Initiative several years ago when she participated as a volunteer to help furnish and “design” TRI’s client apartment in Longmont. She was fascinated and encouraged to learn about TRI’s programs and see them in action. Christie has a long-time commitment to women’s empowerment and ensuring their safety. The Reentry Initiative does both, so she was thrilled when she learned of the opportunity to join their team as the Accounting Manager. She has a few decades of experience in finance, most notably with non-profits. Christie graduated from Fairview High School and attended Colorado State University and then returned to Boulder 12 years ago. She is proud to be working with an organization that positively impacts our community.